Mackenzie's POV I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The room around me seemed to spin, and I struggled to stay grounded, my hands trembling as I clutched the old, leather-bound book that had brought me here. Laura was sitting across from me, her face pale and wide-eyed, trying to process the same shocking information I had just uncovered."Mackenzie... what do you mean, you're a carrier of Elyrian Blood?" Laura asked, her voice barely above a whisper.I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady my breathing. "I know, it sounds insane. But it’s true. According to this book, the vampires have been searching for people like me for centuries. I—I never knew. I thought it was just a myth. But this... this is real."Laura leaned forward, her brow furrowing in confusion. "How did you even find out? Why would you be a target for them?"I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the truth pressing down on me. "I found out by accident. I w
Lucas's POV The bed was still warm, the sheets tangled around us in a way that spoke of a night spent shedding inhibitions. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast faint, flickering shadows on the walls, painting the room in hues of intimacy and vulnerability. Emilio lay beside me, his dark hair a disheveled mess that framed his sharp, angular features. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and his expression—even in sleep—was unreadable. I turned on my side to watch him, my thoughts a tangled mess. There was always something about Emilio, something beneath the surface, hidden behind those piercing eyes of his. And tonight, as I lay there, that feeling gnawed at me more than ever.I have been ignoring all these times but I couldn't hide it anymore.I know that the things happening are turning him to the monster he never wished to be.N“You’ve been making a lot of new friends lately,” I said, breaking the fragile silence. My voice was low, almost hesitant, but the words carri
Emilio's POV The phone buzzed on the table, the sound slicing through the silence like a blade. My hand hovered over it, reluctant to pick it up. I already knew who it was. Vikram and Red didn’t exactly call for casual chats. With a sharp exhale, I grabbed the phone and pressed it to my ear.“Emilio,” Vikram’s smooth, calculated voice greeted me, sending a chill down my spine. “I’m glad you picked up. We’ve got a problem. Or rather, you do.”I clenched my jaw, gripping the phone tighter. “What do you want, Vikram?”There was a brief pause, then Red’s voice cut in, rough and mocking. “It’s not what we want, Emilio. It’s what you’re going to do for us. Unless, of course, you don’t care about that sweet girl, Mackenzie.”My heart stopped.“What did you do?” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. But I already knew the answer. Red lived for games like this, and Vikram was just the kind of bastard to let him play them.“Relax,” Vikram said, his tone far too casual. “She’s fine. For now. B
Lucas's POV When Emilio and I got to the warehouse, it felt strange right away. I held Emilio's hand. Not because I was scared but because I feared for his safety.I know he cares a lot about Mackenzie that's the reason why he came.The air was cold and smelled weird, like wet cement and dust. Everything around us was quiet—too quiet. There were no birds singing, no cars passing by, and no wind blowing. It was like the whole place was holding its breath, waiting for something. It made my skin crawl. More silent than a cemetery I must say.I looked over at Emilio. He was walking slowly, his eyes darting everywhere like he was trying to catch something moving in the shadows. “Do you feel that?” I asked him, my voice was low so it wouldn’t echo too much.He nodded, his face serious and a little pale. “Yeah,” he said. “It feels like something bad is about to happen. I think we’re walking into a trap.”Hearing him say that made my stomach twist. I already felt uneasy, but now I felt lik
Lucas's POV The alarms screamed in the background, a sharp reminder that we were running out of time. My feet slapped against the cold floor as I pushed myself forward. I shouted back, desperate to keep us moving.“Emilio, come on! We have less than two minutes!”“Wait!” Emilio called out, suddenly stopping in his tracks. “Did you hear that?”I groaned, my frustration spilling over. “Hear what? All I can hear are the alarms telling us we’re about to blow up!” This whole thing is messed up.I looked head of me and caught if glimpse of Red, he was walking to the other end of the building.He ignored me and tilted his head, focusing. “No, there’s someone. Someone’s calling for help.”“We don’t have time for this!” I yelled, grabbing his arm to pull him along. “If we don’t move now, we’re dead!”He pulled away from me, his eyes locked on something I couldn’t see. “I’m not leaving whoever is there behind! It might be Mackenzie.” he said firmly, and before I could argue, he took off in th
Emilio's POV Lucas’s living room was dimly lit, the shadows of the evening settling around us as we sat on the couch.Mackenzie was so weak and Lucas used the first aid kit in his house to treat her wound and made sure she was okay.Luckily, her wounds were not deep, she didn't have deep cuts, just slight bruises and marks that looked like she was flogged.Mackenzie had just fallen asleep, her breathing steady and even. I could still feel the exhaustion in my bones, but the urgency of our conversation kept me alert.“We can’t keep her here for too long,” Lucas said, his voice low but firm. “If my father finds out, he’ll come straight here.”I nodded, my fingers absently tracing the hem of my shirt. “And if Vikram hears about this, he’ll waste no time sending someone. She’s not safe anywhere right now.”Lucas leaned back, his jaw tightening. “Then we make her safe. I’ll call Victor and get more security around the house. Every entrance, every window—covered.”“That’s a start,” I said,
