Lyla

Lyla POV:

The air in Noah's castle always felt heavy, laden with secrets and unspoken truths. As I navigated the dimly lit corridors, my thoughts were in a whirl. I needed to find that maid, the one who was my only link to the outside world, my only hope of contacting my brothers. The message I had entrusted her with weighed heavily on my mind. I eventually found her, huddled in a corner of a secluded alcove, her eyes darting around nervously.

"Did you pass on the message?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with urgency.

"Yes, Miss," she replied quickly, her voice trembling slightly. "I did exactly as you asked."

A fleeting sense of relief washed over me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a chilling sensation that crept up my spine. I felt a presence behind me, imposing and intense. Turning slowly, I found myself face to face with an unfamiliar figure.

He stood there, a striking embodiment of vampiric grace, his presence commanding the shadows around him. His hair was a