Dark Lord in Twilight

Tom woke up early, even though there was no school today, because he was used to it. Even as a child, he had never been good with sleep, and that habit had not changed over the years. He found waking up early gave him more time to practice magic and hone his skills.

Outside, snow fell steadily, blanketing the landscape in white. The cold air was crisp and refreshing as Tom stepped out into his garden, his breath forming soft clouds in the chilly morning. The snow crunched under his boots as he walked through the frost-covered plants, feeling the magic in the air. Today was a perfect day to practice something new.

Stopping in the middle of the garden, Tom took a deep breath, raising his hands toward the sky. He concentrated on the air and moisture surrounding him, feeling the water molecules shift under his influence. The clouds above darkened, thickening as he manipulated the atmosphere. Slowly, they condensed into shimmering ice crystals that sparkled in the pale light of dawn.

With a flick of his fingers, Tom directed the ice shards toward a tree, watching as they coalesced into a fierce hailstorm, striking the bark with sharp, precise blows. The force of the ice was enough to strip away branches, leaving the tree battered. Satisfied with the results, Tom lowered his hands, allowing the spell to dissipate.

After training, Tom decided to have breakfast outside. He dressed in black trousers, a dark green sweater, and a black coat before heading to his car. Since his house was secluded, the road leading to it was covered in untouched snow. A simple spell melted the snow away, clearing his path before he set off toward town.

Arriving at a local restaurant, Tom entered and was immediately taken aback. The entire Cullen family was seated at a table, sipping from glasses of thick red liquid that looked suspiciously like wine. Of course, Tom knew better.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. He had already run into them too many times to consider it a coincidence. It was impossible for them to track him, and they certainly couldn't read his mind. So how did they always seem to know where he was?

The answer became clear as soon as his gaze met Alice's. She smiled brightly, waving at him before standing up and approaching.

"Mr. Miller, what a pleasant surprise! Since we're all here, why don't you join us?" Alice asked cheerfully.

Tom hesitated. "I wouldn't want to disrupt your family gathering, Ms. Cullen."

Before he could excuse himself, Esme, the family matriarch, rose from her seat and joined them. She offered Tom a warm, motherly smile.

"You must be our children's teacher, Mr. Miller. I'm Esme Cullen."

Tom inclined his head slightly. "Yes, Mrs. Cullen. I didn't expect you to recognize me."

Esme chuckled. "My husband told me about you. You were there when Alice was injured, weren't you? You helped her. I wanted to personally thank you for that."

"I was merely doing my duty as a teacher," Tom responded simply.

Esme exchanged a glance with Alice before turning back to Tom. "Then allow us to return the favor. Please, join us for breakfast."

Realizing he wouldn't win against these two persistent women, Tom relented. "Very well, Mrs. Cullen. Just for today."

He followed Esme and Alice to the Cullen's table, where he greeted Carlisle before taking a seat next to Alice.

"Mr. Miller, if you're hungry, don't hesitate to order something. We're just enjoying our drinks," Esme encouraged.

In truth, Tom was hungry, but eating alone in front of a group of vampires didn't appeal to him. Instead, he lied. "I'm not particularly hungry. I just came for a drink."

Alice tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp with suspicion, but she said nothing. Instead, Esme continued the conversation.

"We heard you moved to Forks this year. How do you like the town so far?"

Tom hadn't given it much thought before. He pondered for a moment before responding, "Forks is… peaceful."

The Cullen family exchanged small smiles at his answer. Carlisle nodded. "Like you, we chose to live in Forks because of its peaceful nature."

Tom simply hummed in response. The Cullens were intriguing, but he had no intention of getting too involved. He ordered a coffee, sipping it quietly as the family continued chatting amongst themselves. Throughout the meal, Alice stole glances at him, as if trying to read something beyond the surface. Tom ignored her curiosity. He had secrets to keep, and no one—not even a clairvoyant vampire—would pry into them.