RAYMOND'S POV
I adjusted my tie for the hundredth time today while looking over my reflection in the glass doors of the elevator.
This was it—my big break.
It didn’t matter if I had ten rejections before this because I still had my hopes up.
Today was the day I would finally land a job.
And it just happened to be one of the biggest companies in the country.
I literally ran out of my part-time job as a cafe waiter immediately after I had gotten the email, and now I was headed to the CEO’s office for an interview.
Was I nervous? Hell yes, I was!
There were rumors that the CEO doesn’t personally interview new employees.
And in the cases that he did, no one had ever gotten accepted.
I flinched as I heard the indicating ding of the elevator, my heart thumping hard against my chest.
The doors slid open silently, ushering me into the pristine halls that led me to the CEO’s office.
His secretary, a tall, slim woman with a default smile on her face, welcomed me at the reception.
"I am here for the interview," I told her the moment I came in.
“Piece of advice, don’t look him in the eyes.” She tells me, and I swallow softly.
Don’t look into his eyes—got it.
I stood in front of the door with my gaze skimming over the gold-plated sign that read CEO in bold capital letters.
I took a deep breath and hit the intercom a little too hard.
A few seconds, which felt like hours to me, passed by before the door finally slid open.
I stepped into the sophisticated office while keeping my posture straight and my smile easy.
The CEO was seated with his back turned to me, facing the grand screen window that displayed the stunning city of Los Angeles.
He was on a phone call, and I hated to be the person on the other side of the line.
“You fucking idiot! I never said to post that video. I hate interviews, and you know that! Make sure it’s taken down before the end of the day, or else I’ll run you over with my car you dimwit! ”
What a great first impression.
If I was scared before, I am absolutely terrified now.
The call ended, and his chair swiveled around to face me.
I felt my heart skip a beat, my eyes widening in awe.
This man was stunning.
His raven dark hair was pulled into a neat, low bun, leaving a few strands to frame the lines of his smooth face.
His jawline was well-defined, with no hint of a beard in sight.
The soft rays of the sun did well on his tanned skin, and his prim suit looked tailor-made just for him.
A thin, jagged scar ran from his left brow, barely missing his eye and disappearing under his eyelid.
I couldn’t tell the color of his eyes out of fear of the warning that the secretary had kindly given me.
So instead, I kept my gaze trained on his lips, hearing him but not listening.
“Hey!” He snapped his fingers to get my attention with his brows that were slightly furrowed in annoyance.
Oh boy!
“Don’t waste my time.”
His words held a silent warning, and I couldn’t believe I was already fucking all of this up.
Taking a deep breath, I regained my composure and introduced myself.
“Good morning sir, my name is Raymond White. I’m here for the interview about the job offer.”
The CEO looked unimpressed, and I shifted uncomfortably in my spot as his eyes scanned me from head to toe.
Don’t look into his eyes. I remind myself. Don’t look into his eyes.
Shit.
Our eyes met, and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
He had heterochromia.
His left eye was a deep green while his right was a bright shade of brown.
The CEO stood, his expression unreadable.
I stayed rooted in my spot as he approached me with slow yet deliberate steps, wondering what I could’ve possibly done wrong.
As he stood before me, my face flushed red in embarrassment.
And it felt hot all of a sudden.
The CEO tilted his head to the side in another round of silent observation, his hands tucked in his pockets.
Our height difference made his tall frame cast a shadow over my body.
I felt small in his presence, suffocated by the powerful aura he exuded.
Unable to take it any longer, I took a step back. But then he followed.
“Sir?” I continued to move away until my back pressed against the wall, leaving nowhere to run.
He pressed his hand beside the wall, caging me, while his other hand moved to grasp my chin.
What was happening?
I trembled, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip.
His gaze lowered to them, and an unknown emotion flickered in his mismatched eyes.
But it was gone before I could tell exactly what it was.
His grip on my chin tightened as he tilted my head to the side.
The air between us was getting thinner with each passing second.
My mind screamed at me to run, to push him away and get the hell out of this office.
But I couldn’t lift a finger.
I was paralyzed by the fear of losing the biggest opportunity in my life.
The CEO lowered his head, his breath tickling my throat.
I still as I felt his lips brush against my skin.
Then, without warning, his teeth sank into my neck.
A sharp sting struck me like lightning, and a strangled gasp escaped my lips.
It was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
A hot burning sensation that spread through my veins like wildfire.
My mind went blank, my eyes rolling to the back of my head as a surge of pleasure mixed with the pain.
The CEO pulled back with a smirk, his lips stained with a drop of red.
My face paled as I realized what it was.
Blood.
My blood.
He licked it away slowly, almost as if he was savoring the taste.
“Interesting.” He muttered, his mismatched eyes glinting with excitement.
My hands flew to my neck, chest heaving.
“W-what the hell was that?!”
“You’ll see.” He chuckled lightly, and just like that, he turned away, returning to his desk like nothing had happened. “You’re hired.”
I blinked once, then twice, struggling to process what he just said.
On cue, the door slid open, and I took it as an indication that the interview was over.
The CEO propped his elbow against his desk, his chin resting on his palm.
His smile came slowly, taunting.
“See you tomorrow, Raymond.”
