The Crimson Diary

THE UNINVITED GUESTS

The golden light under her collar kept glowing like a hot iron, making her eyes go wider and wider in confusion. But before she could even say another word, the sound of heavy boots crunching on dried leaves broke the silence between us.

Lucian stepped out from behind a thick pine tree, a lazy smirk on his face as he twirled a silver dagger in his fingers.

"Well, well," Lucian chuckled, his voice echoing in the dark woods. "I go to scout the perimeter for five minutes and you're already making out with a newborn in the bushes, Damon?"

Damon didn't even laugh. He instantly stepped in front of me, shielding my body with his broad back. His dark eyes flickered gold for a second as he glared at Lucian.

"Watch your tongue, Lucian," Damon said in a low, dangerous tone that made the hairs on my neck stand up. He reached back and grabbed my wrist gently, his thumb wiping the rest of the blood off my mouth. "Go home, Elena. Wash up before the sun comes up. We will finish this conversation later."

I didn't need to be told twice. I was so confused and scared that my feet moved on their own. I turned around and sprinted through the trees with insane speed, my deets flying over the grass until I reached my bedroom window. I climbed back inside, collapsed onto my bed, and fell into a heavy, restless sleep.

The next morning was a complete nightmare.

I woke up late and had to rush out of the house so I wouldn't miss the school bus. I didn't even get to talk to my mom properly. But the moment I walked into the school building, everything started going wrong with my body.

My new vampire senses were completely out of control and making me so disorganised. The fluorescent lights in the hallway were buzzing so loudly it felt like someone was screaming in my ears. I could hear two girls gossiping three lockers down like they were standing right next to me. But the worst part was the smell. A boy in my class had a fresh scratch on his arm, and the metallic scent of his blood filled the whole classroom, making the back of my throat burn like fire again.

"Elena? Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost," my friend Sarah asked, putting a hand on my shoulder as we walked down the hall.

"I'm fine... just tired," I lied, pulling away from her touch because her heartbeat sounded like a loud drum in my head.

I couldn't take it anymore. I faked a bad stomach ache and spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in the dark nurse's office just to escape the noise and the smell of human blod.

By the time the final bell rang, I just wanted to go home, lock my door, and try to understand what happened in the woods with Damon.

I walked up our porch and unlocked the front door. "Mom? I'm home!" I called out, taking off my shoes in the hallway.

Instead of the usual quiet house, I heard laughing coming from the living room. It was my mom's voice, sounding so happy and excited, along with two deep, smooth male voices.

"Oh, you boys are so polite! Elena never mentioned she was in touch with such high class people," my mom was saying as I walked around the corner into the living room.

I froze dead in my tracks. My heart stopped beating.

Sitting on our old brown couch, drinking tea out of my mom's best porcelain cups, were Damon and Lucian.

They were wearing expensive black suits, looking like pristine gentlemen from a movie. Damon set his teacup down on the glass table with a soft sound, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a possessive, dangerous look while Lucian gave me a tiny wink behind my mom's back.

"Elena, baby!" my mom beamed, turning around with a huge smile. "Why didn't you tell me you applied for the Ravenwood Academy Fellowship?!"

"I... what"? I stammered, my mind going completely blank.

"Don't be modest, sweetie," Damon said smoothly, his deep voice sending a shiver straight down my spine. "Mrs. Gilbert, we were just telling your mother that out of thousands of applicants, you won our full-ride scholarship. Free tuition, private dorm housing, and full coverage for all your expenses."

My mouth opened, but no words came out. A scholarship? Ravenwood Academy? That school didn't even exist in normal human books—it was a place for vampires and werewolves!

"Isn't it wonderful, Elena?!" my mom clapped her hands, her eyes tearing up with pride. "They said you have to pack your bags and leave tonight!"

I stared at Damon in sheer horror. He stood up from the couch slowly, towering over the room, and stepped toward me with a sharp, wicked smile.

"We take great care of our special students, Mrs. Gilbert," Damon whispered, looking down at me while my mom went into the kitchen to grab more snacks. "In fact... Lord Lucian and I will be personally overseeing Elena's adjustment."

Oh no.... This is really bad... What a horrible day.

What is this now?...

Ugh... I'm doomed!.