Night had already covered Ashwood when Lucas Kane stood alone near the old bridge.
The wind moved quietly through the empty streets.
Lucas leaned against a streetlight, casually flipping a silver coin between his fingers.
He looked completely relaxed.
Like he was waiting for a friend to arrive for dinner.
But his eyes were sharp.
Watching the darkness.
Finally, footsteps echoed from the far end of the road.
Slow.
Heavy.
Ancient.
Lucas smiled.
"Well well…"
A tall figure stepped out of the shadows.
Long dark coat.
Silver hair.
Eyes that looked far older than the world around them.
Velik.
A vampire who had been alive for nearly nine centuries.
He stopped a few feet away from Lucas.
"You still talk too much," Velik said calmly.
Lucas grinned.
"And you're still dramatic with entrances."
Velik's gaze moved across the quiet street.
"You said the situation was serious."
Lucas sighed dramatically.
"Oh it's very serious."
He straightened up.
"Kaela Vox is back."
Velik's expression darkened slightly.
"That name should have stayed buried."
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah, I agree."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"But she's doing the same thing again."
Velik frowned.
"The killings?"
Lucas pointed at him.
"Exactly."
"And trust me, this time it's getting more complicated."
Velik crossed his arms.
"Where is she?"
Lucas smiled slowly.
"Oh…"
He pointed toward the forest.
"Right behind you."
Velik turned instantly.
A dark figure stood between the trees.
Kaela Vox.
Her eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
But before she could move—
Velik appeared in front of her in a blur.
His hand grabbed her throat.
Kaela struggled violently.
But Velik's strength was overwhelming.
Lucas clapped slowly.
"Well that was impressive."
Velik dragged her forward.
"Let's go."
Lucas smirked.
"Julien is going to love this surprise."
Julien's House
The moment Velik pushed Kaela inside the house—
Everything exploded.
Zoe reacted instantly.
Her hands glowed with bright blue magic.
"YOU!"
Energy slammed into Kaela like a storm.
Kaela flew across the room and crashed into the wall.
Lucas stepped aside casually.
"Okay wow."
He pointed.
"That looked painful."
Kaela slowly stood up again.
Her eyes burned with anger.
Zoe raised her hands again.
Magic crackled through the air.
"You killed Lana!"
Lucas leaned against the table.
Watching the scene like a spectator.
"Well… this is already better than television."
Julien stepped forward slowly.
His eyes were cold.
"Why?"
Kaela smirked.
"Straight to the point."
Lucas raised his hand.
"Before we start the emotional interrogation…"
He pointed at Kaela.
"Can someone chain her properly?"
Velik pushed Kaela into a chair and locked silver chains around her wrists.
Lucas nodded approvingly.
"Good."
He grabbed an apple from the table and took a bite.
"Now continue."
Julien ignored him.
His voice was quiet but dangerous.
"Why did you kill Lana?"
Kaela tilted her head.
"Oh that."
She smiled slightly.
"I wanted to."
The room went silent.
Julien's fists clenched.
Lucas whispered dramatically—
"Ooooh this is getting spicy."
Zoe shot him another angry look.
"Lucas!"
He raised his hands again.
"What?"
"I'm supporting the emotional tension."
Kaela laughed softly.
"You're still annoying."
Lucas grinned.
"And you're still jealous."
Kaela's eyes narrowed.
"Yes."
The room froze.
Julien frowned.
"What?"
Kaela leaned back in the chair.
"I killed Lana because I liked you."
Lucas nearly choked on his apple.
"Oh wow."
He pointed between them.
"This is officially the most toxic love triangle I've ever seen."
Kaela ignored him.
"She was too close to you."
Julien stared at her in disbelief.
"You killed someone because of jealousy?"
Kaela shrugged.
"And because she knew something."
Zoe stepped forward.
"What do you mean?"
Kaela smiled.
"A secret."
Julien's voice became sharper.
"What secret?"
Kaela looked directly into his eyes.
Then suddenly—
The front door slammed open.
Eva walked in.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes were glowing again.
The moment she entered—
The entire house started shaking.
Lucas sighed.
"Oh great."
"The magic bomb is back."
Eva's voice was cold.
"Why did you kill Lana?"
The lights flickered violently.
Glass cracked again.
Kaela looked at her calmly.
"I already told him."
Eva's magic exploded stronger.
Furniture lifted slightly from the floor.
"If you're lying…"
Her voice trembled with anger.
"I will kill you."
Lucas leaned closer to Velik.
"She's definitely not bluffing."
Velik nodded slowly.
Kaela's smile faded slightly.
"Listen carefully."
She looked at Eva.
"Yes."
"I wanted to kill Lana."
Julien looked furious.
"But the other deaths…"
Kaela's voice grew darker.
"I didn't want to kill them."
The room went silent again.
Julien frowned.
"What?"
Kaela continued slowly.
"I was forced."
Lucas blinked.
"Okay now I'm interested."
Kaela's eyes moved across the room.
"There is something in Ashwood."
Zoe whispered—
"What?"
Kaela's voice dropped lower.
"Something ancient."
"Something that calls me."
Eva stepped closer.
Her magic crackling dangerously around her.
"If you don't tell us what it is…"
The walls trembled.
"I swear I will end you."
Lucas looked at Kaela and grinned.
"Well…"
He crossed his arms.
"You might want to start explaining."
"Because angry witch energy is very bad for your health."
Kaela looked at him and smirked again.
"You haven't changed."
Lucas winked.
"People love me this way."
The room filled with tension.
And somewhere outside the house…
The wind began whispering again.
Something was listening.
And the truth Kaela was about to reveal—
Was far worse than anyone expected.