Jude’s POV“Run!” I shout, shadows shooting forth to shield Raymond as scouts fire charmed arrows, the city blurring around us. The streets are a mess—cars honking, lights flashing, people screaming as we dodge by. Those guild bastards are on our tails, their cloaks flapping like vultures, and my blood’s boiling. “Stay close, sunshine!” I shout, clutching his hand, his light flashing wild under his flesh.Raymond’s panting, eyes wide yet angry. “They’re fast, Jude!” he says, voice hoarse, ducking an arrow that burns the air with malevolent power. “Where the hell we going?” His light flashes, sending one scout back, but more are coming, their knives glinting under lamps. I can feel our relationship humming, linking us together, and it’s the only thing protecting me from losing my shit.“Away from these pricks!” I snarl, yanking him into an alley. My shadows wrap around us, covering our footprints, but the scouts are merciless, their boots pounding behind. I’m enraged—pissed at them, pi
Raymond’s POV“The sun feels amazing,” I giggle, stepping into the light, Jude’s hand firm in mine, his shadows winding around us like they’re jealous of the warmth. The city’s alive around us—cars honking, people yelling, odors of coffee and asphalt mixing in the air. My skin’s tingling, hybrid abilities flashing under it, light and dark grappling but not battling anymore. “Jude, you feel this? It’s like… I’m alive, very alive.”He’s squinting at the sun, grumpy as hell, yet his eyes soften as they settle on me. “You glow in the sun—beautiful,” he adds, voice all scratchy, like he’s afraid to say it. His shadows flutter, wrapping closer, and I grin, leaning against him. “You too—my grumpy sun,” I taunt, and he snorts, but his hand squeezes mine, warm and steady. Damn, I love him, and the way our relationship hums, I know he feels it too.We’re in some mortal metropolis, maybe Chicago, I don’t know—tall skyscrapers, unclean sidewalks, normal life. After the shrine fight, we needed a r
Jude’s POV“That damn Hollowkin’s from Calix’s shit,” I growl, pushing Raymond through the portal, his hand sticky in mine. The air’s all weird, humming like a broken engine, and my gut’s yelling we’re headed for danger. The portal spits us out in some busted-up ruin—cracked stones, plants everywhere, and a weird light coming from a shrine up ahead. “You feel that, sunshine? It’s tugging us.”Raymond’s eyes are enormous, his new hybrid glow flickering, like light and dark are struggling inside him. “Yeah, it’s… calling me,” he replies, voice trembling but forceful, like he’s terrified but won’t back down. “That temple—it’s in my dreams, Jude. Calix’s curse is here.” He squeezes my hand, and gosh, our bond’s humming, linking us so tight it’s like we’re one guy. I wanna grasp him, kiss him till the world goes quiet, but there’s no time.“Stick close,” I mutter, shadows wrapping around my hands, ready to crush anything that moves. The shrine’s a mess—broken pillars, old carvings, Seraphi
Raymond’s POV“Goddamn, my head hurts,” I say softly, hardly opening my eyes. Jude is right there, and his face looks tense and scared, like I'm going to crack. My body feels like it has been through a meat grinder. There are fangs stabbing my gums and this strange hot-cold thing coursing through me. “Jude, what the hell is wrong with me?”He is on his knees next to this old bed, holding my hand so tightly that it hurts, yet I don't move away. Raymond, you're changing. He continues, "It's freaking me out," and his voice sounds rough, like he hasn't slept in days. His dark eyes are looking me over, as if I may suddenly disappear. "That transformation ritual is messing with your Seraphin blood. You’re a hybrid now, like me. But it’s… it’s rough, man.”I try to sit up, but my muscles scream, something wild tearing through me—light and gloom clashing in my veins. I suck in a breath, holding to his arm. “Rough? It’s like I’m being ripped in two, Jude. I feel you, though—like you’re inside
Jude’s POV“No—Raymond!” I yell, my voice all fucked up, cracking like I’m some scared kid, catching him as he drops, his blood soaking my hands, hot and sticky, the Seraphin blade’s glow fading where Calix stabbed him. The temple’s dark as shit, air thick with dust that chokes me, that sour magic stink burning my nose. Raymond’s face is white as a ghost, eyes fluttering, breathing all shallow, blood pooling under him on the cold stone floor. My chest’s killing me, like someone’s squeezing it tight, my arm throbbing where Calix’s blade cut me, but fuck that—it’s nothing compared to the bond screaming in my head, Raymond’s heartbeat fading, weak, like… like it’s gonna stop. “Raymond, hey, stay with me,” I say, voice breaking bad, cupping his face, his skin cold but his eyes finding mine, still fighting, still him. “You… you can’t leave me, okay? You hear me?”He gasps, small and shaky, his hand grabbing mine, weak as hell but holding on, blood mixing between our fingers, warm and gross
Raymond’s POV“Fuck, it’s… it’s back,” I choke out, grabbing my chest, the curse burning like someone jammed a hot coal under my ribs. I’m down on my knees in the vampire realm’s dirt, all cold and muddy, my hands sinking into the muck. Jude’s right there, crouched next to me, his hand rough but warm on my shoulder, holding me so I don’t fall apart. His blood’s still smeared on my shirt from that fortress fight, his side bandaged quick but leaking red, and his eyes are sharp, staring into mine, scared shitless. The air’s cold, smells like wet moss and rusty iron, but my head’s spinning like crazy, a vision hitting me—a glowing relic chunk in Calix’s hand, some temple in the mortal world, vampires screaming their lungs out. The bond’s thumping hard, our heartbeats all jumbled, keeping me from totally losing my shit. “J-Jude,” I stammer, voice all cracked and wobbly, “it’s… it’s showing me something. A-a temple. We gotta… gotta go.”Jude’s grip gets tighter, his claws brushing my skin,