The Transfer Student

No smut - 3.2k words

I woke up to an empty bed — Seulgi has left. I tried to sit up only to feel my body sore to the core. 

Damn it — that was not the way I expected my cherry to be popped. It left a bittersweet taste in my tongue — on one hand, it did felt good, damn, it felt like being in heaven while surrounded by the fires of hell. On the other hand though, we both lost control — well, she did, I'd want to say I was forced to but that won't necessarily be true. I finally tried to justify it, reasoning that if I didn't do it, she'll probably beat me up until I do or worse, kill me. But the conclusion remains the same — we had sex, and full consent was doubtful between both parties.

And then there was her question: What the fuck am I?

Resistant to vampiric charm and amplifying a werebeast's sexual drive. In a different world I would've been happy if I had these abilities, but considering how I found out about them, I was starting to think it's not as cool as I think it is.

I forced myself up to get dressed, pulling a pair of boxers from my wardrobe and putting them on. The apartment still smelled faintly of her — wild musk, blood, and sex. I stared at the sheets. The heat from last night had faded, but the mark it left hadn’t. My reflection in the window looked more tired than human.

I went out to the kitchen to have a drink, I turned towards the couch where Seulgi scratched ten half foot gashes on it while I was humping her from behind — how am I going to explain that to visitors? But then again, I don't really get visitors. Still, I made a mental note to patch up the couch since I don't have enough money to buy myself a new one. I reached to open the fridge, I noticed a note — the handwriting was clean though there were some erasures on it. I plucked it out, filled my glass, and read the note.

"Hey, Seren!

Good morning, I guess.... I hope.

Look, I'm really sorry about last night, though for consolation, it was a good night. Anyway, I promise I'll find the time to explain, I just have to run now because I'm needed at the station. Sorry for ditching you as well. (Sad face emoji)

And also, nobody at the station knows that I am a werebeast, well, nobody human, so, if we could keep it that way I'd really appreciate it.

I also took a handful of your clothes, with me being naked and all. I promise I'll return them the next time we meet.

-Seulgi."

Okay, I thought. No, actually, not okay. I need some answers, and I need them fast. And yet, what should I do? Burst into the station looking for Detective Kang Seulgi? They may entertain me but they won't believe my story — Night Folk are not allowed at a human police force after all. Before I could think any further, my phone alarm rang, I looked at the time, 7:45AM — and my first class is at 9:00AM — I'm running late if I dally any further. I rushed to my bathroom to shower and prepare for the most boring part of my life — school. By the time I left the apartment, the morning felt heavier than usual — like even the sun wanted me to forget last night.

I made it with about ten minutes to spare. I entered the half-full lecture hall and found myself a seat in the upper rows. Just as I was about to set my bag, someone slides into the seat beside me — Yu Jimin — radiant as always. She wore a crisp white blouse with her glasses tucked by the collar, and a plaid skirt that brushed just past her knees, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and my heart was beating even faster than when the vampires were about to suck me dry. Her eyes though, sparked with determined curiosity.

"Spill." She said excitedly.

"Spill what?" I asked, suddenly anxious as I remembered the night with Seulgi.

"Last night," she said in hushed tones. "The vampire attack, the werebeast detective, and that higher vampire."

"I told you everything, what else should I say?" I replied as I sat down.

"Was that all? Perhaps you forgot something, you know, because of the heat of the moment."

"Heat" — damn it. Another reminder of what Seulgi and I did as blood rushed to my cheeks.

"I think that was all, Jimin."

Jimin turned and nodded. Then she turned her head back to me, "Do not walk me home again," she said, though there was no heat from her voice, only concern.

"I told you not to blame yourself."

"You can't really control how I feel, Seren."

How about what I feel — for you? I wanted to ask, but the coward in me decided to keep my mouth shut.

"It was difficult you know, falling asleep last night," Jimin whispered softly.

"I'm really sorry for worrying you."

Jimin just nodded, her gaze far away.

"And thank you, for worrying for me."

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Of course, we're friends, right?"

"I thought you were just tolerating me," I quipped.

She hit me in the shoulder, her face a mask of faux anger before we both laughed.

