Welcome to the Night

No smut for Chapter 1 - 3.9k words

"Another murder," Jimin sighed, placing the tablet down at the desk.

"Let me guess," I began. "Werebeasts again? Or a warlock botching another sacrifice?"

"Neither," Jimin replied, "victim's blood was drained, bite marks on its neck and wrists."

I turned my head towards Jimin, her glasses rested upon the bridge of her nose, her hair tied in a messy bun — she was always pretty, even if exhaustion was evident in her now pale face. "Vampires?" I asked, reaching for the tablet to read the article. "Now that's — not new, but—"

"Infrequent," Jimin finished for me, she laid her arms on the desk and placed her head upon it.

"And sloppy," I said as I finished reading. The victim was left in a garbage bin, his complexion as white as porcelain, two separate photos showed bite marks on both sides of his neck and both his wrists — the pulses, I thought, I can only hope that the death was quick, but it normally isn't with vampires.

"Yeah," Jimin drawled. "Vampires don't leave bodies, that's why most disappearances are often credited to them."

"Or the cops are just lazy," I added.

"Or that," Jimin echoed wearily.

The halls of the Archive were empty, well, aside from Jimin and I. The glass windows reflected faint gray light from the afternoon sun. It was bleak to say the least. Jimin's company was the only consolation, she was beautiful, with a figure most men — and women — will kill to have. She was normally talkative, never running out of things to say, but on the days when she's not, the silence is as loud as our collective boredom.

"You know..." I began. "You could pass for a vampire, Jimin."

Jimin raised her head and scrunched her face, "Was that a lousy attempt at flirting, Seren Vale?"

My soft chuckle echoed across the emptiness, "How about me giving you a genuine compliment, Yu Jimin?"

"Well if it was —" she sighed again. "It's bittersweet, Vale. On one hand, they're known for their everlasting beauty, but on the other hand..." she tapped the tablet thrice and I got the message.

"Not into blood?" I teased.

She rolled her eyes, "I get those every month, why would I want any more?"

I tilted my head curiously, unsure of what she meant.

Jimin looked at me incredulously, "Menstruation man, duh," she grabbed the tablet and playfully smacked it over my head.

We both laughed, the sounds insignificantly brightening the dim halls of the Archive.

"So," I decided to push her further. "Aren't you on one right now? You seem to be — moody?"

The tablet hit my head again, followed by Jimin's annoyed yet adorable laughter. "This is why you don't have a girlfriend, you sometimes ask the wrong questions at the wrong time."

"Hey! I thought we were friends!" I protested.

Jimin kept laughing, "I tolerate you, there's a difference."

"Your laughter says otherwise," I quipped back.

We laughed together for quite a while, the noise preferable to the otherwise eerie silence of the Archive.

"Well anyway, if you wanted to be one of the Night Folk, what would you be?" I asked after our laughters died down.

"Hmmmm..." she hummed, placing a pen next to her lip, and with the light shining through the windows, I thought she was first love incarnate, the ones you fall for during college — which technically we both are.

"You first," she replied after a moment.

"I asked you first."

"Well I'm asking you back."

"Ladies' first."

"Oh. So you're chivalrous now?" Jimin smirkingly said.

"Yeah," I replied, huffing my chest playfully. "I can be your knight in shining —"

"You can't even afford a coat, Seren, and now you're talking about armors?" Jimin interrupted me, her arms clutched her stomach as she laughed, her laughter made her lean forward, sunlight tracing the curve of her chest.

I must have been staring for a while, because she placed a finger on my chin, raised my head and held my gaze. "Eyes up, my knight," she teased in the most seductive voice she can muster, and I felt blood rush to my cheeks as well as — other parts I'm not gonna say.

Not wanting to be outdone, I tried for a witty comeback, "You could be a siren with a voice like that," I tried to be cool, but I guess the compliment came out as a breathy whisper.

Jimin giggled as she withdrew her fingers from my chin. "You really should step up your flirting game. You're lucky I tolerate you, otherwise you would have gotten a red hand print on your cheek."

"Thanks, I guess." My brain was short circuiting, was Jimin flirting back?

Then suddenly, the massive iron doors of the Archive swung open. Jimin and I craned our heads. The day had been quiet, so someone coming in was a bit of a surprise. She was of average height, with long wavy, brown hair. She wore leather, like, all leather — leather jacket, leather pants that hugged her slim thighs and legs tightly, and leather boots with heels. She wore black shades, which I thought was unnecessary considering how dim the Archives building was. She looked like a biker from the waist up, a model from the waist down, and over all — she looked like trouble. Her heels clacked against the tiles as she slowly made her way towards the reception — towards us.

"I bet rockstar," I whispered towards Jimin who leaned in closer.

"Nahhh... I bet.... detective," she replied.

