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Honestly speaking, love was the strangest thing. The next morning, Ellis was in an extremely good mood for no apparent reason. The whole time she was walking to school with Serena, she was beaming. If Serena noticed anything, she didn't comment.

Butterflies stirred when she arrived at school, and saw Dreyon waiting by the door, his expression bored as usual. When he saw them, however, he quickly pushed off from the wall he was leaning onto and began strolling towards them.

Serena raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ellis. "Is he…?"

"I think so," Ellis breathed.

Dreyon didn't stop in front of her, but directly went forward to kiss her. This time, the kiss felt different. It wasn't as rushed or hasty, and it's even lovelier, nearly sweeping Ellis off her feet. The kiss was slow and taunting, something that suited Dreyon, and when they separated, her knees felt weak.

Serena stood off by one side, not seeming very awkward as a third wheel. She was smirking lightly, an expression that said, 'Why am I not surprised?'

"Dude," an unfamiliar voice said behind Ellis. The three vampires spun around to face a tall, tanned boy with light blonde hair streaked with brown. His bright blue eyes twinkled mischievously as he addressed Dreyon. "I come back for what, two days, and you've got a girlfriend?"

Dreyon's friend then turned his attention to Ellis, looking her up and down, his eyebrows raised. "I didn't see you around last year. You new?"

Ellis nodded.

His smirk grew. "So Dreyon only knew you for about two months? He must've been really charming for you to fall for him that fast."

And now, Ellis just really wanted to punch the boy, because now that she thought back, Dreyon hadn't been very charming at all.

Her irritation and discomfort must have shone on her face, because the boy chuckled and extended a hand. "My name's Sam Collins. I was absent for the first few months because of family problems, so I'm guessing we haven't formally met yet. It's nice to meet you."

"Ellis Skye. Nice to meet you too." It took her entire will not to crush the boy's hand, but judging from his faint wince, her grip was still far too tight.

Dreyon rolled his eyes. "What is this, a business meeting? Let's go to first period." He took her hand and began dragging Ellis towards the school building, Serena and Sam in tow, past the whispering and gossiping students.

His touch sent tingles up her spine - a feeling she had never experienced - and Ellis beamed when she saw the small smile that graced his lips. She had never felt so happy.

There had never been a time more perfect than now.

πρωίωςτοβράδυ

Time passed quickly. Winter had just fallen, and Ellis bundled up, even though her vampire body could not feel the cold. Dreyon waited every day for her in front of the school, and every time she saw him, she felt warmth spreading through her insides, and winter wind was no longer biting and fierce. With Dreyon, she felt like she drank hot chocolate mixed with fresh blood.

The day passed with a blurred mind and stolen kisses in the hallways. Serena and Sam stood by the side, the silent, supportive friends. Sam actually turned out to be pretty chill, a little happy-go-lucky, and always going with the flow. He was the most talkative one, and Ellis was often glad for him to fill in the silence shared between the other three. Dreyon barely changed; he was as sarcastic, sadistic, and strange as ever, but Ellis was beginning to understand enough of his little quirks and was able to peer through his mask.

When the bell rang, Ellis shot out from her final class and slammed her things into her locker, grabbing her scarf while she's at it. Dreyon was faster than her, and was already by the front door of the school, chatting with Sam. Ellis and Serena joined them, and the four of them began walking home.

Sam was the first to part ways, and Dreyon fell considerably quieter after he left. But then when Ellis and Serena were almost at their apartment building, he spoke suddenly, "Let's go to the park."

Serena blinked, and nodded in understanding. "See you later then, Ellis." Then she turned into the building and disappeared from sight.

"That's quite sudden," Ellis commented to Dreyon, frowning lightly.

The dark haired boy shrugged. "I just felt like it today."

Ellis hummed, and they continued their way towards the park. There, they sat, watching the few children brave the winter cold and run around the playground sets. The days were too short: the sun was already setting, and it was rapidly growing dark.

"We should be going back soon," Ellis murmured.

Dreyon didn't make a sound, but simply gripped her hand even tighter. "Yeah, we should," he finally mumbled. They stood, still clasping each other's hands and began to part ways.

Ellis gave him a gentle peck on his lips, and before she could pull away, he pressed against her, pulling her to his chest, his hands running up and down her back and spine before settling on her hips. Vampires didn't need air, and they could've continued this for the rest of eternity, and a small part of her wanted that, but the other, more rational, realistic part of her forced her to slowly peel herself away.

For once, Dreyon was slower to react, and he moved sluggishly and reluctantly, his eyes never leaving hers. She gave him a small smile. "See you tomorrow, Dreyon."

"See you." And she watched him as he turned around first, took one step, before freezing.

For the first time, she noticed the sleek black car parked not far from the side. And the man leaning against it.

The man moved casually in his pristine suit, smoothly and gracefully despite his size; his dark hair was slicked back, his face sharp and pale and familiar.

"Dreyon." He addressed the boy. There was something in his voice that made Ellis shudder, something deep and resonating and filled with something she couldn't quite place but hated. With a jolt, Ellis realized who the man was.

"Father." Dreyon's voice was steady, but his throat bobbed, his hands shook slightly, and Ellis realized that for the first time in her life, she was seeing Dreyon truly and utterly terrified. Of his own father.

"And who might this be?" He gestured behind Dreyon at Ellis, who froze like a deer caught in headlights.

"Just a classmate." Dreyon's voice shook slightly.

The man raised a brow. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

Then, he smiled, and Ellis thought that it would've been a kind smile if she didn't see the pointed fangs glinting in the dim lighting. "Walk with me, Shadowlock."

