101Jenny’s POVThe sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city as we all piled into Ian’s sleek, black car. The last few weeks had been a neverending slide of chaos—vampires, hunters, near-death experiences, and attempted murders, alongside a bunch of things I still didn’t fully understand. But tonight? Tonight was a break from all that. A chance to breathe and forget, even if just for a few hours. A double date. Me and Jacob, Ian and Sophia. It felt so… normal. Almost.Jacob slid into the seat next to me, his hand resting casually on my thigh as he gave me a sideways smile. I rolled my eyes, swatting his hand away, but I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.“Behave,” I teased, shaking my head. “We’re supposed to be going out, not starting something we can’t finish.”Jacob just chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “We’ll see about that.”From the front, I could hear Ian clearing his throat, clearly amused by our banter. I glanced over at Sophia, who was sitting
102Sophia’s POVAs I pushed open the door to my apartment, the familiar scent of home hit me instantly—Jenny’s fruity candles, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air, and the textbooks scattered around the living room table. Our school exams was almost here so we had pulled an all nighter. After a long day of lectures, all I wanted to do was sink into the couch and let my brain rest. But as soon as I stepped in, I noticed something unusual.“Dad?” I blinked, my heart skipping a beat as I saw my father sitting at the kitchen table, flipping through a magazine. He looked up with a smile, his familiar face warm and comforting, but I could feel the anxiety bubbling in my chest.“Sophia!” he said, getting up from the chair to give me a hug. His arms wrapped around me, and for a second, I relaxed, leaning into the embrace. But then, the reminder of who I was now—the secrets I had to keep—crept in, making it hard to fully enjoy the moment.“What are you doing here?” I asked, pu
103Jacob’s POVI leaned back against the cold stone wall of the balcony, the vampire realm’s crimson sky glowing faintly above. It was late, but I couldn’t sleep. Something had been eating at me for days now, and I had a feeling it wasn’t just my own nerves. Ian had been acting strange, more closed off than usual, even for him.The phone buzzed in my pocket, and I smiled when I saw Jenny’s name flashing on the screen. The worry in my chest left me briefly. She had her way of making all my worries disappear.“Hey, troublemaker,” I answered, my voice softer than usual.“Troublemaker? Me?” she shot back, a teasing hint in her voice. “That’s rich coming from you, Mr. Mysterious. What’s going on? Why are you still awake?”I sighed, rubbing my hand over my jaw. “I could ask you the same thing. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”“Couldn’t sleep,” she said with a sigh. “Just… thinking. You?”“Same.” I stepped away from the wall and walked to the railing, the vampire realm stretching out before me. “A
104Ian’s POVThe night had started perfectly. Sophia and I decided to take a break from the madness that had become our lives. After everything—the Council, the hunters, the lingering threat hanging over her head like a shadow—I wanted to give her a night to forget all of that.We hadn’t been able to just be together in so long.We strolled through the quiet streets of the city, the cool night air wrapping around us, her hand warm in mine. Sophia looked beautiful as always, her red hair glowing under the streetlights, her laughter light and genuine.She had straightned her hair tonight, so now it was even longer, flowing and shunung like silk.I smiled, staring up at the sky briefly. It was the kind of night where nothing seemed wrong—almost like we could be normal, even though we both knew that was far from the truth.“You know,” she said with a smile, “it’s nice to do something as simple as a walk, without vampires, witches, or ancient prophecies hanging over us.”I chuckled, squee
105Lyanna’s POVIt was well past midnight when I finally set down the ancient tome I’d been poring over for hours. My small apartment, hidden deep within the outskirts of the vampire realm, was illuminated only by the flickering light of candles. I preferred it that way—shadows and silence, with only the occasional crackle of the fire for company. There was something calming about the stillness of the night, a kind of solitude I found comforting.Most vampires sought out fame, wealth, and prestige, especially those on the Council. But I had never cared for that life. I had my own corner of the world, filled with books, spells, and the kind of secrets that could shake the foundations of everything the Council stood for.Tonight, though, the peace wasn’t comforting. It was thick, heavy with tension.Ian had come to me again earlier, his usual composed self unraveling slightly at the edges, something I hadn’t seen in him for centuries. He didn’t have to say much. I already knew what was
106Ian’s POVThe silence of the vampire realm used to be calming to me. It was a contrast to the noisy chaos of the human world. But tonight, the stillness was oppressive. The moment I left Lyanna’s apartment, her words echoed in my mind like a storm building on the horizon. Sophia was from an ancient bloodline? And not just any bloodline—one that could shake the foundations of our world?I moved through the dark corridors of the palace, my steps quick and quiet. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had unleashed something I didn’t fully understand.Sophia. I thought I had protected her, marking her as mine, bringing her into my world. But now it seemed I had only opened the door to something far more dangerous. The thought of her being connected to an ancient, powerful lineage made me uneasy, not because of what it meant for me, but because of what it could mean for her. The Council wouldn’t take this lightly. They were already suspicious of her. Now, if they found out what Lyanna su
