FINALE Lucas's POV The phone rang again. I barely had time to process everything from before when another call came in. Emilio glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. We were still sitting on the couch, our bodies close, but the warmth from earlier had faded. Something about this call felt different. I answered. "Lucas." A deep voice responded. "Mr. Newcastle, this is John Carter. I’m with the government." That made me sit up straighter. Emilio noticed and watched me closely. "The government?" I repeated, my grip tightening on the phone. "Yes," John said. "I’m sure you know the city is in ruins. The battle left many without homes, and the people needed stability. We’ve been observing you and Emilio. You both fought to protect this place, and we need your help now to rebuild it." I felt Emilio stiffen beside me. I met his eyes, searching for his thoughts. This was unexpected. A human official—someone from the government—asking for help from vampires? That had never happened be
EPILOGUE Lucas's POV Two years had passed. Two years since the war ended. Since the city had been rebuilt. Since humans and vampires had learned, slowly but surely, to coexist. And through it all, Emilio and I had remained together. Our love had endured battles, bloodshed, and fear. It had survived the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future. We had chosen each other—again and again—until there was no doubt left. Today, under the soft glow of the evening sun, we would make that choice one more time. The ceremony was held in the heart of the city, in a grand, open courtyard surrounded by the people who had become our family. Humans and vampires alike sat together, watching as Emilio and I stood beneath a beautifully decorated arch, our hands entwined. Mariah and Xena sat in the front row, their smiles wide. Irene, despite everything, standing at the back with her arms crossed but an expression that was… softer than usual. Emilio’s old vampire allies were pres
EMILIO'S POV I stared at my phone, the screen glowing in the dim light of my room. A text from Alex and Jake popped up . "Hey, Emilio. Follow us to Eternal tonight. Trust us, you won't regret it." My curiosity piqued, I hesitated for a moment. Eternal was the new club downtown, rumored to be exclusive and secretive. What were my friends getting themselves into? "It's not about regretting it. I have some projects to work on and—" I was trying to come up with an excuse but they were quick to notice it as another text came in while I was typing. "No excuse would be accepted anyways." Alex and Jake were my closest friends. We'd been through thick and thin together. If they wanted me to follow them, I wouldn't question it. 'Alright, guys. I'm in. Lead the way,' I typed back. Within minutes, they responded with the address. "Come alone. There are a lot of girls and in your case, a lot of charming dudes." A shiver ran down my spine. A smile lingered on my face fo
Emilio's POVIt's been over a week since that unforgettable night at Eternal. The kiss with Lucas still lingers on my lips, haunting me like a ghost. Every waking moment, I'm consumed by thoughts of him.His piercing blue eyes.His chiseled features.His addictive smile.That kiss... It was like the world had come to a standstill. Time froze, leaving only Lucas and me, lost in the intensity of our connection.But then, chaos erupted. The vampire scare, the frantic exit... And Lucas vanished.I've tried reaching out, scouring social media, asking around. Nothing.It's as if he never existed.Yet, the memory of our kiss refuses to fade. I relive it every night, my dreams filled with visions of Lucas's lips, his touch, his whispered words."Forever starts now."Was it just a fleeting moment of madness? Or did we truly connect?My friends try to distract me, but even their jokes and antics can't shake off this longing.Another day, another design project, but my mind is elsewhere. Lucas
Emilio's POV I take Lucas's hand, leading him to my house in silence. Inside, the familiar surroundings seem to shrink with his presence."Where have you been?" I demand, turning to face him.Lucas's gaze wanders around my living room, lingering on scattered design books and art supplies."Busy," he replies, his voice cryptic.I fold my arms, eyes narrowing. "Busy isn't an answer, Lucas."His smile resurfaces, but I sense a hint of unease."I had matters to attend to," he elaborates."Matters?" I press my tone firm.Lucas's eyes lock onto mine, their intensity making my heart skip a beat."Emilio, I—" he begins.The doorbell interrupts, shattering the moment."I'll get it," I mutter.I saw a box and instantly knew the delivery man dropped the items I ordered for last week."Who?" He asked."A dispatch rider." I replied. I don't care what I said.Lucas's eyes linger on the door, his expression unreadable."I should go," he says. But I'm not ready to let him disappear again. Not yet, n
Lucas's POVWhat would I say about humans? Weak, fragile and reckless things.But yet, I fell for one. The same species of being that wiped my whole family. I watched them slaughter my mom and she was just 6 months pregnant. They killed my sister and cut her parts by parts in my presence.I was just twelve years old when I ran away. In their words, they were called 'The vampire hunters.'I hated them, every single thing about them. I had swore to take down the man that murdered my family. I would wipe his family from generations.I wasn't a fool who would go about killing all humans because a particular maniac decided to wipe my family but that didn't stop me from turning as many as I can.I turned them.Compelled them.And used them for my personal gain.But with Emilio, everything seemed different and foreign.As I gazed at the blood seeping from Emilio's cut hand, I couldn't tear my eyes away. The hunger pangs hit me suddenly, and my stomach growled with an otherworldly craving.
