When she finally opened her eyes, the room was dim, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. Valerius was sitting beside her, his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The sight of him, so broken and vulnerable, sent a jolt of fear through her. “Valerius,” she croaked, her voice barely a whisper. He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and wild with relief. “Chloe,” he breathed, reaching for her, his hands trembling as they brushed her cheeks. “You’re alive.” Alive. The word echoed in her mind, but it didn’t feel right. Something was wrong, terribly, horribly wrong. She tried to sit up, but her body felt weak, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Her gaze fell to her neck, and her breath caught in her throat. Two small puncture wounds, dark and swollen, marked her skin. Around them, her flesh was pale, almost translucent, as if the blood beneath had been drained away. Valerius followed her gaze, his face draining of color. “I didn’t mean to,” he whisp
Last Updated : 2025-09-06 Read more