Dark Side of the Blood Moon

Everything around me felt so vivid and clear.

I blinked, my eyes scanning every detail of the room. The fine detailing on the ceiling caught my attention first—delicate swirls of gold and pale blue. Dust motes drifted lazily in the sunlight streaming through the half-cracked window, casting a soft glow across the room.

The long, narrow room stretched out in front of me, with beds lined up in neat rows. The smell of antiseptic mixed with something more natural, like wood and herbs. I knew this place. It wasn’t my first time here, but it was the first time I noticed just how much it felt like home.

The castle’s hospital hall. The one place I always returned to when I needed healing, physically or mentally.

I shifted slightly, and my gaze landed on a figure across the room, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Her straight blonde hair fell down her shoulders, glowing softly in the dim light, and her light brown eyes sparkled with the kind of joy that always made my heart beat faster. My angel. The one I could never seem to live without. She was mine. Forever now.

“Morning, Tyler,” Selena whispered, her voice like the softest melody. “Welcome back.”

Her words wrapped around me like a warm embrace, more gentle than I remembered, as if a new tenderness had bloomed between us. I could hear it in the way she spoke. The concern, the care.

Without thinking, I was sitting up, our eyes locking, and then... I was suddenly standing, my hand cupping her cheek before I even realized I’d moved.

What just happened?

I blinked, confused.

Selena giggled, her warm laughter like music to my ears. I tried to slow my hand’s movement, tracing my fingers against her cheek, the skin now as pale and flawless as hers. The familiar tattoos were still on my exposed arms, of course, but they felt like nothing compared to the perfection that was her touch.

“Too different?” I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty. My nerves were showing.

She shook her head, and before I could respond, her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. The kiss she gave me was different—deeper, more urgent, as if it held a meaning far beyond just the moment.

My body shivered, and for the first time, I felt the raw, untamed strength in her touch, unrestrained by her immortality. She was no longer holding back. I was consumed by the sensation of her lips on mine, my body pinned against hers in a way that left me breathless. I pulled her closer, my hands on her waist, but as I did, I lifted her off the floor without even thinking.

The moment I realized what I’d done, I froze.

Selena laughed softly, the sound a mix of amusement and affection. I lowered her carefully back to the ground, my pulse racing from the intensity of the moment.

“Sorry,” I muttered, embarrassed by my own actions.

She bit her lip, fighting back her laughter, and I couldn’t help but smile. Her hands gently fell onto my chest, grounding me back to reality.

“You’ll get used to it,” she teased.

I nodded, my hands instinctively falling back onto her waist. I wanted to hold her forever. To never let go. To be with her, to hear her soft voice, to just... exist in this perfect moment together.

She broke the silence, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Are you ready for your first hunt?”

I barely heard her at first. My gaze fell to the ring on my right hand, its dark blue stone catching the light as I turned it.

“Is that...?” I trailed off, my voice barely a whisper.

Selena smiled, her lips curling up in the softest of smirks. “Your own sunlight ring, yes.”

“How...?”

“You didn’t think we would let you go out into the daylight without protection, did you?” She raised an eyebrow. “Alexander might’ve pulled a few strings to get it for you. He’s the only enchanter we can trust right now.”

I chuckled, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly.

She didn’t wait for me to say anything else before she took my hand, tugging me gently toward the grand hall.

As we walked, I noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere. The hall felt warmer now, the early light filtering through the tall windows and casting a golden glow on the polished floors. The castle, ancient and imposing, had always felt like a fortress. But now, it felt like home—a home I could share with her.

We stepped outside, and the cool breeze hit my face, carrying the scent of the surrounding forest. The garden was quiet this morning, the grass wet with dew, the sound of birds calling softly in the distance. My chest tightened with the sharp beauty of it all. Everything felt... new.

And then, as if to remind me of just how different everything had become, Selena was gone. I blinked, looking around.

“Come on, Tyler!” she called, her voice light and teasing.

I hadn’t even realized I’d started to run, but my feet were moving quickly, the trees flashing by in a blur as I bounded over the ground. I had to stop myself briefly, unsure if I would trip or crash into something.

“There you are!”

Selena appeared behind me, moving faster than I could have imagined, her figure flickering in and out of sight like a shadow on the wind.

I grinned, ready for whatever she threw at me next.

“Why did you stop running?” Selena asked, a teasing smirk in her voice. “Don’t you enjoy the wind in your hair?”

I sighed, swallowing the knot of nerves building in my chest.

Her face softened as she stepped closer, taking my hand. “I know it’s overwhelming at first,” she cooed. “But it’ll get easier. You just need to get used to your abilities.”

“Like not running into a tree?” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

Selena giggled, the sound light and carefree. “That’s what you’re afraid of?” she teased.

I ducked my head.

She gently squeezed my hand. “Tyler, listen to your senses,” she smiled, her voice soothing. “They’ll guide you better than you think.”

I met her eyes, her warmth seeping into me. I felt my cheeks lift in response, her smile making everything seem more manageable.

“Close your eyes,” she whispered. “And take a deep breath.”

I hesitated. “Won’t I catch the family’s scents?”

“You’re thinking too much,” she replied, shaking her head. “Trust your senses. Trust me.”

