NatalieI was still trying to process everything Adrian had told me when Nikolas walked in with Alison. I barely had time to brace myself before she threw her arms around me.I forced a smile.She hugged me tight, like she meant it—and maybe she did. Maybe I was just overthinking again. Time would tell.By the time she pulled back, Adrian and Nikolas had already slipped out of the room. I didn’t want him to go, not really. But he was Master, and I knew he had other responsibilities. Sitting with me all day in the infirmary? That was already more than I could ask. I was grateful. Quietly, deeply grateful.Alison looked around, wide-eyed.“A hospital inside a house?” she whispered. “Okay, who are these people? Where did you even meet them? They’ve got to be seriously loaded.”She gave a playful squeal that felt like it belonged in another world.“That guy you were just with, wow. Is he your boyfriend? Or is he, you know... available?” Her smile turned mischievous. “Because I wouldn’t mi
Adrian“I bear no grudge against your son, Cain,” I said calmly. “I understand his reasons now. Honestly, if I were in his place, I might’ve done worse. Fate isn’t something to take lightly. If Natalie had chosen him, I would have walked away.”I paused, letting that land.“I hold no anger. But Carson should never cross me like that again. I’m willing to let a lot slide because of Jonathan… but if your son keeps antagonizing me, I might stop caring about blood ties.”Cain was quiet for a beat. Then: “He won’t. We’ve spoken. He understands what’s at stake—what’s best for all of us.”I nodded, even though he couldn’t see it.“Good. Because I didn’t just answer to settle old tension, I answered to warn you.”Cain went silent.“Be on the lookout for any so-called miracle treatments claiming to cure terminal illness.”“Why?” he asked warily.“Because I just uncovered something disturbing. The Strigoi are dosing humans with venom—without their consent.Disguising it as medical therapy. I’ve
AdrianI left the infirmary in silence, the sound of Natalie’s quiet sobs still echoing in my ears.There was nothing more I could do for Nicole, for now. The only person who might offer a path forward was the one I’d always turned to when answers ran dry.My father.It was afternoon, which meant the odds weren’t in my favour. Unlike me, he could not walk in the sun.He was Strigoi to the marrow, ancient, powerful, and forever bound to darkness.There were days I wished I could share my gift with him. Let him taste food again. Feel sunlight without pain. But that was a fantasy, and we’d long made peace with what I was… and what he wasn’t.Still, for me to exist, he had to exist. His blood. His sacrifice. His shadow. I owed him everything.I stepped into my parents’ chambers, the door whispering closed behind me. No windows, of course. His spaces were always sealed in shadow. The air was still, and there he was on his bed, unmoving, at peace in that deathlike sleep that day brings to h
Natalie“I’ll have someone pick her up,” Adrian said calmly.I opened my mouth to argue—some small part of me still trying to hold on to control—but one look at him silenced me. His eyes were steady, certain. He wasn’t suggesting. He had decided.I gave him a slight nod, my trust still outweighing my doubts.“Hello? Nat?” Alison’s voice crackled through the phone, laced with fear. “Are you still there?”“Someone will come for you,” I said quietly. “They’ll bring you to where I am.”She let out a breath of relief. “Thank God. I thought I’d have to turn back. I was scared I wouldn’t see you.”Normally, that would’ve earned a small laugh from me. Something to soften the moment. But I couldn’t find one. Not with my mother lying inches from death, her body fighting off a venom I didn’t even understand.I ended the call without another word and handed the phone to Nikolas, giving him Alison’s number. He nodded and exited quietly to carry out Adrian’s instructions.Adrian crossed the room and
NatalieI didn’t know what was happening to my mother. The sight of that thick, dark blood chilled me to my core. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.Strigoi venom.Nikolas’s words echoed in my skull like a curse. Had one of them bitten her during the attack? Was it slow-acting? Hidden?Adrian didn’t wait. He lifted her effortlessly and vanished with her—just a blur of speed and wind. Gone before I could even ask what he was going to do.I stood frozen for a heartbeat, then turned to Nikolas. “Where did he go?”“The infirmary,” he said calmly. “I’ll lead you.”I noticed then—he was slowing his steps, keeping pace with me. Probably could’ve carried me there in half the time, but chose not to. Respect or pity, I couldn’t tell.The stairs twisted downward, endless and cold. Shadows stretched along the walls, flickering with light from old sconces. It felt like we were descending into another world.At the landing, a familiar face stopped me short—Arya.She wasn’t expecting to see me. H
Natalie“Yes, Mom,” I said quietly. “Everything Uncle Michael did—every calculated move—was to ensure I became the sacrifice. Not his daughter.”My mother’s expression changed in an instant—from sorrow to fury. Her hands clenched into fists.“How dare he?” she hissed. “He had the money, the influence. He could’ve protected both of you. And still, he chose to offer his brother’s child while shielding his own? How could he?!”“He’ll claim Dad never finished the ritual,” I said, my voice sharper now. “That the deal wasn’t sealed. But he knew the truth. He knew what Dad intended. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have accepted the wealth, the estate, everything. He took it knowing the price.”Her breath was ragged now. “Coward. He let Brian die, and still… still tried to feed you to those monsters.”I nodded slowly. “That’s what I think happened. The Strigoi came to collect their debt. That’s why I was attacked on campus. But the werewolves—Dad’s old allies—they came. They saved me.”She looked at me