The Hearts In Twilight

Chapter 1: Temptation’s edge 1/2

Aria Jensen's alarm buzzed insistently, pulling her from a restless sleep. She groaned, reaching out to silence it before it woke her roommate. Blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

They were halfway through the second semester and she was determined to keep her grades up to maintain her scholarship. She couldn't afford any distractions—especially not the kind that had crimson eyes and an air of dark mystery.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering image of Nicholas Sinclair. Their brief encounter a few days ago had unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

She swung her legs out of bed and padded to the small sink in the corner of the room. Splashing cold water on her face, she met her own reflection in the mirror. "Focus, Aria," she whispered to herself. "You need to stay on track."

Her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Elara.

*Don't forget our study session at 3. And seriously, steer clear of Nicholas. I'm not kidding, Aria. He's trouble.*

Aria sighed, typing a quick response.

*I know, Elara. I'll see you at 3.*

Elara had been adamant about Nicholas ever since his arrival on campus. Still, Aria couldn't help but feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

Shaking off the thought, she dressed quickly and grabbed her backpack, determined to focus on her classes.

The lecture hall buzzed with the chatter of students, a low hum of excitement and anticipation that filled the air.

Aria slid into a seat near the front, hoping that her proximity to the professor would help her concentrate. She pulled out her notebook, the pages still crisp and white, and began jotting down the day's date and topic in neat, precise handwriting.

The lecture started and the professor’s voice flowed over the room, painting vivid pictures of classical masterpieces and the revolutionary artists who created them.

Aria's pen moved swiftly across the page, capturing the essence of the lecture.

Suddenly, she felt a strong urge to glance over her shoulder. She turned around and there he was, a few rows behind her, his dark hair falling over his forehead as he scribbled in a notebook. He seemed engrossed in the lecture, yet there was an air of detachment about him, as if he was physically present but mentally somewhere far away.

Turning back to her notes, Aria took a deep breath and tried to shake off the distraction. She was here to learn, to focus on her studies and secure her future.

As Nicholas sat a few rows behind Aria, he couldn't help but let his gaze linger on her. What was it about her that was so different? It was definitely more than just her scent. Her presence felt almost... familiar, but in a way he couldn't explain.

"Stupid," he thought again, berating himself for not keeping his distance.

For over a century, he had been careful, avoiding entanglements, staying on the move to prevent anyone from noticing that he never aged. New Orleans had been his home for decades until the dangers of staying too long had forced him to leave. Yet here he was, back at the university, risking exposure.

After class, Aria headed to the library, determined to get a head start on her reading assignments. It was a sanctuary of silence, its tall shelves filled with the musty scent of old books. She found a quiet corner and spread out her materials, immersing herself in a thick history textbook.

Minutes turned into hours, and the pages blurred together as she fought to stay focused.

Suddenly, she felt a presence nearby. Looking up, she saw Nicholas standing at the end of the aisle, a book in his hand.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Aria's heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, I spend a lot of time here," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Nicholas nodded, glancing at the book she was reading. "History of the Renaissance? Interesting choice."

She shrugged. "I find it fascinating. The art, the culture, the way it shaped the modern world."

He stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "It's amazing how the past influences the present, isn't it?"

Aria nodded, feeling a strange sense of connection with him. She wanted to ask him so many questions, but her mind went blank.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Nicholas excused himself and disappeared between the shelves.

As he walked away, Nicholas's mind raced. He had felt something in that brief exchange, something he couldn't quite put into words. Being near Aria made him feel alive in a way he hadn't felt in centuries.

*

At 3 p.m., Aria met Elara at their usual spot in the campus coffee shop. She was already there, a cup of herbal tea in front of her.

Her wavy auburn hair framed her face, and her green eyes sparkled with their usual intensity.

"You're late," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry, I lost track of time in the library," Aria replied, setting her bag down and ordering a coffee.

Elara leaned forward, her expression serious. "So, did you see him again?"

Aria nodded, feeling a little pang of guilt. "Yeah, in the library. We talked for a bit."

Elara sighed, shaking her head. "Aria, I know you're curious, but you need to be careful. There's something off about him. I've heard more stories than I care to repeat."

"Like what?" Aria asked, despite herself.

Elara lowered her voice, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "There are rumors that he's been involved in strange activities. Some say he was seen at an old cemetery at midnight, performing some kind of ritual. Others claim he's been spotted in places where people have gone missing."

Aria frowned. "Those sound like ghost stories."

"I know," Elara admitted. "But there's always a kernel of truth in these things.”

Aria sighed, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her notebook.

“I’m serious. He’s not like the others,” Elara continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s… intense. And it’s not just curiosity, Aria. It’s something else.”

"I don't know what it is," Aria admitted quietly. "But there's something about him that draws me in. I can't explain it."

She bit her lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

She wanted to believe Elara was overreacting, that Nicholas Sinclair was just another mysterious figure passing through their lives. But the memory of his deep crimson eyes and the way his presence seemed to stir something inside her kept resurfacing, challenging her attempts to dismiss Elara’s warnings.