[Intro - solo harp, distant room ambience] [Verse 1] In a village under winter rain, Where the chimney fires burned low, There lived a girl named Rowan With a kindness people knew. She broke her bread for strangers, She mended what was torn, And left a lamp beside the door For those who feared the storm. [Verse 2] Then Viktor came from out the dark, With hunger in his eyes. He carried all the ancient night Beneath a human guise. His teeth found Rowan’s fragile throat, His blood entered her veins, And somewhere deep beneath the wound, The old laws broke in twain. [Chorus] Beware the girl who fed the night, Beware the hand held open wide. For where the hungry learn to trust, The oldest darkness turns to dust. [Verse 3] She woke beneath the moon’s pale gaze, With death beneath her skin. But still she heard the village bells, And still she let them in. She took no blood by forceful hand, She asked, and waited there. And those who came to give her life Found mercy in her care. [Verse 4] She wore bright scarves and frilled white sleeves, She baked when dusk was near. She made the bitter-hearted laugh And drew the lonely near. The living called her gentle. The dying called her kind. But far away, the vampires heard A terror in her name. [Chorus] Beware the girl who fed the night, Beware the hand held open wide. For where the hungry learn to trust, The oldest darkness turns to dust. [Verse 5] Viktor watched her change the world With honey cakes and song. She sent him comfort through the bond That should have carried none. He snarled at every tender thing, He fled when Rowan smiled. For something born beneath his teeth Had grown beyond his wild. [Bridge - stripped back, almost spoken] The dead had built their kingdoms On silence, fear, and pain. But Rowan asked the frightened hearts To open once again. And every willing drop of blood, Each promise freely given, Became a door through which the dark Could no longer enter living. [Verse 6] The old ones named her blasphemy, A sickness dressed in grace. They swore that she would bring the end Of every ancient place. But Rowan walked through velvet halls And offered them her hand. Some turned away. Some followed her. Some learned to understand. [Final Chorus - fuller harmony] Beware the girl who fed the night, Beware the heart that gives its light. For where the hungry learn to trust, The oldest darkness turns to dust. Remember Rowan when you fear The teeth that wait beyond the door. For kindness is a dangerous flame The night can’t starve anymore. [Outro - harp, low drone] And Viktor walks the winter roads, Still listening for her call. The girl who taught the dark to give Was never dark at all.
