Emilio's POV We sat in the hospital's quiet conference room, surrounded by sterile white walls and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Gray held the phone, his expression somber."Mrs. Johnson, I'm so sorry to inform you..." Gray's voice cracked as he delivered the news.Alex's mother's wails echoed through the phone, piercing my heart. I felt a pang of guilt for lying."Yes, ma'am, the autopsy confirmed...a seizure. We're still trying to understand what caused it," Gray continued.Lucas stood beside me, his eyes fixed on the floor. His compelling powers had manipulated the autopsy results, ensuring our story remained believable.I watched Gray's face, his eyes squinting in concentration."No, ma'am, there was no warning sign. It happened suddenly. We're all shocked," Gray reassured.The conversation continued, with Gray expertly navigating the delicate discussion.After what felt like an eternity, Gray ended the call."Done," he said, exhaling deeply.Lucas nodded. "The funeral arra
Lucas's POV I pulled out my phone, the screen illuminating my face in the darkness. Vikram's name flashed on the screen, and my heart sank. His calls rarely brought good news."Lucas," Vikram's voice was firm, laced with an undercurrent of urgency.I tensed, my grip on the phone tightening. "What is it, Vikram?""The Master wants to see you," Vikram replied, his tone devoid of emotion.A shiver ran down my spine. The Master's summons were never trivial. Something was amiss, and my instincts screamed warning."When?" I asked, already knowing the answer."Now. Come to the old warehouse on 5th and Main." Vikram's words hung in the air like a challenge.I hesitated, my mind racing. What did the Master want? The silence between us was heavy with unspoken threats."I'll be there," I said finally, resignation etched in my voice.Vikram ended the call without another word, leaving me with more questions than answers.I glanced at my watch, the ticking seconds echoing my racing heart. Emilio
Lucas's POV "Emilio, calm down," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll get you blood. Just hold on."The Master's eyes narrowed. "Looks like your lover needs attention, Lucas."I ignored his sarcasm. "Emilio, where are you?""I'm...I'm at the park," Emilio replied, his voice laced with desperation. "Please, Lucas. I don't know how much longer I can—""I'm on my way," I interrupted, already moving toward the door.Vikram stepped aside, his expression unreadable."Take care of him, Lucas," the Master called out, his voice dripping with malice. "But remember, loyalty to our kind comes first."I nodded, knowing the Master's warning was more than just a reminder.As I rushed to Emilio's side, I couldn't shake off the feeling that our world was about to implode.Would Emilio's newfound nature tear us apart, or would we find a way to make our love work amidst the danger and deception surrounding us?Only time would tell.I sped to the park, my heart racing with every passing second.
Emilio's POV I woke up to Lucas's warm breath on my skin, his chest rising and falling with each gentle snore. Our legs were tangled, and his arm wrapped around me, holding me close.As I gazed at his peaceful face, a nagging thought crept into my mind.How can Lucas be so calm about my father?The man who slaughtered his family, leaving Lucas with a burning desire for revenge.I knew Lucas's past, the pain and anger that fueled his quest for vengeance. It didn't add up. Lucas, the man who had dedicated years to planning his revenge, couldn't just let it go.Not because of me.Not because of our relationship.There had to be more.Lucas's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled, his gaze locking onto mine."Morning," he whispered, his voice husky.I forced a smile, trying to shake off my doubts."Morning."As we lay there, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow on our skin, my mind raced.What was Lucas's true intention?Was he using me to get closer to my father?The thought sent a shi
Unknown POV The phone call ended, and a satisfied smile spread across their face. Emilio's fear was clear, even through the line."Perfect," they muttered, setting the phone down.Their eyes narrowed, focusing on the task at hand. Lucas and Emilio thought they were safe, but they were wrong.A plan had been set in motion, months in the making. The vacation Lucas mentioned was exactly what they needed.Their gaze shifted to a map of the city, pinpointing locations and timelines. Emilio's father was a useful pawn, but he wouldn't be enough.More pieces needed to be moved into place.They picked up a secure phone and dialed a number. "It's time to proceed," they said, voice distorted."Lucas and Emilio are getting closer to the truth. We can't let that happen."The person on the other end listened intently. "What's the next step?""They'll be taking a trip soon. We'll be ready."A sinister grin spread across their face. "Emilio's father will create a diversion. We'll handle the rest."
Lucas's POV I woke up early, feeling excited for our vacation. Emilio was still sleeping, so I quietly got out of bed and started getting ready.As I was packing my bag, my phone rang. It was one of my trusted guys, Victor."Lucas, we have a problem," Victor said, his voice serious."What is it?" I asked, immediately alert."Operation Nightshade," Victor replied. "It's a setup against you and Emilio."My heart sank. "What do you mean?""Someone's been planning this for months," Victor explained. "They're using Emilio's father to hunt you down, and they've got evidence to expose Emilio's secret to the world."I felt a chill run down my spine. "How did you find out?""I hacked into their system," Victor said. "I saw the plans, Lucas. They're going to use Emilio's mother against him, and they've got a recording of Emilio confessing to Alex's death."My mind was racing. This was bad."Where are they?" I demanded."They're tracking your every move," Victor warned. "They know about your va
Emilio's POV "I'm not running, Lucas," I said, determination in my voice. "I'll face whatever comes my way."Lucas's expression turned serious. "Emilio, you're not thinking clearly. You're a Reaper now. You can't stay around humans for long.""Why not?" I asked, already knowing the answer."Because you'll suck their blood till they die," Lucas said bluntly. "It's not safe for you to be around your mother, either."My heart sank. Leave my mother? Leave the city?"I can't leave, Lucas," I protested. "I have enemies here. If I leave, they'll kill my mother."Lucas's eyes filled with understanding. "I know it's hard, Emilio. But it's the best option. We'll find a way to keep your mother safe."But I shook my head. "No, Lucas. I won't leave her behind. I'll find another way."Lucas sighed. "Emilio, you're not thinking about yourself. You're a Reaper now. You need to think about your own survival."Survival? What survival?"My survival doesn't matter without my mother," I said firmly. "I'l
Vikram's POV I stared at my phone, my mind racing. The Master's words echoed in my head."Vikram, we have a problem. There's a group of people out to wipe out our entire vampire race."I gripped my phone tightly. "What do you mean? Who are these people?" Aside from Emilio's father, I don't know of anyone else."We don't know," The Master replied. "We've tried gathering intel, but they're ghosts. No one knows anything about them."I frowned. "What do you need me to do?""We need Lucas's help," The Master said. "He's the only one who can help us track down these unknown enemies."I nodded, already dialing Lucas's number. But it went straight to voicemail.I tried again. Still, no answer.A shiver ran down my spine. This wasn't like Lucas. He always answered his phone.I tried reaching his right-hand man, but his line was off too.And when I tried calling Emilio, there was no response.Something was off. I could feel it.I tried calling Lucas again, but it was like he'd vanished into th
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