My Man Is A Vampire I

The storm broke just after midnight.

Rain rattled the windows of Evelyn's small apartment like fingers drumming with impatience. The flickering streetlamp outside her window cast a dull orange glow across the hardwood floor, and the only other light came from the candles she had lit earlier-small halos of flame struggling against the shadows gathering in the corners of the room.

She sat on the edge of her bed, one leg curled beneath her, her oversized sweater slipping off one shoulder. Her fingers curled around the warm ceramic of a half-drunk mug of tea, though the tea had gone cold long ago. She wasn't drinking it anymore. She was listening-listening for footsteps, for the rustle of fabric, for a voice that hadn't spoken since last night.

He said he wouldn't come again. That this-whatever this was-had to end.

And yet, the moment the thunder rolled across the sky, she felt it. A thrum in her chest. A pull in her blood. A knowing.

She rose slowly, walking barefoot to the window. Fog clung to the glass like breath, and for a second she could see nothing beyond it. But then-

He was there.

Standing just beyond the reach of the light. Tall. Still. Drenched in rain, his dark coat clinging to his frame, his black hair dripping down sharp cheekbones. His eyes found hers with a swiftness that stole her breath, the way they always did.

Alek.

She threw open the window, the cold air rushing in and brushing her skin like a warning. "You said you wouldn't come," she whispered, barely loud enough to be heard over the rain.

He didn't smile, but his voice, low and rich, slid across the space between them. "I lied."

She didn't move. Neither did he. The space between them-two stories of old brick and a world of impossible difference-might as well have been a lifetime.

"You shouldn't be here," she said, softer now. But even she didn't believe it.

His expression was unreadable, except for his eyes-those silver-blue eyes that always looked like dusk was trapped inside them. "You're the only place that feels real anymore."

She blinked against the sting in her eyes and leaned farther out, reaching her hand toward him. "Then come inside. Before I lose you again."

In a blink, he was gone from the street.

A moment later, she turned from the window to find him standing in her room-silent, soaked, and impossibly beautiful. His presence filled the space like nightfall, every corner suddenly deeper, every shadow more honest. Her breath caught in her throat. He hadn't stepped closer. He never did-not until she asked.

Evelyn set the mug down and walked toward him slowly. "You're trembling," she murmured, her hands brushing the wet fabric of his coat.

"I haven't fed," he said, like an apology.

She nodded, pressing a hand to his chest, feeling the cold stone of him under her fingers, yet still sensing the faintest echo of a heartbeat-like a drum slowed by centuries, but not stilled. Never stilled, not when he was with her.

"Then take what you need," she said.

But he shook his head. "That's not why I came back."

Her eyes lifted to his, surprised. He lifted his hand, cupping her jaw with infinite care.

"I came back," he said, voice just above a whisper, "because I can't stay away from you. And I've tried. God knows I've tried."

A pause. The room stilled, even the storm outside hushed for a breath.

"I love you, Evelyn," he said.

She swallowed hard, tears slipping down her cheeks, silent and sure. "Then stop running."

He kissed her.

It was nothing like the first time, nor the desperate, frenzied kisses from nights before. This was slow. Steady. Full of aching reverence. A kiss like a promise made at the altar of all they feared-and all they hoped for.

When he pulled back, his forehead pressed to hers, and the scent of rain and roses clung to the air between them.

"Stay," she said.

And for the first time, he did.

By morning, the storm had passed, but its memory lingered in the silver puddles along the sidewalks and the faint scent of rain in the air.

Evelyn woke with her head resting against Alek's chest. His coat was gone, folded neatly over the back of a chair, and he lay beside her as still as marble, eyes closed, barely breathing. The light of early dawn spilled across his skin, making him look less like a man and more like a sculpture carved from moonlight.

She watched him for a moment, studying the edges of him, memorizing the quiet lines of peace that only sleep-or something like it-ever gave him.

Then her phone buzzed.

