Stella suddenly remembered the wooden box Simon had left behind. Heart pounding, she rushed to the dressing table, snatching it up with trembling hands. She climbed into her bed, pulling the covers tightly around her as if they could shield her from whatever truth the box might hold.
Her fingers hesitated over the lid for a moment before she opened it. Inside, nestled on a cushion of black velvet, was a sleek black bracelet, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen. Beside it lay a neatly folded white letter, its edges slightly worn as though it had been handled many times before.
Her brows knit together as she reached for the letter, the weight of curiosity and apprehension pressing on her chest. Carefully, she unfolded it, her eyes scanning the first few lines, the bold, elegant handwriting unmistakably Simon's.
Dear Stella,
I never thought I would have to reveal the biggest secret of my life in a letter, but here we are. Stella, I am not a vampire hunter. The truth is, I am a vampire.
And as shocking as this may sound, I also know what you are. You are not just any ordinary woman—you are the mermaid of the eclipse.
I know you might panic reading this or dismiss it as some sort of elaborate joke, but I assure you, it's not. I've spent years gathering information about you, and it's time you learned the truth about yourself.
Your parents entrusted me with a promise—to protect you, no matter what. And that is exactly what I intend to do. But to keep that promise, I will need to eliminate every Siren on Earth and uncover the ones plotting against you.
There is so much I want to tell you, but I know this isn't the right time. For now, all you need to do is wear the bracelet enclosed in this box. It's not just a piece of jewelry—it's a protection charm, crafted by a powerful witch. It will keep you safe until I return.
And now, to drop the last bombshell: you are mine, Stella. You've always been mine, and no one—not you, not anyone—can change that. So don't even think about getting a boyfriend while I'm gone.
If you're curious and ready to know more, head to the central library. Go to your favorite section, rack 2, and pull out the 24th book. There, you will find the answers to many of the questions racing through your mind.
But remember this, Stella—once I return, there's no going back. Your life will never be the same, little fish.
Until then, stay safe. The world is far darker than you think.
Yours, with love,
Simon Winchester
Stella's hands trembled as she clutched the letter, her chest tightening with every word that replayed in her mind. This wasn't just a letter—it was a bombshell that shattered everything she thought she knew.
Simon was a vampire. A predator from myths and nightmares, and yet, he had been protecting her. Protecting her for years, apparently, and she had never noticed.
Her thoughts spiraled. How long had he known? How much had he been hiding from her? The revelation that he knew her biological parents made her heart ache. The mystery of her lineage, the questions she had buried for so long—Simon had the answers, but now he was gone.
The storm outside grew fiercer, thunder rumbling through the night as rain lashed against the windows. Stella stared at the bracelet, its dark sheen catching the dim light. It was supposed to protect her, but against what? Sirens? Assassins? A world she didn't even know existed was suddenly her reality, and Simon had left her to face it alone.
She folded the letter with trembling fingers, placing it back in the box alongside the bracelet. With deliberate care, she tucked the box away in her bedside drawer, as though hiding it might help her make sense of everything.
Sliding under the covers, Stella lay back, staring blankly at the ceiling. The questions in her mind collided—about Simon, her parents, herself.
Was she really the mermaid of the eclipse? What did that even mean?
The storm outside mirrored the turmoil within her. Lightning flashed, illuminating the room briefly as Stella tried to steady her breathing. She had so many questions, but no answers and no clear path forward.
Her eyes grew heavy, exhaustion finally overpowering the chaos in her mind. As sleep claimed her, Simon's words lingered like an echo in the dark.
"The world is far darker than you think, little fish."
The next morning, Stella entered Mallory's room without knocking and quietly locked the door behind her. Mallory glanced up from her books, her pen paused mid-note.
"What's with the theatrics?" Mallory asked, setting her notebook aside.
"I need to talk to you. It's important," Stella said, her voice steady but low.
Mallory studied her for a moment, noting the tension in Stella's posture, and then gestured for her to sit on the bed. Without a word, Stella walked over, placed her phone by the door, and turned on music loud enough to muffle their voices.
As Mallory read Simon's letter, her expression shifted from confusion to outright shock. She looked up, her mouth agape.
"Are you insane? You want to trust a vampire?!" Mallory hissed, her voice laced with disbelief.
"Do you have a better idea?" Stella countered, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "I'm clueless, Mal. My life's unraveling—Simon's a vampire, my parents are a mystery, and I don't even know who I really am. What else am I supposed to do?"
Mallory exhaled sharply, pressing her fingertips to her temples. "If the old women find out about this, you're dead. You know that, right?"
"I don't care," Stella snapped, her voice cracking with frustration. "I'm tired of secrets and lies. If you're not going to help me, I'll figure it out myself."
Mallory stared at her, weighing the determination in her voice. After a long pause, she sighed. "Fine. We'll go to the library tomorrow, but don't expect me to lie to save your ass if this backfires."
Stella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you."
Mallory leaned back against the headboard, crossing her arms. "You better be sure about this, Stella. Vampires don't do anything without a reason."
Stella hesitated, then changed the subject. "What do you know about the connection between a mermaid of the eclipse and Sirens?"
Mallory arched a brow but didn't ask why. Instead, she reached under her bed, pulling out an old, leather-bound grimoire. She opened it, flipping through pages until she found the one she wanted.
"When a mermaid of the eclipse is born, a Siren of the Cosmos is born at the exact same moment. They're like two sides of the same coin—opposites, but connected." She paused, her finger tracing a line of text. "Sirens aren't always evil, but here's the catch. One of you is destined to succumb to darkness. If the Siren falls, you're supposed to kill her. But if you fall…"
Mallory's voice trailed off as she looked up at Stella.
"Then she kills me," Stella finished, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mallory nodded solemnly. "It's inevitable, Stella. Only one of you survives."
The room fell silent, the weight of Mallory's words sinking in. Stella clenched her fists, her mind racing.