I closed my eyes, inhaling the air around me. The scent of earth, fresh rain, and the rich scent of leaves filled my nose. Listening carefully, I caught the distant sound of a creek babbling softly. The hum of insects, the rustling of leaves, and… the steady beat of a heart.

An animal.

My eyes snapped open, meeting Selena’s gaze. Her smile had turned into a playful, knowing curve of her lips as she glanced toward the east, the direction the heartbeat was coming from. Without a word, I bolted forward, releasing her hand.

The wind whipped through my hair as I ran, the world around me blurring. My sneakers thudded against the dry ground, but the sound was nothing compared to the pounding beat of the creature’s heart.

The burn in my throat—sharp and insistent—grew hotter, like fire spreading down my chest. It was a primal, unbearable heat, reminding me that I wasn’t just running for sport. This was the hunt. This was who I was now.

The stream came into view, and I froze, eyes scanning the area. The heartbeat was louder now, pulsing in my ears as I zeroed in on the waterfall ahead. There, hidden behind the falling water, I spotted the deer. It was grazing, drinking from the small river with an unawareness of my presence.

The burn in my throat intensified, the fire screaming for release. I had to act. Now.

I swallowed the venom pooling in my mouth, praying it wouldn’t give me away. The deer shifted, turning its back to me as it noticed something farther down in the forest. My chance. I was already in motion before I even realized it.

I sprinted, my feet barely touching the ground, and tackled the deer with a strength that was new to me. My fangs sank into its warm neck, and the rush of blood was immediate, sweet, and powerful. The fire in my throat dulled, the heat fading into a cool, satisfied relief as the blood flowed down.

When the creature’s heartbeat stilled, I pulled away, my teeth releasing their grip. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, glancing at the now still body.

If animal blood tasted this good, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what human blood would be like. But I pushed that thought away, knowing how dangerous it was.

Proudly, I inspected myself. Not a single drop had stained my clothes. I had imagined hunting would be a mess—blood everywhere, and ripped clothes. But it hadn’t been like that at all.

Heading back north, I caught Selena’s scent on the breeze. I slammed on the brakes, coming to an abrupt stop. I turned, listening carefully, my senses sharpened.

Her footsteps were light at first, barely a sound against the forest floor. But then they disappeared. For a split second, I wondered if I had lost her.

And then, just as quickly, I heard the sound of her feet landing on a tree branch above me. Before I could react, she jumped, landing lightly on my back, her arms wrapping around my neck as her legs hooked around my waist. She giggled, her warmth pressing against my back as she slid down to stand in front of me.

“How was your first animal hunt?” she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Faster and a lot cleaner than I expected,” I replied, my voice flat despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. “A little too smooth, though.”

She laughed, her joy infectious. “It takes practice.”

I smiled, taking her hands in mine. “Thanks for the advice,” I said, the words slipping out before I even realized how much they meant. “You always know what to say.”

Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, my heart swelling with affection.

“Do you think you’re ready to see the family now?” Selena asked. “Or we can keep heading north, out of Washington DC.”

I rocked back on my heels, releasing her hands.

“And leave the family?” I frowned.

Selena looked down, avoiding my gaze.

“What is it that you’re not telling me?” I pressed. “Did something happen when we went to save Kelly?”

She sighed softly, her words carefully measured.

“Jared and Stefan agreed that it might be best for you,” Selena explained. “We’ll still keep in touch with them by phone. But until you learn to control your thirst, we thought it would be better if you weren’t around humans. That includes the family.”

I stayed silent, letting the weight of her words sink in.

“And it would just be you and me, traveling?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

She nodded, her expression unreadable.

The thought of leaving everything behind—of running away with Selena—made my heart flutter, but the realization that it meant abandoning my family hit me hard.

“You would leave your clan for me?” I asked, the question heavy in the air.

“Of course, Tyler.” She furrowed her brow. “But it’s only temporary.”

“Until I can be around humans without killing them,” I said, nodding in understanding.

It made sense that no one trusted me with my thirst control—not even I did. And I didn’t want to risk hurting anyone I cared about. But even as I tried to rationalize it, a voice in the back of my head whispered that this couldn’t be it.

“I think…” I swallowed, steeling myself. “I’d like to go see the family.”

Selena stared at me, her eyes searching mine for some sign of hesitation.

“Are you sure, Tyler?” she asked.

“I don’t want to leave like this,” I explained. “I would love to just drop everything and travel the world with you, Selena. But I can’t leave Stefan, not now. He needs me to help hunt down Sivaline.”

“He said he’ll be fine,” she whispered. “He has Jared, Kelly, and Charlotte to help him. My clan has agreed to stay with them, too.”

“Selena,” I murmured. “I can’t shake the thought of something happening to Kelly with Sivaline still out there. Besides, I can’t leave hunting behind. It’s part of who I am, even if I’m a vampire now.”

Selena stared at me for a long moment, pressing her lips together.

“If you want to stay…” she sighed, her tone resigned. “You’ll have to prove to yourself that you can control your thirst around humans. We thought…”

She swallowed, her gaze dropping.

I narrowed my eyes.

“We’ve came up with a test to see if you can control yourself.”