Lucas’s POV"What the heck!?" Mackenzie's voice cut through the air, shaky but loud enough to make us freeze. Emilio and I immediately pulled apart, our heads snapping toward her direction. My heart was racing, not from what we were doing moments ago, but from the sheer embarrassment of being caught in such an intimate moment. She was leaning against the doorway, looking pale and weak, but the shock on her face was unmistakable. Her eyes darted between the two of us, taking in the disheveled state we were in. "Uh…" I started, but no words came out. "Are you two…?" she trailed off, pointing at us as if she couldn’t even say the words. Emilio, still shirtless and visibly uncomfortable, cleared his throat. "Yeah. We are," he said simply, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. Her mouth fell open, and for a moment, she looked like she didn’t know what to say. Then, as if she had recovered from her initial shock, her expression shifted to something I couldn’t quite p
Mackenzie’s POVI sat on the couch, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, the leather of the book burning against my fingers.How do I spill?I feel so scared because what if they turn out wanting to kill me too?I was trying to steady myself, but my mind kept racing, my heart pounding as though it were trying to break free from my chest. Lucas and Emilio were in front of me, their eyes filled with that same concern, that same confusion. They didn’t fully understand what I was telling them, but I could see that they were trying. Trying to process everything. Trying to make sense of what I had just uncovered.Lucas was the first to speak, his voice soft but steady. "Mackenzie, what exactly are you saying? You... you have Elyrian Blood?" His tone carried the weight of disbelief and confusion, but there was a thread of urgency underneath it, like he knew something big was about to be revealed.I swallowed hard. This was it. This was the truth that had been buried deep inside me, the th
Lucas's POV “It’s over.” Emilio’s voice cut through the heavy silence like a knife, sharp and unyielding. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My body felt like it was made of stone, every muscle locked in place, every breath shallow and forced. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat a reminder of what I had just done. Vikram lay at my feet, his body still, unmoving. Blood seeped from the deep wound in his chest, spreading like ink across the cracked pavement. The firelight flickered in his open eyes, reflecting emptiness. He was no longer the man I had fought, no longer the threat I had feared. He was just a lifeless shell now. A body. A memory. A mistake I could never take back. I had done it. I had killed him. My hands still gripped the hilt of my sword, fingers curled so tightly that my knuckles had turned white. The weapon was buried deep in Vikram’s chest, its steel stained red. I couldn’t let go. The weight of it felt heavier than before, as if the blade itself carried
Emilio's POV The city burned. Smoke curled into the sky, thick and suffocating, choking the air with the scent of ash and blood. Flames licked at the buildings, casting long, jagged shadows against the ruined streets. The heat pressed against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the fire in my chest. Vikram stood ahead, his figure dark against the inferno, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. His eyes, sharp and gleaming, locked onto me like a predator watching its prey. Emilio was beside me, his breath unsteady but his stance firm. His presence was the only thing keeping me from losing myself completely. My fingers curled into fists. My body ached, bruises and cuts stinging with every movement, but none of that mattered. Not now. Vikram tilted his head, amused. “Look at you,” he murmured, voice smooth like poison. “Still standing. Still fighting for something that was never yours to begin with.” Rage clawed up my throat, hot and unforgiving. My heart pounded. I wanted to lu
Emilio's POV This was getting too much and I couldn't breathe so I ran away, I ran till I couldn't breath.I need to breathe! I was going berserk, I was losing myself and I didn't want my rippers killer instinct to come up.I heard footsteps behind me and realized that it was Lucas. "Hey...." He muttered with frustration."We need to talk." I didn't even give him time.Lucas's voice was quiet, but the weight of his words made Emilio turn around immediately. They were in Lucas's room, a dimly lit space filled with the silence of unspoken thoughts. The air was heavy, thick with the tension Lucas had been carrying since Vikram’s betrayal. Emilio frowned, stepping closer."I know," Emilio whispered. "It's about Vikram, isn't it?"Lucas ran a hand through his hair, feeling the frustration and regret claw at his chest. "Yeah. It is." He let out a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do. I feel like... I feel like this is all my fault."Emilio's brows furrowed. "Lucas—""No, just—just let
