Lucas staggered back to his house. He even collapsed in front of his apartment door before entering, unable to resist looking at and smelling the holy blood coming from Grace's hands.
Not wanting to hurt Grace, he left without saying anything. Lucas didn't expect that. Besides giving him strength when he drank Grace's holy blood, the sacred blood also seemed to absorb all his energy.
He stared at his silver dagger, still stained with Ezra and Grace's blood, causing his throat to ache as he swallowed his saliva.
Just a little. But the scent of the sacred blood was piercing Lucas's nose.
Half-conscious, Lucas licked his blade until he felt no pain at all when his tongue grazed the sharp edge. Despite this, he paid no attention to the blood dripping from his tongue. Lucas continued licking his blade, demonstrating his desire for that sacred blood.
"W—what is this?" Lucas muttered as he felt his body suddenly filled with energy.
The wound on his tongue was gone entirely. There was no pain in his body, and he could feel his strength at its peak.
"A single drop of sacred blood has made you the strongest, Lucas."
Lucas turned toward the voice approaching him.
It was Duke!
"H—how did you get here? Isn't Veyrath closed?" Lucas asked in shock.
Duke chuckled. "Don't play dumb, Lucas. The scent of sacred blood can open it," Duke replied.
The influence of holy blood is so significant. Even its scent alone can open the gates of the world of darkness, willing to wage war against the heavens to obtain that blood.
In truth, the scent of holy blood isn't detectable from such a distance. But because tonight is a full moon, it affects all possibilities—Grace, as the bearer of the holy blood, will become the target of both vampires and wolves.
"Is that why you came here?" Lucas asked.
Duke nodded. "You were clever to scatter dried rose petals to cover the scent of the sacred blood," he said.
Yes, Lucas did it to protect Grace. He was aware of how terrifying he was, barely able to resist the sacred blood Grace possessed, let alone other vampires.
"If I attack you, I'll be the one to lose. You could disable me with just a single drop of sacred blood you drink." Duke stepped closer to Lucas.
"So, what do you want?" Lucas responded to Duke's challenge.
"Damn it! My curse on you is gone because of that blood," Duke muttered angrily.
Lucas had always heard how vampires worshipped the sacred blood of someone born during a blood moon eclipse that occurred once every ten years, with only one birth at that time. And it wasn't easy to find the owner of the sacred blood.
Duke tried to pat Lucas on the shoulder several times, but with just one swift strike from Lucas, Duke was sent flying quite a distance.
Rather than being angry, Duke smiled widely in response to Lucas's small yet powerful attack.
"You know how much vampires crave that blood, Lucas. For my sake, I swear that blood is extraordinary." Duke said it with a gleam in his eyes, his excitement evident.
"I know," Lucas replied.
"I came to give you a choice, Lucas." Duke narrowed his eyes.
"Bring Grace to me immediately, and you can live, or I'll capture her myself and you'll have to watch us suck her blood over a fire that will destroy you," He continued.
Duke said it with a sly smile, giving Lucas two choices that were so difficult to make.
Not a single word came out of Lucas's mouth after hearing those words because he couldn't choose. Both options were equally dangerous for Grace, even though one of them offered Lucas a chance at life.
It wasn't his own life that Lucas wanted. He only wanted to save Grace, just as Grace had once saved him.
"That choice is too cunning," Lucas finally commented.
"It's a pity your blood can't replace Grace's."
Lucas knew that. No vampire blood could benefit another vampire. Even they would suffer unbearable pain if they drank their blood. Even the blood of noble vampires could only be used to destroy other vampires.
It couldn't be compared to human holy blood at all.
I've sacrificed several vampires to create the fire that will destroy you, Lucas. Please consider the choice I'm offering you until tomorrow. First option, or second option?"
After finishing his speech to Lucas, the Duke waved his hand, preparing to leave.
I choose the first option."
Lucas's voice was very soft but still clear to the Duke's ears in the silence of the night, causing him to smile widely as he turned toward Lucas.
"Good. You need to extinguish your humanity to bring Grace to me."