They paused before irene said"I tasted blood"
The air between them changed instantly.
"What?" he said slowly
Irene looked at him now seriously
"It was at the party," she continued. "I didn't think much of it at first. Some one gave me a blood can "
"Who? ", lucian asked
" I don't remember the person again but i've not seen the person in our class before", irene said confusely
"What did it feel like?" he asked.
Irene swallowed.
"liquid...i don't even know how to explain ," she said slowly.
Lucian ran a hand through his hair, looking away for a second like he was trying to process
"You didn't drink it, right?" he asked quickly.
"i tasted it but i didn't drink it " Irene said.
Lucian exhaled quietly—but it didn't sound like relief.
"Is it bad? ", irene asked
" It's not bad that you tasted blood but the person that gave you the blood might be dangerous and it might not be blood the person gave you, it might be something else", lucian explained
"Like what? ", irene asked , her chest heavy
" Anything, i don't know, and that means the person knows who you are because you smells like human more than vampire", luciab said
"Is that a problem? ", irene asked confusely
" No, just be careful", he said
"Thank god, i was scared maybe i'll turn to monster or something", irene joke but lucian didn't laugh
They didn't separate at the junction like they normally would.Lucian walked a half-step ahead now.
"Do you always do that?" she asked.
"Do what?", he replied
"Walk like you're… checking things."
He didn't look back. "Maybe."
They passed a small shop with its shutters half-down, a radio playing inside. A couple of students from school crossed the street ahead, laughing too loudly, then disappeared around the corner.
Irene watched them go. "Feels normal out here," she said.
"Yeah", he replied softly
They turned again another quieter stretch. Fewer streetlights.
Irene's steps slowed.
"Okay," she said, more serious now. "About earlier."
Lucian didn't interrupt.
"The… blood thing," she continued. "It wasn't just a smell. It was like" She searched for it. "Like I knew where it was coming fromand traced it, then i saw the guy with the blood can, then he asked me that did i want some then he gave me another one from another container
Lucian stopped.
This time, he faced her fully.
"Why do you lie? ", lician asked a bit angry
" Hmmm i don't know how to explain, like i feel like i will sound stupid", it
rene explained
"Okay, it's fine, is normal for you to feel that way as you are a half vampre but next time don't loose control again incase there is a traitor", lucian explained
" Okay.. Thanks for understanding though you shouted at me", irene said
"I'm sorry, i don't no idea of the danger that is on what you drank", he apolozige
" Okay, you can go,my house is overthere", she said
"Yeah", he said before he headed out the street
Irene stepped inside, closing the door softly behind her.
I'm home," she called.
"Kitchen!" her mother's voice came from down the hall.
Irene dropped her bag by the door and made her way in.
The smell hit her at first warm, and inviting. Her mother stood by the stove, stirring a pot, while her father sat at the table with his phone, glasses low on his nose.
"You're late," he said without looking up.
"Not that late," Irene replied, pulling out a chair and sat down.
Her mother turned slightly"how was school", she asked
"It was fine but stressful", irene said
" Hm." Her mother didn't press. "Food will be ready soon."
Irene nodded, resting her elbows lightly on the table
For a moment, everything felt ordinary until her father burst in"you have been acting differently these days", he said
"Like what? ", she replied
" Like you are hiding something", irene's mother added
"I'm fine", irene said
" You can tell us anything, we are not going to judge you, just talk it out with us send you will be fine"irene's father explained
"I said i'm fine, dad", irene said
" Talk it out now... ", irene's mother said before irene cut in and said please can we just stop all this and allow me to relax, it's been a long day at school then you are still disturbing me with questions", irene said her eyes red and her voice higher than usual in frustration
"Okay, enough with all these and let eat", irene's mom changed the mood started serving the food for the family
She started serving the food, breaking the tension in the room piece by piece.
Irene stared at the table for a moment, then slowly sat back properly.
Her father finally spoke again, softer this time. "We're not trying to stress you."
"I know," Irene muttered, not looking up.
Her mother placed a plate in front of her. "We're just worried. That's all."
Irene didn't respond immediately,Her fingers traced the edge of the table lightly.
"I can handle myself," she said quietly after a moment.
Her father nodded once. "We know you can."
Irene finally picked up her spoon, stirring her food without eating yet.
while outside, the evening settled deeper, shadows stretching across the windows.
Inside, the house felt calm but Irene's mind wasn't calm,Because no matter how normal everything looked here…
It didn't erase what she experienced the night she was turned
Dinner continued, but the earlier tension has not fully left the table.
Her parents spoke in softer tones now ,safer topics, routine questions, small comments about school and food. Irene answered when she had to, nodded when it felt like she should nod, and kept most of her attention on her plate.
But her mind wasn't sitting at the table with them.It kept drifting.
To school,To Lucian,To the the night, To the taste of the blood she tasted
Irene frowned slightly, lowering her spoon. She looked at her plate like she was seeing it for the first time.