107Anonymous POVThe night stretched long, as it always did. Time no longer mattered to me, not as it did to humans or even most vampires. In the dark corners of the realm, where shadows whispered secrets and power waited for those bold enough to seize it, I had always found my place. But tonight, the importance of my ambition felt heavier, more urgent.Everything had been set in motion, carefully orchestrated, and I was finally close—closer than anyone could imagine.Ian Grant. The so-called king. He had sat on his throne for far too long, his power growing while mine simmered in the background, waiting, festering. And now, he had the gall to bring that girl—Sophia—into our world. A human. Turned vampire, yes, but still a weakness, a flaw in his armor that I would exploit until there was nothing left of him.The Council might not see it. They were blind, complacent, clinging to their traditions and rules, foolishly loyal to Ian. They still believed in the old ways, in his leadership
108Sophia’s POVThe first time it happened, I thought it was just a fluke. Maybe I was tired, or maybe this was what being a vampire was like—unpredictable, erratic, overwhelming. But as I sat on my bed, staring at the shattered mirror across the room, I knew this wasn’t normal. I didn’t throw anything at it. I hadn’t even moved. One moment I was brushing my hair, and the next, the glass exploded, cracks spreading from the center like a spiderweb.My hands were trembling as I lowered the hairbrush. This wasn’t some weird vampire thing, was it? I hadn’t read about it in any of the ancient texts Ian had shown me, and I was pretty sure this wasn’t what he meant when he talked about the enhanced strength or speed that came with the transition. This was different. This was something else.I didn’t tell him. Not right away. What was I supposed to say? “Hey, I think I just shattered a mirror with my mind.” No, that would sound insane. I didn’t even know how to explain it to myself, let alon
191Ian’s POVThe weight of my child in my arms was heavier than I expected, but not in a way that tired me. It was a weight that filled me with awe, a kind of responsibility I had never imagined could feel so peaceful. Ava’s tiny fists curled against my chest, soft breaths rising and falling in the perfect rhythm of sleep. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything was still, everything was peaceful.I sat in the rocking chair near the window, dim light filtering thought the curtain. The house was quiet—Sophia was resting in the bedroom, exhausted but content after the birth. I had barely left her side since she’d gone into labor, unable to help the overwhelming sense of protectiveness that surged through me.But now, as I held this tiny life in my hands, all the fear and chaos we had gone through seemed to fade away. It was just us—our family.“Hey there,” I whispered softly, my voice barely more than a breath as I gazed down at my child. “You’re finally here.”I felt
190Jenny’s POVThe news hit me like a tidal wave. I stared down at the test in my hand, my heart pounding in my chest, unsure whether to scream in shock or laugh in disbelief. Pregnant. I was pregnant.Jacob was in the kitchen, making us a late breakfast. I could hear the soft clatter of pans and the gentle hum of music from the living room, but I couldn’t move. For a moment, I felt frozen in place, my thoughts racing.We weren’t trying for a baby. We weren’t ever going to try. I was a vampire and even though Sophia was able to get pregnant, it didn’t mean I could too. But here it was, plain as day. The test didn’t lie.I felt a mixture of emotions swirl through me—happiness, fear, excitement. All at once, it seemed like everything in my life was about to change. But most of all, I was happy. I was so happy. Everything that had happened the past year ran through my mind all at once. The attacks, falling in love with Jacob, turning into a vampire, fearing that Jacob would leave me for
189Sophia’s POVIt was happening. It was really happening. After months of waiting, months of uncertainty, fear, and hope, she was finally here. My body was aching but not as much as I guessed it should be.I glanced over at Ian, who stood by my side, his hand gripping mine tightly. His face was filled with anxiousness. His thumb rubbed small circles against my palm, trying to soothe me, but I could feel the tension in his grip. This was a moment that neither of us could control, a moment we could only experience.“You’re doing amazing, Sophia,” Ian whispered, his voice low and steady, although it was trembling. His eyes met mine. “Just breathe.”I nodded, though the pressure in my abdomen made it hard to do anything other than focus on the next breath. I squeezed his hand in response, letting him know I heard him, even if I couldn’t find the words right now.The room around us was a blur. I barely registered the blur of voices—the midwife, a nurse—guiding me through the process. My
