Vampire Brides

The fireplace crackled softly, filling the quiet living room with comforting warmth. Her parents had gone out to buy groceries and medicine. Wrapped in a thick blanket, Amelia sat curled up on the sofa, a worn, ancient book in her hands—the one she had borrowed from the old library on the edge of town.

She had read several pages already. They were filled with the dark history of the old castle standing majestically on the hill. The name Griffon appeared repeatedly in every chapter, igniting her curiosity.

Who exactly was Griffon Xander?

He always appeared out of nowhere, like a shadow unbound by time. What he had done yesterday—facing that creature from the forest without the slightest fear—had only made Amelia more certain that Griffon was not an ordinary man.

Perhaps the answer lay in this book.

Leaning back, she scanned the faded lines once more. The book described Griffon as a pureblood, a noble lineage that had lived for centuries. But Amelia didn’t fully grasp what that meant.

She tried to keep reading, but drowsiness crept in slowly. Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing second. She fought to stay awake… until suddenly, a sound startled her.

Tok… Tok… Tok…

Someone was knocking on the upstairs window.

Amelia immediately set the old book on the table. Her heart pounded.

Who could be up there?

A part of her feared the creatures had returned—those beings from the forest, now hunting her again. Her parents had warned her not to open the door to anyone. But curiosity overwhelmed her caution.

The knocking continued, clearer this time.

Tok… Tok… Tok…

Carefully, Amelia climbed the stairs. She stared up toward the window and swallowed hard, nerves tightening in her chest. Fear held her steps.

For a moment, she considered turning back. She didn’t want to see one of those horrifying creatures again. But then… a gentle fragrance wafted from above. Sweet. Familiar. Enchanting. As if hypnotized, her feet carried her up more quickly.

Outside the window stood a man, his back to the moonlight. Yet Amelia recognized him instantly.

“Griffon…” she whispered.

She rushed to open the window. “Griffon,” she called again. The man turned to face her, offering a calm, serene smile.

“What are you doing here?” Amelia asked, glancing down at the porch. “Who did you come with—and why from the upstairs window?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were safe,” Griffon replied. “The city isn’t safe right now. Don’t go out at night.”

Amelia paused, then gave him a small smile. “Thank you… for worrying about me. But did you come all this way just to say that?”

“Yeah. I was just checking in. I’ll leave now.”

“So soon?” she asked, taking his hand—ice-cold to the touch. “You must’ve been standing outside for a long time. Come inside. My parents aren’t home. I’ll make you something warm to drink.”

“You’re home alone?”

“They went out to buy food and medicine. I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home,” Amelia replied, realizing too late she may have said too much. Yet somehow… she trusted him.

Griffon looked around warily. He didn’t like the idea of Amelia being alone—especially after what happened yesterday. The vampires… they could come back. One of them had died in this house. There was no guarantee they wouldn’t return for revenge.

And Amelia… she might become their next target.

“I’ll stay for a while—until your parents return,” he finally said.

Amelia nodded and pulled him inside. Griffon glanced around the room. It was delicate, floral-scented, and bathed in soft shades of pink.

After closing the window, Amelia led him downstairs.

She seemed happy. The cold demeanor Griffon had shown days ago was gone.

“Have a seat. I’ll make you some tea.”

“No need. I don’t drink tea. I’m only here to keep you company,” he replied, settling into the chair. His eyes soon landed on something familiar—the old book lying on the table.

His brows furrowed. That book… it shouldn’t be here. How did Amelia get her hands on it?

“Where did you get this book?” Griffon asked, lifting it with a simple motion—without touching it directly.

“I borrowed it from the library. It’s fascinating. I like mystery stories.”

Griffon flipped through a few pages. “So this is a mystery?”

“Yes. A mystery about you.” Amelia looked straight into his eyes. “Will you tell me who you really are, Griffon?”

His gaze darkened. The color of his irises began to change. Amelia stared, unsettled.

Weren’t they blue before?

“I know you’re not human. You destroyed those creatures so easily. Are you… one of them?”

Griffon closed the book slowly, still silent.

Amelia waited. But her patience thinned.

“Why won’t you answer me?” she pressed. “Don’t you want me to know the truth?”

“I’m the same as you, Amelia,” he finally said. “Just an ordinary human.”

“Don’t lie. I’d never mistake you for someone else. Your pale skin, cold hands, long nails… and your clothes.” She chuckled lightly. “You look like you stepped out of the Middle Ages. This is the 21st century, Griffon.”

“Oh? So my clothes are outdated?” he replied, surprisingly relaxed.

“Completely. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”

Griffon glanced down at his attire. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to adapt.

“Alright. I’ll change them.”

“Good. You have such a handsome face—it’s a shame to waste it. And your hair,” Amelia stepped closer, circling him slowly. “It’s beautiful, but the style is ancient. You really should visit a barber.”

Griffon gave her a faint smile. This was the first time someone had spoken to him this way. Usually, people ran when they learned the truth.

“I’ll think about it,” he murmured.

“Then I’ll make you some coffee,” Amelia said cheerfully as she headed to the kitchen.

All the questions that had once haunted her… began to fade. It was as though his presence wrapped her in a strange kind of magic—a quiet spell that made her forget fear, suspicion… even reason itself.