"Say, Jimin," I began after our laughter faded. "What do you know about werebeasts? Especially female ones."

Jimin turned to me, "Why do you ask?" She then narrowed her eyes, "Are you into Detective Werebeast?" She teased.

"No, no, no. It's not like that," I denied vehemently though I can feel myself get redder.

"I won't blame you, Seren. She's hot," Jimin retorted.

"Well....." I shrugged.

"So you are into her?" She asked, grinning widely.

"No," though I said it in a much higher pitch than I should have.

"I just..." I sighed. "I just want to know more about them you know, seeing as one saved my ass last night."

Jimin nodded, "Well, werebeasts, as you know, can transform into different beasts. They can only transform as one animal their whole life however."

"So it means," I interjected, "that Detective Kang can only transform into a bear and nothing else?"

"Mhmm," Jimin nodded. "It's still subject to debate though, why they only transform into one animal. Some say it's genetics, others say it's a reflection of the werebeast's personality, others say it's completely random like the roll of a dice."

"So if you get a bug —?" I asked seriously.

"Then you can only turn into a bug your whole life," Jimin replied flatly.

"That must suck."

"To those who turn into bugs." Jimin and I were openly chuckling now.

"How do you know so much about the Night Folk anyway?" I asked, genuinely impressed.

Jimin smiled proudly before answering, "I'm a nerd, Seren."

I raised an eyebrow, not sure whether I heard her right.

"Oh stop looking at me like that," she swiped her hand against my arm.

"No. I'm not judging you, just... surprised, is all."

"Why are you surprised?" She asked propping an elbow on the table and tilting her head on her hand. She's so pretty, it's not even funny.

"Uhhh. I don't know." My mind short circuits again at how pretty she looks. "I just thought you'd be interested in.. other stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" She asked, blinking her eyes cutely.

Oh she's totally teasing me — I just can't prove it.

Before I can answer though, Professor Zhang enters the lecture hall. He's a man of Chinese descent on his early forties, tall and lean but not muscular, yet his face conveys years of wisdom. Rumors have it that he descended from a long line of dragon hunters back when his clan were still in China. Now, he teaches Night History — a subject focused on the history between the Night Folk and humans.

"Good morning!" He greeted, his chinese accent barely audible.

"Before we start, I'll be introducing a transfer student. The board has approved of her transfer on short notice and in the middle of the semester due to personal reasons I am not allowed to disclose. Anyway, you may enter." He gestures at the doors and beckons the transfer student in.

And a collective gasp filled the room. She was petite and extremely beautiful, ethereally so, with long, silky, and flowing black hair. Her complexion seemed as cold as her eyes. I gasped as well, but not for the same reasons my classmates did. I gasped because I recognize her.

I grabbed Jimin's arm as I recoiled in my seat. Jimin looked at me in surprise. "What? Already fallen for the transfer student?"

I can't answer. My words stuck in my tongue as the transfer student introduced herself.

"I am Irene Bae, please take good care of me." She bowed courteously and all the boys — and even some girls — swooned.

"It's her, Jimin," I muttered.

"What? Who? The transfer student?" Jimin asked in confusion.

"The higher vampire, it's her," I said as Irene Bae scanned the hall and finally locked eyes with me. She tilted her head the same way she tilted them last night and gave a hint of a smile, and I felt all the hair in my body stand on edge. 

I then whispered — "Bae Joohyun."

Jimin looked at me like I was talking crazy — which I hope that I was. Talking crazy seems a better option than having the higher vampire who called me a "curiosity" as my classmate.

"You serious?" Jimin asked, her eyes stared at me as mine stared at Bae Joohyun.

"Well," Professor Zhang's voice boomed across the hall. "You may take your seat at any vacant seats, Ms Bae." A lot of the guys — and some girls — started pushing their seatmates away, hoping that Joohyun, or Irene, or whatever, was going to sit beside them. And that was when I noticed — Jimin sat to my right, and the seat to my left was vacant.

Shit.

