Far from the mortal world, in the great bloodstone fortress that towered above the clouds of the vampire realm, the air trembled with energy. Runes carved into the walls flickered a deep crimson, reacting to something ancient stirring beneath creation.
Inside the grand hall of the Vampire Council, twelve thrones circled a burning sigil of flame and shadow. High-borns of every great house sat in silence—faces pale, eyes sharp, the weight of centuries hanging in the air.
Among the circle stood Lady Medusa, Selene's aunt. She wore a long, midnight robe stitched with golden runes that pulsed faintly as if alive. Her hair shimmered like strands of moonlight, and her crimson eyes were narrowed with grave concern.
"The pulse was felt from the lowest pits of the underworld to the highest peaks of our realm," she said, her voice calm but edged with unease. "Something old has awakened—something that hasn't stirred since the days of the Infinites."
A murmur spread through the room.
Lord Velcor, a broad-shouldered vampire with piercing amber eyes—Lucian's father—leaned forward in his seat. "That power came from Blackville. The same place the human boy was last seen. The same boy rumored to carry forbidden blood."
Lady Medusa's gaze flickered to him. "You mean the boy named Adrian."
"Yes," Velcor replied, his voice low and dangerous. "He reeks of something unnatural. His presence alone is a danger to our kind."
Another council member, Lady Verena, frowned. "You're suggesting the power of the ancient ones has resurfaced… in a human?"
Velcor smirked coldly. "He's not human. Not entirely. That much is clear."
Medusa interjected, folding her arms. "Even if that were true, the boy is unaware of what he is. Striking him down now would be reckless."
"That's precisely why now is the perfect time to strike," Velcor shot back. "When he's still weak, still confused. You all remember what happened when the Infinites ruled—their hunger nearly wiped out an entire race of our own."
Several council members nodded grimly. Others looked uncertain.
Lord Varyn, an elder with skin like marble, spoke softly, "The energy I felt was dark indeed… but it was fragmented. Uncontrolled. The boy may have only triggered something greater—something buried."
Velcor slammed his hand against the armrest. "Triggered or not, the danger remains. I say we send someone to finish this before it's too late. My son Lucian is capable—he'll do what must be done."
Whispers broke out across the chamber.
Medusa's eyes narrowed. "You would send your own son to kill a confused boy? Have you learned nothing from the wars of the past?"
Velcor's expression hardened. "Spare me your moral lectures, Medusa. You deal in spells and illusions. I deal in reality. That boy's existence is an abomination."
Medusa rose to her feet, power radiating faintly from her body. The torches dimmed. "Careful with your words, Velcor. I will not allow rashness to undo centuries of peace."
The two locked eyes across the hall, tension thick enough to cut through steel.
Then a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Enough."
Every head turned as Lord Valen, Selene's father and the current ruler of the Royal Tribe, stood from his throne. His presence alone silenced the hall. Regal, calm, and terrifying in his stillness.
"This matter will not be decided by rage or fear," Valenl said, his tone final. "We will not condemn anyone without proof. The council will investigate this disturbance thoroughly."
Velcor's jaw tightened. "And if your investigation confirms he is the source?"
Valen's crimson gaze flickered toward him. "Then… he will be executed."
Silence followed.
Valen turned to Medusa. "You will lead the investigation. If this human—this Adrian—truly carries the forbidden blood, then you will report directly to me."
Medusa bowed her head. "As you command, my lord."
Valen's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "If the Infinite bloodline has truly resurfaced… then our world stands on the edge of war."
The chamber fell silent once more as the decree echoed through the hall.
---
|| Back at the Human World ||
The morning sun spilled across Blackville, glinting off wet sidewalks and sleepy rooftops.
Adrian walked beside Ethan down the street toward school. The air felt heavy with whispers—people turned to stare as they passed, murmuring behind their hands.
Ethan scowled. "Ignore them. They all thought you were dead."
Adrian chuckled dryly. "Guess I came back to ruin their gossip."
At school, the atmosphere was no different. Some students looked shocked, others curious. Whispers trailed him like shadows down the hallway. He forced himself to focus through class, though his mind drifted more than once.
When the final bell rang, he slipped out and made his way to the courtyard. His favorite spot—the old stone fountain—waited at the far edge, where few people ever went. The steady trickle of water calmed him.
He sat down, closing his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again, he froze.
Ella was walking toward him.
Their eyes met briefly before he turned away, standing quickly. Without a word, he walked off. He could hear her call his name faintly behind him, but he didn't look back.
He walked straight to the library.
The smell of old paper and quiet filled the air. In the farthest corner, away from the noise, he saw her— Selene.
She was sitting cross-legged, absorbed in a book, moonlight hair glowing faintly beneath the window's light.
He approached quietly. "You didn't have to disappear like that, you know."
She looked up, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Sorry. Something came up."
Adrian smirked. "That's a lame excuse, if you ask me. I only gave you a hug. It's not like I kissed you."
Her brow lifted slightly. "Is that why you're here?"
"Nah," he said, sitting beside her. "Was avoiding someone."
"Let me guess…" she said, turning a page. "Ella."
Adrian blinked. "Wait—how'd you know that?"
Selene tilted her head. "I read minds, remember?"
Adrian frowned. "That's not nice. You shouldn't go around reading people's thoughts. It's an invasion of privacy."
She smirked. "So why were you avoiding her?"
He stared at her for a second. "Seriously? You're asking that? That bitch left me for dead, Selene. She never cared about me."
Selene's expression softened. "Yeah… that's a valid point. But still—you could've told her. Running away doesn't solve anything."
"I didn't run."
She gave him a flat look.
"I was just… avoiding her," he added defensively.
Selene sighed, closing her book. "I don't even know why I'm getting involved in this. It's your relationship problem. Go sort it out."
"For the record—" Adrian began, rolling his eyes.
But his sentence was cut short.
A piercing scream echoed from outside. Then another.
Both froze.
"That's not normal…"
Adrian stood, his heartbeat quickening as the sound of chaos filled the courtyard beyond the library walls.
---