The Secrets of The Dark

New York was still asleep.

The city itself was never truly quiet. Even in the early hours of Sunday morning, there was always the distant sound of cars moving along the streets, the occasional honk of a impatient driver, and the low hum of a city that seemed incapable of taking a complete breath.

But inside one particular house, there was absolute peace.

At least, there was peace until Tim entered Daniel's bedroom.

He stood beside the enormous bed with his hands folded behind his back, staring down at the sleeping vampire beneath the blankets.

Daniel's dark hair was a complete mess. One arm was hanging lazily over the edge of the mattress, and half of his face was buried in his pillow.

Tim sighed.

"Young master Daniel."

Nothing.

"Daniel."

Still nothing.

Tim raised an eyebrow.

"Danny."

A muffled groan came from underneath the blanket.

"No."

Tim blinked.

"No?"

"I don't want to hear whatever you're about to say."

Tim's lips twitched.

"You don't even know what I'm about to say."

"I know you," Daniel muttered. "And whatever it is, I don't want it."

Tim walked closer to the bed.

"Perhaps you'd like to hear that the house is on fire?"

Daniel didn't move.

"Tell the fire to come back later."

Tim stared at him for a moment.

"You realize that is probably the worst possible response to a house fire."

"I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"It's Sunday."

"Exactly."

"School resumes tomorrow."

Daniel slowly opened one eye.

"Don't remind me."

Tim smiled.

"I wasn't planning to. Your father already reminded me enough times for the both of us."

Daniel immediately pulled the blanket over his head.

"Then tell him I'm dead."

Tim chuckled.

"That might actually be believable considering how you're behaving."

Daniel groaned.

"Tim, please. Just let me sleep."

"You have been sleeping for hours."

"That's because I'm tired."

"You are a vampire."

"And?"

Tim folded his arms.

"You're supposed to be awake at night."

Daniel finally lifted his head from the pillow.

"I know."

"And sleep during the day."

"I know."

"But somehow, you have developed a remarkable attachment to sleeping through the night."

Daniel stared at him.

Tim continued.

"In all my years, I have never met another vampire who complains this much about waking up."

Daniel sat up slightly.

"I'm not complaining."

"You just told me to tell a hypothetical fire to return tomorrow."

"That was strategic."

"Of course."

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

"You enjoy annoying me."

"Very much."

Daniel threw his pillow at him.

Tim caught it effortlessly.

"Get up," Tim said.

"No."

"You need to go shopping."

Daniel paused.

"Shopping?"

"School supplies. Clothes. Whatever else you need for tomorrow."

Daniel looked toward the window.

The curtains were still drawn, leaving the room dim and cool.

"Can't we do that later?"

"You could."

Daniel smiled.

"Good."

"But your father expects you back before lunch."

Daniel's smile disappeared.

"Why?"

Tim gave him a knowing look.

"Because he wants to speak with you."

Daniel immediately fell backward onto the mattress.

"Then I'm definitely staying here."

Tim sighed.

"Daniel."

"No."

"Daniel."

"I'm not home."

"You're literally lying in your bed."

"That's an illusion."

Tim stared at him.

"You are an incredibly difficult young man."

"And yet you still work here."

"Unfortunately, I have grown attached to you."

Daniel smirked.

Tim pointed toward the bathroom.

"Get ready."

Daniel remained still.

Tim turned toward the door.

"I'll give you five minutes."

Daniel's eyes widened.

"Five minutes?"

"Four minutes and fifty-nine seconds."

Tim began walking away.

Daniel suddenly threw off the blanket.

"Fine!"

Tim smiled without turning around.

He knew exactly how to handle Daniel.

Daniel stood up, stretching lazily.

"You know," he said, "for someone who works for me, you're extremely bossy."

Tim stopped at the doorway.

"For someone who is supposed to be a young master, you behave like a spoiled child."

Daniel stared at him.

"Did you just insult me?"

"I believe I did."

Tim walked out.

Daniel shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

But he was already awake.

---

An hour later, Daniel stepped out of the house wearing a simple black shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers. He had managed to tame his hair enough to look presentable, although Tim had informed him that it was still obvious he had only been awake for a short time.

Daniel ignored him.

