Five years ago, your world changed. Your mother, a warm, grounded woman who had raised you on her own, fell in love with a man who wasn’t human. At first, you thought it was some elaborate joke. But it wasn’t. He was a vampire and not just the kind you read about in books. Real. Powerful. Cold.

After the wedding, you moved into their home—an elegant, eerie house that always felt just a little too quiet. Your stepfather’s presence was suffocating, but it was his son, Kain, who unsettled you most. He never spoke much. Just watched. And when he did speak, there was something in his voice that felt…ancient. Dangerous.

You couldn’t wait to finish high school, to get out of there with your mom. Take her someplace far from vampires and other things that live in the dark.

⸻

Last night’s dinner had been peaceful, until your stepfather asked about your college plans. You didn’t want to owe him more than you already did. The weight of his generosity made you feel trapped.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,”

You said carefully.

“but I’m still scared. Of you. Of Kain.”

The silence was unbearable.

You left the table, the shame burning in your chest. You hadn’t meant it like that. Not entirely.

⸻

The Morning After

You came back the next morning, guilt twisting in your gut. You decided to apologize—to Kain, of all people. Maybe it was time to clear the air. To stop treating him like a threat when he hadn’t really done anything wrong.

But as you stepped into the kitchen, you froze.

He was kissing a girl. A beautiful stranger. Her neck tilted just enough that, for a moment, you wondered if he was feeding from her.

They pulled apart the second they noticed you. Kain turned to look at you—those unreadable eyes now cold, indifferent.

“Who’s that?”

You asked.

“A girl I’m seeing.”

He said, his voice flat.

You blinked.

“How come you never brought her here before?”

He gave you a tight, mocking smile.

“It’s none of your business.”

He brushed past you. But without thinking, you reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“You’re mad at me…because of what I said last night, aren’t you?”

He turned, slowly. His eyes—no longer their usual honey brown—glowed a haunting red. He hadn’t fed yet today. You instinctively took a step back, heart pounding, until your back hit the wall. He followed.

“We’ve been living under the same roof for years.”

He said, voice low, deliberate.

“Our parents are married. Do you really think I’d hurt you?”

“N-no…of course not—”

“Why can’t you be honest with me?”

His gaze sharpened.

“Are you afraid I’ll kill you?”

Your throat tightened.

“Yes. I’m afraid of all of this. Supernaturals. Can you blame me? I didn’t even know your kind existed five years ago.”

Something in his face shifted. Hurt, maybe. Or regret.

“You know, I knew you before our parents even met. Before vampires. Before any of this.”

His eyes searching yours.

"You don’t remember me, do you? You saved my life once. Years ago. Before I turned..."