Chapter 3

For the next days, I watched Seraphina's every move like a detective.

Her performance was flawless. Every morning, she ate breakfast with me, held my hand on the way to school, reminded me to be careful, and shielded me from malicious glares at the academy. Anyone watching would think she was the perfect sister.

But I knew the truth.

I started carrying my phone everywhere, the recording function always ready. Maybe she would slip up again.

On Thursday afternoon, I finally got my chance.

Returning to my room, I found the door slightly ajar. I was sure I'd locked it.

My heart pounding, I gently pushed it open to find the room in chaos. The easel was knocked over, canvases scattered everywhere. Most importantly, the painting I'd worked on for a whole week was torn to shreds. It was a nightscape of Silver Hollow, my entry for the academy art exhibition.

I knelt, picking up a piece of canvas, my fingers trembling—not from heartache, but from anger.

"Oh my god! What happened?" Seraphina's voice came from the doorway. I turned to see her looking "shocked," hand over her mouth as she hurried in.

"Elara, your painting... how did this happen?" She knelt beside me, her face full of fake pity. "You worked so hard on this..."

I stared at her hands. Her nails were clean, but there was a faint trace of paint under them—deep blue, the exact color of the sky in my painting.

"Mara!" Seraphina suddenly stood up, calling toward the door. "Mara, come here!"

A young maid hurried in, her face going pale when she saw the state of the room.

"Did you clean this room today?" Seraphina demanded, anger in her voice.

"I... I did, but the painting was fine..." Mara trembled, on the verge of tears.

"Then how did it end up like this?"

"I really don't know! I swear!" Mara knelt down, tears streaming. "Your Highness, I didn't touch the painting!"

Seeing her terrified expression, I felt sick. Seraphina was using this innocent girl as a scapegoat.

"Enough," I said, my voice calmer than I expected. "She didn't do it."

Seraphina turned to me, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Elara, you—"

"I said, she didn't do it," I repeated, looking straight into Seraphina's eyes. "Mara, you may go."

The maid gave me a grateful look and hurried away.

Now it was just Seraphina and me in the room. She maintained her concerned expression, but I could sense the frustration in her eyes.

"Elara, then who—"

"I don't know," I cut her off, bending down to continue gathering the pieces. "Maybe I was careless. Or maybe someone wants to mess with me. Whoever it is, they'll slip up eventually."

I emphasized the last sentence.

Seraphina's smile froze for a split second before returning to normal. "Right, we'll definitely find out. I'll tell Father and Mother—"

"No need," I looked up. "It's just a painting. I can redo it. Thank you for your concern, Seraphina. I'd like to be alone for a while."

She hesitated, then nodded. "Then... rest well."

After she left, I leaned against the door, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. She must be panicking now. I hadn't cried or made a scene as she'd expected, nor had I blamed Mara. Her carefully staged drama had failed.

Dinner that night was tense. Draven and Lillian had obviously heard about the painting from Seraphina. Their looks held concern and apology.

"Elara, if you're not feeling well, you can skip the family ball tonight," Lillian said gently.

"Family ball?"

"Yes, we host a social event every quarter, inviting other noble families," Draven explained. "We meant to tell you later so you could prepare, but given the painting incident..."

"I'll attend," I interrupted. "I'm fine, really."

Cassian finally looked up, his deep blue eyes studying me, as if trying to judge whether I was putting on a brave front.

"Sure?" His voice was still cold.

"Sure," I met his gaze.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then nodded and went back to cutting his steak. But as he lowered his head, I saw his brow relax slightly. Was he worried about me?

At seven, guests started arriving. I changed into the dress Lillian had prepared for me—a knee-length dark blue dress, simple and elegant.

Staring at my reflection, I saw a stranger. A week ago, I was living in a tiny Boston apartment, eating stale bread. Now I was wearing a custom-made gown, about to attend a vampire noble's ball. Life was strange.