The two eventually arrived at the mall.

Sunday shoppers had already begun filling the place.

Daniel walked through the entrance with his hands in his pockets, looking considerably less irritated now that he was fully awake.

Tim followed behind him.

"School supplies first," Tim reminded him.

"I know."

"New notebooks."

"I know."

"Pens."

"I know."

"Anything else you need."

"I know."

Tim smiled.

"You seem unusually cooperative."

Daniel glanced at him.

"Because I'm trying to get this over with."

They moved through several stores, picking up notebooks, pens, folders, and other supplies. Daniel also bought a new pair of basketball shoes after spending far too long deciding between two almost identical pairs.

Tim eventually looked at him.

"They look exactly the same."

"They don't."

"They are both black."

"Different designs."

"Nobody will notice."

"I will."

Tim shook his head.

"Fair enough."

By the time they finished shopping, Daniel had several bags in his hands.

For a moment, he looked almost like any other teenager preparing for a new school year.

Except, of course, that he wasn't.

He was a vampire.

The son of one of the oldest and most respected vampires in Transylvania.

And tomorrow, he would return to Greenland Field.

A school where humans and supernatural beings existed side by side, most students completely unaware of how much mystery surrounded the place.

Daniel had attended Greenland Field for years.

He knew its hallways.

He knew its teachers.

He knew which students were always looking for trouble.

And he knew exactly which person he would rather avoid tomorrow.

Jace.

Daniel's expression darkened slightly at the thought.

Tim noticed.

"Don't start."

Daniel looked at him.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

Daniel rolled his eyes.

"I can control myself."

"I sincerely hope so."

They continued walking.

Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching them from across the mall.

For only a few seconds, someone stood near the entrance of a clothing store, watching Daniel carefully.

Then the person disappeared into the crowd.

---

GREENLAND FIELD

Across the city, Greenland Field was already preparing for the return of its students.

The school grounds were enormous.

Beautiful stone buildings surrounded a large courtyard, while tall trees lined the pathways leading toward the sports facilities.

The school looked peaceful.

Almost too peaceful.

Inside the principal's office, however, there was absolutely no peace.

Miss Wilson sat behind her desk, reviewing several documents.

Bridget stood nearby with a tablet in her hands.

"Are the classrooms ready?" Miss Wilson asked.

"Yes."

"Sports facilities?"

"Checked."

"Student schedules?"

"Updated."

"Teachers?"

"All contacted."

Miss Wilson nodded.

"And the cafeteria?"

Bridget glanced at the tablet.

"Fully prepared."

Miss Wilson leaned back.

"Good."

Bridget hesitated.

"There is one more thing."

Miss Wilson looked up.

"What?"

"Mr. Stanley's office called."

Miss Wilson's expression changed slightly.

"Why?"

"They requested a meeting concerning school administration."

Miss Wilson sighed.

"Of course they did."

Bridget remained quiet.

Miss Wilson looked toward the window.

Greenland Field belonged to Stanley, but running a school this large required more than money. It required order.

And Miss Wilson demanded order.

She was strict with students, strict with teachers, and even stricter with herself.

There were also things about her that nobody at school knew.

Nobody knew what she truly was.

Nobody knew that beneath the calm human appearance was something much older and more dangerous.

She was half-human and half-vampire.

And unlike most people with supernatural blood, Miss Wilson had learned to control both sides of herself.

She could walk among humans without drawing attention.

She could also become something entirely different when necessary.

That secret had remained hidden for years.

Bridget knew more than she ever said, but she was far too quiet to reveal anything.

Miss Wilson looked at her.

"Anything else?"

Bridget shook her head.

"No."

"Then tomorrow should go smoothly."

Bridget gave a small nod.

"Hopefully."

Miss Wilson frowned.

"Hopefully?"

Bridget's expression remained perfectly calm.

"With students, nothing ever goes smoothly."

Miss Wilson stared at her.

After a moment, she sighed.

"You're right."

---

THE JEFFREY HOUSE

Across the city, Riel was enjoying what she believed was the most important activity a person could possibly do on a Sunday morning.

Sleeping.

She was curled beneath her blanket, completely unaware that her father had entered the room.

Jeffrey stood at the doorway.