Lucas's POVI stepped out of Emilio's house, wrapping my coat tightly around me. The sun's rays were harsh, and I couldn't risk exposure. I covered my face, neck, and hands, protecting my pale skin.As I walked downtown, my thoughts drifted to Emilio. Would the sun affect him too? I worried about his safety, but then I remembered – he hadn't fully turned yet. He was still in limbo, caught between human and vampire.The city streets blurred together as I hurried to my apartment. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Emilio's transformation weighed heavily on my mind.Finally, I reached my apartment and shed my protective layers. Exhaustion hit me, and I collapsed onto the couch, letting out a deep sigh.Just as I closed my eyes, my phone buzzed. Vikram's name flashed on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering."Hey, Vikram," I said, trying to sound casual."Lucas, we have a problem," Vikram's serious voice greeted. His tone sent a shiver down my spine."What's going on?
Emilio's POV This morning had been a disaster from the start. Lucas and I didn't start up in a good way due to the fact that he annoyed me the previous day. I felt like a stupid person to be in love with a vampire. Weird right, but I can't help it. I didn't see the point in texting him to say I was heading out. He'd probably just ignore me or send a curt reply. But as I grabbed my keys and headed for the door from my office, my mind began to wander. I couldn't shake the memory of our first kiss, the way Lucas's lips had felt against mine. And that night... oh, that night. The way our bodies had moved together, the way Lucas had made me feel. My chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I hated how Lucas pushed my buttons, how he knew exactly how to get under my skin. But at the same time... I loved him. I loved the way he made me feel alive. I sighed, frustration and desire warring within me. Why did it have to be Lucas, of all people? Someone who drove me c
EPILOGUE Lucas's POV Two years had passed. Two years since the war ended. Since the city had been rebuilt. Since humans and vampires had learned, slowly but surely, to coexist. And through it all, Emilio and I had remained together. Our love had endured battles, bloodshed, and fear. It had survived the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future. We had chosen each other—again and again—until there was no doubt left. Today, under the soft glow of the evening sun, we would make that choice one more time. The ceremony was held in the heart of the city, in a grand, open courtyard surrounded by the people who had become our family. Humans and vampires alike sat together, watching as Emilio and I stood beneath a beautifully decorated arch, our hands entwined. Mariah and Xena sat in the front row, their smiles wide. Irene, despite everything, standing at the back with her arms crossed but an expression that was… softer than usual. Emilio’s old vampire allies were pres
FINALE Lucas's POV The phone rang again. I barely had time to process everything from before when another call came in. Emilio glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. We were still sitting on the couch, our bodies close, but the warmth from earlier had faded. Something about this call felt different. I answered. "Lucas." A deep voice responded. "Mr. Newcastle, this is John Carter. I’m with the government." That made me sit up straighter. Emilio noticed and watched me closely. "The government?" I repeated, my grip tightening on the phone. "Yes," John said. "I’m sure you know the city is in ruins. The battle left many without homes, and the people needed stability. We’ve been observing you and Emilio. You both fought to protect this place, and we need your help now to rebuild it." I felt Emilio stiffen beside me. I met his eyes, searching for his thoughts. This was unexpected. A human official—someone from the government—asking for help from vampires? That had never happened be
Lucas's POV "Thank you."The words caught me off guard. I turned to see an older woman standing before me, her clothes torn and dusty, her face smudged with dirt. But her eyes—those eyes—were kind. She held out her trembling hands, as if unsure whether she should touch me or not."You saved us," she repeated. "Thank you."I didn’t know how to respond. I had never expected gratitude. Fear, maybe. Hatred, perhaps. But not this. Not from these people. After all, Emilio and I were vampires, and not just any vampires. We had fought in a battle that had left the city in ruins. People had died. Lives had been destroyed. Yet here she was, looking at me like I had done something good.More people gathered around us. Slowly, they came out from the rubble, the broken buildings, the dark alleys. They were weary, their faces worn, but there was a soft relief in their eyes. Some carried the injured, others clutched their loved ones, whispering reassurances."We wouldn't have survived without you,"
Emilio's POV "I'm tired."The words slipped from my mouth before I even thought about them. My body ached, my head pounded, and my heart felt heavier than it ever had before. I was exhausted, more than I had ever been in my entire life. Everything hurt. My arms, my legs, my chest—even my thoughts felt slow and heavy, like they were sinking into thick mud.I looked around at what was left of the city.Lucas stood beside me, silent. His face was pale, his eyes staring ahead like he wasn’t really seeing anything. I knew how he felt. We had won, but at what cost?The city was in ruins. The people who had lived here, worked here, built their lives here—everything they had was gone. All because of Vikram.Vikram.The name made my chest tighten. He had caused so much pain, so much destruction. He had played with people’s lives like they were nothing, used them like tools, broken them when they were no longer useful. I hated him. I hated him for everything he had done. And now he was gone
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