Beast of the Night

It was a Tuesday afternoon in spring. The sun had begun its slow descent, bleeding streaks of red, orange, purple, and gold across the sky. But for her, it didn’t matter how beautiful the world looked, she had long since stopped caring.

She lived in the shadows.

Leaning against her motorcycle at the edge of a busy city station, Nymerra stood silent. Her Ducati Diavel 1260 gleamed in matte black under the fading sunlight, loyal and sharp like the rider herself. A cigarette burned between her pale fingers, smoke curling lazily around her as the wind caught strands of her long raven hair, lifting them like dark silk. Her silver-steel eyes scanned the people passing by, humans, fragile and unaware.

In her other hand, she held the letter. Stamped with the seal of Karlheinz, the Vampire King. An invitation… or more truthfully, a summons to the Sakamaki estate. To be a second bride.

She knew exactly what that meant. She knew of the twisted “Adam and Eve” project. The bloodline obsessions. The sons, Sakamaki by blood, Mukami by name, all monsters under velvet masks. She had studied every vampire clan in the world back in the lab, had to memorize their sins and patterns like scripture.

But she wasn’t here to play Eve. She was here to find Riva. It had been a year since they escaped that hell, and the trail had finally led her to Japan.

She flicked her cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath her boot. Folding the letter, she slipped it into her leather jacket. Her eyes lingered on the crowd one last time. ′I hope you’re here, Riva…′ Pulling on her helmet, Nymerra swung onto her bike. The engine roared like a beast as she took off, weaving out of the city and into the trees with breathtaking speed.

The estate rose from the woods like a shadowed castle as dusk crept in. By the time she arrived, the sun had vanished entirely, the sky giving way to a deep, creeping blue. She parked, locked her bike, and grabbed her backpack. At the front doors, she knocked once. The echo rang through the estate like a warning.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly butler with hollow eyes. “Your purpose?” he asked. Wordless, Nymerra handed him the letter. He studied her, then the seal, then back again before silently stepping aside.

Inside, the air was cold, the hallways dark. Nymerra glanced around and muttered under her breath, “What is it with vampires and their obsession with creepy corridors…” The butler led her into the living room and disappeared. Nymerra dropped her bag at her feet, rubbing her neck. “Didn’t even tell them I was coming?” she muttered.

Her answer came soon enough. The door opened, and in stepped a tall, sharp-eyed man with dark hair and crimson eyes, formal, polished, and disapproving. Nymerra narrowed her eyes. ′Reiji, no doubt.′

“We weren’t expecting you so soon,” he said stiffly. “No matter. I am Reiji Sakamaki. And you are?” “Nymerra,” she answered, coolly. “Your last name?” She shrugged. “Don’t have one.” His eye twitched. He straightened his glasses. “You will meet the others shortly. We depart for night school this evening. You’ll be attending.” “Sure,” she mumbled, uninterested. Without another word, Reiji turned and began walking. She grabbed her backpack and followed.

Upstairs, he stopped at a door and opened it. The room inside was large, dressed in deep velvet and black, with a king-size bed, ornate furniture, and too much space. “We leave in one hour. Be downstairs on time,” he instructed. “Got it.” She dropped her bag on the bed. Reiji lingered at the door. “You need anything else?” she asked flatly. He narrowed his eyes, muttered “No,” and left.

Nymerra eyed the school uniform laid out on the bed. Skirt, bows, and all. “…Yeah, not happening,” she scoffed. She walked over to the window, gazing out at the rose garden. Surrounded by forest. Easy to sneak in and out if needed. Perfect. Unpacking a few basics, clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, she left her sketchbook in the bag. She’d probably be bored as hell at that school anyway.

Lying back on the bed, hands behind her head, she stared up at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted again. ′Riva… Indonesia had been a dead end, but then there were traces, whispers. The boat. The port. Japan.′ She pulled a small MP3 player from her pocket, playing something slow and quiet. The rare peace settled around her like a blanket.

Eventually, the clock told her it was time. She stood, glancing once more at the uniform. She smirked.

Minutes later, Nymerra stood before the mirror.

Black leather pants. Lace-up boots with gold buttons. The school blouse, barely tucked in, under the black jacket, but no bows in sight. A loose black tie hung casually around her collar. Her long raven hair was pinned halfway up, enough to show both ears lined with piercings. The silver ring, black choker lace, and silver bracelet were all in place. ′Not bad.′

Grabbing her bag, she headed downstairs. In the living room, six pairs of eyes turned toward her. She felt the weight of their stares. Measured. Judging. Curious. Reiji frowned immediately. “That is not the approved uniform.” Nymerra raised an eyebrow. “The day I wear skirts and bows is the day Hell freezes over.”

