CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Lucian had felt it—a searing, sudden pain that tore through his chest like claws. Not physical, not even psychic. Just… wrong. Something was wrong. He couldn’t explain it, couldn’t ignore it.

He left without a word, slipping into the night. The city blurred past him as he followed the pulse—something in his bones guiding him. It led him to a goddamn alley.

And that’s when he saw them.

Three men.

One boy.

They surrounded him like jackals, knives glinting in the dim light, laughter sharp and cruel. The scent of Elias’s fear hit him first—raw, bitter, and far too familiar.

Lucian didn’t remember moving.

One heartbeat they were standing, jeering.

The next—ripped apart. Torn to pieces. Screams cut short. Blood painted the concrete like art.

Lucian stood amidst the wreckage, chest heaving. His hands were drenched in crimson. It dripped from his knuckles, slid down his wrist. His heart was still hammering, not from the kill—but from what nearly happened.

To him.

Elias.

The boy stood frozen. Trembling. Big, terrified eyes locked on Lucian like he couldn’t comprehend what he was seeing.

He looked so damn breakable.

Lucian hated that.

He hated the tight coil in his gut. Hated the way seeing Elias scared, bleeding, made his control fray.

The silence stretched too long.

Elias took a shaky step back, and Lucian’s eyes narrowed. No. Don’t run from me.

"Who—who are you?" Elias gasped, voice trembling, barely holding together.

Lucian turned to him slowly. Deliberately. Not bothering to hide the blood.

His lip curled.

"Not who," he said, voice low and sharp. "What."

The boy flinched like he’d been slapped. Good. Maybe fear would keep him still.

Still… Lucian hated the way Elias’s eyes widened, the sheer panic in them. Hated how human it made him look.

Fragile.

Innocent.

Lost.

"What are you?" Elias whispered, his voice a thread of breath.

Lucian stepped closer. His boots echoed over the blood-slick pavement. He didn’t rush—there was no need.

The silver in his eyes glowed faintly under the streetlight, more predator than man.

"A vampire," he said simply.

And then he watched it happen.

The world shifted for Elias. He could see it in his face—disbelief, terror, everything spiraling out of control.

Lucian reached for him the moment his knees gave out.

He caught Elias easily.

Of course he did.

The boy was so light it barely registered. Unconscious, his head lolled against Lucian’s shoulder.

Lucian stared down at him, jaw clenched. Blood still dripped from his fingers, but he didn’t care.

Why the hell did this one matter?

Why had he felt it—the pain, the pull?

He looked down at Elias’s pale face, the dark lashes resting against his cheeks, the bruises already blooming along his jaw.

Something twisted inside him.

And that was the moment Lucian knew—

This wasn’t going to be simple.

*****

Elias woke with a jolt.

Something soft cushioned him, something that smelled like cold earth and blood and something else—something him.

Panic shot through his veins.

He tried to sit up—tried to run—but a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder, shoving him back onto the bed.

"Don’t," a low voice said—sharp, commanding.

Elias froze, heart pounding against his ribs like a trapped animal. His vision cleared enough to see him.

The man—no, the vampire—sat in a chair beside the bed, his long frame relaxed, but his eyes cold as steel.

"Where—" Elias croaked, throat dry and raw. "Where am I?"

"Somewhere you're safe," the vampire said. "For now."

Elias shook his head, struggling against the grip. "Let me go."

Lucian’s mouth twisted into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

"You’d last five minutes out there," he said. "If you're lucky."

Elias's hands fisted the blanket. He didn't trust him—not for a second. Not after seeing what he could do.

"You killed them," Elias said, voice barely a whisper.

"I saved your life," Lucian corrected, tone hardening. "There's a difference."

"You slaughtered them."

"They deserved worse."

The vampire’s voice dropped, something cruel slipping in. "You heard what they said to you. What they intended."

Elias flinched.

The memory clawed its way up—filthy words, cruel laughter, hands reaching—

He squeezed his eyes shut.

Lucian’s grip on his shoulder gentled.

"You think running from me will save you?" Lucian murmured. "You’re alone now. No family. No friends. No home."

Elias’s throat closed. He forced himself to look up, defiant despite the terror clawing at him.

"You don't know anything about me."

Lucian’s silver eyes gleamed.

"I know enough," he said, voice like smoke. "I know the Everstones cast you out like trash. I know their precious heir cried wolf and you took the fall."

Elias went still.

The room seemed to shrink around him, pressing tight.

"You don’t know that," Elias whispered.

Lucian’s gaze didn’t waver.

"I do," he said simply.

Elias turned his face away, hating the way the truth tasted—bitter and raw and exposed.

"You don't understand," he muttered. "You don't know what it's like."

There was a pause. Heavy. Loaded.

Lucian leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

"I understand more than you think, little lamb," he said quietly. "You’re not the only one who’s been betrayed."

Elias flinched at the word—lamb—but didn't correct him.

The vampire stood, looming over him. 

Lucian grabbed a bowl from a table nearby. It steamed faintly.

"Eat," he said, thrusting it toward Elias.

Elias eyed it warily.

"What is it?" he rasped.

"Soup," Lucian said, deadpan. "Not poisoned. Not blood."

Elias didn’t move.

Lucian’s patience snapped.

"Sit the fuck down," he barked, voice cold enough to cut. "Eat. Or I’ll feed you myself."

Elias’s stomach twisted.

The image was too vivid—those bloody hands forcing food down his throat.

Trembling, he took the bowl.

Lucian watched him with that same unreadable expression, arms crossed over his broad chest.

Elias lifted the spoon to his lips, forcing the broth down. It was hot, salty, and tasted faintly metallic, but it was food.

For a while, the only sound was the clink of the spoon against the bowl and Elias’s ragged breathing.

Finally, Lucian spoke again, quieter this time.

"I know you're scared."

Elias didn’t answer.

"I don’t blame you," Lucian said. "You saw what I am."

"A monster," Elias said before he could stop himself.

Lucian’s lips quirked—not in amusement.

"In your world, maybe."

The vampire crouched down so they were eye level. Elias tried not to recoil but couldn't help it.

Lucian’s voice dropped lower.

"But remember this, Elias," he said, his voice a soft, lethal promise. "I killed for you."

The words hit harder than they should have.

Elias stared at him, heart hammering painfully.

"You didn’t even know me," he said hoarsely.

Lucian’s expression didn’t change.

"I didn’t need to."

Elias felt something crack inside him.

The fear didn’t go away. It just… shifted.

He shoved the empty bowl at Lucian and swung his legs off the bed, trying to stand.

A hand slammed into his chest, pinning him effortlessly.

"I said stay," Lucian said, voice glinting with warning.

"I’m not your prisoner," Elias spat, struggling.

"You’re under my protection," Lucian corrected, voice like ice. "There’s a difference."

"You think saving me once means you own me?" Elias snapped.

Lucian’s eyes narrowed.

"I don’t own you," he said, low and furious. "But I sure as hell won’t let you run to your death either."

Elias’s chest heaved with shallow breaths. Every instinct screamed at him to fight. To flee.

But deep down, something else whispered.

He’s right.

There’s nowhere left to go.

Lucian’s hand lingered against his chest for a beat too long. When he finally pulled away, Elias sagged back onto the bed, exhausted.

Lucian stood over him. "You’ll stay here," he said. "At least until you can stand without collapsing."

"And then?" Elias rasped.

Lucian smiled.

It was not reassuring.

"We’ll see."