Chapter 1 - Sunlit Secrets
The sun blazed down on us, but he didn’t seem to care. There were no signs of discomfort, no shadows, nothing to show he was affected.
“You’re not afraid of me anymore, are you?” His voice was calm, but his eyes were filled with hunger, and it made my heart race.
“I should be,” I said, taking a step back. My pulse was racing. “But here you are, standing in the sun, and it’s because of me.”
He took a slow step closer. The sunlight hit his face, and for a moment, I could see how sharp and dangerous he looked. “You’re not like anyone I’ve met before. Your blood… it’s both a curse and a gift.”
I tried to stay calm, my fists clenching by my sides. “You promised you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“I won’t,” he said softly, locking his gaze with mine. “But every vampire out there will want what’s in your veins. Your blood can do what no other human’s can. It lets us walk in the daylight… and that’s something every vampire dreams of.”
The weight of his words settled on me, and I realized how dangerous this could be—not just for me, but for everyone around me. My blood had become a deadly weapon, and there was no way to undo it.
Three years ago:
Hi, my name is Agness, and I’m in my third year of college, studying Biomedical Science. My university is on top of a hill, and it’s so expensive that only the richest people can study there. Most students get to school using private helicopters or planes. It’s a school made for the wealthy and powerful.
I am one of those lucky girls from the old, wealthy Kingsley family—a name they say traces back to the time when vampires roamed the earth. But, of course, in this day and age, those stories are just legends… or so we think.
My family is in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology business. This means we create medicines, vaccines, and technologies to help people stay healthy and treat diseases. It’s all about finding new ways to fix problems in the body and improve lives. Our company is the biggest and most famous in the world right now. We’ve been doing this kind of work for many years, and it’s something my family really cares about.
It was a rainy morning, and Mrs. Faith was ringing her little brass bell right by my ear, trying to wake me up.
“Good morning, Lady Agness. You have school today. Everything is ready for you,” she said in her motherly tone, knowing full well that a gentle nudge or whisper would never get me out of bed.
I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. “Ugh, it’s so early, Mrs. Faith. Why does school have to start on rainy days?” My voice was muffled, but I could hear her soft chuckle.
“You’re always like this when the weather’s nice for sleeping, Lady Agness. But we both know you’ll feel better once you get up and have your breakfast,” she said, her tone warm yet firm.
Peeking out from under the blanket, I yawned. “I know, I know… But it’s so warm under here. I just want to stay in bed all day.”
“You’ve got to get up sometime, my dear. School is waiting for you, and I’ve made your favorite breakfast. You’ll feel much better after that, I promise,” she said with a kind smile, tapping the side of the bed for emphasis.
Sighing, I sat up and stretched, the cold air making me miss my blanket already. “Alright, alright. I’ll get up. You always know how to bribe me with food.”
Mrs. Faith laughed as she walked to the dining area in my room. Yes, my room has its own dining space—one of the perks of being a Kingsley. When I got there, my breakfast was already waiting: hotdogs, pancakes with maple syrup and sweetened blueberries on top, butter melting over the edges, a steaming cup of brewed coffee, and a perfectly ripe banana.
“Well, I know how much you love your hotdogs and pancakes. And don’t forget the coffee—it’s extra strong this morning, just the way you like it,” she said, setting a napkin beside my plate.
“You’re the best, Mrs. Faith. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I said, smiling as I took a sip of the coffee. It was perfect, just like always.
“You’d manage, my dear, but I’m happy to be here. Now, go on and eat before you’re late,” she said softly, patting my shoulder as she stepped back to let me enjoy my meal.
Mrs. Faith has been with me ever since I was born. She’s like a second mother to me, and honestly, she knows me better than anyone else. My real parents, Jeffrey and Eleanor Kingsley, are amazing people—prominent doctors and scientists who are the best in their fields. But they’re also incredibly busy running our family’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology empire.
I’ve always admired my parents for what they do. They’re saving lives, pushing the boundaries of science, and making our company the biggest and most famous in the world. But sometimes, I wonder if they ever notice how much they’re missing. Birthdays, school events, even the small things, like breakfast together—it’s all been Mrs. Faith and me for as long as I can remember.
After eating and taking a shower, I stood in front of the mirror with no clothes on. My long, dark hair was still wet, sticking to my pale skin. My green eyes stared back at me, bright like shiny emeralds. People always said my eyes stood out the most, but I never thought much about it. My cheekbones were sharp, and my face looked a bit soft but strong at the same time. My lips had a natural pink color. I looked at myself for a moment, just thinking.
Then, something strange caught my eye.
I noticed thin silver lines under my skin, glowing faintly. They ran through my arms and chest, like tiny lights moving with my heartbeat.
“What is that?” I whispered, leaning closer to the mirror.
I reached out and touched the glowing lines on my arm. The moment my fingers brushed them, the glow disappeared, fading as if it was never there.
I stared at my reflection, confused. My skin looked normal again, smooth and pale. I placed my hand over my chest where the glow had been, feeling my heartbeat. It was normal, steady, but I couldn’t shake the strange feeling inside me.
Something weird was happening, and I didn’t know what it meant.
I am now ready to get on our private plane to go to school when something unexpected catches my attention. Standing by the large window in the living room, I see the rain pouring heavily outside.
As I grab my bag, Mrs. Faith hurries over. “Lady Agness, everything is prepared. The pilot is ready to take off as soon as you’re on board.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Faith,” I reply, adjusting my coat.
Just as I’m about to step outside, a strange sensation washes over me—like someone is watching. I pause, looking out into the misty distance. The feeling is strong, almost unsettling, but when I look carefully, there’s nothing there. Just the rain and the blurry outline of the trees near our property.
Shaking it off, I continue walking toward the plane. “Probably just my imagination,” I mumble under my breath, trying to ignore the strange feeling.
The plane’s engines roar to life as I settle into my seat. Yet, even as we lift off, I can’t help but glance out the window, wondering if someone—or something—was really out there.
The university on top of the hill is so big that it covers almost the whole hill. It looks like its own little city, with huge buildings and neat gardens everywhere. From far away, you can see it shining in the sunlight, standing tall above everything else.
It has everything—there’s a giant library with walls made of glass, science labs full of fancy equipment, and classrooms so big they feel like concert halls.
Only rich families can send their kids here. Every day, private planes and helicopters fly in and out, making it clear that this school is only for the elite.
The view from the university is amazing. On one side, you see endless green hills, and on the other side, you can look down at the city below. It feels like the school is in a completely different world, far above everything else.
As I step out of our private plane, a man is waiting with an umbrella to keep me dry. Another man is holding my bag, ready to carry it for me.
The rain is light but enough to make everything wet. I look around and see the shiny black cars waiting nearby, just like always. Everything seems normal—until I see it again.
Through the rain, far away near the edge of the runway, I spot that shape. The same one I’ve noticed before. It looks like someone is standing there, watching me. My chest tightens. I look at the man with the umbrella, but he doesn’t seem to notice anything.
When I look back, the figure is gone. Was I just imagining it? I’ve seen it twice now, and it always disappears before I can figure it out. A chill runs through me, but I tell myself to forget it and keep walking.