He watched his daughter for several seconds.

Then he smiled.

"Riel."

Nothing.

"Riel."

She shifted.

"Five more minutes."

Jeffrey walked closer.

"School starts tomorrow."

One eye opened.

"It does?"

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

Riel closed her eye again.

"That's unfortunate."

Jeffrey laughed.

"Get up."

"Dad..."

"Come on."

"It's Sunday."

"I know."

"Sunday is for sleeping."

"Apparently not."

Riel pulled the blanket over her head.

"Can't I sleep in today?"

Jeffrey smiled.

"You can sleep after you prepare everything for school."

"I already did that."

"When?"

"Last week."

Jeffrey crossed his arms.

"Everything?"

"Yes."

"Backpack?"

"Packed."

"Uniform?"

"Ready."

"Shoes?"

"Ready."

"Books?"

"Ready."

"Alarm?"

Riel paused.

"...I don't need an alarm."

Jeffrey knew that pause.

"You didn't set one, did you?"

"I was going to."

"When?"

"Eventually."

Jeffrey shook his head.

"You are unbelievable."

Riel groaned.

"Dad, please leave me alone."

Jeffrey smiled.

"Okay."

Riel immediately relaxed.

Jeffrey walked toward the door.

Then stopped.

"Oh, by the way."

Riel opened her eyes.

"What?"

"Your favorite sports star is on television right now."

Riel's eyes widened.

"What?"

Jeffrey nodded seriously.

"Live interview."

Riel sat upright so quickly that her hair flew across her face.

"Where?"

"In the living room."

She jumped out of bed.

"Dad!"

Jeffrey followed her downstairs, struggling not to laugh.

Riel rushed into the living room.

She grabbed the remote and turned on the television.

Nothing.

She changed the channel.

Nothing.

Another channel.

Nothing.

Riel slowly turned around.

Jeffrey was standing at the entrance with the biggest smile on his face.

She narrowed her eyes.

"You lied."

"I did."

"You actually lied to me."

"It worked."

Riel crossed her arms.

"I cannot believe you."

Jeffrey laughed.

"You got out of bed."

"That was evil."

"It was effective."

Riel rolled her eyes.

"You're lucky I love you."

"I know."

She turned around.

"Fine. I'm awake."

"Good."

"Happy?"

"Very."

Riel headed toward the stairs.

"You're annoying."

Jeffrey smiled.

"I've been told."

---

After showering and getting dressed, Riel spent the next hour preparing everything she would need.

She checked her backpack twice.

Then a third time.

Not because she was disorganized.

Because she knew her father would ask again.

When she finally came downstairs, she saw Smith lying on the couch.

Still asleep.

Riel stopped.

She stared at him.

Then looked toward her father.

"Dad!"

Jeffrey looked up.

"What?"

"Why is Smith still sleeping?"

Smith didn't move.

Riel pointed toward him.

"You woke me up!"

Jeffrey shrugged.

"Some people actually work late at night."

Riel frowned.

Jeffrey continued.

"And not everyone spends their nights watching movies."

Riel's mouth dropped open.

"I do not!"

Smith suddenly opened one eye.

A small smirk appeared on his face.

Riel noticed.

"You heard that?"

Smith closed his eye again.

"Unfortunately."

"You think this is funny?"

"A little."

Riel squeezed her face.

"Whatever."

She stormed upstairs.

Behind her, Smith smiled.

He loved annoying his little sister.

---

Back in her room, Riel grabbed her phone.

There was only one person she wanted to talk to.

Ashley.

She pressed call.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Finally-

"Hello?"

Ashley sounded half-dead.

Riel smiled.

"Good morning!"

There was silence.

Then Ashley groaned.

"Girl..."

"What?"

"Why are you calling me this early?"

"It's almost morning."

"Exactly."

Riel laughed.

Ashley continued.

"You know I need my beauty sleep."

Riel rolled her eyes.

"At least you got to have one."

Ashley gasped.

"Are you insulting me?"

"My dad woke me up."

"On a Sunday?"

"Yes."

"That's criminal."

"I know!"

Ashley yawned.

"So why did you call me?"

"I needed someone to complain to."

"You called the correct person."

Riel laughed.

"My dad made me prepare everything for school."

