Year 547 of the Bloodmoon Era
Kingdom of Noxferra — Castle Umbriel
The night Aria's life ended began with fire.
Her village, Elderspring, had been asleep when the first scream tore through the darkness. By the time Aria rushed outside, half the houses were burning and black-cloaked vampire soldiers were dragging people into the streets.
"Noxferran raiders," someone cried. "Run!"
But there was nowhere to run. Vampires were faster. Stronger. Unmerciful.
Aria tried anyway.
She grabbed her little brother's hand and sprinted toward the forest—but a cold arm swept her off her feet. Her brother slipped away, disappearing into the trees while she was slammed against the ground.
"Human girl," the vampire soldier hissed, pinning her easily. "The king wants slaves for the castle. You'll do."
Aria fought, scratched, kicked, bit—
but he only laughed.
A cloth soaked in something sharp and sweet was pressed over her nose. Her vision blurred. The world spun. The last thing she saw was the burning sky.
When she woke, she was in chains.
---
Aria stood in the grand throne room of Castle Umbriel, wrists bound, ankles shackled, surrounded by the creatures who destroyed her home.
The vampires of Noxferra were cold, elegant, fearsome—
nothing like the horrifying stories.
They were worse.
A guard shoved her forward. "Move, girl. You're to be inspected.
I can walk, you don't have to push
She stumbled.
And that was how she made her second mistake of the night.
She looked up.
Straight into the eyes of the Vampire King.
King Lucien Valerius of Noxferra.
His throne rose atop a staircase of obsidian stone. Torches cast shadows across his sharp, perfectly carved features. His crimson eyes glowed like heated metal.
He didn't look like death.
He looked like temptation designed to kill.
The entire hall fell silent as his gaze locked onto hers.
Aria snapped her eyes downward immediately.
Too late.
Raise her, Lucien commanded, voice deep and dangerously calm.
A guard lifted her chin. Aria winced.
Lucien's brows lowered slightly, studying her face. "A human slave… from the Elderspring raid.
She said nothing.
She wasn't sure speaking wouldn't get her head removed.
You dare meet my eyes? Lucien asked.
"I—I didn't mean to," she stammered. "I just fell. My feet slipped."
There was a long, echoing pause.
Your feet slipped?" Lucien repeated slowly, as if he was offended by the very concept.
Aria nodded pathetically. Yes, Your Majesty. Very slippery feet.
Prince Kael, standing beside the throne, snorted loudly.
Lucien did not laugh.
Lucien had never laughed in centuries.
Bring her to me,he said.
Aria was dragged forward until she stood directly in front of him. Her heart thundered in her chest.
Lucien leaned in slightly, eyes glowing brighter. "You do not smell afraid.
Oh, I'm terrified, she whispered.
You do not feel terrified.
"Well… maybe your nose is broken?
Kael choked on his breath. A servant dropped a goblet. Someone coughed to hide a laugh.
Lucien didn't move.
He simply reached out and brushed his fingers against her cheek.
And then
A pulse.
A spark.
A warm, electric shock shot up his arm. Lucien froze. Aria gasped. The entire throne room held its breath.
Lucien snatched his hand back as if burned.
"What are you?" he whispered.
Aria blinked, confused. "A… slave?"
He stood, towering over her with slow, lethal grace.
"No," he murmured. "You are something else."
Lucien's heart—cold and silent for five centuries....beat once.
And everything in the kingdom of Noxferra changed.