Yuri gasped for air and stood up harshly. He found himself sleeping in the couch of the mansion. So much for not being supposed to be there. They had been staying in the mansion for days. And he had been dreaming more and more these days.

“Where is Keito?” he asked.

Yuto who had been sleeping on the floor stood groggily. “He is there, somewhere.” He answered and went back to sleep.

Ryosuke who was sprawled beside Yuto looked at Yuri. “Nobody had seen him since this morning.” He answered. “Don’t tell me, you had a dream about him?”

Yuto sat down upon hearing this and stared at Chii.

Yuri stared back at them and nodded.

“W-what happened?” Ryosuke asked quietly.

Yuri swallowed. “I saw him letting vampires devour him.”

They heard a crash. They snapped at the sound and saw Shizuka staring at them. On her foot was a shattered glass of water. She seemed drained of blood.

Without a glance, she ran towards the door and went out in the night. Yuto, Yuri and Ryosuke grabbed all the weapons they could get and hurried after her.

KEITO looked up. He stared at the tear-stricken face of  Shizuka. His heart was tearing apart.

“Nande?” she asked while staring at his slumped form on the ground. He was soaked in blood from head to toe.

“Why are you here?” he asked. “Don’t you know that you are not supposed to be here? It is very dangerous for you.”

Yuto, Yuri and Ryosuke stood beside Shizuka.

“What happened to you?” Yuto asked his best friend.

Keito stood up and clutched Shizuka’s arm. “I’ll bring you home!”

Shizuka shrugged his hand away. “What’s happening to you?”

Keito looked at her menacingly until Yuri stepped in. “Keitie-kun, what’s happening to you?” he asked. “What are you trying to do?” he asked.

Keito stared at him. “Aren’t you tired of this?” he asked.

Yuri looked away from him. “Yes, of course. But, that doesn’t mean that I’ll give up my life because of this. What is the point of trying to survive if we will just give up our lives?”

Keito smirked at Yuri. He shook his head and went on ahead.

Ryosuke put his hand on Shizuka’s arm. “Sorry about that. Keito-kun becomes weird sometimes.” He said.

Shizuka shook her head.

JHENIE stared at the fire in front of her. It glowed unnaturally red, bloody red. Her room was filled with a certain hotness in the air that will make a normal person’s hair crawl.

“What was that?” Daiki asked.

“Solstice…” Jhenie stated in an undeniably bothered tone. “It is coming.”

Kota hugged the fur coat that he was wearing. “It had been rather cold these past few days that I didn’t notice the coming of the summer solstice.”

“Yeah. I noticed that too. Isn’t it a bit weird that our summer is cool?” Ryosuke asked.

“I feel that the solstice will be different this year.” Jhenie commented. “Usually, vampires have more power during winter solstice. It is the best time of the year for us. There is longer night than day. We hate summer solstice the most because of the hotness of the air.

“But it is quite different this year. It is as if we are nearing the winter solstice. The nights become longer and the days shorter. I have a feeling that there is somebody who is controlling the days, though it seemed impossible.”

The group stared at Jhenie.

“That is impossible!” Yuya stated.

“True, but the season is toying at us, don’t you think?”

“If it is really changing, then where is the snow?” Daiki asked.

“Falling from the sky?” Yuki answered.

“Huh?”

They all looked at where she was staring. Yuki pulled the curtain to the side. And there it was, gleaming in the dark night, small hues of white in black, snow.

“No way!” Kota exclaimed and ran towards the huge glass window.

The pavement had been covered by snow. The plants were almost soaked to the tips.

“This is not happening!”

Jhenie slumped at the backrest of her chair and closed her eyes. “I pray that everything will be alright.”

RYOSUKE heaved as they arrived at the foot of the door. He held the door open for the others. It was a surprise when the snow started falling and he was in his walking shorts.

The others slumped at the floor while Keito stayed beside the fireplace, staring at the burning coals.

“What was that?” Yuri asked in a confused tone.

“I am as clueless as you are, Chii.” Yuto answered.

Shizuka, on the other hand walked towards the farthest room of the floor without saying a word.

“What’s with her?” Yuto asked. “And what’s with you, Keito-kun?”

Keito didn’t even paid him any attention and continued staring at the coals.

The three looked at each other in confusion before they shook their heads.

THE awkwardness of the silence was broken when they heard a huge boom outside. It was as if a missile was thrown towards their direction.

Flapping wings could be heard outside together with the downpour of the snow. It felt like there was a blizzard outside.

Jhenie followed by Daiki, Yuya, Kota and Yuki went down.

“Black wings are outside.” Jhenie stated. “Don’t go out. I will try to shoo them away.”

“I’ll help.” Yuki stated.

Jhenie nodded and was gone with the wind followed by Yuki.

Ryosuke, Yuto and Keito took a weapon each. They were to follow the vampires when Daiki stopped them.

“No need. You heard Jhenie, we have to stay here.” He stated. “Gather everyone here in the living room, including Kei. Help him bring down Haruka.”

Hana and Sandhie arrived afterwards. “What happened?” Hana asked.

“There are black wings outside. Jhenie and Yuki went out to drive them away.” Kota answered. “We need to gather every body.

“Sandhie, Hana. Go bring the prisoner out with you but make sure that she is properly guarded.” Daiki commanded.

“Why do they have to bring her out?!” Yuto exclaimed.

“Because we are moving out.” Daiki said.

“Huh?!”

“I’ll explain later.” He said.

Yuri thought he heard several screeching outside. He was tempted to check what is happening outside though Daiki told them to stay away from the windows.

It was quite a long wait before the door creaked. The hunters and vampires alike pulled out their weapons.

The door opened to the tired Jhenie and Yuki.

Daiki and Kota came immediately to their aid.

“Are we all here?” Jhenie asked looking around.

A shrill laugh came from the prisoner who was tied in the arms and feet, and blindfolded. “You will not be able to evade lord Jin’s power.” She stated.

“Shut up!” Yuto exclaimed in disgust. Of all, why was he given such a despicable vampire?

“I couldn’t reach Hikaru.” Kota stated after a while.

“Where is he, by the way?” Yuya asked.

“I haven’t seen him for days.” Ryosuke answered. “Where could he be?”

“We don’t have enough time. Now that the other clan knows where we are, we are not safe anymore.” Jhenie said. “We have to move.”

“Where are we going?” Aya asked.

Jhenie looked at the prisoner. “I’ll lead you.” She answered. “We will try to contact Hikaru, on the way.”