Levi stood outside the house, leaning slightly against the low wall, dressed down in a soft blue sweater, black trousers, and slippers. The breeze was light. Evening settled in slow, golden waves. His arms were crossed as he looked up at the dusky sky, mumbling to himself.
"Of all the nights to be honest," he muttered. "Let's see how much of me she's ready for."
The sound of the door creaking behind him made him glance back.
Alexa stepped out.
She wore a sky-blue singlet gown that stopped just above her knees. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, damp at the tips. There was a light smile on her lips, maybe nerves, maybe excitement. But there was a pink flush on her cheeks—whether from the breeze or from seeing him, it wasn't clear.
She walked slowly, almost like a bride taking steps down an invisible aisle. She didn't say anything at first.
Levi let out a cold, dry laugh. "Are you getting married tonight?"
Alexa rolled her eyes but didn't stop smiling. "To my fate, maybe," she said.
She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, gently.
"Lead the way," she whispered.
For a brief second, Levi didn't move. He just looked down at her hand on his arm—small, warm, trusting. His jaw clenched slightly, like something sharp brushed his thoughts. But he said nothing. Just turned, guiding her down the quiet path.
Levi walked silently beside her, their steps light against the ground until they reached a narrow path that led to a house. Alexa glanced around, curiosity building.
She blinked. "Are we there?"
"This isn't it yet, Alexa," Levi said coolly.
He led her through the quiet house and up the stairs. The climb felt endless, each step echoing louder as they ascended. Finally, they reached what looked like a tower carved into the cliffs, hidden and forgotten.
Alexa paused, eyes wide. "I've never seen this building in your compound."
"That's because you never leave your room," he replied, a bit amused.
She moved closer to him, her fingers gripping his arm tightly as she looked down from the terrifying height. Her breath hitched.
"Scared of heights?" Levi asked, mocking just slightly.
Alexa scoffed, trying to act unbothered. "No. Are you?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he held her wrist and gently pulled her closer toward the stone edge, where the rays of the setting sun painted the world in amber and shadow.
"Alexa," he said slowly, voice low.
She looked up at him, her throat dry, her heart pounding. Something in his tone unsettled her.
"Are you going to propose?" she joked, nervously trying to lighten the mood.
But he didn't smile. His eyes fixed on hers, sharp and unreadable. "Do you trust me?"
"What do you mean?" she whispered, confused.
"You've always wanted to know what I am," Levi said. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her in. "I'm willing to show you… if you trust me."
Alexa felt frozen. His touch, his closeness—it made her mind blur. Her heart raced wildly in her chest. She didn't even realize when the word left her lips.
"…Yes."
A dangerous smirk tugged at Levi's mouth.
And the next second—
She was falling.
"Levi!" Alexa screamed as her body dropped backward into the air. Her arms flailed, heart leaping into her throat. "LEVI!"
Her scream tore through the wind as the ground rushed up to meet her. Panic clutched her throat. She twisted midair, barely able to see—but high above, he stood at the cliff's edge, that same cold smirk still on his face. And around him… something dark curled in the air—purple and smoky, like magic wrapping itself around a demon.
"Levi, please!" she sobbed, voice cracking. "This isn't funny! Stop!"
But he didn't move. He just stared. Watching. Like a god—or a monster.
Alexa cried harder. He had left her. Abandoned her. She was going to die tonight. Just like that.
Her screams weakened. Her body gave in.
She shut her eyes. Maybe it was better not to see the moment she died.
And then—
A grip.
Strong. Unyielding. Around her waist and back.
Her eyes shot open.
Wind whipped around her, but she wasn't falling anymore. No—she was rising. Being pulled up.
The creature holding her—wasn't human.
Dark wings beat powerfully against the air. His chest was bare, skin like marble laced with shadows. Sharp black claws curled around her. His fangs were longer, glinting under the fading sun. His face… sharper, fiercer, like a demon sculpted with pain and pride. His eyes pierced straight through her.
And he was still smirking.
"Levi," she whispered, trembling in his arms.
He landed softly, like gravity didn't apply to him. Her feet barely touched the ground before he let her go like she was nothing more than weight.
"Get off," he muttered, voice flat, eyes unreadable.
Alexa stood frozen, staring at him, still shaking.
This—this was what he meant.
This was what he was.
Alexa stood on shaky feet, barefoot on the cold ground, her slippers long forgotten in the fall. Her eyes stayed fixed on Levi, wide with fear and disbelief.
"Le… Levi," she stammered, clutching the thin fabric of her gown tightly against her chest. "Was that… was that your primordial form?"
Levi let out a cold, low chuckle, brushing a hand through his hair as the shadows around him slowly faded.
"No," he said, voice calm but sharp. "You wouldn't survive seeing that one. That… that was just a glimpse. A vampire, nothing more."
She swallowed, still trembling. "Then… why?"
He turned his head slightly, casting her a sideways glance. "You're speaking like you wouldn't scream and rip your own throat out if I did show you." He paused. "I can't awaken it yet. Not fully."
Alexa didn't reply. She just stood there, her body frozen, brain trying to catch up to what just happened. She didn't even realize she was still shaking until the breeze touched her skin.
Levi saw it. The way her breath hitched, the way her knuckles turned white around her gown. She wasn't okay.
"Come on," he said, softer now, stepping forward. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder and guided her gently. "Let's go."
*****
As Levi opened the door, the scent of pine polish and faint spices greeted them. Oscar was at the entrance, crouched and unlacing his shoes. He looked up just as the two stepped in, dressed in matching shades of blue—Levi in his soft sweater and black pants, Alexa in her sky-blue gown.
Oscar's gaze shifted between them, lingering a little too long on Levi, then Alexa. Something in his eyes made Levi uncomfortable.
"It's not what you're thinking, Oscar," Levi said quickly, dropping Alexa's wrist and looking away.
Oscar stood up with a small smirk, dusting off his hands. "I wasn't thinking anything, Cross," he replied, patting Levi's shoulder like he knew better. He placed the book he'd been holding at the doorstep, his grin growing.
Levi rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.
Neither of them noticed Alexa had gone quiet.
She blinked a few times, her vision growing blurry. Her chest tightened, breath shortening as her knees gave way beneath her.
"Alexa?" Levi turned just in time to catch her.
Her body slumped into his arms, limp and cold.
"Alexa!"
She didn't respond. Her head tilted to the side, eyes shut—completely fainted.
Levi's heart dropped as he stared down at her, her face pale against his chest.
Oscar's smirk vanished. "What happened to her?"
Levi didn't answer. He was already lifting her off the ground.