Chapter Three

Maria's POV

The last strigoi lunged towards me rentlessly refusing to back down like the rest of the dead strigois. Growling, its claws sliced through the air where I had been a moment ago, it's teeth snapping.

“Stay down” I muttered.

Green light flared out of my palm as vines shot up from the ground beneath its feet and squeezed its entire form violently as it wrapped around its neck and tightened.

Crack...

The sound echoed too loudly in the clearing and it's body went still, the flesh scattering.

Alexandria was already turning away, walking toward her altar inside the house as if the fight had never happened.

I glanced around once more, ensuring there were no lingering threats, then followed.

Inside, the air felt… different.

Safer but not safe enough.

Alexandria placed the vial on her altar with almost reverent care, adjusting a few objects before finally speaking.

“This place is compromised” I leaned against the wall and scoffed, “It was only a matter of time”

“No it was only a matter of Lyra” Alexandria said definitely.

Lyra

“She's getting stronger, very strong”

“And louder” Alexandria added. “Her magic is no longer something that even we can contain”

Caspian stepped inside behind me, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve.

“Her scent has changed,” he said.

I looked at him sharply.

Of course he would notice that.

“It's not Just magic anymore” he said, “It's.. Evolving”

I pushed off the wall, “So what exactly are you suggesting”

Alexandria turned to face me fully, “She can't stay here anymore”

Before I could respond to that, the door opened and all three of us turned around, Jasper walked in first.

“Miss us?“ he said lightly, then Lyra walked in behind him and behind her, a stranger. He was definitely bound with magic and my eyes narrowed. Caspian stilled.

“Explain” one simple word.

Jasper sighed and put his hands in his pocket, “Library situation. Minor complications”.

“Minor?“

Lyra stepped forward, “ He followed us Maria, what were we supposed to do”

The stranger smiled and said, “I prefer the term observe, I'm not a stalker duh”

I looked at him not smiling, “Who are you?“

He smiled again, “I'm Dylan Armstrong”

Caspian moved immediately face to face with the guy.

“You”

“Me”

The tension in the room thickened instantly and I stepped forward. “Do you know him Caspian?”

Caspian didn’t take his eyes off Delan.

“I know what he is”

That was enough for me.

“Then say it”

“Dhampir”

The word landed heavy and Jasper let out a low whistle. “Still not over how weird that is”

I ignored him, my attention staying on Delan.

Half human, half vampire, it's been centuries since I last heard of them. I heard they had been last wiped out, but I guess not.

“What do you want?“

Delan shrugged as much as the binding could let him. “I was looking for him and...“ he looked at Caspian, “Found something more interesting”

My gaze flickered back to Lyra. Of course, everything always circled back to her.

Alexandria clapped her hands, laughing softly, “Well this is getting... Crowded”

No one said anything.

I exhalwd softly, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“This is what I was talking about”

Lyra looked at me, “What”

“You” I said bluntly, “You're drawing everything in, strigois, vampires, werewolves, dhamphirs, even Richard and things we don't even know yet”

“I didn't ask for that!“ she snapped.

“I know... “ I said softly, “But it doesn't change the reality”

The silence stretched between us and Caspian spoke.

“She's coming with me”

My head snapped towards him, “No”

He moved his gaze to me, “This place is no longer secure”.

“And your palace is?“ I shot back, “A nest of vampires, and half of which would tear her apart if they sensed what she is”

“They won't!“

He sounded so very sure that something twisted in my gut.

“You.. You can't guarantee that”

“I can”

Lyra stepped forward before we could argue any further. “Enough”

She looked at both of us, “You said it yourself, I can't stay here anymore”

I clenched my jaw, “But I can protect you”

“And so can he” she replied pointing at Caspian.

Alexandria watched with an open interest, her head tilted slightly.

“You know, from a strategic standpoint, the vampire lords territory might actually be the safest place right now, ironically, this is”

I shot her a look, “You're not helping”

“I'm just being realistic”

Jasper stretched his hand and smiled, “I vote we go. I've neve seen a vampire palace before”

“No one asked for your vote”

“Hmph, kill joy” Jasper pouted.

Richard wasn't here which meant the decision fell to me and I hated it. I turned to look at Lyra, really look at her then I sighed.

“fine”

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

“But... “ I added pointing sharply at Caspian, “If anything happens to her—”

“It won't”

I stared at him to make sure I got my point across before I turned around.

“Pack what we need, we move tonight”

Behind me, I heard Delan chuckle softly,

“This is going to be interesting”