VAMPIRE'S FAIRY

MY NAME IS LYNN BLACKWOOD

His hands were ice-cold, and the air around us seemed to chill instantly. My chest tightened until each breath became a struggle, while he remained perfectly calm, a faint smile playing on his lips. My discomfort clearly didn't concern him. Across the room, my brother looked frantic. I could tell he wanted to pull me away, but he feared offending the powerful man before us. Instead, he hurriedly handed me my inhaler.

I took a puff, but the tightness in my chest didn't ease. I couldn't even step back—his hand still held mine in an unyielding grip.

Finally, Adriel spoke. "Excuse me, sir, but my sister isn't well. As you can see, she needs medical attention. Would you mind if I took her to the hospital?"

Though his voice was respectful, I could hear the strain beneath it. Yet the heartless vampire only continued to smile, his gaze fixed on me.

"Don't worry," he said smoothly. "She'll be just fine."

Before I could protest, he guided me onto the dance floor. His free hand settled on my waist, sending another wave of cold through my body. At first, the chill was unbearable, but then, strangely, my breathing began to steady. Little by little, the tightness eased until I could breathe normally again. I assumed the inhaler had finally taken effect.

"You look stunning, young lady. What is your name?"

His voice was soft, almost gentle, which somehow made him even more terrifying. The mafia men in novels were always described as charming and approachable. He was neither. His smile was beautiful, but it carried something dangerous beneath its surface. Though his face was handsome—strikingly so—and his features almost innocent, standing this close to him felt like being trapped in a nightmare.

He held my gaze, his eyes unwavering. I couldn't bear it and quickly looked away.

"No, no, no, young lady. Look at me and answer my question."

He gently cupped my cheek, but the coldness of his touch stung like ice against my skin. He tilted my face back toward him, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"My name is... Ayl Frenzs," I whispered, my voice trembling. "A-Y-L."

I knew he could hear the fear in my voice. In fact, I suspected he enjoyed it. His smile never faltered—beautiful, yet undeniably deadly.

I forced myself to move with the music, though every step felt unnatural. Offending him was not an option; a man like him could destroy my entire family with a single command.

He pulled me closer by the waist until there was barely any space between us.

"You smell lovely," he murmured. "Your blood smells even better. My name is Lynn Blackwood—L-Y-N-N."

The name sent a shiver through me. It was the same as the legendary vampire from the stories, though the man before me seemed entirely different. Surely it was just a coincidence.

"Y-you have a beautiful name," I stammered. "It's... uncommon."

He gave a soft chuckle. "That's because my parents named me after the legend. Not many people share it."

Silence fell between us as we continued to dance. The music seemed endless, and time itself felt as though it had slowed.

Then, without warning, a voice echoed inside my mind.

I like you. You're different from everyone else in this room. So weak... so fragile.

I froze.

A sharp pain exploded in my head, as if my skull were splitting apart. Tears streamed down my cheeks, hot against my skin. I reached up to wipe them away, only to stare in horror at the crimson staining my fingers.

Blood.

I stopped dancing entirely, terror rooting me in place.

For the first time, Lynn looked panicked.

The voice returned, now laced with concern.

Are you okay?

The pain intensified. My vision blurred, and all strength drained from my body. I felt Lynn catch me, one hand pressed firmly against my back while the other cradled my head. He pulled me against his chest, gently stroking my hair.

It was oddly comforting—warm, even. The last thing I felt before darkness claimed me was the steady rhythm of his embrace.

---

I woke to the steady beeping of a machine.

The headache was gone, though weakness still lingered in every limb. I slowly took in my surroundings. A hospital room. An IV was attached to my arm—no, not just fluids. Blood.

Only my sister's blood matched mine. She must have donated for me. The thought made my chest ache. She always reacted badly after giving blood. I wondered how she was doing.

Just then, the door opened.

"You’re awake, Ayl."