Irene started walking, or was she gliding? She seemed to move so smoothly and elegantly in her white lace dress, amplifying her ethereal glow. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she ascended the steps, every eye focused upon her, curious as to where she'll have a seat.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as she rounds the corner, right towards the empty seat to my left. "Shit, help me out, Jimin." I whispered.

She looked at me, her face mirroring my urgency. "What do you expect me to do — hi!" Jimin greeted, her face morphing into the face I see every time she welcomes visitors at the Archives.

Grumbles echoed across the hall, clearly my classmates never expected this beauty to sit beside me. With Jimin they might have accepted it — two of the most beautiful girls in class sitting beside each other — but she sat beside me. They gave me queer looks as they settled back to their usual seats and Professor Zhang began his discussion.

"I'm Yu Jimin," Jimin extended a hand and they both shook with me in between them.

"Irene, right?" Jimin asked.

"You can call me Joohyun. I heard Seren mutter it a while ago. I also heard he called me a higher vampire," she said matter-of-factly as she sat down.

"Wait... how?" I asked in a mix of confusion and fear.

"She's a higher vampire, Seren. They have enhanced senses, all of them, not just her sense of scent," Jimin said in amazement.

"You seem well-versed in our kind," Joohyun remarked.

"She's a nerd," I replied, all energy drained from my voice.

"Cute," Joohyun said.

Jimin's smile falters subtly. "Thanks, I guess," Jimin responded, her voice quivering subtly.

"Relax, both of you. I'm not going to bite," Joohyun smiles beautifully. That smile would have swept me off my feet, if not for the fact that she was a higher freaking vampire.

"Easy for you to say," I muttered.

"Don't you believe me, Seren?"

"If you were me, would you?"

Joohyun chuckled, "Fair point. Very well, Jimin, was it?" Jimin jumped on her seat. "Yeah?"

"Do you know about a vampire's Blood Oath?"

Jimin nodded nervously.

"Then can you kindly explain it to your boyfriend, please," Joohyun requested nonchalantly.

"Oh, no. No. We're not —" Jimin replied shaking her head.

"Yeah, no. We're not... uhm... we're not," I also replied simultaneously.

Joohyun eyes us curiously. "Seriously?"

"Yeah." Jimin and I answered at the same time.

"Shame, you guys suit each other," Joohyun shrugged as I felt my face flush. I turned and saw Jimin looking the other way awkwardly and I noticed that her ears were red.

Professor Zhang clears his throat, "Mr Vale, Ms Yu," and we both jumped in our seats, our faces growing redder as the entire hall pivots their heads towards us. "I know you're trying to welcome Ms Bae but can you do it without disturbing my class?" He said flatly.

"Forgive us, Professor," Joohyun talked before Jimin and I could respond, "if you could just ignore us, then we could talk a little bit quieter." There was nothing strange with what she said, what was strange was her voice when she said it. It seemed to rise and fall in pitch and tempo, like a psychedlic recording being played, or a hypnotic chant. Professor Zhang’s pupils dilated for a moment — then he blinked, resumed the lecture, as if he hadn’t just agreed to a vampire’s request.

"Was that—?" Jimin asked.

Joohyun turned to us, smiling smugly, "Vanpiric charm, something Seren seems to be resistant to. I allowed you to hear my voice as well, Jimin, just so you know how it sounds."

"Um... thanks," Jimin said, chuckling nervously, the awkwardness of Joohyun's earlier remark of us dating seem to still be affecting her — well to be fair, so do I.

"So, um," I tried to get us back on track and remove, lessen, whatever this awkwardness was. "About that Oath something?"

"Yeah. Blood Oaths. Right." Jimin chirped a little too enthusiastically that it sounded forced.

"Blood Oaths are," Jimin started, "well, Oaths — but they're binding to the vampire who did it and who he or she did it to." Jimin then glanced upon my confused expression and rolled her eyes. "It means whatever the vampire said to someone he or she pledged a Blood Oath to, they can't break it."

"Okay," I nodded slowly. "Then why are you bringing this up?" I asked, turning towards Joohyun.

"Is he always this slow?" Joohyun grumbled.

"When he's with pretty girls," Jimin rolled her eyes as she replied.

"Just," I raised a hand in frustration, "just answer the questions, please."

