and hauntingly familiar. The scent of old wood, cold stone, and forgotten memories hung thick in the air. Dust motes floated

the rush of power she felt coursing through her veins, the bite on her neck that marked her as something other, something

dy and dark as the night itself. His eyes, glowing with that unnatural crimso

and urgent. "The council grows restless.

xactly do they want? Why is my

re not meant to cross this threshold without sanction. Your existence threat

arved banister, her thoughts racing. "But

p angles of his face. "Because you are different. There is a light inside

ooding her chest. "Then I need to k

with ancient tomes bound in cracked leather and faded silk. The scent of aged paper and dust filled the

s," Lucian explained. "Our origins, our

delicate script, feeling a shiver run down her spine as she read tales of immortal

. "I was once like you - a mortal man, full of life

those he trusted, attacked, and turned into what he is now

e said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I c

d sadness mingling with love and determination

n his. "You won't. You are my light - the on

nce, two souls bound by love and pain

mansion, the s

ck Hollow. Cloaked in darkness and power, their agents moved through the town's fog

a chill crept into the room. A sudden gust blew out the candles, plun

lose," he s

as the front door rattl

ger at his belt, his stance p

ination hardening her

d inside - an envoy of the council, face obscured

alm but deadly. "You will leave

hide what you have done. The council demands

, feeling the electric p

e to be claimed,

wed. "Then you will fa

e envoy's composure with a display of powe

lines had