"How did you get that, from all of that?" I asked, gesturing to the guest.

Jimin smiled at me as the guest reached our reception area, "Intuition," she replied before facing the woman. "Pleasant afternoon —" Jimin began her greeting with a pleasant smile that could have brightened the otherwise dark and bleak world.

Then the woman raised a badge, "Detective Kang Seulgi, Crimes of the Night Folk Division of Verrath, I'm here to research about," her gaze lowered towards the tablet, and she continued, her voice low and cautious, "vampires."

Jimin looked at the tablet then back to the detective, "Sure, detective, my colleague, Mr Vale, will escort you to the appropriate aisle," she said with smug calm. We made eye contact, my eyes wide because she just volunteered me to lead this detective.

"Why me?" I whispered hopefully out of earshot from the detective.

"Because I won the bet," she whispered back.

"What bet?"

"You said she was a rockstar, I said detective. Now go." She whispered with a triumphantly teasing grin.

"I'll get you for this, Yu Jimin." I stood up from my chair and faced the detective, "This way, ma'am," I gestured for her to follow me, with Jimin smirking naughtily behind her. "So, um..." I began as I led her towards a maze of tables and book shelves and more tables and book shelves. "Is your research about that recent murder?" I asked cautiously.

"None of your business," she replied coldly.

"Right," I replied. This is going to be a cold and long walk.

"Tell me, Mr Vale," I jumped as Seulgi's voice cut through the silence, "about this Archives."

"Have you never been here, detective?" I asked.

"Just... passed it from outside. It's my first time actually entering."

"Well," I sighed, the memory of reading through the Archives' promotional pamphlet while I was training for this job emerging in my mind. "It's just a fancy way to say 'Library', make it sound ancient and prestigious, otherwise, nothing different really," I answered, ignoring what the pamphlet says.

Seulgi scoffed, "Well it does look ancient."

"It is, detective. The Archives was commissioned to be built by the brother of Verrath's first king, almost three thousand years ago. Legend says it was a gift to a fae noble who values knowledge above all that he fell in love with," I replied, now referencing the pamphlet.

"And do you believe that?" Seulgi asked.

"Well, whether it did happen or not, the fae noble got what it wanted, the first king's brother still died a human death, and I'm stuck here in this part time job to keep my scholarship."

Seulgi gave off a faint chuckle. So this detective does know how to laugh, I thought.

"We're here, detective," I said, gesturing towards another dim aisle just like the rest, only this one had a label engraved with "Vampires".

Seulgi entered without another word and scanned the books lined upon the shelves. "Black," she muttered, "why do they all have to be black."

Maybe because you still have your dark shades on while we are on this dark aisle within this dark library all the while dressed in all dark clothes — I thought, but never actually said it because after all, the spines of all the books were indeed, all black.

Seulgi traced a delicate finger upon the spines of the books, "What do you know of the Children of the Crescent Moon, Mr Vale?"

Her inquiry took me aback as well as her use of the vampires' more formal name, "Well, they're immortal for starters, their diet consists of blood, doesn't matter whether human or animal, but human blood is said to taste sweeter to them." Seulgi turned her head towards me as if telling me to keep going. "And they are said to be hauntingly beautiful, using their allure and charm to lure their prey."

Seulgi nodded, "And why do you think they leave no bodies behind?"

"I... I don't know."

Seulgi nodded again, "Most don't. That is why most disappearances are often credited towards them, because at times like these, it is easier to say that vampires took a person, than actually searching for them."

I scratched my head, "Are you saying that not all disappearances are due to vampires, detective?"

Seulgi turned towards me, "What I'm saying," she said slowly, "is that vampires aren't the only creatures of the night who take their prey." Her head scanned me from head to toe, then back again.

I felt exposed, like a banana being peeled to be eaten. My throat felt dry, I know she wasn't trying, but I felt charmed — seduced even. She walked towards me slowly, she lowered her head as she looked up upon me. Her eyes were piercing, like they were scanning me for all my past sins. Heat rose from my body, cheeks flushed, and sweat dropped.

"Are you..." I swallowed a lump in my throat. "Are you a vampire?"

Then she laughed, a genuine laugh which, if not for her outfit, I would say was kind of cute. And was that? Her canine tooth seemed longer, like fangs, or maybe tusks? No, it can't be, I'm probably imagining things.

"A vampire? Gods, no. Why? Can my charm pass as one?"

I nodded, cold embarrassment now replacing the heat I was feeling.

"Be careful, Mr Vale, if that meager charm can lure you, what would you do if I was a real vampire?" Seulgi asked, now intentionally seductive, her voice low and her fingers grazed my forearm.

Heat rose back in my body, what the hell is happening with me? "I'll... I'll die, I guess."

