Chapter 1 — No Matter The Cost

~ LYRA ~

"Oh my God!" I gasp as Elias slams on the brakes so hard I jerk forward, my seatbelt locking tight across my chest. The tires scream against the asphalt as the old Mustang skids to a stop.

I’m confused at first about what’s going on until the car headlights flash brighter and I see it—him. A tall, unmoving figure just standing there in the middle of the dark road.

“What the hell?” Elias mutters as he tightens his knuckles on the steering wheel. “Is he just... standing there?”

I don’t answer right away because my heart is busy stuttering. I glance up at the sky and watch as the soft, silver light filter through the clouds. The moon isn’t full yet—three more nights to go—but it’s bright enough to send a shiver crawling down my spine.

According to local news, it is supposed to be safe tonight—because the moon isn’t strong enough to trigger anything dangerous. I even convinced Elias, my neighbor, to drive me out here based on that exact reasoning—although I have a suspicion that the real reason he agreed is because he has a crush on me.

However, now that we’ve slammed to a stop in front of this suspicious-looking figure, I’m beginning to regret my overconfidence.

The figure doesn’t move as Elias leans forward slightly, his voice taut. “Do you think he’s hurt? Lost? Maybe drunk?”

I don’t answer as my fingers instinctively rise to brush behind my right ear, where my skin burns. The mark—thin and crescent-shaped—is flaring up again. It’s not a birthmark. I know that now. But it doesn't mean the way it pulses isn’t inconvenient as hell.

“I don’t like this,” I finally murmur. “Something’s wrong.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Elias replies as he rolls down his window a crack. “Hey!” he shouts, voice carrying through the still night. “You okay out there?”

The figure takes a single step forward, and my breath catches.

The moonlight shifts, and for a second, I think I see a flash of eyes—red, inhuman, watching us with deliberate stillness.

Elias tenses beside me. “No response. That’s not a good sign.”

“I think we should go around him,” I say, my voice trembling. “Just turn the wheel, ease past—”

The figure disappears.

Not walks away. Not moves. One second he’s there, and the next, he isn’t.

And then he’s right beside me.

A scream tears from my throat as glowing red eyes meet mine through the window. He’s close—too close.

My body jolts as adrenaline surges, and Elias slams the gas pedal instinctively. The Mustang jolts forward, tires squealing against the road. But then, the figure vanishes again like smoke on the wind.

“Vampire,” Elias hisses, voice shaking. “That's a fucking vampire! You said they don’t hunt on nights like this!”

“I thought they didn’t! I didn’t expect a supernatural to be out and about on a full mo—”

A heavy thud lands on the roof and my words are cut off as the whole car shudders beneath the weight.

“Shit! He’s on the car!” Elias shouts, his grip tightening on the wheel. “I’m gonna try to shake him!”

The Mustang swerves sharply to the left, and I slam against the door with a cry, the metal groaning under the force.

“What the hell are you doing? You’re going to kill us!” I shout.

“What else do you want me to do?” he snaps. “Let him peel the roof off like a sardine can?”

A loud bang sounds above us as the vampire slams a fist onto the roof, caving it in slightly. I feel every jolt, every shift of weight.

I grip the seatbelt and twist, trying to look out the back window. Shadows blur past my line of sight. There are no houses. No lights. Just dark trees and the sound of our racing heartbeats. The woods are thick here.

Then I hear it—faint but growing.

Sirens.

“Do you hear that?” I gasp.

Elias squints. “What?”

“Police. Coming from the next road. I can hear the sirens.”

He looks at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “How the hell can you tell where they’re coming from?”

“I just can.” My voice is breathless, urgent, as I say, “Take the next turn. We’ll meet them.”

The vampire appears again—this time on the hood.

Red eyes bore into mine through the windshield.

“Turn now!” I scream.

Elias yanks the wheel, and the Mustang swerves hard, hard enough that the vampire flies off the hood, rolling onto the pavement and disappearing into the shadows. We speed into the next lane, my breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps.

Ahead, flashing lights burst into view.

Elias exhales shakily. “Oh my God. That’s the police.” He glances sideways. “How did you know they were coming from that direction?”

I open my mouth to reply, but the words don’t form.

How did I know? He definitely will not believe me if I tell him I just did.

"I swear Lyra, you better start talking or so help me—"

Something hits us. Hard.

The car jerks to the side as we spin. I feel the sickening lurch of weightlessness, then the slam of impact. My head whips sideways and pain blooms behind my temple.

The last thing I see before the world blacks out is red and blue lights... and eyes, gleaming red in the dark.

---

I wake to heat. Then light. Then, a voice.

“Ma’am? Can you hear me?”

I squint against a flashlight. “Turn that off, please. I’m fine.”

The light disappears and I sit up slowly. I’m in a police car. My head is aching, and my ears are ringing, but I'm alive.

“Where’s Elias?” I croak.

“He’s okay,” the officer says, pointing behind him. “He’s answering some questions over there.”

Elias spots me and rushes over. “Lyra! Thank God. I thought—”

“I’m good,” I say. My voice is rough but steady.

The second officer approaches, looking cautious. “You were heading to Ashridge Hollow?”

I nod. “To Moonmark Ink.”

He frowns. “You know how dangerous that town is at night?”

“She knows,” Elias cuts in sharply. “Told her it was a bad idea.”

“I’ll be fine,” I insist. “It’s still moon phase. Supernaturals aren’t supposed to harm anyone.”

The officer gives me a long look. “Things aren’t so simple lately. They've been some disturbance. You sure it’s worth the risk?”

I glance at Elias, then back to the officer. “Yes.”

The officer sighs. “We can take you back or drop you off. Your call.”

“Take us back,” Elias pleads. “Please, Lyra. Let’s just go home.”

“No,” I say. “I need to finish this.”

Elias steps back like I slapped him. “What’s so important that you’re willing to die for it?”

I hesitate. “I can’t explain. Just... trust me.”

He huffs, frustration etched into his face. “You’re impossible.” Then, with a bitter sigh, he turns and heads for the other car. “Do what you want. I’m out.”

He walks over to the other police car and climbs in. I watch as the second police man enters the car, reverses and pulls away into the night.

The officer that woke me looks at me. “You sure?”

I nod once. “Yes, I am. Let’s go.”

I follow him to his car, climb in, and turn toward the trees in the distance.

Elias might not understand my reasoning, but if I don’t do this, I might never get the chance to reclaim my simple, mundane, supernatural-free life.

And that’s a reality I’m not willing to test.

I’m doing the right thing.

I have to be.