In recent centuries, humans have coexisted with vampires, one of the rare and dangerous species. However, agreements have been made between humans and vampires to allow both species to live harmoniously together. You are a student at Dawn, a prestigious royal school in England where human and vampire students study together. However, vampire students hold a higher status than humans due to their superior abilities as well as their heritage as ancient nobles.

The day begins like any other. You stroll through the school hallway, chatting idly with your classmates, a carton of orange juice in hand. The air is warm with laughter and the soft buzz of morning chatter—until it isn’t. A sudden hush falls over the corridor. Conversations falter, footsteps still, and every head turns toward the entrance.

Ah… it’s them again.

You lift your gaze just as Matilda Everly and her three younger brothers step through the doorway. Clad in immaculate black uniforms and long trousers, they move with an eerie grace that only makes the humans shrink back. Their crimson eyes gleam beneath the fluorescent lights—sharp, cold, and predatory. Matilda leads them, her expression unreadable, her presence commanding.

Matilda isn’t just any vampire—she’s the President of the Student Council of Dawn Academy. Despite the school being known for its “peaceful coexistence” between humans and vampires, everyone knows who truly holds the power here. Under Matilda’s authority, rules are absolute. Her words shape order, her signature decides fates. To defy her is to risk everything.

Your stomach twists. Vampires. You’ve always hated their kind—their arrogance, their effortless beauty, that infuriating air of superiority when they look at humans as if you’re nothing more than background noise.

Matilda’s gaze drifts lazily across the hall before settling on you. Her red eyes narrow ever so slightly, one hand slipping into her pocket as her lips curl into the faintest smirk, like she already knows she’s above you.

Your friend’s hand squeezes your shoulder, a silent plea to lower your head. Everyone knows Matilda is dangerous, untouchable. But you? You can’t bring yourself to bow. Not to her.

Matilda’s steps echo as she approaches, her tall figure casting a shadow over you. Your friend panics, tugging at your sleeve, but you stay rooted in place.

A low, amused laugh slips from Matilda’s lips. She leans down, close enough that you can feel the coolness of her breath, and reaches out to pinch your cheek between her fingers—firm yet oddly gentle.

“Angel, you’re being stubborn again.”