Chapter 16: Ella Is Back

Chapter 16: Ella Is Back[College Gates – Late Morning]

The moment Ella stepped through the gates, her presence drew every eye. Her hair was a bit messy, her eyes darker than usual, and her steps slower than her usual confident stride.

"Ella!" Remu rushed to her. "Where the hell have you been these past few days?"

Ella paused, clenched her fists, and took a deep breath.

"Got caught in a trap," she muttered. "Managed to get out... thanks to Lucifer."

Her voice dipped into frustration at the end, her teeth clenched like she was forcing the words out. Deep down, something in her chest twisted—something she didn't want to admit.

Francisca didn't take that well. "Lucifer? Where is he? If anything happened to him, I swear I'll—"

"Relax." Ella cut her off, waving her hand. "Nothing happened. Not like that. It wasn't me. A rogue vampire used him as bait to lure me in. Didn't say a word about having Lucifer 'cause he knew I wouldn't come running otherwise. He played it smart, and I fell for it."

Francisca breathed out slowly, her shoulders dropping.

Ella kept her voice low. "Lucifer's different now. He's... one of us. A vampire. He can't step into the sun anymore—not without a daylight spell."

Everyone's eyes turned to Remu.



She blinked. "Uh-uh. Nope. Don't even look at me like that."

"Remu—"

"Nope!" she said, already turning to walk off. "I'm not casting anything for that guy. If he wants to sunbathe, he can roast like a sausage."

Francisca moved to go after her, but Mob grabbed her arm gently.

"Don't. Not here," he said with a firm tone. "This is still a school. We can't afford drama in front of the humans."

Francisca bit her lip but nodded.

"I'll talk to her," Mob added, already walking off. "You should go see Lucifer. He needs someone right now."

Francisca stood frozen for a moment, then turned to Ella with narrowed eyes.

"Where is Lucifer right now?" she asked quietly.

Ella let out a long sigh, clearly irritated. "Seriously? I'm weak, starving, just got out of a trap, and all you care about is him?"

Her tone was sharp, but beneath it... was something else. Conflict. Shame. A strange warmth in her chest she didn't want to acknowledge. She hated it—but craved it too.

Still, she kept the act up. For Lucifer. For the plan. Even if it made her want to scream.

Francisca glanced around at the students walking by, laughing, chatting, clueless. She leaned in slightly and whispered, "Pick someone. Anyone. I'll handle the cover."

Her hand began to glow faintly with orange runes, weaving a subtle illusion around them.

Ella's eyes scanned the crowd. A young guy, alone, leaning against a pillar and scrolling through his phone. Perfect.

She walked toward him slowly, her steps smooth, predatory, lips slightly parted. The guy looked up, surprised but smiling. She touched his chest gently, leaned in—and sank her fangs in just beneath the jawline.

Around them, thanks to Francisca's spell, it looked like a couple sneaking a kiss. People smirked and glanced away, minding their business.

As Ella fed, the color returned to her cheeks, and her aura slowly stabilized. She pulled back, wiped her lips, and whispered something in the boy's ear before he stumbled off in a daze, forgetting everything.

Francisca walked up to her, arms crossed. "Feel better now?"

Ella nodded, licking the last drop off her thumb. "Better. Still annoyed, but better."

Francisca gave her a look. "So... where is he?"

Ella rolled her eyes. "The old art building. Top floor. He's waiting."

Francisca turned immediately.

"You know..." Ella called after her. "If he dies or whatever, I might actually kill someone for real this time."

Francisca didn't respond, just raised her hand and waved without looking back.

"Are you gonna tell us the truth now," Angel said, stepping forward with a lazy smirk, "or should we go tell the others you're full of shit?"

Ella froze.

She turned slowly and met their eyes—Angel and Ken, the two werewolves who had kept suspiciously quiet since her return. But they weren't fooled. They'd been watching. From the second she walked through the gate, they knew something was off.



Ella sighed. "Trust me... it's better if none of you know. The more you learn, the higher the chance he notices you. And trust me—you don't want that kind of attention."

Her voice was firm this time. No sarcasm. No snark. Just quiet, tired warning.

Angel raised a brow. That tone... it wasn't like her.

"So, what's this talk about killing if anything happens to Lucifer?" Angel asked, teasing smile curling her lips. "Didn't know you two were that close."

Ella's eyes twitched. A slight blush crept up her cheeks, but she wiped it away fast like it never happened.

"Well... since I kinda escaped thanks to him," she said, arms folded, "he technically owes me his life. So if anyone's gonna kill him—it's gonna be me." A slow grin followed.

Angel laughed. "That still doesn't explain why you reek of cum though."

Ella's eyes widened. "Tch—damn werewolf noses!" she hissed before turning and storming off, muttering curses under her breath.

Ken blinked. "Wait, what's she talking about?"

He'd barely been paying attention—eyes locked on a tall girl with silver hair and long legs who'd just walked through the gate.

Angel rolled her eyes. "Nothing. Go back to your little fantasy."

She patted his shoulder and walked off, still laughing under her breath.

Ken didn't say a word. He just started walking.

Angel paused mid-step, watching him with a brow raised. "No way..."

The silver-haired girl had stopped to check her phone. She stood near the fountain, sunlight bouncing off her long hair like strands of light. Her uniform was crisp, her presence calm—like she didn't care about anyone or anything around her.

Ken walked straight up to her, hands in his pockets, heart oddly steady.

"...Hi," he said.

The girl blinked, looking up. "Uh... hey?"

"I'm Ken." He scratched the back of his neck, eyes casually roaming everywhere except her face. "Second year. You?"

"Dera. Also second year," she said with a polite smile. "Are we... in the same class or something?"

Ken shook his head. "Nah. I'd remember."

Dera tilted her head slightly. "Oh? You sure about that?"

He met her gaze then. Sharp amber eyes, soft but intense. "Very."

She blinked, caught off guard for a second by how serious he suddenly looked. Then she laughed—light, almost airy.

"You're weird," she said, still smiling.

Ken grinned. "Yeah. I get that a lot."

They stood there for a beat. Just looking at each other. The background noise of the school faded into a hum.

Then—



FWUMP. A pigeon smacked into the side of a trash bin and fluttered off in panic.

Ken looked away, holding back a laugh.

Dera chuckled. "Anyway, I should get going. I've got class in ten."

"You always walk alone?" Ken asked before she could turn.

"Yeah. I like the peace. People... talk too much."

He nodded. "Same."

Dera glanced at him one last time. "Well, see you around, Ken."

"Yeah," he replied. "Definitely."

She walked away.

Ken watched her go, something tugging at his chest. He could still smell her scent. Soft. Clean. Human.

Very human.

She squinted. "This idiot's falling for a human... typical."