"Couldn't you have done that yesterday?"

"I already did it last week!"

Ashley went silent.

"So why did he wake you?"

"Because he wanted to annoy me."

"Sounds like something dads do."

Riel dropped onto her bed.

"I don't want summer to end."

"Same."

"Tomorrow we'll have to wake up early."

"Don't remind me."

"And classes."

"Disgusting."

"And teachers."

"Terrible."

"And homework."

Ashley gasped.

"Don't say that word."

Riel laughed.

For several minutes, they talked about school, their teachers, classmates, and everything they had done during summer.

Ashley eventually became more awake.

"You know what?" she said.

"What?"

"I actually missed school."

Riel stared at her phone.

"You're joking."

"No."

"You hate school."

"I hate waking up for school."

"That's different."

"Exactly."

Riel smiled.

Tomorrow was the beginning of another school year.

Neither girl knew that the new school year would be anything but ordinary.

---

BACK AT DANIEL'S HOUSE

Daniel returned home in the afternoon carrying several shopping bags.

Tim followed behind him.

Daniel dropped the bags onto a nearby chair.

"Finally."

Tim nodded.

"Everything is ready."

Daniel stretched.

"Good."

Then Tim's expression changed.

"Oh."

Daniel looked at him.

"What?"

"Your father wishes to see you."

Daniel's face immediately fell.

"No."

Tim blinked.

"No?"

"No."

"He specifically asked for you."

"Then tell him I'm busy."

Tim looked around.

"Doing what?"

Daniel thought for a moment.

"Preparing for school."

"You already finished."

"I can prepare again."

Tim sighed.

"Daniel."

Before Daniel could respond, footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Both of them turned.

Arthur entered the room.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Silence filled the space.

Daniel's relaxed expression disappeared.

Arthur was not simply his father.

He was one of the oldest vampires alive.

A man whose name carried weight throughout Transylvania.

Daniel had spent his entire life trying to figure out how to exist under the shadow of that name.

Arthur looked at him.

"Daniel."

Daniel stared back.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Tim quietly stepped aside.

Daniel finally spoke.

"If there's something you want to tell me, you can send it to my phone."

Arthur's expression hardened.

"Is that how you speak to your father?"

Daniel shrugged.

"There is no need for a long conversation."

"Daniel."

"I have school tomorrow."

"You have always used school as an excuse."

Daniel looked at him.

"And you've always used being my father as an excuse to make decisions for me."

Tim looked between them.

This was clearly not a conversation he wanted to be part of.

Arthur took a slow breath.

"I only want what is best for you."

Daniel's expression softened for half a second.

Then the walls came back up.

"I know."

"Then why do you make everything difficult?"

"Because sometimes what you think is best for me isn't what I want."

Arthur stared at him.

Daniel picked up one of his shopping bags.

"I'm tired."

He walked toward the stairs.

Arthur called after him.

"We are not finished."

Daniel stopped.

Without turning around, he answered quietly.

"We never are."

Then he continued upstairs.

Tim remained in the room.

Arthur watched Daniel disappear.

For a moment, the powerful vampire looked less like an intimidating ruler and more like a father who simply didn't know how to reach his son.

Tim lowered his eyes.

Arthur finally turned toward him.

"He's becoming more difficult."

Tim hesitated.

"He's becoming more independent."

Arthur looked toward the staircase.

"That is exactly what concerns me."

Upstairs, Daniel closed his bedroom door.

He leaned against it and sighed.

Tomorrow was supposed to be the first day of school after summer.

He had expected basketball, friends, annoying teachers, and perhaps another argument with Jace.

He had not expected his father to start another lecture.

Daniel walked toward his bed and glanced at the school supplies scattered across his desk.

A new school year.

A fresh beginning.

At least, that was what he thought.

He had no idea that somewhere beyond the ordinary noise of Greenland Field, secrets were already beginning to move.

Secrets involving vampires.

Humans.

Werewolves.

Old rivalries.

Hidden identities.

And a girl named Riel who had absolutely no idea that her life was about to change.

For now, however, the city remained peaceful.

Sunday was almost over.

Tomorrow, the students of Greenland Field would return.

And none of them knew what waited for them behind those school gates.