Lucian's PovThe cabin felt hotter than it did earlier as my heart raced with anticipation. The rabid curse has plagued me for all of my life with not a single solution in sight, but I've just been given a way out. A solution to the most prominent smear in my life. I almost lost control of my emotions as I spoke. I did my best to not seem eager and didn't even crack a smile as I stared at her.“I am trusting that you can back up the word you just said,” I said coldly. “I hate being disappointed.”“I imagined you'd be happier after hearing that there was a solution, but that's not a problem,” she smiled. “The point remains that I can help you.”“How do you intend to?” I asked.She sighed as she took a sip of her tea.“The rabid curse is quite rare. Yes, it has been used before, but it's been in such few cases that they're almost non-existent since there are no records of them.”You used the word, “Almost”, I observed.“Yeah,” she nodded. “You're an existing case, aren't you?”“There a
Lucian PovIt's been a week since my conversation with Deluna. She's been quiet since then as well, and I was slowly getting anxious. Naomi had also been quite anxious about my silence. She knows there is something wrong, and I don't deny it, but I have strictly refused to tell her. A knock on the door of my office brought me back to reality as I opened my eyes and stared at the door.“Come in, Travis.”The door opened and Travis walked in with Naomi in tow.“Good day, sir,” he bowed as he strolled over to a seat and sat down while Naomi stood at the door, glaring at me.“What is the meaning of this?” I asked with a sigh. “She said you've been avoiding her so she made me come here with her,” he replied. “There was nothing I could do to stop her.”“You are a vampire, and she's human,” I palmed my face. “You can outrun her.”“She was waiting in front of your door when I arrived,” Travis shrugged. “You know that she's pretty smart.”“Would you both stop talking like I'm not here?” Nao
Alexander Pov"Just another boring day," I sighed as I signed off on a few papers and laid back on my seat with my eyes closed.Who knew being at the top would be so boring? The process of rising to the top was a lot more interesting than this. It makes me want to take everything I've built down and start over again.I picked up the ornamental dagger on my table and unsheathed the blade, revealing its crystal clear and reflective surface.The blade's edges were dulled as expected of an ornamental blade, but they were my favorite weapon. Even more valuable than a gun.A knock on the door drew my attention and the door opened before I could give permission for whoever it was to enter."James," I said as my second in command walked in. His hulking 6'5 frame standing imposingly with his head bowed."Good morning, Alex," he greeted.My eyes opened at the greeting."What brings you here?" I asked. "Last time I checked, you were on a mission.""I complete my mission, sir," he said. "I also h
Alexander PovI made my way back to the office with a hop in my step as I approached. It's been so terribly boring for me these past few days and I longed for a bit of action.The name Brian though, was quite eye-catching. The infamous leader of rouge vampires determined to wreak havoc on the region. For a while now, I've had a particular grudge against Lucian and has ruffled quite a few feathers in the other mafia groups with animosity towards him. It was the kind of thrill I sought. Being in the middle of a brewing war was exactly the thing I needed to get my blood pumping.Right now, the man who stood at the center of it all, the one who helped me orchestrate this large-scale carnage in the making, is at my doorstep. It was quite a thrill in itself to find out what he wanted. I wanted to see how far his ambitions align with mine. What significance will this war hold in the future and just how intense the carnage will be?If he was here to be my enemy though, that would make thin
Brian PovHe was unto me. He was much smarter than I had anticipated.I had done my research on Alexander Forkado and very quickly determined the kind of person he was. He rose to fame, or better still, infamy for his eccentric actions and his ruthless attitude to business dealings. As well as his thirst for revenge.He became the self-proclaimed strongest mafia leader in the region and no one objected to it because he was just that powerful. Even though no one objected, it was an unspoken fact that Lucian's group was stronger. There were candidates who were known to be able to compete with him while no one dared to challenge Lucian. Alex ventured into the business world, specifically, underground and illegal work, which seemed to be just the perfect fit for him considering his savagery attitude. He touched everything in the underworld, and he soon became known as one of the richest businessmen in all regions and that seems to have gotten too boring for him.He was seeking stimul
Naomi's PovIt's been a week since Deluna arrived at the mansion, and it's been quite a blessing in itself, as Lucian seemed much less protective of me as long as Deluna was with me. He's still quite busy, but he doesn't avoid me as much as he used to. That was quite a relief.Now, I'm faced with a haunting dilemma. Lucian's birthday was coming up soon, and I couldn't think of a proper way to celebrate it. He's been so busy that I doubt he even remembers it, but I really want to make it special in my own little way. "Are you sure about this?" Deluna sighed as I rummaged through my closet. "You do know that the man you're talking about is over two hundred years old, right?" "And?" I asked absentmindedly."He must have celebrated more birthdays than most people. Birthdays literally have no meaning for him anymore. He wouldn't even remember his birthday and definitely wouldn't care if you didn't know it. He never told you, did he?" "No," I replied. "I found it while snooping throug
