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Chapter One: The Crimson Rose
The moon hung high over Cross Academy, casting a cold, silvery glow over the silent grounds. For most Day Class students, the night meant sleep and peaceâbut for her, it was the beginning of duty, mystery, and danger.
As a member of the Disciplinary Committee, patrolling alongside Zero Kiryu meant enforcing the fragile balance between the human Day Class and the enigmatic, dangerous Night Class vampires. Despite the familiar routine, tonightâs patrol was anything but ordinary.
The memory of the crimson rose left outside her dorm room lingered. Its petals had been soaked in vivid red, accompanied by a chilling message scrawled on a slip of paper: âYou belong to the night.â
She hadnât yet told Zero. His temper was as sharp as his aim, and mentioning mysterious notes and roses left by unseen admirers wasnât likely to go over well.
âEyes forward,â Zero snapped, breaking through her thoughts. His silver gaze swept the path ahead, his hand never far from the gun at his hip. âStay alert. The Night Class isnât playing games.â
âI know that,â she shot back, annoyed by his perpetual grimness.
Silence stretched between them as they moved toward the Moon Dormitory, where the Night Class waited in orderly silence. At their center stood Kaname Kuran, elegant and commanding as ever. His crimson gaze locked onto hers, unreadable yet heavy with meaning.
Her breath hitched, but she refused to look away. Beside her, Zero tensed visibly, fingers twitching near the grip of his gun.
âKuran,â Zero greeted coldly. âMove along.â
Kanameâs smile was faint but laced with amusement. âAlways so protective, Kiryu. You should relaxâtrust that she can handle herself.â
Zero bristled, stepping forward. âStay out of her business.â
Kaname ignored him, his attention still fixed on her. âBe careful tonight,â he warned, voice low and smooth. âNot everything in the dark is as it seems.â
Her pulse quickened, the roseâs message flashing in her mind. Yet she forced her voice steady. âWe can handle it, Kaname.â
His gaze lingered a moment longer before he signaled the Night Class students to proceed into the building.
The patrol concluded without incident, but tension hung heavy as she returned to her dorm. The rose lay untouched on her desk, its vivid petals stark against the pale wood. The folded note lay beneath it, silent yet imposing.
A sharp knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
She opened it to find Zero, his expression dark and unreadable as he stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
âWe need to talk,â he said flatly.
Her brow furrowed. âAbout Kaname again?â
His lips pressed into a thin line. âNot just him. Youââ
His words cut off abruptly when his gaze landed on the desk. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he stalked toward it, picking up the rose and note. âWhat the hell is this?â
Her heart skipped a beat. âItâs nothingâjust a prank or something.â
Zeroâs grip tightened on the rose, his knuckles white. âThis isnât just a prank. Who gave it to you?â His voice was low but furious. âWas it Kaname?â
âI donât know!â she snapped. âI found it outside my door.â
His eyes blazed. âYou shouldâve told me about this.â
âWhy? So you could overreact like this?â
Zeroâs jaw clenched. âThis isnât a game. Whoever left this note is trying to get inside your headâand I wonât let that happen.â
She crossed her arms, frustration mounting. âI can handle myself, Zero.â
âCan you?â he shot back, stepping closer. âBecause from where Iâm standing, youâre caught in something dangerous, and you donât even realize it.â
Their breaths mingled in the charged air, but the intensity in Zeroâs gaze never wavered. âI wonât let anyone hurt you,â he vowed softly, his voice filled with raw determination.
But even as he spoke of protection, her thoughts strayed to Kanameâs warningâand the unsettling promise hidden within the roseâs message.
This was only the beginning.