"Elara, are you ready?" Seraphina entered, wearing a white gown that made her look like an angel. She walked over, looking me up and down. "That dress suits you, but..." She pulled out another dress from the wardrobe—burgundy, with a deep V-neck and a very tight waist. "This one would show off your figure better. The nobles would love it," she said with a smile.

I looked at the dress and inwardly sneered. Show off my figure? More like attract the attention of those bloodthirsty vampires.

"I think this one is fine," I refused.

Displeasure flickered across Seraphina's face, but she quickly smiled again. "Okay, then let's go down."

The hall was already filled with guests, all vampire nobility, each radiating an otherworldly presence. When Seraphina and I descended the stairs, all eyes turned to us. I heard the whispers.

"Is that the human?"

"I heard she's pureblood..."

"The Ashfords are bold..."

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Seraphina held my arm, her smile a perfect mask.

"Don't be nervous, Elara" she whispered. "Let's get some air on the terrace. It's too stuffy here."

She led me through the crowd to a secluded terrace. The night breeze felt good.

"I'll get you a drink," Seraphina said before turning and leaving.

I leaned on the railing, looking at the distant moon, trying to calm myself.

Suddenly, an intense gaze burned into my back.

I turned to see a tall vampire staring at me. His eyes were crimson, pupils filled with naked hunger.

He walked toward me, each step like a predator closing in on its prey.

"All alone, little human?" His voice was low, seductive.

I took a step back. "My friend will be back soon."

"Really?" He took another step closer. "A pureblood human... It's been so long since I've tasted one."

He bared his fangs, his eyes growing redder.

Fear washed over me like ice water. I wanted to run, but my legs felt like lead.

His hand reached for my neck. I closed my eyes, screaming internally.

The next second, a powerful force sent the vampire flying.

I opened my eyes to see Cassian standing in front of me, one hand gripping the vampire's throat, pinning him against the wall.

"Touch her, and you die."

Cassian's voice was low and dangerous. His eyes had turned blood-red, fangs fully extended. He radiated lethal energy.

The vampire paled, nodding frantically.

Cassian released him, and the creature stumbled away.

The terrace fell silent, leaving only Cassian and me.

He turned. The blood-red in his eyes slowly faded back to deep blue. I noticed his hand was trembling slightly—from anger, or from restraint?

"Are you okay?" His voice was still cold, but with a hint of something else.

"I... I'm fine," my voice shook.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip tight enough to hurt.

"Come with me."

He pulled me away from the terrace, through the hall. Everyone watched, whispers growing louder. Draven stood in the crowd, frowning at the scene. Lillian looked thoughtful.

Cassian dragged me all the way to a corridor before stopping.

I pulled my hand free. "You're hurting me!"

He immediately let go, his expression unusually flustered. He looked down at the red mark on my wrist, his brow furrowing.

"Sorry, I—" He took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Just stay away from those bastards in the future."

"How was I supposed to know he would—"

"You didn't know?" He cut me off, anger in his voice. "You're a human, standing alone in a secluded spot, radiating that scent. Did you think all vampires are saints?"

His words stung. "Then what do you suggest I do? Hide in my room and never come out?"

"If possible, yes."

I was stunned, unable to believe he'd said that.

"What do you mean?"

Cassian turned away, not looking at me. "I told you, stay away from me. It's for your own good."

"For my own good?" I couldn't help but laugh. "One minute you save me, the next you tell me to get lost. Cassian, what the hell do you want?"

His back stiffened.

After a long silence, he spoke, his voice almost inaudible. "Because I'm afraid I might hurt you too."

With that, he strode away, leaving me alone in the corridor.

I leaned against the wall, my mind spinning. He's afraid of hurting me? What does that mean?

Just then, a flash of white caught my eye from around the corner.

My heart jumped. I hurried over.

The corridor was empty, but a familiar perfume lingered in the air—the one Seraphina always wore.

Had she been eavesdropping?

Touching my still-warm wrist, I smiled coldly.