Lucian's Pov"I'm fine," I groaned as I tried to pull away from Travis' shoulder, but he held on tight, and I was too weakened to overpower him."What happened?!" Naomi's panicked voice asked as she rushed over to me. I could feel her warm hands on my cheeks, but it was hard to look up at my strength slowly failed me."Let's get him inside first," Deluna's calm voice said as I was carried past her.With Travis' help, I dragged myself up the stairs until I reached my room and laid on my bed.My body felt like it was on fire and the blood loss was causing my mind to turn foggy."What happened?" I heard Naomi ask again. "This time calmer.""Travis...." I groaned through the pain. "Keep... your mouth shut."I saw Travis' head turn to me, but my vision was too blurry to make out any details. I couldn't tell what he was thinking."I'm sorry, Lucian," he said. "She has to know.""Travis!" I hissed and gritted my teeth as a pulsing wave of pain followed that action."He went to meet Alexander
Lucian's PovMove! Deluna hissed as she hurried over to Naomi's lifeless body and pressed her ear into her chest while checking her pulse. "Why did you let this happen?!" I yelled at Travis. "You promised to stop me! You both promised!""We tried!" Travis retorted. "You wrapped your arms around her and held her so tight that I couldn't pry them off. I tried yelling and was even about to hit you before you came to your senses.""It's this fucking rabid curse!" I hissed. "This stupid curse is intent on making me lose everything I love!""Would you shut up and let me work?!" Deluna hissed as she kept her ears close to Naomi's chest and a finger on her wrist."She has a pulse!" She yelled after a few minutes. "Come here, Lucian!" I hurried over to them where I waited anxiously for directions."Give her mouth to mouth and stimulate her heart. Don't let her die with your venom inside her!" I immediately got to work, giving her mouth to mouth while doing compression on her chest to keep h
Lucian's PovYears had elapsed since Deluna’s fall, and despite the wounds of war, the world had begun healing. What once had been a country full of tyranny and fright lived with hope in its heart. Vampires, living under Deluna’s tyranny, were free at long, long last. And I, with Naomi, had sworn ourselves to seeing freedom stretch to each and every soul yet living in shackles. We fought together, forging alliances, destroying whatever of Deluna’s corrupt empire lay in its path, and providing refuge and protection to souls that lived for too long in misery and agony. And yet, even with all that we accomplished, the greatest transformation hadn’t been in the world at all—it had been in me. Naomi tamed my rougher corners, taught me in virtue of love, in hope, and most of all, in the fact that redemption existed. And I, seeing her sit out on our balcony, in sunlight and in gold, bathing in sunlight, I saw that my greatest purpose no longer lay in commanding a people, but in protectin
Naomi’s PovThe battlefield hung in a dead, matted quiet. Once, with a reek of death and sorcery, but now with a mere whisper of wind, it breathed. The sky, which was shrouded in Deluna’s shadow, seemed lighter.I turned and looked around us, and saw the faces of my companions who fought with us. Some I recognized, scarred in battle, with looks of both loss and relief etched onto them. Others… Others were not with me.Travis.Alexander.Bane.They'd gone, some dead, and gone, whose fate I could not say. But one reality I could not deny is that those who fought with Deluna, who fought to maintain Deluna’s tyranny, died with her.Some of them, perhaps, still lay in shadows, but if ever again… They'd have to answer to us.I breathed out, a slow, deep one.Lucian, noting my hesitation, stroked my hair behind my ear, out of my face. His fingers were rough but kind, a reminder of battles won, of wars won, and of love won in choosing him."We did it," he whispered, eyes bloodshot and intent
Lucian's PovThe seconds ticked in slow motion as I saw Naomi’s delicate form move towards me. The whole scenario seemed dreamlike, a nightmare I couldn’t awaken from. And then, in a matter of a split second, her form collapsed onto the ground. Everything else melted, my eyes refocusing onto Naomi's dying form at my feet. My heart thudded savagely in my chest, a thudding beat drowning out everything else. "No… Naomi…" I faltered, dropping onto my knees at her side, my shaking hands extending out towards her. “No, no, no. This can't happen.” I touched her face, and her face was dispiritedly cool to my fingertips. Something deep and suffocating took over, its talons closing in my heart. Her eyes shut, her mouth a little apart, but no sign of life moved in them. My voice died in my mouth, taken over with horror. "How far are you willing to go, Deluna?"A faint echo of laughter sounded over my head, Deluna’s mocking laughter, sharp and cutting and rough-edged, like broken glass. How
