The crisp autumn wind bit at your skin as you stood before the gates of your new school. Lunar High. The name alone tasted sweet on your tongue—fitting, somehow. You adjusted your uniform blazer, tugging the collar closer to hide the slight glint of silver at the base of your throat. A pendant you never took off.

Humans thought it was just jewelry. They didn’t know it was enchanted to steady your pulse, to mask your scent.

Your father’s parting words still echoed in your ears:

“Stay hidden. Blend in. And above all…don’t trust anyone.”

A ridiculous instruction. Because the moment you stepped inside, you felt it—the hum of power beneath the surface.

The dull roar of student chatter, the echoes of shoes against linoleum—it all crashed over you like a wave, sharp and deafening. But beneath that ordinary chaos thrummed something…different. A low hum that only you could feel. The presence of others like you. Vampires.

As you passed groups of laughing students, your eyes flicked to the windows. Sunlight streamed in, but it was softened by a subtle tint in the glass. Humans probably assumed it was for glare. You knew better.

Your senses heightened, searching for the source of the hum vibrating through your veins. It pulled at you, magnetic and familiar in a way that made your fangs ache behind your lips.

You didn’t have to look far. A group of seven boys leaned casually against a row of lockers like they owned the hallway.

One of them, with soft brown hair and sharp, cat eyes, lifted his gaze first. Jungwon. His pupils dilated slightly as they met yours—a tiny, almost imperceptible sign of recognition. He nudged the boy next to him, who turned with a lazy smile.

Heeseung. His eyes glowed faintly amber under the flickering fluorescent lights, though no human would ever notice.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” Jungwon called out, voice smooth but edged with curiosity.

Your lips parted, fangs brushing lightly against your lower lip, hidden from view. “Yeah. Just moved.”

Sunghoon, leaning one shoulder against the locker, sniffed the air subtly, as though testing the invisible currents before muttering something.

Jake elbowed him, laughing lightly. “Don’t be weird, Sunghoon.” But even he tilted his head as he studied you, as if tuning into a frequency only the two of you shared.

Ni-ki, the youngest-looking of the group, stared at you with dark, intense eyes. “Your heartbeat’s…fast.”

You stiffened. Humans wouldn’t hear that. He was testing you.

“It’s my first day.” You said carefully, feigning a nervous chuckle. “Who wouldn’t be nervous?”

Jay, tall and elegantly poised, smirked. “Don’t worry. Lunar High’s friendly. If you know who to stay close to.” His words seemed layered, as if he was speaking in code.

Sunoo reached forward suddenly, fingers brushing your wrist as though by accident. His skin felt cool—too cool—and his eyes flickered crimson for a split second before returning to brown. “Nice pendant,” he said softly. “Good choice for…hiding things.”

Your breath caught. You knew, without a doubt, what he meant.

Jungwon stepped closer, close enough that you could smell the faint metallic sweetness that clung to all vampires, no matter how well they tried to mask it. “If you ever need help…finding your place,” he murmured, voice pitched low so humans nearby wouldn’t overhear, “come find us. We…get it.”

And with that, the bell rang, echoing through the halls.

As the boys melted back into the flow of students, you stood frozen for a moment, the hum beneath your skin growing louder.

You weren’t just the new kid at Lunar High. You were the new vampire. And somehow, you’d found the others already hiding among the humans.