Love Between a Lunar Vampire and a Luna Witch

Oxford University Matthew De Clermont Lab, 2009

As Matthew sat at his desk, surrounded by the familiar chaos of research papers and ancient texts, a peculiar sensation washed over him. The air in the lab felt charged, as if it had shifted in some unseen way. He paused, pen hovering above the page, and closed his eyes, allowing himself to breathe deeply.

It was then that he felt it—a gentle pull, a whisper of a presence that sent shivers down his spine. Lauren. The thought of her name ignited something within him, a warmth that spread through his chest and settled in his heart. It was as if she were there, standing just beyond the walls of his lab, her essence mingling with the scholarly atmosphere of Oxford.

Matthew then says, "What the?"

Miriam looked up from her notes, concern etched on her face. "Matthew, is everything alright?" she asked, her brow furrowing as she noticed the sudden change in his demeanor. He seemed lost in thought, staring off into the distance.

Matthew shook his head, trying to regain his focus. "I—I just felt something," he stammered, still processing the sensation that had washed over him. "It was like a presence, almost as if Lauren were here with me."

Miriam raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet cautious. "Lauren? Are you referring to the person you've been destined to be with? Are you sure it's not just your mind playing tricks on you?"

"No, it's different," he replied, his voice steadier now. "It felt real, almost tangible. I can't explain it."

Miriam leaned in closer, her curiosity increasing. "But how do you know it's her? How can you be certain that this presence is Lauren and not just some figment of your imagination?"

He paused, searching for the right words. "There's a familiarity to it, like I could almost hear her voice in my mind and sense her magic. It's as if she was trying to communicate with me with her magic, to let me know that she's here."

Miriam considered his words carefully. "That sounds intense. How do you know it's her and her witch magic that you're sensing?"

He looked into her eyes, searching for understanding. "I've felt it before, a connection that transcends time and space, something only she could conjure."

Miriam furrowed her brow, intrigued by Matthew's response. "What are you going to do now?" she asked gently, her eyebrows raised.

Matthew took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "I need to find her," he replied with determination. "If her magic is present, that means she's close. I can't just sit here and wait. I have to follow the pull I feel."

Miriam nodded, her expression shifting to one of concern. "You know the congregation has a rule about vampires, witches, and demons; we're not allowed to be together." She reminded him, her voice steady.

"I don't care about what the congregation thinks," Matthew said, his voice firm. "This is bigger than their rules. I have to do what feels right."

Miriam sighed, her brow furrowing as she considered his words. "Maybe you should care, Matthew. This matter isn't just about you. There are consequences to defying the congregation's rules." She took a step closer, her eyes searching his. "We could be putting ourselves in danger. You know how strict they are."

Matthew shook his head, determination etched on his face. "I can't let fear dictate my choices. I have to follow my heart, even if it means breaking their rules."

"But what if following your heart leads to something worse?" Miriam pressed, her concern deepening. "We have to think about the repercussions for everyone involved."

He paused, the gravity of her words sinking in, but he remained resolute. "I understand the risks, but I can't ignore what I feel. It's like a fire inside me, urging me to take this chance."

Miriam's heart ached at his passion, but she couldn't help but worry. "Just promise me that you will be careful."

"I promise," he replied, his voice steady.

Miriam then says we should check the student registry to see if Lauren's on it. She pulled out her laptop, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she searched for the information, a mix of anxiety swirling within her. "If we can find her, then you can take it from there."

Matthew nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Okay," he said, acknowledging Miriam's suggestion. As she focused on the screen, he leaned closer, anxious to find Lauren.

A few minutes later, Miriam found Lauren's name on the student registry. A surge of relief washed over her as she pointed it out to Matthew. "Here she is," she said, her voice steadying.

Matthew leaned in closer to read the details on the screen, his heart racing with anticipation. "Great! Now we just need to figure out where to go from here," he replied, a determined look crossing his face. The mix of anxiety and hope lingered in the air as they prepared to take the next steps in their search for Lauren.

Matthew turned to Miriam, his brow furrowing slightly. "Does it say which dorm she's at?" he asked, eager for any information that could lead them to Lauren.

Miriam glanced back at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she searched for the details. The tension in the room was palpable as they both awaited the answer that could change everything.

Miriam then says that Lauren is staying at the All Souls Dorm. Matthew's expression shifted from concern to determination. "All Souls Dorm," he repeated, committing the name to memory.

Matthew asked Miriam when Lauren got here, eager for any information that could lead him to her. Miriam glanced back at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she searched for the details. The tension in the room was palpable as they both awaited the answer that could change everything.

Miriam said, "Lauren just got here today." Matthew's expression shifted from concern to determination. "All Souls Dorm," he repeated, committing the name to memory.

Then Miriam turned around and saw that Matthew had disappeared. She felt a rush of anxiety as she scanned the room, wondering where he could have gone. "Matthew?" she called out, but only silence answered her. Her heart raced as she contemplated the possibilities—had he gone to find Lauren, or was he going to the meeting that was scheduled for him today?