"No." Ellis stared at Dreyon, who stood defiantly between her and his father. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"Whether or not she comes will not be decided by you."

"Nor you."

Something in the monster's eyes flashed, and he moved so quickly that Ellis didn't see him at all, the sound only reaching her ears after Dreyon had stumbled and fallen. The slap resonated in the air, fading quickly, and a welt began to swell on Dreyon's face.

But Dreyon's father was looking at Ellis. "Walk with me, Shadowlock," he repeated.

Ellis obeyed. She couldn't look at Dreyon as she passed him. He picked himself off, dusting off his jeans, ignoring the throbbing of his cheek.

"Wait a-"

"You come as well, boy." The man cut him off, and his tone was so filled with scorn and cold, cruel amusement that Ellis wanted to kill him, wanted to rip out his tongue and his throat and drain him dry. But she couldn't do anything. There was something deep inside her bones that knew that no matter how much older she might be, she could not win a fight against this monster who had gained the top seat in the clan of Nightwalkers. Pure horror dawned upon her as she finally realized what was happening. She was following this man, who was Dreyon's father, and was the king of the Nightwalkers. Her ultimate enemy. And she was following him like an obedient little lamb.

The drive towards the mansion was tense, to say the very least. Ellis couldn't look at Dreyon without feeling shame coursing through her veins, but she could feel Dreyon staring at her. His father drove in silence, and when they arrived at the mansion, Richard the butler's entire body went rigid at the sight of her as she stepped out of the car. She gave him a small smile that tried to look reassuring, but it turned out more like a grimace.

They entered the mansion in silence, Dreyon's father first, then Ellis, and Dreyon bringing up the rear. The living room was lavish as ever, delicately designed, but for some reason, it felt like a graveyard. And from Dreyon's expression, it might as well have been one.

What was happening? Ellis wondered slightly. What is going to happen? How did this happen? Why?

"Why?" To her surprise, Dreyon was the one who spoke first, voicing the question on her mind.

"It's very simple, son." The man settled himself comfortably down on a couch, picking up an empty teacup from the coffee table and tapping it once on the marble surface. "I want to know why you're getting so close with a Shadowlock. That is all."

Is it? Dreyon's expression asked, but he said, "We were merely talking. That is all."

"Perhaps." He didn't even regard Richard as the butler filled the teacup with warm blood, fragrant with freshness.

The room was silent, the only sounds being Richard's brisk footsteps and the click as the door closed. The leader of the Nightwalkers sipped at the blood, seemingly thoughtful, before he gestured suddenly at Ellis and commanded Dreyon, "Kill it."

Her throat constricted, and she glanced at the younger vampire to see his hands shaking violently.

"No," he forced out.

And then the teacup was soaring through the air, leaving a ribbon was crimson liquid as it arched – and shattered in front of Dreyon, splattering his shoes and jeans with blood.

"Kill it."

"No."

The monster was pacing towards him now, and she knew that for his father, killing Dreyon would be as easy as throwing that cup.

"Either you kill it, and make it quick if you want, or I'll chain you up and make you watch as I torture it to death."

In any other situation, Ellis would've felt extremely insulted from being called an 'it' all the time, but currently, she just wanted something to happen, anything, even if it's her death, just so the moment would end.

The monster continued, "You're not a child anymore, Dreyon. I expect you to be able to choose. Make the right choice. After all, how are you going to inherit the throne with a heart so soft you cannot bear to crush your enemies?"

There was a moment of silence. Then:

"If that is what is required to sit on a mere throne, I don't want it." The air in the room felt like it was freezing over. "I don't want an invisible throne or an artificial crown; I don't want a position gained through blood and hatred: it's not worth it. This," Dreyon gestured around him- at the comfortable couches and the elegant French windows and the beautiful chandelier, "is not worth it. I don't want it."

"Dreyon." Ellis finally managed to force a word out of her mouth. "Dreyon, please, don't do this…"

Dreyon turned and stared directly into her eyes, his murky green eyes clearer than she had ever seen it. "I don't want this. I quit."

And then he spun around and strode out the door, turning down the hallway.

For one second, Ellis remained frozen, before she quickly reacted and scurried after him. One last glance over her shoulder showed Dreyon's father bending over and picking up a piece of broken porcelain. There was no regret or sadness in that wicked smile - only amusement and mild anticipation. She had to resist the urge to throw up.

It was the first time she's been to Dreyon's room, and it surprised her with how… normal it looked. It was as messy as any other teenage boys': clothes and books strewn over the floor, an unmade bed…

Dreyon was already packing, throwing random articles of clothing and other necessities into a large suitcase.

"Dreyon, what are you doing?" She hated how weak her voice sounded.

"I'm leaving, obviously," Dreyon answered coldly.

"Dreyon, please don't-"

"It doesn't matter," he interrupted, throwing a T-shirt into the suitcase a little angrily. His voice then grew small, like a child's. "It doesn't matter whether I exist or not. It's all just a game to him. He doesn't actually care. He just wants something to manipulate easily. So I'm not going to let him do that. I'm leaving."

"To where?"

He shrugged. "To the Shadowlocks, probably. With you."

Her heart melted. "Why…?"

"Because," and then he smiled, a soft, sad smile that lingered, "some things are worth it. To me, you are worth it."

"Am I?" she wondered quietly.

Dreyon leaned forward and took her hand, brushing his lips over her fingertips. "Yes. I won't lie to you, Ellis. You are worth more than anything to me. I won't lie to you. Not now, not ever."

She gripped his hand tight, not ever wanting to let go.

"I promise."