The Demon Of The Blue Moon

They pulled up to school and stepped out, immediately drawing the attention of every student in the courtyard.

A wave of applause erupted.

Cheers rang through the air.

Blue smirked. "News travels fast."

Ethan nodded. "It sure does. Now, should we enjoy our fifteen minutes of fame with grace?" He placed a hand on his chest, feigning grandeur.

She looped her arm through his. "We shall," she replied in a faux British accent.

As they walked inside the school, the crowd of students parted, giving them a clear path.

Blue's expression shifted when she spotted Elaine waiting by her locker.

"What do you think she wants?" she whispered.

"Probably to apologize for being such a bitch before," Ethan murmured, leaning in. "I mean, we did find her brother."

"I guess you're right," Blue muttered, quickening her pace.

Elaine, the quintessential blonde-haired bully, crossed her arms as they approached. "I see you two are still together."

"We're still friends, yes," Ethan replied coolly. "Get to the point. We don't have time for small talk."

Elaine jabbed a finger at Blue. "You. What did you do to my brother?"

Blue blinked. "Huh?"

Elaine's voice darkened. "I don't care what the police say about you 'just finding' him while walking around. Ever since he got back, he's been murmuring about some huge spider lady. Do you know anything about that?"

Blue frowned. "We didn't do anything to him. We just found him and brought him home."

Ignoring her, Elaine yanked a stack of twisted drawings from her bag and shoved them toward Blue. "He was up all night sketching these."

Blue examined the images, marveling at how a young child had captured the eerie darkness that shrouded the phantom they had killed.

"Maybe your brother needs a psychiatrist," Ethan remarked dryly.

"And an art teacher," Blue added, impressed. "These are amazing."

Elaine scowled and snatched the drawings back, stuffing them into her bag. "Enjoy your little club while you can. Tomorrow, at the student council meeting, I'm going to make sure it's disbanded." With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off.

Blue exhaled and turned to Ethan. "Do you really think there's something wrong with her brother?"

Ethan squeezed her hand. "Don't worry about it. If there is, Kara and I will take care of it."

Blue sighed in relief and ruffled Ethan's already messy brown hair. "What would I ever do without you, Ethan Kang?" she mused, her gaze softening.

He grinned. "Nothing. I mean, I am pretty much the reason you're still alive."

She laughed. "I guess you're right."

The school bell rang, signaling the start of class.

"Alright, get to class."

****

Shadows danced along the walls as men sat in silence, their expressions tense. At the head of the table sat Mr. Garcia, the mayor of Angel Creek.

His gaze hardened as he addressed the man across from him. "So, you're the new leader of the Carrington Estate?"

The blonde-haired man at the other end smirked. "Yes. From now on, I will oversee everything concerning the Blue Moon Museum."

A man to the mayor's left sneered. "And what about the savages that reside in your manor?"

The mayor leaned forward. "One of those things took my son. From now on, if there are any murders or disappearances, you and your monsters will be held responsible."

Hardin scoffed and leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the polished wood.

"Ah. So, I take it you've heard the rumors."

The men exchanged glances, their confidence unwavering.

"What rumors?" one of them asked.

Hardin stood slowly, his movements deliberate. "That I'm just a weak, frightened demon who can't handle being told no," he mused, strolling around the table. "A demon who can't bear the sight of blood."

He stopped behind the mayor's chair, his voice dropping to a whisper. "A pushover."

The mayor smirked. "Oh, you mean the rumors that say you're a bitch?" He feigned a gasp, prompting chuckles from the others.

Hardin didn't hesitate.

In an instant, he spun the mayor around, his right eye now a deep crimson. His hand wrapped around Mr. Garcia's throat, lifting him effortlessly into the air.

"Trust me," he said, tightening his grip as the mayor's face twisted in agony. "I am no pushover."

The mayor thrashed, kicking desperately as his airway constricted. The others sat frozen, sweat beading on their brows. Hardin could hear their hearts pounding.

The mayor's eyes rolled back, and Hardin released him, letting him collapse into his seat. Mr. Garcia gasped, clutching his throat.

Hardin adjusted his cuffs. "Leave my demons alone, and I will leave your humans alone." Without another word, he turned and strode toward the door, his indifference absolute.

Outside, the shift was immediate. His rush reached his cheeks, his breath coming in short gasps.

He had to keep it together. Sebastian was waiting outside.

A woman bumped into him. She wore a pink sundress and blue high heels. The moment their bodies touched, time seemed to slow down.

He felt his rush slowly fade away, he glanced down at her and she looked up at him, a smirk spreading across her face. "Now here's something you don't see every day," she muttered as she cupped his chin and brought him closer to her face. "A demon with an allergy."

He frowned at her words and pulled away from her hold. There was something different about her.

When she touched him, he did not feel his skin crawl. Instead, it felt rather pleasant.

Hardin weakly laid his head on the crook of her neck, his soft blond curls brushing against her skin. "Can you please take me to my car?"

"Okay," she agreed. "But what will I get in return?"

His frown deepened. "Anything you want, as long as you get me out right now."

She placed her hand underneath his legs and swept him off his feet, carrying him bridal-style.

An embarrassed blush spread across Hardin's face as he buried his face into her neck. "I didn't mean carry me," he mumbled.

She moved toward the door, people stopped to stare in shock.

"Well, you weren't exactly clear on what you wanted," she shot back.

They reached the car, and Sebastian stepped out, his eyes widening in disbelief. Never in a hundred years would he have imagined seeing his nephew—Hardin—being carried bridal style by a woman.

