Chapter 5
Lucius stirred. A low growl rumbled in his throat as his eyes fluttered open. The pain was gone. The fire that had been crawling through his veins, the silver that had poisoned him—it had vanished. He sat up too fast. The world spun for a second, then sharpened, clearer than before. The scent of pine and ash surrounded him, but beneath it… there was something else. Sweet. Dark. Familiar.
Esperanza.
She stood by the window, arms crossed, her red hair catching the light of the fading moon. She wasn't looking at him. She hadn't said a word since he woke up.
"What did you do to me?" His voice was rough, deeper than before.
She tensed but didn't answer.
Lucius swung his legs off the bed, testing his strength. His body felt… powerful. Alive. His claws flexed involuntarily. He could hear her heart beating. Fast. Uneven. She was nervous.
"Esperanza," he said again, stepping toward her. "What did you do?"
"I saved your life," she whispered.
He stopped. "How?"
She finally turned to face him, her glowing eyes locking onto his. "You were dying, Lucius. The silver was killing you. I didn't have a choice."
He studied her. The edge in his eyes softened, replaced by something strange. Hunger? Need? No, it was deeper. A pull. His wolf stirred inside him.
"Tell me," he said, voice low. "What. Did. You. Do."
She hesitated, then closed her eyes. "I gave you my blood."
Silence.
His fists clenched. "You what?"
"I gave you my blood," she repeated, firmer this time. "It was the only way."
He stepped back like she'd struck him. "You… You fed me vampire blood? You He couldn't finish the sentence.
"I saved your life, Lucius. You were going to die."
"Do you even know what you've done?" His voice cracked. "This isn't just some healing trick. You've bound us. Blood to blood. You've tied me to you."
"I know." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I felt it."
He stared at her, breathing hard. The bond pulsed between them like a heartbeat. He could feel her emotions—guilt, fear… and something else. Something soft.
"You shouldn't have done this," he said. "They'll kill you."
She walked toward him slowly. "Then let them try."
Their eyes locked again. The space between them was tight. Charged. He could smell the warmth of her blood under her skin. She was so close. Too close.
Lucius lifted his hand to her cheek. "You're not afraid of me?"
"No." Her voice barely came out.
"You should be."
"Maybe I like danger."
A beat passed.
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't careful. His hands gripped her waist and pulled her against him like he'd been starving. She melted into it for a moment, lips moving with his, heart racing against his chest.
Then she pushed him back, breathless. "Lucius, we can't
"I know," he said, jaw tight. "But I don't care."
She looked away, shaking her head. "You will. When the council finds out, when your pack—"
A loud knock at the door froze them both.
They stared at each other. Lucius's hand went to her wrist. Silent. Still.
The knock came again. Louder. Harsher.
Esperanza moved first, walking to the door like nothing happened. She opened it slowly, trying to keep her breath steady.
A vampire guard stood on the other side, stiff and cold. He handed her a sealed letter without speaking. Then he turned and vanished.
She shut the door quietly and broke the wax seal. Her hands shook as she unfolded the message.
Lucius watched from behind her. "What is it?"
Her eyes scanned the words. Blood drained from her face.
"It's from the High Circle," she whispered. "They want to see me. Tonight."
He stepped closer. "They know?"
She nodded slowly. "Someone saw us.