As with many things the answer lies in the middle

“Ah, yes,” Cassandra said with a soft, amused laugh. “Modern vampire lore… such a mess.” She began to pace slowly in front of him, hands loosely clasped behind her back, like a teacher deciding how much truth a student could handle. “Let me see if I can clear a few things up for you.”

Joey leaned against a nearby fence, arms crossed—but his attention never left her.

“First,” she said, glancing over her shoulder, “let’s ruin a few popular myths.”

She lifted a finger.

“I can’t turn into a bat. Or a wolf. Or mist. Honestly, I’ve always found that one a little insulting.”

Another finger.

“I don’t speak telepathically across long distances. If I want someone, I go get them.”

A third.

“I do not sparkle.” She gave him a flat look. “Ever.”

Joey grinned. “Shame. That one had potential.”

She ignored him—barely.

“I also can’t turn someone into a vampire just by drinking their blood. It’s… more complicated than that.”

She paused, then added with a faint smirk, “And no, I don’t sleep in a coffin. I have standards.”

Joey huffed a quiet laugh.

Cassandra’s tone shifted slightly—quieter, but more deliberate.

“And I can’t get pregnant,” she finished, watching his reaction just a second too closely.

Joey blinked. “Oh. Uh… okay.”

A beat passed.

Then she smiled again—this time sharper.

“Now for the fun part.”

She stepped closer.

“Super strength. Super speed,” she said, her voice smoothing out as she circled him slowly. “I can move through shadows—short distances, unless I’m summoned like I was tonight.” Her eyes flicked to his. “That part… was your doing.”

Joey swallowed.

“I can influence minds,” she continued. “A gaze, a suggestion… and people tend to listen. For a very, very long time.”

She stopped in front of him again.

“I can walk in sunlight—with a little help.” She tapped the side of her face. “Modern solutions. Sunglasses, certain treatments. But if that protection fails…” Her smile tilted. “I burn. Quickly.”

Joey winced. “Noted.”

“I heal from almost anything,” she went on. “Short of a silver stake through the heart… or losing my head.”

“Good to know,” Joey muttered.

“And I don’t age.” She tilted her head slightly. “Ever.”

There was a brief silence after that.

Then, softer—

“And I don’t starve,” she added. “Not really. The hunger builds. It grows… and grows… until I feed.” Her voice dipped, just enough to send a faint chill through him. “Or until I lose control and shut down.”

Joey shifted his weight. “That sounds… intense.”

“It can be,” she said simply.

Another pause.

Then Joey exhaled and shook his head, a crooked grin forming. “So… basically, you’re like an immortal superhero mixed with a badass who just has a really unfortunate relationship with sunlight.”

Cassandra blinked.

Then she laughed—low, genuine, and just a little surprised.

“Well,” she said, stepping closer, “that’s one way to put it.”

“You’re amazing,” Joey added, before he could stop himself.

The words hung there.

For a moment, Cassandra didn’t respond.

Then her expression softened—just slightly.

“Careful,” she murmured. “Flattery can be dangerous with someone like me.”

“Yeah,” Joey said, meeting her eyes. “I’m starting to notice that.”

Something flickered between them—brief, but real.

Then she broke it with a smirk.

“Alright, burger nerd,” she said, turning away. “Now that you know enough not to accidentally destroy yourself…” She glanced back at him over her shoulder. “We should get you home.”

Joey blinked. “Already?”

“You’re tired,” she said simply. “And if you pass out on me now, I’ll be stuck standing in the street with nothing to do.” A teasing edge slipped into her voice. “And trust me—you don’t want me getting bored.”

“Fair point,” Joey said quickly.

She held out her hand. “Phone.”

He pulled it out, opened his GPS, and handed it over. She studied it for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright…” she said, handing it back. Then her arms opened slightly, her expression shifting into something playful—and just a little predatory. “Come here, Joey.”

He hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then he stepped forward.

The moment he did, she pulled him in.

Her body pressed against his—warm, firm, and very, very real. His breath hitched as her arms wrapped around him, her presence suddenly overwhelming in a way that had nothing to do with fear… and everything to do with proximity.

“Hold on,” she murmured near his ear.

The cape swept around them.

Darkness swallowed everything.

Not dim—*absolute*.

Joey’s stomach lurched as the world seemed to fold in on itself, space twisting in a way his brain refused to process.

Then—

They were somewhere else.

The alley behind his place.

He stumbled slightly, catching himself as the world snapped back into place.

“…Okay,” he breathed. “That was amazing.”

A beat.

“…Also terrible.”

Cassandra smirked, still standing far closer than she needed to.

“You get used to it,” she said.

Joey glanced at her, then quickly away. “Yeah… maybe.”

He gestured awkwardly toward the back door. “Well—uh—welcome to my place. Mi casa es su casa… Cassandra.”

She raised an eyebrow.

Then stepped past him, brushing just close enough to make it feel intentional.

“Relax, Joey,” she said over her shoulder, her tone light—but layered. “You have a lot to learn.”

She paused in the doorway, glancing back at him with a faint, knowing smile.

“And I’m going to enjoy teaching you.”