School life returned to normal after that day. I juggled academics with my midnight witch duties, fighting warlocks alongside Lilith. Cassandra and I grew closer, and we joined Lilith for lunch at the cafeteria. Cass, a blonde with a flair for dark fashion, had multiple tattoos and spoke her mind fearlessly. Her personality reminded me of Lilith, which explained their instant connection.
Inside the bustling cafeteria, we bought our food and sat down to eat. I struggled to focus on their conversation, my mind drifting to the recurring nightmare. The phrase "YOU HAVE GONE ROGUE" haunted me. In vampire lore, "rogue" meant surrendering to bloodlust, while for witches, it signified a White Witch turning to black magic or taking a life. But I'd always followed the witches' code; what could make me break it now?
"Rose..." A tap on my shoulder broke my trance. I touched my forehead, feeling a headache surface. "Sorry, what were you saying?"
"What's bothering you?" Lilith asked, noticing my distraction.
"Nothing, just a headache," I replied, caressing my forehead.
Cassandra chimed in, "Oh, right, have you seen the school nurse about your nightmares?"
My eyes widened as I glared at Cass, but she was too engrossed in her phone. Lilith's eyes narrowed. "What nightmare situation?"
"Rose has been having some kind of nightmare every night, didn't she tell..." Cass's eyes met mine, and she clamped her mouth shut. "Or was I not supposed to say anything?"
Lilith's eyes widened further. "Every night?!" I could understand her shock. Even for a human, having nightmares every night was nothing normal. Talk less of a witch.
I sighed, resigned. "Idio oneiro" (same dream). Lilith's shock was palpable. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
Cass, now wearing earphones, seemed oblivious to the tension. I quietly glared at her. "Let's talk about this later." Lilith seemed to understand, glancing at Cass and grumbling, "Fine."
Just then, a deep voice interrupted us. "Hey, ladies."
I looked up to see a guy with an unsettling grin. His ginger hair framed one side of his face, and his brown eyes sparkled as he smiled. I felt a shiver run down my spine; Lilith's wary glance mirrored my unease. Cass, however, seemed entranced, Looking at him the way I always look at my favorite candy bar before devouring it.
"Can I sit?" he asked, already pulling up a chair from another table and sitting beside me. I could even smell his mint– scented cologne that I was tempted to shift my chair back. His proximity made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't deny his handsome features: silky hair, full eyebrows, and piercing brown eyes.
Lilith shifted her gaze between us, silently asking if I knew him. I shrugged.
After settling in, he asked, "Why did you guys stop eating?" I took the initiative. "Who are you?"
He hesitated, his eyes locked on mine. "My bad... Well, my name is—"
A loud "Elijah!" cut him off. He closed his eyes, ground his teeth, displeasure etched on his face. "...that." He finished, pointing towards the voice.
Lydia approached our table with a forced smile. "Elijah, what are you doing with these... people?" She concealed her anger with a strained smile.
Elijah stood abruptly, his eyes locked on Lydia's. "You'll do something for me, dear Lydia. You'll return to your table, eat quietly, and leave without fuss, okay?"
Lydia nodded robotically and walked away. Lilith and I exchanged a knowing glance. Elijah was compelling her – a trait unique to vampires.
"Elijah's a vampire," I whispered to Lilith, my eyes locked on him.
Lilith's eyes widened in agreement. Elijah's carelessness was alarming.