Eight years later…
Vampires—ancient, mythical creatures known to survive by feeding on human blood—have long been spoken of in hushed tones. In the mysterious town of Bestling, rumors still float around about their existence. But for most people, it's just that—rumors. Nothing more.
Now sixteen, Rosaline lives under the strict guardianship of her grandmother, Elira, who seems to take these legends very seriously. Life at high school is already difficult, but her grandmother's harsh rules make it even worse.
"Never go out at night."
"Never wear colored clothes."
"Never draw attention to yourself."
All in the name of protection—from vampires.
As a teenage girl full of questions, Rosaline finds these rules exhausting and confusing. While her classmates wear colorful clothes and enjoy their freedom, she is forced to dress only in black, even though the school uniform is supposed to be red and white. Her grandmother insists that bright colors attract vampires, but Rosaline can't understand why, if vampires truly exist, no one else in the town seems to be in danger.
"Why does she always protect me from things that don't even exist? Maybe it's just because she's old," Rosaline muttered one day to her friends.
Despite her strange rules and constant feeling of being an outsider, Rosaline is not alone. She has two loyal best friends: Margaret and Cassandra, or as she affectionately calls them, Marga and Casse. They are the only ones who never treat her like a weirdo.
In Bestling High, three popular girls rule the scene—Bianca, Maya, and Casse. Stylish, elegant, and rich, they wear every color imaginable and walk through the hallways like royalty. Rosaline can't help but feel invisible next to them.
But her life is not only marked by strange rules and social pressure. There's a deeper sadness that haunts her—her parents have been in a coma for thirteen years. The doctors say they're alive, but no one can explain why they haven't woken up. Every time she thinks about them, her heart sinks with confusion and pain.
Little does Rosaline know, the answers she seeks—the truth about her family, the vampires, and even herself—are buried in the shadows of Bestling, waiting to be revealed.