EMILIO'S POVI 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 for a bit as I chuckled to
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
Emilio's POV As the figure emerged from the shadows, Lucas's reflexes kicked in. He pushed me behind him, his body shielding mine."Run," he growled, his eyes fixed on the mysterious figure.My heart racing, I hesitated for a split second before obeying. Lucas's protective instincts kicked in, and I trusted him.We sprinted through the house, Lucas expertly navigating the darkness. The figure gave chase, its footsteps echoing through the empty halls.We burst through the front door, and Lucas swiftly guided me toward his car."Get in," he ordered, opening the passenger door.I dove inside, my mind reeling with questions.Who was that figure? What did they want?Lucas slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a roar."Hold on," he warned, peeling out of the driveway.As we sped away from my family's house, I turned to Lucas."What just happened?" I demanded.Lucas's gaze flicked between the road and the rearview mirror."We'll talk about it later," he promised. "First, we
Lucas's Pov After he blacked out, I felt sorry for Emilio. But regardless of my hesitation, I promised myself I would do anything to protect him. These guys in front of me did not stand a chance.“I know your pain. All of you. But my stance on Emilio will never change.”The one with the parted hair looked at me, a smug smile rising on his cheeks.“You're not the Lucas we used to know anymore. You've changed. And it's not for the better. You've forgotten who you are and all that you stand for!”A surge of energy coursed through me.“Yes, I may have changed, and it's normal that you don't like that. But no matter what, that's the beef we have amongst one other. It has nothing to do with Emilio.”By now, I could hear Emilio groan from the floor, but he was clearly too weak to stand on his own. I stood closely behind him in a protective pose.“Lucas, I can't believe it. That you would turn on your brothers just for the sake of pathetic love. Your parents would be disappointed in you.”So
Gray's POV I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened. Alex was dead, and Emilio was the one who killed him. But that wasn't all - Emilio was also a vampire now, thanks to his boyfriend Lucas.I felt like my whole world had been turned upside down. I didn't know what to do or who to trust. But one thing was for sure - I wanted to make sure Emilio paid for what he did.I had already told Emilio that I was going to leave the country, but I didn't really mean it. I just wanted to get away from him and his vampire friends. But now, I was back, and I was more determined than ever to destroy Emilio.I didn't realize it at first, but I had started to despise Emilio. He was my best friend, or at least, he used to be. But now, I saw him as a monster. A monster who had killed my friend and was now a creature of the night.I started doing some research, trying to learn more about vampires and how to stop them. And that's when I stumbled upon some interesting informat
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
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
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
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."
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
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.
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
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