The vampires burst into laughter, and the wolves howled in unison. Perhaps they all sensed it—Daisy's life was about to descend into something far more terrifying.
Suddenly, Daisy saw something that froze her blood—huge black wings burst out from Lucien's back.
They spread wide, dark and sharp like blades in the moonlight.
The wings caught the cold night air, and with one strong sweep, Lucien rose from the snow. In moments he was floating high above, his shadow stretching over the ground like that of a dark king.
Daisy could hardly breathe. Her eyes followed him as he rose higher and higher, the snow swirling violently around his wings as if even the storm bowed to his command.
Daisy could hardly breathe. Her eyes followed him as he rose higher and higher, the snow swirling violently around his wings as if even the storm bowed to his command. Her heart hammered in her chest. What… what is he? A monster?
She felt small, trapped, powerless. And yet, inside her, a strange fire burned. She hated him for what he had done—for Milla, for Miss Sokolova—but she could not deny it. Lucien Volkov was terrifying… and breathtaking.
You took everything from me, she thought, her fists trembling. My Mimia. My peace. One day, Lucien Volkov… you will pay. I swear… I will destroy you.
After that, Daisy remembered nothing—only darkness swallowing her whole.
When her eyes fluttered open, she was no longer on the blood-stained snow. She was inside a carriage unlike anything she had ever seen.
Its frame was forged of gold, but not the kind that shone warmly—it gleamed cold and pale. Strange symbols were carved into its walls, glowing faintly in the dark. The carriage moved without horses, its wheels grinding over the frozen road, pulled by some unseen force. The air outside was eerily silent, save for the his of the wind and the soft
creak of the carriage as it carried her deeper into the night. Daisy's heart raced. She was utterly alone… or so it seemed. Daisy had no idea where the carriage was taking her. The world outside was a blur of snow and shadows, but inside, something else unsettled her even more.
Her clothes were no longer the torn, bloodstained ones she remembered. She was dressed in a new gown, dark silk that clung to her like it had been tailored for her alone.
Her breath caught. Who had changed her clothes?
A chill ran down her spine as a single thought struck her—
Was it Lucien? The moment Lucien's name crossed her mind, a wave of pure hatred surged through Daisy's heart.
The memory of him, the terror he brought, surged like a dark storm—she could scarcely breathe without feeling the weight of his presence, even in his absence.
A fire of revenge burned inside Daisy. She knew she would never find peace until Lucien Volkov was dead.
But is killing Lucien really that easy? Lucien was already—or always—dead. How can Daisy kill him again? Daisy has reached a point in her life where fear and death play their cruel games.
Daisy stepped to the window and peered out.
Far ahead, rising against the gray sky, stood a vast, brooding castle.
It was a vampire castle—ancient and terrible—its dark towers piercing the clouds. For a hundred years it had loomed over the land, watching and waiting. The walls were cold stone, blackened by time and frost. Tall spires jutted like broken teeth into the moonlight. Heavy iron gates, studded with rusted spikes, guarded a courtyard where statues—twisted gargoyles—seemed to leer with hungry eyes.
Daisy herself did not know what awaited her. The golden carriage rolled closer to the towering gates, and with every turn of its wheels her heart grew heavier. The castle loomed like a beast in the dark, its silence more dreadful than any scream.
Was it death waiting for her? Or something far worse—something that would bind her soul forever?
All she knew was that once she crossed those gates, her life would never again belong to her.
After that, Daisy remembered nothing.
When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself in a chamber high above the ground. The air was heavy with the scent of old stone and candle wax.
The room was vast, its ceilings lost in shadow, draped with velvet curtains that whispered with the slightest breath of wind. There was a balcony—its iron rails black and twisted like the claws of some ancient beast. Daisy stepped closer, and as she looked out, she realized… This was no ordinary room.
This was a chamber of the vampire's castle.
Her heart sank. She was inside the very heart of the fortress that had stood for centuries, and now… it held her prisoner. Lately, even looking at the moon fills Daisy with fear.
Its pale glow makes the castle seem more terrifying — as though the moon lights the path for Lucien's arrival at night. In the dead of night, the cries of small children float through the darkness—screams that won't stop, even in snow and cold. These creatures leave no child unharmed. They devour blood and grow stronger with each terrified wail. By now, Daisy realized that getting out of this castle wasn't so easy; many werewolves live on the hills outside the castle
As soon as night falls, Lucien comes to the room and drinks blood. Lucien drinks blood, but he doesn't completely kill Daisy. Daisy can't understand anything—how she will get out of here.. Daisy doesn't know what Lucien wants to do with her; until now, she hasn't been able to understand his intentions. Daisy misses her parents. Daisy feels very sad thinking about everyone at home. She can't leave here without killing Lucien. Daisy keeps thinking about how she will take revenge on Lucien.
Every morning, someone brings food to Daisy. The man doesn't say anything; he seems lifeless. Daisy has tried to talk to the man several times, but it's as if he's deaf and doesn't hear a word. Daisy thinks the vampires have controlled the man.
Daisy decided to explore the castle tomorrow. As soon as morning came, Daisy woke up from sleep. After the man brings breakfast, Daisy leaves the room. The outside was vast and immense, dark shadows stretching over the hills. The air felt heavy, and the landscape seemed alive with silent, lurking dangers, as if the castle itself had cast a watchful gaze over everything. As Daisy went down the stairs, she saw a huge hall that was both impressive and a little scary.
It was clear that this castle had once been full of life, its halls echoing with long-forgotten laughter and whispers of the past. Ahead, Daisy saw a very large piano. Daisy's mother, Nataliya, also played the piano beautifully. But Daisy doesn't know one thing: that Lucien is different from the other vampires. Daisy thought that Lucien sleeps during the day like the other vampires. But Lucien only sleeps until twelve, and he can understand everything that happens around him. Daisy tried to go outside, but she couldn't; all the windows and doors were locked. Daisy saw a room in the corner of the hall. Daisy went there, and as the gate opened, many bats flew over her head.
Daisy's eyes turned toward the walls of the room. Many women's decayed bodies were hanging there. Daisy tried to scream, but she couldn't. Daisy ran back to her room. Daisy couldn't think of what to do.
Daisy spent the entire day in one corner of the room. she didn't know what was waiting for her tonight. When night descended, the castle seemed to awaken — not like a place, but like a creature. Lucien entered Daisy's room very slowly, his presence folding into the darkness like mist through an open door. "Daisy… Daisy… where are you? The night remembers you —
Daisy flinched at the sound of Lucien's words. In the blink of an eye, Lucien was right before Daisy, his presence pressing in like a storm contained in human form. Lucien sat very calmly. Do you know what it feels like when someone is hurt?
I am heartless, so I cannot speak of pain. But you… you can. Tell me the feeling. Daisy stared at him in stunned silence. What's happened to Lucien today, all of a sudden? Daisy feared this might be her final day, yet Lucien's words left her utterly stunned.