Aria placed Hardin gently inside the car before sliding in herself. Sebastian quickly followed suit, sliding into the driver's seat, but not before casting one more disbelieving glance at Hardin.

"Don't ask," Hardin said flatly. Sebastian raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his gaze flicking to the rearview mirror.

Sebastian started the car, pulling away from the restaurant and heading toward the estate. The night air outside seemed thick with an unspoken tension, one that felt almost palpable.

He glanced up at the rearview mirror, catching Hardin's stormy expression. His eyes were locked on the outside world, but the angry furrow in his brow and the way his jaw clenched suggested he was seething, ready to snap at anything that came too close.

Sebastian's gaze then shifted to Aria. She wasn't bothered by Hardin's mood; instead, she met his eyes in the mirror.

"So, what's your name?" Sebastian asked, trying to break the silence and lighten the mood.

"Aria," she replied, her voice smooth and steady.

Sebastian gave a nod, drumming his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, his thoughts clearly wandering. The silence in the car hung thick for a few moments before Aria's curiosity pierced it.

"So, what's wrong with him?" she asked, glancing sideways at Hardin, who was still angrily staring out the window.

Sebastian sighed deeply. "When humans or demons touch him, he has an allergic reaction."

Aria raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "So the fucker can't have sex?" she teased, her tone playful but edged with curiosity.

Sebastian nearly choked on his laugh. The idea of Hardin in such a predicament was so absurdly perfect that he couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I guess you're right," he said, wiping his eyes, still chuckling under his breath.

Hardin's voice interrupted, low and almost uncertain. "That was the case until I met you." His tone was heavy with something Sebastian couldn't quite place. "When we touched... the rush started to go away."

Sebastian's fingers froze on the steering wheel, his eyes widening in surprise. "What do you mean?" he asked, unable to hide the growing confusion in his voice.

The car grew quiet as both Aria and Sebastian waited for Hardin to elaborate. Aria, seemingly just as lost as Sebastian.

Hardin's gaze remained fixed outside the window, his voice barely audible. "Somehow... I get better when she touches me.I don't completely understand it."

A small, knowing smile spread across Sebastian's face as he glanced at Hardin in the rearview mirror. "Well," he said with a quiet chuckle, "looks like someone's found their antidote."

The estate was a study in old-world grandeur. White walls gleamed under the dim lighting, the air thick with the scent of expensive wood and aged leather.

Ornate paintings adorned the walls, each piece a small masterpiece of history. Everything in the space screamed of old money—refined, polished, and untouchable.

Aria swirled on her heel, a quick movement that made her stop in her tracks as she caught sight of Hardin's narrowed gaze.

"So, what exactly do you do here?" Aria asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she walked backward, eyes flicking over every corner of the estate.

Hardin's lips curled into a tight, almost amused smile. "None of your business," he replied flatly, his voice carrying an edge of finality.

He led her forward, stopping in front of a set of imposing double doors. Velvet red and adorned with golden trim, they seemed to dwarf the space. Aria bumped into him again, the collision a reminder of her usual clumsy nature.

"Are you always such a clutz?" Hardin asked with dry humor, his tone teasing but not entirely friendly.

"Not when I'm killing," Aria shot back, her voice cool as she slipped past him and into his office.

He closed the doors shut behind them with a soft thud. Inside, the decor was no less impressive. A green leather couch sat by a large window that offered a view of the manicured grounds. Beside it, an armchair in matching leather. A glass table stood in front of them, reflecting the soft glow from the overhead lights.

To one side, a wooden desk dominated the room, its polished surface reflecting the careful organization of the space. On the opposite side, a bookshelf was stacked with neatly arranged books.

The air smelled of rich tobacco and musk, a faint trace of cologne lingering.

Hardin sat down at the desk as he loosened the knot of his tie. He studied her from head to toe.

"So, what exactly do you want in return for helping me earlier?" he asked, voice low.

Aria took a moment, considering. "A place to stay for a while. Your house has... what? Ten rooms?" she said, a playful edge to her words.

"Try twelve," Hardin corrected immediately, his voice firm. "And no. You're not staying here."

Aria raised an eyebrow, a flicker of offense crossing her face. "Why not?"

"I don't know where you came from. For all I know, you could be from the Bureau," he said, a hint of wariness in his tone.

Aria tilted her head slightly, a slow smile forming. "Okay, fair. But I am not from the Bureau."

Hardin's eyes narrowed, his gaze scanning her with renewed suspicion. "Prove it."

She inhaled, steadying herself. Then, in a blink, her eyes shifted from blue to a sharp, blood-red hue.

"Not enough," he said flatly.

Aria sighed, a slight edge of frustration slipping into her voice. "If I'm right, all Bureau members have a marking on their chests."

Hardin's posture stiffened, his breath catching slightly. Aria's fingers brushed against the hem of her dress, and without hesitation, she started to remove it.

Hardin's eyes widened. He rushed to his feet, turning his back to her as a deep blush colored his cheeks. "Are you always this... forward?" he muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Aria chuckled softly, amused by his sudden shift in discomfort. "I promise I'm wearing underwear, Hardin. But no tattoo."

He rubbed a hand over his face, the embarrassment still palpable. "Just put your clothes back on."

She grinned, pulling the dress back into place with a mock pout. "So, can I stay now?"

"Yes, you can stay," he replied, his voice still a little strained. He didn't turn around. "Sebastian will show you to your quarters."

Aria didn't waste another second. She quickly pulled her dress back into place and sprinted for the door, her laughter lingering in the air long after she left.