One year had passed since the night Alice risked everything to save Kara. Now, the two of them shared an apartment in the heart of the city. To anyone on the outside, they looked like any young couple living intensely, discovering the small rituals of life together: Kara making coffee while Alice pored over ancient books; Alice guiding her through the night streets as if the world only existed once the sun went down.
It was strange, and at the same time wonderful. Kara, fully aware of the risks of loving someone who wasn't human, didn't care. And Alice, for the first time in centuries, felt alive in a way that didn't depend entirely on blood.
The morning sunlight filtered through the window, painting the small apartment in warm orange hues. Kara stretched sleepily and felt Alice beside her. The vampire lay still on the pillow, motionless like a sculpture, but her eyes slowly opened when she sensed Kara watching her.
"You stare at me like I'm about to disappear," Alice murmured, her voice velvety.
Kara smiled.
"Maybe because you're a little too fast sometimes," she teased.
Alice leaned closer, brushing her fingertips across Kara's cheek.
"One whole year… and you still remind me why I chose to stay in this world."
The alarm buzzed loudly, breaking the moment. Kara groaned and jumped out of bed.
"History class in twenty minutes. If I miss another roll call, my professor is going to kill me."
Alice followed her to the kitchen, the smell of fresh coffee filling the air. Kara talked endlessly about deadlines and assignments, while Alice simply listened, smiling softly.
"You know, I could help you with that essay on Abraham Lincoln," Alice said with a smirk.
"Let's just say I know some things that aren't in the textbooks."
Kara laughed, then sighed.
"I'd love to hear all of them, but if I mention anything supernatural, I'm definitely failing."
The day went on between books, lectures, and hurried texts between classes. Alice spent her time in the library or wandering the campus discreetly. Even with a century of knowledge, the academic environment fascinated her, like she was reliving something she had lost.
Later that afternoon, when they returned home, the academic chaos faded into a comfortable silence. Kara was exhausted, her hair messy from the wind, while Alice looked as immaculate as ever — untouched by time.
"Sometimes I feel like a mess next to you," Kara said, tossing her books on the table.
Alice walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"There's no mess at all. You're life… and that's what keeps me tied to you."
The rest of the evening passed slowly, peacefully. They cooked together, Kara insisting on teaching Alice how to chop vegetables, Alice pretending she didn't know just to hold Kara's hand longer. Afterwards, they curled up on the couch, sharing whispered secrets, muffled laughter and stolen kisses.
Later, in the quiet of their bedroom, Kara rested her head on Alice's shoulder like she was seeking shelter. The vampire ran her fingers through Kara's hair in soft strokes —unable to resist the closeness. The kiss started gentle but deepened quickly, filled with the intensity of two people who understood the danger of being together.
In the dim bedroom, they lost themselves in each other. Kara sighed against Alice's lips, their bodies intertwined in a slow dance of affection and desire. Alice kissed down her neck, then lower, tracing a heated path across her skin until Kara couldn't hold back her soft moans — surrendering completely to her lover's sensual, tender, and passionate touch.
There was no rush — only the certainty that this moment belonged to them alone, a stolen slice of eternity before the shadows of the world caught up.
Far from that intimate moment, Natalie stretched lazily in the cramped rented room near the university. Her laptop glowed in front of her with a dozen open tabs. She bit her lip, eyes flicking between academic articles and obscure corners of the internet.
She sighed.
"I should be finishing my finance assignment… but no. I'm out here hunting urban legends," she muttered, half annoyed, half amused.
Ever since meeting Alice and Kara — or better, ever since realizing their world hid things human eyes weren't meant to see — Natalie couldn't stop chasing the unknown. Rumors of secret societies, creatures of the night, underground bars… A normal life just didn't cut it anymore.
One click later, she found something that made her eyes widen:
"The Vampire Club – for those who know where to look."
It was an old, messy forum full of anonymous users telling strange stories. Most sounded like bad fanfics, but a few were way too detailed to be jokes.
"Location? Basement of an abandoned mansion. Only get in if you ask for the Scarlet Chalice."
A chill ran down her spine.
"This is ridiculous… but…" She smirked.
"maybe it's the exact kind of ridiculous I need."
Over the next days, she overheard whispers around campus. Two classmates talked about a weird bar where "the music never stops" and "no one ever looks older." A group of seniors joked about an underground party called Scarlet Chalice. The more she heard, the more convinced she became — there was something real behind this.
Friday night, she dressed in black —comfortable pants, simple sneakers, a white top that made her smile look brighter. She tied her long dark hair into a half bun. After one deep breath in the mirror, she muttered:
"Okay, Natalie. It's just… a weird club. That's all."
But deep down, she knew: this could change everything.
The entrance was hidden in a narrow alley between two old buildings. A metal door marked with a red chalice symbol. Two guards eyed her carefully.
"I… I'm here for the Scarlet Chalice," she said, nervous.
They exchanged glances, opened the door, and let her inside.
The moment she stepped in, she was swallowed by dim elegance. Scarlet lights shimmered on glass surfaces. Slow, heavy music pulsed like a hidden heartbeat. The air smelled of wine, smoke, and something metallic she didn't want to identify. Eccentric people danced, whispered, laughed — some with eyes that glowed a little too much.
As she wandered through the club, Natalie felt like an intruder — until she noticed a scene in the corner.
Rose, the intense, magnetic vampire, sat at a table with a red-haired woman who had a mischievous smile and a sharp wit. Ruby. She laughed loudly as she teased Rose:
"See that girl over there?" Ruby said.
"I bet you won't go bite her."
Rose narrowed her eyes, offended.
"Ruby, please. Don't challenge me… You know I will."
Ruby sighed, her gaze softening for a second.
"I know. I just wanted to break the ice. I'm bored."
Rose scanned the crowd, looking for someone interesting enough.
Neither of them noticed the dark figure leaning against the wall behind them, listening. A vague silhouette that slipped back into the crowd like a ghost.
Natalie, passing nearby, didn't catch the whole conversation but felt the tension. Curious, she moved a little closer.
Then her eyes met Rose's.
A heavy silence dropped between them, like the music paused for a heartbeat. Natalie swallowed hard, nervous… but strangely captivated.