Rohan stood frozen. He couldn't believe what Arya had said.
"I'm… not human anymore?" he whispered again, as if saying it twice might make it sound less real.
Arya nodded slowly. "You were dying. Your body was breaking. I had no other choice."
He sat down on the edge of the couch, still holding his baby tightly. His hands trembled.
The baby stirred a little in his arms but didn't wake up.
Arya sat beside him. "I didn't touch your daughter. She is safe. She's still human."
Rohan looked at her. "I don't even know your name."
"I'm Arya," she said softly.
"I'm Rohan."
Arya nodded. "I know."
Silence settled between them. The fire crackled softly in the fireplace. The baby let out a small sigh in her sleep.
Rohan finally asked, "Why would someone want to hurt us? Why were they following me?"
Arya's face turned serious. "I don't know all the answers. But when I saw you on the road, I felt something was wrong. Someone was chasing you. I smelled other creatures. Dangerous ones."
Rohan looked confused. "Creatures?"
Arya hesitated. "Not humans. Not vampires either."
"Then who?"
Arya stood up and walked to the window. "I don't know. But whoever they are, they're not done yet. They'll come again."
Rohan stood slowly. "Why would they want my baby?"
Arya looked at him carefully. "Tell me about your wife."
The question hit him hard. His shoulders dropped. His voice broke. "Diviya… she died one month ago. Car accident. It was just me and my daughter after that. I've been running since then."
Arya lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"I named her Sara," Rohan said quietly, looking down at the baby.
Arya smiled faintly. "That's a beautiful name."
The next few days passed slowly.
Rohan stayed in Arya's house. He was still learning to control his new instincts—hunger, strength, speed, and hearing. Everything felt strange. Arya helped him.
She brought him animal blood to feed on. She taught him how to avoid sunlight and how to hide his powers. They took turns looking after Sara, who was growing stronger every day.
They had quiet dinners, long talks by the fireplace, and even a few moments of laughter.
Rohan was changing—not just as a vampire, but as a person. He had lost so much… but something about Arya made him feel safe.
One night, as Arya was putting Sara to sleep, Rohan walked into the room.
He sat beside her and said, "Thank you… for everything."
Arya looked at him, her eyes warm. "She's lucky to have you."
Rohan stared at his daughter. "I don't know if I can raise her like this. I'm a monster now."
"You're not," Arya said softly. "You're a father. That's what matters."
He looked into her eyes. For the first time in weeks, he felt hope.
But outside, deep in the forest, strange shadows moved under the moonlight.
A man stood where Rohan had fallen that stormy night. He looked around, sniffed the air, and growled, "He was here. But where is he now?"
Others appeared behind him—dark shapes with glowing eyes.
They hadn't given up.