Seulgi smirked, "You'll give up? Just like that?"

"What else can I do?" I croaked.

"Shame. I thought you'll do better than that." Seulgi said, breaking all types of contact and brushing past me. She was already a few paces away before I could recover.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" I asked as I struggled to catch up to her. I failed however, she was too fast and she was on the door when I reached the reception area, with a wide eyed and confused Jimin sitting on it.

"What happened? Did you hit on her?" She asked me judgingly.

"Do you think I'll still be alive if I did?"

"You got a point. So what happened?" "I don't know, it was weird. She asked me about vampires—"

"Did she take any books with her?"

"Now that I think about it, no she didn't." Jimin nodded,

"Yeah, really weird," she concurred.

--------------

Our shift was uneventful after that. We clocked out before dark, as is protocol, or else the creatures of the night may target us if we're left wandering outside at night. I walked Jimin towards her apartment as the sun was slowly setting.

"Thanks for walking me, Seren, you didn't have to," she said quietly as we stood in front of the gates.

"It's the chivalrous thing to do," I grinned.

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up. Now get going, the sun's setting faster today, you don't want to be caught alone after dark," she said, her voice filled with mild urgency and concern.

"Well, maybe that detective will come and save me then," I joked.

"I'm not kidding, Seren," she said softly, placing a soft and gentle hand down my arm which sent shivers down my spine. Her eyes bore into me, almost pleading.

"Alright fine, I'll get going." I relented, breaking off eye contact before I blush any further.

"See you tomorrow, Vale," Jimin whispered.

"You too, Yu Jimin," I replied.

Then, in a move which rooted me to my spot, she leaned closer, tip toed, and kissed my cheek. "Stay safe," she whispered one last time before turning around and entering the building and I could swear steam was coming off my ears.

I forced myself out of my trance because as much as I wanted to savor that moment, Jimin was right, the sun was setting a little bit faster today. I walked quickly, my hands tucked inside my jacket as the moonlight shone down. Three more blocks, I thought, the Night Folk won't attack this early, I hoped. Other people were walking as well, but they walked in groups no fewer than three — I was the only one who was alone.

I crossed an intersection, and that was when I noticed them — three men in suits. They were inconspicuous, except when we passed by a corner mirror — a mirror deliberately placed to identify vampires and fae — they don't have any reflections. In mirrors, vampires lose their reflections while the fae are exposed of their true forms. Panic slowly swelled in my chest. I walked faster — one more block, I thought — one more block and I'm safely home.

As I was about to round the corner, I stopped — a fourth man, similarly dressed as my stalkers, with complexion as white as snow, blocked my path. He smiled, it would have been the most beautiful smile in the world – if not for the fangs that were his top canines.

"Going somewhere, mister?" He asked, I felt my head grow lighter, like my heads was on the clouds.

"Home," I struggled to reply.

"So early?" I jumped as the three others who were following me finally caught up.

"Yeah. Let us have a drink first." A second one whispered close, and I shivered as his cold skin met the back of my ear — the area where my pulse was banging so quick the vampires must be salivating.

"But before that, a walk, to somewhere a lot more private," the last one said, strolling past us in a smooth almost gentlemanly voice.

"I'm not going with you," I defied weakly.

The last vampire stopped and turned, his face a mask of combined confusion and amusement. "Strange," he muttered slowly, "are you sure you're charming him?"

"I'm pretty sure we are," his companions replied.

"Well no matter," he brushed it off. "He's just one guy, what can he do against all of us." It was not a question, but a statement said with finality.

They walked me towards an empty warehouse. It was dusty with the moonlight shining through the dilapidated ceiling and the broken windows. The four vampires stood in a circle as they made me kneel in the center.

"You're quiet in the face of death, Mister?" One of the vampires asked.

"Vale, Seren Vale." I replied with quick and sharp breaths.

"Well, Mr Vale, dare I say, your blood smelled really good, we couldn't resist," the one to my right said.

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked.

"It means that even though we fed last night, your blood smelled so good, we can't just help ourself," the leader said in front of me as he sniffed the air.

"That man in the garbage bin? That was you?" My voice rose with urgency, am i going to end up in the news, dead and in a garbage bin — that's such a humiliating way to go, what would Jimin say? It won't matter, I'd be dead, and Jimin would be moving on with her daily life.

"Yeah, it was us. He never resisted our charm, though. Unlike you, he never made us drag him to a place such as this," the vampire behind me confirmed.

"Well, not much use talking about what happened yesterday. What's important is the feast we're about to have tonight." The leader grinned, baring his fangs as his followers did the same.

Well, it was a good life, I thought. Growing up as an orphan but cared for by my grandmother until she died just when I was about to enter college — yeah, others had lived worse lives. I regret not having a girlfriend, like ever, in my life. I never even confessed what I feel to Jimin, not when she finally kissed my cheek, that was something I need to talk to her tomorrow, but only if I live through tonight.

