The Vampire In My Dreams

THE SHADOWS THAT LINGER

Three days had passed since the Royal Ball.

The their home was unusually peaceful.

The week-long break from Eldoria Royal University meant there were no lectures to rush to, no assignments to complete, and no early mornings.

Yet Octavia found no comfort in the quiet.

She sat by her bedroom window, her chin resting against her hand.

The dream refused to leave her mind.

Every detail felt painfully real.

The ancient forest...

The vampires...

The monstrous wolves...

The mysterious man who had protected her.

She gently placed a hand over her stomach.

There was no wound.

Yet somehow...

She could still remember the unbearable pain of the wooden stake.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Aurora entered carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.

"I knew I'd find you here."

She handed one to Octavia before sitting beside her.

"You've been staring out that window for nearly an hour."

Octavia smiled faintly.

"I didn't even notice."

Aurora studied her carefully.

"You're still thinking about the dream."

Octavia nodded.

"It felt so real, Aurora."

"I could see them this time."

Aurora frowned.

"See who?"

"Vampires."

She swallowed.

"And wolves... not ordinary wolves. They looked... different."

Aurora's grip tightened around her mug.

For some reason...

The words sent a chill through her.

"And the man?"

Octavia looked toward the window again.

"He saved me."

Aurora smiled gently.

"He always does."

"Yes..."

Octavia whispered.

"But this time..."

"He almost showed me his face."

Aurora's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Octavia nodded slowly.

"I could almost see him."

"What did he look like?"

She closed her eyes, trying to remember.

"I don't know..."

"It was like... something wouldn't let me see."

"The closer I got..."

"The blurrier everything became."

Aurora remained silent.

She couldn't explain why...

But something deep inside her told her those dreams weren't ordinary dreams.

---

That evening...

The streets of Eldoria bustled with life.

Musicians performed in the town square.

Children laughed as they chased one another.

Vendors sold warm bread, fresh flowers, and handmade jewelry.

Trying to clear their minds, Octavia and Aurora decided to take a walk through the market.

"It's nice getting out," Aurora said.

Octavia smiled.

"I needed this."

As they wandered between the colorful stalls, an elderly woman selling herbs suddenly grabbed Octavia's wrist.

Her cloudy eyes widened.

"The moon has chosen you..."

Octavia blinked.

"I... excuse me?"

The old woman stared at her hand.

"The blood remembers."

Aurora exchanged a confused glance with Octavia.

"What does that mean?" Aurora asked.

Before the woman could answer...

A young boy ran up to the stall.

"Grandmother!"

The old woman blinked as if waking from a dream.

She smiled kindly.

"I'm sorry, my dear."

"I must have mistaken you for someone else."

Octavia smiled politely, though unease settled in her heart.

As they walked away, Aurora looked back.

The old woman was still watching them.

---

High above the city...

On the balcony of the royal palace...

Lincoln stood silently, the evening breeze moving through his dark hair.

His thoughts were far from the affairs of the kingdom.

They remained with one person.

Octavia.

He remembered her smile.

Her laughter.

The way she had shyly said his name.

"...Lincoln."

A small smile touched his lips.

Then footsteps approached.

Arina joined him, leaning against the stone railing.

"You're thinking about her again."

Lincoln sighed.

"Is it that obvious?"

Arina laughed.

"Only to me."

She nudged his shoulder.

"You should visit the university more often."

He raised an eyebrow.

"As Crown Prince?"

"No."

She grinned mischievously.

"As my concerned older brother."

He laughed.

"You always have a plan."

"Of course I do."

Her smile softened.

"She likes you."

Lincoln looked toward the distant lights of Eldoria.

"I hope so."

Neither of them noticed...

From the palace gardens below...

A pair of unseen eyes watched the balcony.

Then disappeared into the darkness.

---

Elsewhere...

Deep within the Blackwood Forest...

A circle of hooded figures stood around a weathered stone altar.

Candles burned with unnatural blue flames.

"The girl survived."

One voice hissed.

"She has to."

Another replied.

"The prophecy cannot be fulfilled otherwise."

A third figure stepped forward.

"What of the prince?"

Silence followed.

Then the oldest among them spoke.

"He has already begun protecting her."

A cold laugh echoed through the forest.

"Then we will simply wait."

"No one—not even a prince—can stop what is coming."

The blue flames flickered violently.

Far above...

The full moon slipped behind the clouds.

The darkness grew deeper.

And somewhere...

Fate quietly continued weaving together the lives of a human girl...

A vampire..

A gifted young woman whose powers were awakening...

And a werewolf who had only just entered their story.