Chapter 1: A Curious Friendship
I had always lived a life tinged with the extraordinary, yet I never understood the depth of it until I met the vampires. It was a rainy night when I first stumbled across them—a group of five striking individuals that stood under the flickering neon lights of an old diner. I was merely seeking shelter from the downpour, oblivious to the world that awaited me just outside the heavy wooden door.
As I stepped in, my presence seemed to capture their attention entirely. They looked up in unison, their eyes glinting like polished gems, and in that instant, something sparked in the air between us. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Little did I know, my life was about to change in ways I couldn’t possibly imagine.
“Why is a human girl out here in the rain?” asked a voice from the shadows. It was deep and smooth, sending shivers down my spine. I turned to see a tall figure, his raven black hair casting a shadow over his chiseled features. He stepped forward, revealing a playful smirk that danced on his lips.
“Hello to you too. I was just looking for a place to stay dry,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the beating of my heart.
“Are you sure that’s all you’re looking for?” Another voice chimed in—a shorter boy with bleached blonde hair and an infectious grin. “Maybe you’re hoping for some… excitement?”
I could feel a blush creeping up my cheeks, but I stood my ground. “Excitement? I think I’ve had enough of that for one night.”
“Run away, then!” shouted the one next to him, the tallest of the bunch, his expression a blend of mischievous and sarcastic.
“Jin, for one, she didn’t even choose to come here,” the fourth member interjected, his tone teasing yet oddly protective. “She’s clearly trying to escape something.”
As I scanned the group, my gaze landed on the last member—Taehyung. He stood a little apart from the others, arms crossed, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent waves of warmth through my body. With a sharp jawline and a heart-shaped face, he was both captivating and intimidating. Despite his ferocity, there was a softness about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
“Why do you smell like that?” Taehyung suddenly asked, breaking the simmering tension. “You—you're different.”
I blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. “Different? How do I smell?”
“You make it sound like I’m judging you. It’s just that… you smell good. But not like a human,” he clarified, his expression serious now. “More like starlight and a hint of forest.”
“Okay—now I’m definitely getting out of here,” I answered, feeling slightly unnerved yet strangely drawn to the enigmatic Taehyung. It was wild how someone’s scent could spark such curiosity in me, but there was a part of my mind that drowned in it like I was entangled in a dream.
“No, wait!” The blonde boy bounded toward me. “Don’t go! We’re just teasing you! We don’t bite… usually.” He winked.
I hesitated, my instincts telling me to flee, but a strange sense of belonging anchored me in place. “What do you want from me?” I managed, directing my gaze back to Taehyung, who had still yet to look away.
“Just company,” he stated simply, as if that explained everything. “I can sense that you’re different, but I promise you’re safe here. I… I’ll make sure of that.”
“Safe? From what?” I asked, glancing around the diner as if danger might crawl out from the kitchen.
“From the rumors, from the darkness,” he replied, his voice steady, nearly a whisper now. “We’re guardians, in a way. Things get complicated when it comes to humans and us.”
The others shifted at his words, an air of tension flooding the space. “We’re protective,” Jin added, raising an eyebrow. “Especially him,” he nods toward Taehyung, who remained focused on me.
“Why?” I pressed, fascinated yet reserved. “Why do you want to protect me?”
“Because…” Taehyung finally took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone—human or otherwise.”
A spark ignited within me, and suddenly, the weight of his admission wrapped around my heart like an ethereal blanket. My breath caught in my throat. “What do you mean by ‘otherwise’?”
“Just trust us, Maria. You’ll learn more in time,” he said softly, his voice like velvet. “For now, let’s just enjoy tonight and each other’s company. How about that?”
“Alright… but I have questions.” I relented, sensing Taehyung’s sincerity. A smile broke across my face as I crossed my arms defiantly. “For starters, do you really not bite? I mean—”
“Only if you ask nicely,” he interrupted, a wicked grin covering his lips.
“Okay, that’s fair—though I’m not asking, so…”
The atmosphere lightened as laughter filled the air. It was absurd how a group of vampires could feel like family in an instant. And despite the lurking shadows and the pull of the unknown, I felt an undeniable connection blossoming in that diner—both thrilling and dangerous. Perhaps there was more to me than met the eye, and perhaps, just perhaps, I would uncover those secrets alongside them.
After all, who could possibly resist the lure of a thrilling night with vampires?