The sound jolted her out of the moment. She slipped from the bed silently, careful not to wake him, and padded into the small kitchen. The screen lit up with a string of messages.

Lena [6:47 AM]

hey. just checking on you. u sounded off last night. everything okay?

also i had that dream again-the one with the blood in the sink. tell me that's not a sign.

pls don't tell me he came back.

Evelyn swallowed, her fingers hovering over the keys. She loved Lena-her best friend since childhood, the keeper of every ridiculous teenage secret and every heartbreak since. But Lena had met Alek once. Just once. And that had been enough.

She typed back quickly.

Evelyn [6:50 AM]

I'm okay. Just tired. Rain kept me up.

The lie sat like ash on her tongue.

Before she could second-guess it, another voice interrupted.

"Lena again?" Alek asked.

She turned sharply. He was leaning in the doorway now, arms folded across his bare chest, shadows under his eyes. He hadn't put on a shirt, and the sight of him there-in her space, in daylight-felt like watching the impossible fold itself into reality.

"Yeah," she said quietly. "She's worried."

"She should be." His tone was flat, but there was no anger in it. Only resignation.

Evelyn crossed the room, placing a hand gently on his arm. "Don't do that. Don't make this harder than it already is."

There was a knock at the door.

They both froze.

Evelyn's heart kicked into overdrive.

"It's probably-" she started, but Alek was already gone, vanished into the bedroom with the softest rustle of air.

She opened the door to find her sister, Mara, standing there in a rumpled hoodie and jeans, holding two coffees and a wary expression.

"I brought fuel," Mara said, brushing past her. "You've got dark circles and weird energy. You okay?"

Evelyn closed the door, took the coffee. "Thanks."

Mara took one look at the half-burned candles, the open window, the tension in the air. Her eyes narrowed.

"Is he here?" she asked.

Evelyn didn't answer.

Mara sighed, running a hand through her curly hair. "Ev, I'm not going to tell Mom and Dad, okay? I promised I wouldn't. But you have to tell me what the hell is going on with this guy."

"He's not just some guy," Evelyn said softly.

"Right," Mara replied, sarcasm laced through the word. "He's the undead version of broody and tragic."

"He's not dangerous."

"Tell that to the squirrel I found drained in the alley behind your building two weeks ago."

Evelyn looked down, guilt crawling up her throat.

"Was it him?" Mara asked, quieter now.

"No. He doesn't feed near me. He hasn't fed at all, actually. Not since..." She trailed off.

Mara exhaled slowly. "Jesus, Ev. This isn't just dating someone sketchy. This is... next-level. And Lena's freaking out. She had a dream about blood, again."

"She always has those dreams when she's anxious," Evelyn said. "You know that."

Mara studied her, eyes softening. "I know you love him. I do. But that doesn't mean I stop worrying. You're my sister."

A voice spoke from behind her, low and careful.

"I would never hurt her."

Mara spun around, eyes wide, as Alek stepped into the kitchen fully clothed now, hair slightly damp but face composed. There was no mistaking what he was. Even without fangs or theatrics, he carried an unnatural grace, a silence that didn't belong in a living body.

"I believe you," Mara said after a long moment. "But that won't stop me from putting a stake in your ribs if she ends up dead."

Alek's lips lifted faintly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

The tension cracked just slightly at that. Evelyn laughed, too softly, but it was real.

Mara shook her head. "This is insane. Completely insane."

"Maybe," Evelyn said, stepping between them. "But he stayed. That has to mean something."

Mara looked between them, then took a long sip of her coffee. "Fine. But if you're going to keep dating Edward freaking Scissorfangs, I'm going to need stronger coffee. And probably therapy."

"Deal," Evelyn said.

From the window, the sun began to rise in earnest, light breaking over the rooftops, warm and golden. But in the quiet of the apartment, surrounded by sisters and secrets, the real day hadn't begun yet.

Not really.