Julian struggles with his bloodlust and rejects the need to kill, while Edward needs to kill his first monster to prove himself as a hunter. The boys connect at school and, despite their families being ancient rivals, fall for each other. Julian’s Legacy vampire family (descendants of Lilith) and Edward’s monster-hunting guild (The Guardian Guild) both pressure their sons to fulfill their destinies. Edward suspects Julian is a monster, and at a party, they make out in a pantry, leading to a moment where Julian bites him, and Edward stabs him with a stake, initiating their deadly, romantic conflict.