ABRAHAM POVI wanted to grab her hand and make her understand that losing her would shatter me, that I’d rather face death or crawl crippled through life than watch her slip away from my side but the words jammed in my throat. All I could do was release a long sigh before pushing myself to my feet, my chest heavy, fear gnawing at my ribs as I turned and forced my legs to carry me away even though every step felt like betrayal yes Alaric carries my blood, my younger brother by birth, but I could never see that power-hungry viper as family his envy has stalked me since childhood, always lurking in his eyes, and though my parents’ deaths rest like chains on my shoulders I know the truth it was my cursed blood, my imbalanced shifting inherited from our father’s line, that tore them from this world through me.We all believed I was healed, that the curse had finally broken after the endless rituals and bitter medicines, but that lie crumbled the day I lost control and shifted into the bea
OLENA POVAbraham Chambers.My whole body ached, pain throbbing in every limb as Abraham knelt beside me. He didn’t ask what I’d been doing at the vampire palace, he just got to work. His hands were steady, dipping cloth into a bowl of herbs as he pressed it against my torn skin.His face wore that usual mask of coldness yet there was something lighter in his eyes, almost like he was… concerned. I’d never seen him like this, and it unsettled me.“Do you need something to eat?” His voice was low, almost gentle, as he brushed the back of his hand across my forehead. His gaze softened with concern.I shook my head quickly, though hunger clawed at my insides. “No.”It felt strange, sitting there completely naked, and yet he didn’t look at me with lust, didn’t try to touch me in that way. Just calm, careful hands, moving from one wound to the next.He pressed another herb-soaked cloth to my knee, eyes flicking up to mine. “Silvie…”My breath caught. My eyes widened as I stared at him.“Tha
OLENAShe stepped back, her eyes locked on mine, that wicked smile curling her lips. Goddess please, let this go well because this is so unexpected. I mean I know that vampires are usually hungry for blood and it's my first time seeing one.Dake disappeared in an instant, taking the mutilated body with him. When he returned minutes later, he carried a glass cup. The liquid inside was thick and dark red, catching the dim light like molten rubies. I didn’t need anyone to tell me what it was.My stomach twisted.She took the cup from him, raised it to her lips, and drank slowly, savoring each swallow. The faint sound of it sliding down her throat made bile rise in mine.“Delicious,” she whispered when she was done, her tongue tracing the corner of her mouth.My hands clenched into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.She handed the empty cup back to Dake. He took it with a lazy grin, gave me a quick wink, and vanished into thin air.I don’t know what snapped inside me, but suddenl
OLENA“Dake!”The sharp, feminine voice broke the silence. I quickly turned my head to see where it came from.A woman sat in a carved wooden chair. One hand rested lazily on the armrest, while the other held a long, thin staff. At the top, a swirl of silver and blue glowed, like moonlight trapped in water.“Bring her to me,” she ordered with a smooth voice.I spun around, trying to see who she was speaking to but no one was there. Then, something grabbed my right arm. My breath caught. The grip was ice-cold and strong, pulling me toward her.“Let me go!” I shouted, my voice shaking. But the pull only grew stronger. My scandals scraped against the floor, my heels catching on the rough surface, until I was standing right in front of her.She leaned forward slightly, a smirk on her black-painted lips. She wore a sleeveless black gown that clung to her curves and split high on one side, revealing a pale white thigh.At first, I thought that was what made my stomach twist until I looked l
Olena paused outside the door, her fingers curling around the cold metal handle. “This is the room,” she murmured to June, her breath hitching as if she had to pull air all the way from her stomach. With a slow exhale, she twisted the knob and pushed the door open.Olena stepped inside, her eyes sweeping the corners, walls, the untouched furniture. It was exactly as she remembered from before, every detail was still in place.“Don’t follow me, June,” she said without turning. “Please. Stay here.”June frowned, her brows knitting. “Why?”Olena gave a quick glance over her shoulder, then let out a weary sigh. “I’ll explain… later.”She moved deeper into the room, her steps soundless on the polished floor. Reaching the small door to the toilet, she pushed it open with her fingertips. She was surprised at how cleaned the bathroom was compared to the yesterday that she was here.No one would believe her if she told them what she’d seen here before. The place where a moving skeleton had on
THIRD PERSON"Olena… Olena…"The voice reached her through the haze in her head, soft and shaky, like it was coming from far away. Her eyelids felt heavy, each blink slowed by the pounding ache in her head. Shapes moved and blurred in front of her."Olena!"The sharp call made her eyes snap open. She turned toward the sound, breathing fast, and saw June crouched beside her, worry written all over her face. June’s hand held her jaw, gently lifting her chin."Are you okay?" June asked, her voice trembling as her thumb brushed against Olena’s cheek."Yes…" Olena whispered, her voice weak. She glanced to her left and froze for a moment when she saw Zinnia with her face etched with concern as she was kneeling beside her and watching her"Try to sit up," Zinnia said softly, slipping an arm behind Olena’s back. She gently helped her until she was upright. Olena’s body felt a little stiff, her thoughts were slow as she sat on the cold floor, looking around with blurry eyes, trying to remember