Lucas’s POVChaos. The battlefield is nothing but blood, screams, and shadows moving too fast to track. The air is thick with the metallic tang of spilled blood, so sharp it clings to the back of my throat like poison. I swing my blade, the steel slicing clean through the neck of a rogue vampire before it can reach me. Its body collapses at my feet, twitching, but there’s no time to catch my breath. Another one takes its place almost instantly, snarling, eyes glowing with that unnatural hunger. Damn it. There are too many. “Lucas, behind you!” Emilio’s voice cuts through the chaos. Instinct kicks in. I twist just in time to see a rogue launching itself at me, claws slicing through the air like daggers. I barely get my arm up before it slams into me, knocking me backward onto the blood-slick pavement. The impact steals the breath from my lungs. The rogue is on top of me in seconds, its fangs bared, saliva dripping onto my face. Its breath reeks of death and rot. I shove m
Emilio's POV “They’re everywhere!” I shouted, my voice shaking. My chest burned, my hands clenched into fists. The city was falling apart around us. Flames swallowed buildings, turning them into black, crumbling skeletons. Thick smoke filled the air, choking me, burning my eyes. The streets were broken, cracked, covered in glass and blood. Cars sat abandoned, their windows shattered, doors hanging open. The fight that rukus that Vikram caused is the reason why we had to leave the Vampire world and come out here to make a fight that I doubt we would ever win.And then there were *them*. The rogue vampires. Vikram's evilness, deceit and stupidity.He created them! He brought them and these are his properties.They swarmed the streets like a nightmare come to life. Fast. Wild. Bloodthirsty. Their glowing red eyes cut through the darkness. Their claws tore through anything in their way. The sound of screams, of bones breaking, of bodies hitting the ground filled the air. I fe
Vikram's POV I could feel the fire burning inside me. It was anger, yes, but something more than that. Something darker. The feeling of being left behind, of watching Emilio grow closer to Lucas while I stood on the sidelines, waiting. I had been patient for too long, but that patience had turned into bitterness. And now, it was time for action. With a low chuckle, I turned away from the place where they lived. I could already see them in my mind, their peaceful moments together, their quiet, loving words. The sight made my blood boil. It was too much. I had given them space, had watched from the shadows, but it had gone on long enough. “Enough,” I whispered to myself, a dark grin curling on my lips. The plan had already formed in my mind, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I made my way to the main human city, walking with purpose, each step growing heavier as the weight of my intentions pushed me forward. The streets were empty at this hour, the silence broken only by the soft so
Lucas's POV “I don’t know how to feel about this,” Emilio whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the city.I looked over at him, his face bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights. His eyes held a mix of confusion and something else, something I couldn’t quite place.“You don’t have to figure it all out now,” I said, my hand slipping into his. I squeezed it gently, offering whatever comfort I could. “We’re in this together, okay?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let out a soft sigh, his gaze turned toward the skyline. The city was quiet now, the hustle of the day fading into a calm, peaceful night. The stars sparkled above us, distant and unreachable. It was beautiful, but I knew Emilio wasn’t seeing it the same way I was. I had watched him change. I had seen him go from a scared human to someone with power, someone who was now learning to live in this new world. It hadn’t been easy for him. And every day, I saw how much he missed the family he had lost. But
Lucas's POV The mob was closing in, their fangs sharp and eyes burning with fury. I felt my heart race, my breath quicken. I couldn’t let them hurt Emilio. I wouldn’t let them.I stepped forward, my fists clenched tight. I stood tall, trying to show no fear. “Take me. Leave him alone.”They didn’t stop. They moved in, snarling and growling, their anger thick in the air. I could feel the weight of their hatred pressing down on me. I knew what was coming.But then something happened. A strange power washed over me. I glanced at Emilio. His eyes... they were different. They glowed. And there was something else—power, strong and overwhelming—radiating from him.Emilio took a step forward, calm but intense. His body felt different, stronger, like he wasn’t the same person. He raised his hand, and everything froze. No one moved. Everyone’s eyes turned to him.“What’s happening?” one of them muttered, unsure.Emilio didn’t answer. His gaze shifted to me. I couldn’t describe it, but someth
Lucas POV The vampires surrounded me, their eyes glowing, their fangs sharp. My heart raced. I could feel the heat of their anger, thick in the air. Vikram’s words had done this. They had turned everyone against me. I stood still, my fists clenched, but I didn’t know what to do. A part of me wanted to fight, but I wasn’t sure who I was fighting anymore. Some vampires growled, their eyes fixed on me. One of them stepped forward, his hands tight at his sides. His lips curled back, showing his fangs. “You loved him?” he hissed. I wanted to say something, to explain myself, but the words wouldn’t come. The room felt like it was closing in on me, the pressure too much to bear. I turned my gaze to Vikram, standing just outside the crowd. He looked calm, too calm. Like he was watching a storm unfold that he had started. “You’re a traitor, Lucas,” another vampire growled. “How could you betray your own kind?” I shook my head. I didn’t know how to explain myself. How could I? Ho