A low chuckle escaped from one of the brothers.

“Bold,” said Ayato, leaning forward with a grin. “I like that.” Subaru groaned. “She already sounds annoying.” Kanato tilted his head. “She’s strange… I want to know what’s in her bag…” Shu barely looked up. “Troublesome.” Laito smiled wide, eyes glinting. “Oh~ a little rebel. What should I call you? Mmm… Mistress Midnight has a nice ring to it.” Nymerra gave him a look. “Nymerra is fine.” He raised a brow. “No last name?” She stared him down. “Just Nymerra.” “Mysterious. I do love a mystery,” Laito purred. “That’s enough,” Reiji snapped. “We’re leaving for school. Now.”

The others headed toward the limo. Nymerra walked straight to her bike.

Shu raised a brow. “Is she serious?” Ayato blinked. “She rides that thing?” Kanato frowned. “It’s so loud. And black…” Laito whistled. “Hot girl, hot ride.” Nymerra strapped on her helmet. “Faster than your overpriced coffin on wheels. See you there.” She revved the engine, and with a roar, she was gone.

The road blurred past in streaks of shadow and light. She sped through the woods, past all limits, the wind screaming like a warning in her ears. Freedom. Power. She needed this.

By the time she arrived at the school gates, the sun was long gone and stars had begun to blink awake. Students stared. Whispers followed. A motorcycle? Here? Nymerra ignored them all.

Then, the next limo pulled in. Four unfamiliar boys stepped out, but she knew them instantly. The Mukami brothers. Ruki’s eyes locked with hers for a moment. He narrowed them, suspicious. She didn’t flinch, just walked into the school like she belonged there.

Her first class hadn’t started yet. The room was half empty when she entered. She took the seat at the very back, by the window. Dropping her bag down beside her, she looked outside at the night sky. She closed her eyes briefly and whispered to herself, “…Let the act begin.”

Class was about to start when more students trickled into the room, laughter and idle chatter hanging in the air like smoke. None of them dared to sit next to or even near her. Not that Nymerra cared. She wasn’t here to make friends. She wasn’t here to play the wide-eyed transfer student or the bashful new girl. No. She had other motives, ones far older and far darker.

She sat quietly in her seat, back straight, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Her steel-silver eyes flicked to the window where clouds drifted lazily across the sky.

Then a redhead dropped into the seat in front of her with an annoyed huff. He turned toward her, sharp green eyes narrowed in irritation. “You were supposed to wait,” he snapped, voice cocky and dripping with entitlement. “Not wander off like some stray prey. You’re ours.” Nymerra raised a brow, lips twitching slightly. “Not my problem you guys are so slow.” “Tch…” Ayato clicked his tongue, glaring. “You ignoring me? The great Ore-sama? You’ve got guts.” She rolled her eyes and returned her attention to the clouds. ′Another vampire with a massive ego. Of course.′

Before she could enjoy a second of silence, a smooth voice chimed in from her left. “Who’s this?” it drawled with amusement. “A new girl… or a kitten, maybe?” Nymerra turned slightly. A blond stood there in a stylized mess of the school uniform, his grin too perfect, too charming to be real. Girls giggled behind him, whispering and swooning. ‘Kou’, she thought with quiet disinterest.

He took the empty seat beside her, leaned on one arm, and peered at her like she was a new toy in a glass case. “You’ve got a name?” Before she could answer, Ayato snapped, “Back off, Kou. She’s mine. I saw her first.” Kou smirked. “Ayato, back again? Possessive much?” Nymerra glanced sideways at Kou, catching the glint of his exposed blue eye, cheerful, but his other eye, the red one hidden beneath his bangs, radiated something far colder. The eye gifted to him by Karlheinz. The one that could see into hearts and secrets. ‘He can try’, she thought flatly, ‘but all he’ll see is shadow.’

Kou must’ve noticed her subtle glance. He smirked wider, clearly assuming she was admiring him. “Don’t worry,” he said, brushing his hair back slightly. “I know I look good.” Nymerra didn’t even blink. She turned away and stared back outside, arms crossed again. Kou’s smirk wavered.

Then the teacher walked in. “Take your seats. Quiet down. Class begins now.”