188Jenny’s POVThe day had finally come—my wedding day. I should’ve been nervous, or maybe overwhelmed by everything, but instead, I felt oddly calm as I sat in the small room at the back of the church, waiting for my moment to walk down the aisle. My fingers traced the intricate lace on my wedding dress, a soft white gown that had been perfect the moment I saw it. It was exactly how I had imagined my wedding to be—simple, intimate, and with the people I cared about most.Sophia sat next to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You look incredible, Jenny,” she said with a smile that reached her eyes.“Thanks, Soph,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but there was a catch in my throat. “It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? That I’m actually doing this?”She laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “A little bit, yeah. I thought you were joking last week when you said you and Jacob are getting married. But you and Jacob are meant to be. I’m just happy you’re doing
187Ian’s POVThe sun was setting, making the vampire realm look pale. It used to be pretty to look at, but now the usual beauty felt hollow. Some parts of the ground was still red from all the blood that had dried on it, and though the air was quieter, it felt heavy. I stood in the middle of the courtyard, watching as the survivors moved about, trying to restore what had been broken.It wasn’t just the buildings that needed rebuilding. It was us—me, Sophia, the council, everyone.As the king, I had always known the weight and responsibilty of leadership but never like this. The battle exhausted on all of us, but there was a strange sense of relief hanging in the air, as if the worst had finally passed. The constant fear was gone. For now, at least.I felt Sophia approach before she spoke. Her presence felt like a soft, steady energy that I could feel even when I wasn’t looking. She stepped beside me, her hand slipping into mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, side by side, lo
186Sophia’s POVThe air in the realm felt different after the battle settled down. The energy that pulsed through the vampire realm seemed dulled, weighed down by loss and grief. The rogue faction was defeated, but the victory felt hollow. So much had been sacrificed. Too much.I stood on the edge of the courtyard, looking out over the horizon. The sun was setting but I barely noticed its beauty. My thoughts were heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. Lyanna was gone. The thought of it felt like a punch to the chest every time it crossed my mind. She had saved us, saved me and our baby, but the cost was her life.“I can’t believe she’s gone,” I whispered to Ian, who was standing beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder.Ian’s expression was hard, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the horizon. He hadn’t said much since the battle ended, the stiffness in his body telling me how much he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.“She was one of the strongest witc
185Lyanna’s POVThe visions had been coming in waves—dark and scary. I’d seen this battle long before it arrived, the pieces falling into place, the danger coiling around us like a snake waiting to strike. But no vision had prepared me for this.The air was thick with the stench of blood and fury, and the sounds of bodies coliding with each other filled my ear. I was at the edge of the battlefield, my senses tingling with the power I held. Magic pulsed in my veins, begging to be released, but I held it back, waiting for the right moment. Timing was everything.In the distance, I saw Ian fighting Mike, lunging at each other, blow after blow. Ian was struggling, that much was clear. Mike was pushing him to his limits, and it took everything in Ian just to stay on his feet.And then there was Sophia. I could feel her fear from here, her desperation. She was with Jacob, fighting off a swarm of rogue vampires, her body slower than usual. Her own power was wearing out. The pregnancy was ta
184Ian’s POVIt felt as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the battle to begin. We were in a neutral territory, a clearing deep in the forest that was between the vampire realm and the outskirts of the human world. I could tell that the place had seen conflict before, the ground stained with the blood of wars long past. Now it would see another.I could hear the sounds of my forces assembling behind me—vampires sharpening their blades and stakes, speaking in low, tense whispers as they prepared for the fight that would start any moment from now. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on my shoulders. I had never wanted this, to be a king at war. But here I was, leading an army to stop a rebellion that threatened everything I had fought to protect.Sophia stood at my side, her eyes scanning the area. She was pale but resolute, and I could see the fire burning in her. Even now, pregnant with our child, she refused to leave my side. I had argued, pleaded with her t
183Ian’s POVI paced about in the room, my heart beating hard and fast and my mind running through different thoughts. Every moment felt like a taut wire, stretched thin between the safety I wanted for Sophia and the threats that I couldn’t fully shield her from. The attacks had slowed, but that only made me more nervous. It was like the calm before a storm, and I could feel the storm brewing.Sophia was sitting on the couch, her hands resting on the gentle swell of her stomach. Our child. It only made me think harder about all the different things I could do to keep Sophia out of danger.“We need to talk,” I said, breaking the silence.Her gaze met mine, steady but expectant. “I know what you’re going to say.”“I don’t think you do,” I replied, running a hand through my hair, frustration leaking into my voice. “Sophia, I need you to stay in the human realm. You and the baby—”“No,” she cut me off, her voice firm. “We’ve talked about this already, Ian. I’m not staying behind while yo