"Please," I whispered softly.

The vampires paused and I felt them grin, "So he is human after all." The leader commented.

"Please, please don't," I pleaded, tears slowly falling down my tears, my heart rate increases in tandem with my breathing.

The vampires beside me took my arms and rolled my sleeves, exposing my wrists while the leader and the one behind me slowly made for the sides of my neck, and all I can think of was — Jimin's going to kill me for dying like this.

"Please," I uttered one last muffled cry as I felt the points of their fangs touch my skin.

Then — something crashed on the ceiling, shattering the roof and raining debris down on us as the vampires retreated for cover. And from the roof, dropped along with my jaw — a fully grown grizzly bear roared as it dove towards the vampires. It landed in front of me, shaking the ground as it did. I scrambled backward as the vampires charged the bear. It swiped its claws sending one vampire flying and the others retreating. One retreated too slow however — the bear caught him, pinned him to the ground, and snapped its maw on the vampires neck. Blood sprayed as the vampire screamed while the bear flailed his body until his head was separated from his body. The bear roared in challenge against the surviving vampires.

The vampires to their credit, seemed unfazed by the death of their comrade, they charged the bear simultaneously from three sides. The beast swiped to its right, its mighty paw taking the head of another vampire off its body. This allowed the other vampires to latch onto its neck however, and each of them bit down hard. The bear roared, it stood on its legs and rolled to its side, crushing another vampire with its weight and shaking off the last one, the leader.

The massive beast recovered, whimpering in pain as it slowly backed up towards me, was it protecting me? If so, why?

I never got to think about it as the bear roared and charged the last vampire head on. It swiped down with its massive claw but the vampire dodged and struck the bear, sending it flying towards me. The beast struggled to stand, clearly weakened by all the damage it accumulated.

And as it strugggled, it shrunk, slowly, into the form of a woman. A werebeast — was my first thought, until I saw the familiar wavy brown hair. She was naked, clothes probably ripped because of her transformation, yet I won't be able to mistake that hair. She raised her head and looked at me, her eyes were brown and her complexion pale due to fatigue and the vampires biting her.

But it was the unmistakable face of Detective Kang Seulgi.

She breathed heavily, as if hyping herself up. And with a loud snarl, she propped herself up, facing the vampire in defiance. "You gave quite a fight, werebeast," the vampire said. "But I can always make new followers," he added, grinning as Seulgi's blood trickled down his mouth.

"Are you sure about that?" Another voice, cold, elegant, unfamiliar, and seemingly tired with apathy or rage, cut through the empty warehouse. The vampires eyes widened but before he can talk, a figure — a woman with long silky black hair, appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind him and bit his neck.

"My... Lady..." the vampire croaked before the woman placed a hand on his chin — and with one clean motion — snapped his head clean off his body. The vampire collapsed to the ground as his head dribbled on the dusty floor.

That was when I finally had a full view of this female vampire. Ethereal — was the word I can think of best to describe her, though that still pales to the level of beauty she posseses. Just like her flowing robe, she was snow white, like most vampires are described, yet her face seemed cold and apathetic, the moon shone down on her, making her skin sparkle and amplifying her already ethereal beauty. She seemed to be around her early twenties but I know that vampires are ageless.

Seulgi then stood in front of me, "What are you doing here, Bae Joohyun?" She growled.

"Easy, huntress," the vampire, apparently named, Joohyun, replied. "Those young ones were hunting sloppily, attracting unwanted attention towards us, I had to act."

"You? Someone that high in the coven? Surely this matter does not need your... personal attention," Seulgi panted laboriously.

"I was... bored," Joohyun replied casually. "And apparently they hunted someone... out of the ordinary," she added, tilting her head as she glanced behind Seulgi towards me. "I can't actually see what's special but... I can indeed smell it."

"You won't take a bite out of him," Seulgi growled.

Joohyun chuckled, "Oh I don't plan to. Curiosities like him, someone resistant to vampiric charm is unheard of. I'm... curious, about what he is, and killing him would be such a waste."

"You, boy," Joohyun called me. "Tell me your name."

"Seren," I said before Seulgi can stop me. "Seren Vale."

Joohyun smiled, a bewitchingly enchanting smile that I felt if she ordered for me to kill myself, I would without any hesitation. "Well, see you around, Seren Vale." Mist swirled around her and in a few moments, she was gone.

Seulgi then turned towards me, "Rough night, huh?" She said as she strutted naked towards me, her blood trailing down her neck towards her breasts like it was normal.

"Welcome to the Night, Seren Vale," she said, before her eyes rolled to the top of her head and she collapsed on the warehouse's floor.