Emilio's POV "Lucas, what's going on? Where are we?" I asked, my voice rough from exhaustion.Lucas stood by the window, his back turned to me. He was quiet for a moment, then turned around, his face calm but serious. "We're safe now, Emilio. That's what matters.""Safe?" I sat up on the bed, my muscles aching from the sprint and everything else we'd been through. "We were in a dingy motel last night. Now we're..." I gestured around the room, trying to take in the polished wooden furniture, the gleaming floors, the oversized bed I had somehow slept on. "This place looks like a dream compared to that motel. How?"Lucas sighed and pulled a chair closer to sit across from me. "This is one of my hotels. I figured we needed somewhere more secure. The motel wasn't safe enough.""Your hotels?" I stared at him, disbelief coursing through me. "You're telling me you own this place?""Not just this one," Lucas replied, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I own a few. They're scat
Lucas's POV My eyes scanned the screen of his phone, his heart racing as he read the text from Red. “Lucas is back in town,” the message read. “I picked up a signal from his device.” My mind raced. Lucas? Here? And was Emilio with him? The thought filled me with a mix of anger and curiosity. I typed back quickly, my thumbs flying over the keyboard. “Can you track their location?” I asked. “I need to know where they are.” My chest felt tight as I waited for Red’s reply, staring at the screen like it would give me answers faster. After what felt like forever, my phone buzzed. Red’s response popped up. “I tracked the signal,” it read. “But it’s strange. They were in a clearing, and then they went to a hotel. Their earlier location is blank, like it’s been erased.” Blank? Erased? My hands tightened around the phone. Lucas was always careful, but this… this was something else. What were they hiding? And why? I started pacing, my boots thudding against the wooden floor. Lucas back in
Emilio's POV The sound of the door clicking open made me turn around. Lucas walked in, calm as ever, like nothing in the world could shake him. He had that same confident look, the one that made it so hard to read what was going on in his mind. But I couldn’t ignore the unease bubbling inside me. Something felt off. I watched him, trying to piece together where he had been and what he had been doing. He’d left so suddenly after that text came through. Who had sent it? And why did he have to leave right away? These questions wouldn’t stop running through my head, and I hated not knowing. “Who messaged you?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my voice betrayed a hint of jealousy. My heart was beating faster than I wanted it to, but I kept my face neutral. At least, I hoped I did. Lucas raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Just one of my associates,” he said, waving it off like it was no big deal. “Nothing you need to worry
Lucas's POV "We need to get out of here," Emilio said, his voice firm, cutting through the tension like a blade. His eyes bore into mine, full of urgency and determination. I nodded, my mind racing to piece everything together. The trap, the mole, and now the looming question of who had been feeding Vikram information—it all churned in my head like a storm. But Emilio was right; staying here wasn't an option."Let’s move," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. I didn’t want my panic to show, but I knew Emilio could see through me. He always could. My phone buzzed in my hand again, but I ignored it for now. First, we needed to get somewhere safe. Somewhere we could regroup and think clearly.We stepped out of the room, our footsteps echoing in the hallway. The silence was heavy, almost suffocating. Every shadow felt like it could be hiding someone, every creak of the floorboards made my heart race. Emilio stayed close to me, his hand brushing against mine briefly, grounding me. I’
Writer's POV Lucas’s mind raced with the revelation that someone had been manipulating events from behind the scenes. It wasn’t Vikram, as he had initially thought, but an anonymous person with a hidden agenda. And what was even more disturbing was that this person wanted Emilio dead.The weight of that knowledge sat heavy on Lucas's chest, threatening to crush him under its sheer gravity. How had he missed the signs? And why Emilio? He felt the beginnings of a headache forming, his temples throbbing as his mind churned through possibilities.A sharp knock at the door broke his thoughts. He rose swiftly, crossing the room to open it. One of his trusted guards stood there, looking uneasy. “Boss, we’ve got a problem,” the man said, his voice low but urgent. “A group of vampires has been spotted moving into the city. We don’t know their intentions yet, but it’s not looking good.”Lucas’s jaw tightened. This was no coincidence. Whoever was pulling the strings was escalating the game. “Ke
Emilio's POV “Lucas,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “Why is this happening? Why me?”Lucas didn’t answer right away. He looked at me, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place. Was it fear? Guilt? I couldn’t tell, but it didn’t make me feel any better. My chest felt heavy, and my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.The air in the room was thick, like it was pressing down on me. I wanted to run, to get away from all of this. But how could I? Everywhere I went, trouble seemed to follow. “You’re not alone in this, Emilio,” Lucas finally said, his voice soft but firm. He stepped closer, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”I wanted to believe him. I really did. But the truth was, I was scared. Scared of whatever was coming next, scared of this anonymous person who seemed to know everything about us, and most of all, scared that I was the reason for all this chaos.“Lucas, I don’t think you understand,” I said, my voice
Emilio's POV I couldn’t sleep that night. The words Lucas said kept repeating in my mind: *“They’re someone we know.”* Who? Who would do this to us? To me? My chest ached with the weight of everything. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those vampires, their glowing eyes staring at me, hungry and cold. And now Lucas had just told me that someone we knew, someone we probably trusted, was behind it all. I got up from the couch and started pacing. Lucas was sitting by the window, his phone in his hand, but he wasn’t texting or calling anyone. He was staring out into the city, his face shadowed and tired. “I can’t do this anymore,” I said suddenly. Lucas turned to look at me. “What do you mean?” “I can’t just sit here and wait for things to happen,” I said, my voice shaking. “I need answers. I need to know why this is happening. I need to stop it.” “Emilio—” “No,” I cut him off. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to the vampires.” Lucas’s eye
Writer's POV The Master had summoned everyone that day. He wanted them to leave the human world because the chaos was becoming too much and he didn't want them to be the targets of humans—Again."We leave the human world," the Master said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "You will all come with me to the supernatural community. We will live among our own kind." Everyone in the room looked at each other. There were murmurs of agreement, some nods, some hesitant glances, but no one spoke against it. Emilio stood close to Lucas, his heart racing. The idea of leaving the human world behind made him feel trapped, but he didn’t argue. He knew there was no choice. "We go back to Los Angeles," the Master continued. "All vampires will return to the city. Pack your things. Announcements will be made." Emilio could feel the tension in the air. The vampires were excited, but something was off. The Master’s words had a sharp edge, and Emilio couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more
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