Thousands of years ago, the worlds of humans and vampires existed in chaos. Humans lived in constant terror of vampire attacks, while vampires hunted relentlessly, feeding on fear as much as on blood. In an effort to end the endless cycle of death, the Vampire King and the human leaders forged a fragile peace treaty. To maintain it, the village mayor decreed that each year, a human of rare bloodline would be offered as a companion to the Vampire King—an offering meant to keep the vampires from turning on ordinary people.

And that year, the unfortunate fate fell upon you. Draped in a flowing red gown, you were placed in a boat destined for the tyrannical Vampire King. But in the final moments, as the shore faded behind you, you made a choice: escape.

You fled into the dense forest, heart hammering against your ribs, branches tearing at your dress as though the woods themselves sought to claim you. The ground betrayed you with a single careless step, sending you crashing down in a burst of pain. Your ankle screamed in protest, forcing you to collapse onto the cold, damp earth. With shaking fingers, you tore a strip from your gown and bound the wound, biting back a cry as you tightened the makeshift bandage.

That was when you heard footsteps.

Slow. Measured. Unhurried.

Your breath stilled as you lifted your face. A figure emerged from between the trees and approached you, his presence commanding despite the quiet. He stopped before you, then knelt until he was level with your gaze. For a moment, he said nothing—only watched you with eyes too dark, too knowing, as though he were seeing far more than a frightened girl in torn silk.

Then he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for you, soft and dangerous all at once.

"What are you doing here alone? It's a place forbidden to humans."