Naomi’s PovThe battlefield lay covered in shadow, thick with smoke, burning wood, blood, and residues of lingering magic. Under my feet, the earth shuddered minutely, unsure whether this war had actually reached its conclusion. Deluna was a distance of a few feet, her black cloak fluttering a little in the evening breeze, her eyes squinted in observation of me. She yet seemed powerful, untouched by events transpired about her. But I could detect it now, the tiniest tremble of doubt in her eyes. She was starting to understand. Understand that she wasn't as unscathed as she long convinced herself to believe. I breathed in, slow and deliberate, then moved to speak. "What request?" Deluna questioned me, with a taint of distrust in her voice. I jerked my head, raising my chin a notch. "What way would you like to breathe your last?" Her mouth twisted in a cold sneer, but I could detect tension in her shoulder. "You can't do that," she taunted me. I took a pace in her direction. "I
Lucian’s PovI'd long been convinced wickedness took a face and one I'd seen in both monsters and in men, too. But tonight, with dusk consumed and sunset gone, I saw an atrocity that challenged my definitions of wickedness and forced me to redefine them. I'd seen evil I could hardly have dreamed in my most fevered imagination.The sky wasn't at its radiant best, but one contrast alone remained: one silver glow of the moon painted everything with an eerie, dark radiance, and I could almost feel its vigor. I kept moving onward, a burning fury in my heart burning brighter with each pace I took. "Your face, moon," I whispered in a snarl of anger, "tonight, your face bore witness to my friend’s murder." Travis’s dying memories looped in my head forever: laughter, soft comforts, and a shocked cry of betrayal that took him from me. I hadn't seen him coming.Travis, a man who firmly insisted wicked souls bore a glimmer of virtue, lay dead, robbed of life at our hands through a wickedness I co
Deluna’s PovDid I just kill Travis? The question echoed in my mind as I stood in the middle of the battle, blood on the floor. The taste of blood and regret was in my mouth, and I could barely breathe. The silence after the fight was louder than all the noise before.I staggered back, my limbs trembling as I tried to steady myself against a shattered column. Every heartbeat throbbed in my ears, a cruel metronome marking the passing of a moment I could never undo. The pain consumed me deeply; it was as though the very essence of my soul was being torn apart. I felt as if I might die from the weight of my own remorse.For a long while, I recalled our fight. Travis, even in his final moments, had pressed me with questions that now haunted my every thought. His eyes, full of anguish and bitter disappointment, burned into me as though searing my skin. I could still hear his voice in the clamor of my memories: "Why did you do all this, Deluna?" he had demanded, his tone a mixture of sorr
Naomi's PovMy pleas were swallowed by the chaos around us. Amidst the din of battle and the cries of wounded men, I could only hear my own heart breaking. I remembered Travis’s promise from earlier, a promise made with a laugh and a spark of defiant joy. I remembered how he had vowed to come back victorious. And now, that promise lay shattered like glass on cold stone.Lucian looked into my eyes, and for a moment, the anger in his gaze shifted to sadness. "Naomi," he said softly, "we can't bring him back, but we can make sure his sacrifice wasn't wasted." His words felt like both a blessing and a burden. A reminder that this war's cost was counted in blood and lost love.The thought of Deluna, the traitorous witch who caused Travis’s death made me burn with a need for revenge. "Where is she, Lucian?" I demanded, voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair. "I must face her. I must know why she did this. I want her to answer for Travis’s death!"Lucian’s eyes darkened further, and
Naomi’s Pov"Wake me up, someone, please wake me up!"My voice echoed through the pain, like I was calling out to a bad dream. I blinked at the bright light, tasting blood and sweat in my mouth. Everything around me was a blur of red and shadow. I could barely remember the morning, only broken memories of the night before the screams, the clash of steel, and the grief still twisting in my chest."Travis...?" I whispered, my voice breaking. My mind spun with disbelief. Travis Scott, my dearest friend, the one who had always been there to watch my back, to make me laugh even in our darkest moments, was gone. Gone, as if snatched away by some cruel fate. And all because of this cursed war and the betrayal that has splintered our lives. I pressed trembling fingers to my lips, tasting the bitter tang of my own tears. "How… how can this be?" My heart pounded painfully against my rib cage, each beat a reminder of the promise he had made earlier that day. I remembered the way his eyes had sp
Lucian’s PovDeluna’s voice echoed through the hall like a death knell. With her dark eyes burning, and her words laced with venom, she had suddenly declared war in the grand dining hall. “Kill them all, bring Naomi to me!” she roared, her command reverberating off the bloodstained walls. My heart thundered as I took in the chaos. The hall transformed into a nightmarish tableau: broken bodies strewn across the flagstones, heads severed, and crimson pools of blood pooling around fallen soldiers.“Has she forgotten who she’s dealing with?” I spat internally, anger coiling inside. I was not merely a man. I was a rabid vampire warrior fueled by vengeance and duty. I could not let Deluna’s treachery stand.I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the din. “Deluna, face me!” I demanded, halting her advance with my challenge. For a brief, electrifying moment, her eyes widened in astonishment, as if she had not expected me to stand so defiant. It was then that I realized how much our fates