Ayato scowled and turned back around in his seat, muttering curses under his breath. Kou slouched beside her, stealing glances her way now and then. Nymerra looked bored out of her mind. Kou frowned. He tried to use his power, to peer into her heart. Usually it was easy. Thoughts, feelings, memories, laid bare like pages of a diary. But with her?

Nothing. No pain. No fear. No desire. Just blackness. A silent pit. Kou stiffened, heart skipping slightly. ′Who the hell is she...?′

After what felt like an eternity of dry lectures and fake laughter, class was finally over. Nymerra grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and walked out into the hallway without a word. Already bored. Already done. She could feel Ayato behind her, trailing like a shadow. Watching her. She didn’t even glance back. ‘Son of Cordelia,’ she thought. ′No wonder he thinks he’s royalty...′ This strange dance continued through the next class. Ayato glaring. Nymerra ignoring.

By lunch, she’d had enough.

She shook him off and slipped away, making her way up the quiet stairs to the rooftop garden. The sun had started to dip behind the trees. The sky painted itself in soft golds and purples. The high fence stood guard along the edge, and beyond that, the thick black forest stretched to the horizon, the lights of the city flickering in the far distance.

Finally. Peace.

She sat on a bench, pulled out a bottle of water, took a slow sip, and reached into her bag for her sketchbook. Her pencil moved almost automatically, capturing the world through her mind’s eye. The view beyond the bars. A cage of sky. Freedom always just out of reach.

But then, “You know,” came a slow, lazy voice. “That motorcycle of yours is loud as hell.” Nymerra barely looked up. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Shu stretched out on the next bench, eyes closed, headphones hanging loosely around his neck. “Then put your music louder,” she muttered. He chuckled. “Touché.” He cracked an eye open. “You really think you’ll be left alone with that attitude?” Nymerra kept sketching. “Most of your brothers act like hormone-ridden teenagers. I’m not interested.” “Brutal,” Shu murmured with a smirk. “And accurate.”

The door slammed open.

Heavy footsteps thundered in. A towering figure rounded the corner, broad chest, strong arms, and long brown hair tied into a messy bun. Nymerra barely glanced at him. ′Loud bark, too. That must be Yuma.′

Yuma’s sharp eyes locked onto Shu. “Oi, Neet! Move it!” Shu sighed. “I was here first. Go grow carrots somewhere else.” “You—!” But Yuma froze when he noticed Nymerra.

He stared.

Then, voice rough, “Who’re you supposed to be? The Sakamakis’ new pet?” Nymerra glanced up. “I just see a loud bear in front of me.” Yuma snarled. He stepped forward, looming over her. “What did you just say?” She ignored him, still sketching.

With a growl, he slammed his food down on the bench next to her with a thud that echoed through the garden. “Who the hell do you think you are? Prey should know their place.” Nymerra exhaled through her nose, calmly closed her sketchbook, and stood. Her steel eyes locked onto his. “If you can ask like a civil being, I’ll tell you my name. Now, excuse me.” She stepped around him.

But Yuma growled, hand darting forward to grab her. She was already a step behind him, eyes sharp and cold. He blinked. Fast. Their gazes met.

And then Shu’s tired voice came again. “She’s another bride. Sent by him. Second one.” Yuma’s scowl darkened. “Tch. Those Sakamaki bastards got their little Sow. Maybe we could use livestock ourselves.” Nymerra arched an eyebrow. Her lips curled into a quiet grin. “And here I thought being half-vampire might give you more humanity.” Yuma’s eyes widened. Even Shu sat up straighter.

She knows?

Before either could move, Nymerra had already turned and walked away, steps echoing softly down the stone stairs. Yuma stood frozen. “What the hell... is she?” Shu didn’t answer. But his thoughts echoed the question.

Downstairs, Nymerra walked through the halls toward the gym, lips curled faintly.

“I’ve met half-vampires before,” she muttered to herself. “Some still have their hearts. Most just have egos.” She chuckled softly. “They have no idea…”

In the girls’ changing room, whispers died the moment she stepped inside. Girls turned away. Some left entirely. Nymerra didn’t care. She opened her locker. The uniform was as plain as expected. She frowned slightly at the red shorts and opted for the red leggings, covering the marks that told her story without words.

Pulling her raven-black hair into a ponytail, she placed her ring and bracelet into her backpack, closed the locker, and turned toward the door.

Time for gym. ′Oh, what fun…′