Joohyun shrugged, "Well, you seem distrustful that I won't hurt you so... I'll make a Blood Oath with you pledging that I won't hurt you."

Our jaws dropped, "Wait, why would you spare me? We just met last night?"

"This world is filled with prey, Seren. In this hall alone, I could probably last for a year if I fed on everyone here," she noticed the fear in mine and Jimin's eyes, "except for you two, of course. And also, I said I'm curious about you, with you being resistant to our charm, I want to learn what you are, for you are the first of your kind that I've encountered in my two thousand years of life."

I blinked as I processed her words while Jimin whispers "Two thousand," behind me in disbelief.

"So, I'll start the oath now," Joohyun cheerfully chirps as she held out her right palm, pressed the nail of her left index finger upon it, and slashed a thin line upon her skin. A red streak then slowly trickled down her hand. The air seemed to still as she drew her blood. The faint scent of iron cut through the classroom’s recycled air. For a second, I thought I saw her eyes darken — not red, not black, but something between.

"I, Bae Joohyun, heir of the Verrathi Coven–"

"Wait, what?" I said in shock.

"You're the heir of this city's coven?" Jimin placed her hands in her mouth as she mirrored my shock. Seulgi did imply that she was high up even amongst higher vampires — but the heir of the Verrathi coven? What the hell did I get myself into?

Joohyun stared at us in frustration,her eyes now dancing between black and red, "Yes," she replied nonchalantly, "now could you please not interrupt me? I'm doing an Oath." Jimin and I can only nod.

Joohyun took a deep breath and resumed her Oath, "I, Bae Joohyun, heir of the Verrathi Coven, hereby swear this Blood Oath to Seren Vale, that I shall not, in any way, shape, or form, hurt him—"

"And Yu Jimin—" I blurted out.

Joohyun rolled her eyes, "— and Yu Jimin, whether intentionally or unintentionally, until he releases me from this Oath."

"Was that it?" Jimin asked.

"No thunder in the sky? Earthquakes?" I added.

"Yeah. That's all on my end, now it's time for yours." Joohyun then extends her palm towards me, the thin streak of blood now reached her wrist. "Lick the blood," she commanded.

"Excuse me?" I replied in surprise and disbelief.

"Do you want this Oath to be binding or not?" Joohyun challenged.

I stared at the blood running down her hand. I hesitated, then I thought it was stupid to — this oath also ensures that Jimin is safe from Joohyun — so there was really no reason to hesitate.

I took her arm, then scanned the hall to see if anyone was looking at us. Most are deep within their own bubbles, some are asleep, and even less are actually paying attention to Professor Zhang. I turned towards Jimin, her face a mask of disgust, apprehension, and hesitation. I steeled my resolve, brought Joohyun's arm closer to me and stuck out my tongue.

"Ugh. I can't watch this." Jimin shuddered as she turned away.

Joohyun gave a soft moan as shivered slightly while I dragged my tongue from her forearm to her palms. Contrary to the scent of iron, her blood tasted sweet, like grapes, no, like wine — a two thousand year old wine — intoxicating, addicting, potentially enslaving.

"There," I whispered and Jimin finally turned around back at us.

"So, did it work?" Jimin asked as Joohyun withdrew her hand, and that was when I noticed that her cheeks were flushed.

Suddenly — faster than Jimin and I could register. She took my pen and thrusted it it in my face. I felt myself recoil as an invisible force blocked the pen, sending it clattering to the row below us, luckily there was no one there.

"What the hell —" Jimin said in hush tones as I stared wide eyed at Bae Joohyun who was casually examining the thin line on her palm.

"Yeah." She responded coolly. "I think it worked."

"You could've blinded me, woman," I whispered boring my eyes into her — which now reverted to its usual pitch black.

"But the Oath was binding. So you didn't. I don't see the problem," Joohyun responded nonchalantly.

I looked at Jimin who shared my expression of shock, awe, and fright.

"At least we're safe from her?" Jimin said.

Joohyun giggled in amusment as she propped her elbows on the desk, leaned her head upon it, and pretended to pay attention to Professor Zhang's lecture.