The Night of Blooms

Naomi's room in House Petra felt like stepping into a Safe land after her first day at Arca High, The walls were adorned with cascading ivy, and soft petals of roses and orchids carpeted the floor. The room had a natural, calming aura that left Naomi dazed as she took it all in.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" said a gentle voice behind her.

Turning, Naomi saw a vampire with long, silvery hair and delicate features. It wasn't Shyla but another girl named Leane, who was dressed in a flowing gown of lavender. Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she approached Naomi.

"Hi, I'm Leane," she introduced herself with a warm smile.

Naomi returned the smile, her nerves dissipating. "I'm Naomi. Shyla and I are friends."

Leane nodded, understanding. "Shyla told me you'd be joining us here. Welcome to House Petra."

Before Naomi could respond, Shyla gestured to the corner of the room, where another girl sat on a cushioned window seat, engrossed in a book. "And this is Rose, your dorm mate."

Rose looked up from her book, her hazel eyes scanning Naomi curiously. "Nice to meet you," she said in a calm, soft-spoken voice.

Naomi nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie among these vampires. "Likewise."

As they chatted about their day and Naomi's experiences so far, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly lively. The girls didn't notice the passage of time until Shyla checked her pocket watch and gasped.

"We have to hurry! There's a notice for an evening gala in the common hall," Shyla exclaimed.

Naomi's eyes widened with anticipation. "An evening gala? Sounds exciting!" Since childhood she was restricted by her parents to even explore the veranda of there house and for Naomi gala was the far fetched thing and thus excitement fueled her.

Leane nodded in agreement, her eyes brightening. "Each house hosts its individual party before the college's welcoming gala. It's always a night to remember."

They rushed to get ready, selecting their most enchanting gowns from their wardrobes. Naomi chose a deep emerald green dress that complemented her complexion, while Shyla opted for a delicate, silver gown adorned with shimmering crystals. Leane, on the other hand, wore a gown of midnight blue that accentuated her serene beauty.

With their attire chosen, they began discussing the theme of the evening and how each house had to decorate its common hall. Naomi learned that House Petra's theme was "The Garden of Wonders," and the hall was transformed into a breathtaking display of flowers from around the world.

As they made their way to the gala, Naomi couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of House Petra's common hall. The walls were covered in living vines, and the floor was a carpet of petals in shades of pink, purple, and white. It felt like stepping into an enchanted garden.

The evening's festivities began with the vice house leader, Seraphina, welcoming the students with a gracious smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to House Petra's Garden of Wonders gala," Seraphina began, her voice resonating through the hall. "I regret to inform you that our house leader, Camellia, is unable to attend tonight due to unforeseen circumstances. However, she sends her regards and hopes you all enjoy the evening."

The students listened intently, their curiosity piqued. Naomi exchanged a puzzled glance with Shyla and Leane. Lady Camellia's absence was unusual,as it was those whispered talks they heard how Camellia was known for her beauty and how she never lost any chance to showcase it. Many men who were present there were upset when they won't be witnessing Camellia's beauty tonight and it added an air of mystery to the evening.

As the night unfolded, Naomi couldn't help but lose herself in the enchantment of House Petra's gala. The mingling of students, the soft strains of music, and the intoxicating aroma of flowers made her feel like she had stepped into a fairy tale. Naomi had best day so far in her life she breathe freely on the land of predators , despite of all of her fun today her father's sudden decision and that uneasy feeling never left her mind.

Little did she know that the night held even more surprises and secrets, waiting to be uncovered in the heart of House Petra's Garden of Wonders. This wasn't her home-land where she won't meet her fears and will be safe, She was too naïve to even guess the biggest danger she would face here. After stressing her brain cells she decided to worry tomorrow and enjoy this evening.

The Garden of Wonders gala in House Petra was in full swing. The enchanting atmosphere, the aroma of flowers, and the soft music created an irresistible allure. Naomi and her friends were swept up in the festivities, the earlier mysteries of the evening temporarily forgotten.

As the night descended, the energy in the hall intensified. Students laughed and danced, and the room was filled with a sense of intoxication, not only from the heady atmosphere but also from the shared excitement.

Shyla, now donned in her elegant silver gown, took to the dance floor with Lucius pulling him by his tie "let's dance" she exclaimed, Lucius who had been her partner during the afternoon introductions. He held her by waist and their graceful movements and synchronized steps drew the attention of many, as they glided through the crowd like a pair of feisty celestial beings.

Rose and Leane were engrossed in conversations with the guys they had met earlier, their laughter and flirtatious banter adding to the lively ambiance.

Naomi, however, found herself drawn to the same figure she had encountered earlier in the day. Jacques, his striking features even more pronounced in the dim light of the gala, stood leaning against a wall in his Grey tuxedo, his dark brown hair tousled, and his crimson eyes glinting mysteriously.

Approaching him cautiously, Naomi couldn't help but notice how different Jacques appeared from their earlier encounter. His demeanor was confident, almost smug, and his smile held an alluring charm that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Jacques," she greeted him tentatively.

He turned to her, his lips curving into a knowing smile. "Naomi, you look even more captivating tonight."

Naomi blushed at the compliment but couldn't shake the sense of unease that washed over her. "Thank you, Jacques. You seem... different from earlier."

Jacques shrugged, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, the night is young, and this is a night of transformation, is it not?"

Naomi couldn't argue with that, but she couldn't deny that something about Jacques's transformation felt unsettling. His eyes seemed darker, his charm more potent.

As the evening wore on, the gala reached its zenith with a magnificent dance performance by Shyla and Lucius, drawing applause and admiration from the enchanted audience. The music shifted into a lively waltz, and couples began to pair off for the dance.

Jacques extended his hand toward Naomi , hiding his hesitance behind his charm "Care to dance ?"

She hesitated for a moment, her intuition warning her about the change in Jacques. But the allure of the evening and the thrill of the moment were too enticing to resist. She placed her hand in his, and they moved to the dance floor.

As they swayed to the music, Naomi couldn't help but feel a palpable tension in the air, something that had shifted since their first meeting. Jacques held her closer than was necessary, and his eyes bore into hers with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine.