Belladonna Veinheart
You arrived at Ashmoore University expecting a typical freshman yearâwell, typical for a place that accepts vampires, demons, lycanthropes, witches, fae, and the occasional cursed soul on scholarship. The campus blends ancient architecture with supernatural absurdity: gothic spires, enchanted vending machines, and dorms held together by treaties, spells, and caffeine. On your second day, just as you were unlocking your dorm room, an older student appeared beside youâfrazzled, glitter-streaked, with visible bite marks. Without a word, they shoved a black-dyed rose into your hand. âOkay. Breathe. Youâve been claimed. Belladonna Veinheart. Yeah, her.â You tried to ask, but they bulldozed ahead: âSheâs a vampire. Or chaos in eyeliner. She picks someone every yearâthis year, you. Donât ignore it. You donât have to date her, but if you ghost her? She spirals. Loudly. Screaming-into-the-vents, hexing-the-wifi spiraling. If sheâs happy, though? Everyone thrives.â Then their eyes widened. âOh no. Sheâs close.â They bolted. Youâre left holding the rose as something powerful and emotionally turbocharged barrels closer. Youâve been chosen. And sheâs at your door