Semua Bab Through The Dreamscape: Bab 41 - Bab 50

As Lucien walked deeper into the settlement, unbidden memories of Elena Hayes flooded his mind. He could almost see her ghost walking these same cobbled streets, her eyes wide with wonder and that fearless smile he'd both loved and feared. How young she'd been, how recklessly brave, forgetting she was the only human in a city of predators. "You can't just run off like that," he'd told her then, catching her arm as she'd nearly wandered into a blood feast. "This isn't your world." "But it could be," she'd replied, her eyes shining with that dangerous hope that would eventually lead to their downfall. Her laughter had echoed off the ancient stones that day, drawing curious and hungry looks from nearby vampires. A ghost of a smile touched his lips before he forcibly cleared the memories away. He hadn't set foot in the settlement since Elena's time, and now here he was, drawn back by another Hayes woman with the same dangerous spark in her eyes. The universe, it seemed, had a cruel

Lucien watched in tense silence as the hands rose one by one, each movement feeling like an eternity. His keen eyes counted them methodically, each vote for death feeling like another silver stake through his chest. Lord Inferno's burning hand rose first, flames dancing around his fingers like eager serpents. Lord Constantine's calculating gesture followed, his ancient eyes never leaving Lucien's face. Lady Victoria's trembling fingers lifted next, red tears still staining her cheeks. Three more hands joined them - six in total, condemning Scarlett to death. The opposition showed their stance with equal gravity. Five hands stood against execution, including Lady Mara's ghostly signal of dissent, her ethereal form flickering with emotion. The vote now balanced on a knife's edge, with only King Arthur's decision remaining. Eleven votes cast, one abstention, and the King's voice yet to be heard. The chamber grew so quiet that even vampire hearing couldn't detect a sound. Arthur sat mo

Scarlett absently twirled her pen between her fingers, trying to focus on the chemistry formulas Mr. Peterson was writing on the board. But her mind kept drifting to Lucien, like a compass needle always finding north. A week. He'd been gone for a whole week, and though she tried to tell herself everything was fine, the nightmares hadn't stopped. Every night they came – visions of Lucien standing before ancient vampires in a dark chamber, their eyes cold and merciless as they passed judgment. In some dreams, she saw him bound in silver chains that burned his skin, his proud head bowed before beings so ancient they made him look young. In others, she found herself surrounded by red-eyed shadows with gleaming fangs, their laughter echoing as they closed in around her. She'd wake up gasping, heart pounding, reaching for her phone to check if he'd messaged, only to find nothing but silence. 'He's okay,' she told herself for the hundredth time. 'He has to be okay.' But the memory of his f

The evening air was cool against Liam's skin as he walked aimlessly through the familiar streets, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his basketball shorts. His mind kept circling back to Scarlett, to all the mistakes he'd made, to how blind he'd been. The streetlights were just starting to flicker on, casting long shadows that seemed to mirror his dark thoughts. Above him, clouds scudded across the face of the moon, making the night seem even more ominous than it already felt. He remembered that first day so clearly now – how Claire had approached them after school, her designer bag swinging casually from her shoulder, her friends clustered around her like a perfectly coordinated entourage. He'd been waiting for Scarlett, like he always did back then, and Claire had swooped in with a bright smile and easy conversation. The late afternoon sun had caught in her perfectly styled hair, making it shine like spun gold. She'd looked like something out of a movie, and he'd fallen for the ac

Scarlett's mind raced as her heart pounded against her chest. She had to do something - anything. These vampires would kill them both if she didn't act fast. But what could she do against four ancient vampires? She wasn't strong enough, wasn't ready for this kind of fight. She'd never even gotten to finish her training with Lucien. Now she was alone, and Liam was in danger because of her. That's when she heard it. A voice. Deep and ancient, it echoed through her mind like thunder rolling across a distant sky. It felt old, and it made her bones vibrate with its power. "Let me help you, child," it whispered, its words sliding through her mind. "Let me give you the power to save him. All you have to do is let go... All you have to do is surrender to me..." The voice made her freeze, her thoughts scattering. She'd never heard anything like it before - so powerful, so tempting, so dangerous... "Scarlett! Snap out of it!" Liam's hands were suddenly on her shoulders, shaking her roughly.