Vampire University

Chapter 2

Tyron's eyes locked onto mine, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. There was something terrifyingly magnetic about him. His face, similar to Tristan's but sharper, more dangerous, seemed to study me like I was some kind of prize.

"Brother, you're being selfish," Tyron continued, his voice a silky, dark whisper. "Keeping her all to yourself. She's quite... fascinating, isn't she?"

Tristan stepped in front of me, shielding me from Tyron's gaze. "I said, stay away from her," Tristan growled, his voice colder than I'd ever heard it.

I could feel the tension between them like a storm building. The air around us seemed to crackle with invisible energy, and I was caught in the middle, feeling my heart race with both fear and something I couldn't explain. Something that stirred deep inside me whenever I was close to Tristan.

I didn't understand what was happening, but I knew one thing for sure: I was in way over my head.

Tyron's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You've always had a soft spot for the weak, haven't you, Tristan? First Elara, now this one?" His voice dripped with malice, and I saw Tristan's hands clench into fists at the mention of Elara.

Elara. That name again. I didn't know who she was, but I could tell she was important. Was she the reason for the anger between the brothers?

Tristan didn't reply, but I could feel the rage simmering beneath his calm surface. He took a step forward, his body tense, ready to strike. Tyron didn't flinch, but his eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, like he was enjoying this twisted game.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Tristan finally said, his voice low and controlled. "Devi is nothing like Elara."

Tyron tilted his head, his gaze flicking toward me. "Isn't she, though? I see the same look in your eyes, brother. That same stupid, protective instinct. The same weakness."

"I'm not weak," Tristan snapped, his voice shaking with barely controlled fury. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."

Protect me? Why? My mind was spinning with questions, but I couldn't find the words to ask any of them. All I knew was that the tension between the brothers wasn't just about me. It was about something deeper, something old and painful.

Tyron chuckled, stepping closer. I could feel Tristan's body stiffen beside me, and without thinking, I reached out and grabbed his arm. I didn't know why, but the second my fingers touched his skin, a sense of warmth and calm washed over me.

Tristan glanced down at me, and for a brief moment, his expression softened. His eyes, which had been cold and hard, seemed to warm, just for me. His guard lowered, and I saw something vulnerable in him. Something I hadn't expected.

"Tristan..." I whispered, my voice trembling. "What's going on? Why is he-"

Tyron interrupted, his smile growing wider. "Oh, dear Devi, you have no idea, do you? You've walked right into the middle of a family feud." His voice was playful, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

"You should know the truth about him. About us," Tyron continued, taking another step toward us. "He's been hiding things from you, hasn't he? Things about who we are. Things about you."

I glanced up at Tristan, confused. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with anger, but I could see the fear there too. Fear for me.

"I don't care what you say," Tristan hissed, his hand gently moving to mine, his fingers curling around mine protectively. "She's under my protection now."

The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through me, not of fear, but something else. There was a softness in the way he held my hand, as if he was afraid I might slip away. I looked up into his eyes, and for the first time, I saw the pain he was carrying. It wasn't just about me, or Elara, or even Tyron.