The dhampir
the sound of distant laughter mixed with the hum of passing cars. Yet, within the walls of a gr
nd herself staring into the mirror, searching for an answer that never came. Her father, a cold and distant businessman, dismissed her questio
sharpened-the ticking of the antique clock in the hallway rang in her ears, and she could hear the rustling of leaves outside
re stood in the courtyard, his presence sending a jolt through her body. He was tall, imposing, and undeniably b
en, he
ront of her. Evangeline gasped, her
ed, his voice smooth as velve
stead, she could only stare, captivated by the stranger
nature was revealed
shallow gasps. "Who are you?" she w
who has been watching over you from the shadows," he said. "My name is
hat are you talking about?" Her voice wavered, c
lways has. Because you are not just human. You are dhampir-born of both
ord felt foreign yet eerily familiar, as though it had been buri
hrough her, sending a shiver down her spine. "Your body knows the truth, even if your mind resist
about herself, her family-her very existence-was crumbling around her. And yet, deep inside, she fe
as only jus
y, her pulse quickening. She could hear the distant shouts of the household st
ome for you," he said, his voice now edg
, Lucian wrapped an arm around her waist. In the next instant
her throat, her mind struggling to grasp what was happening. One moment she had been standing on
leased her. "Where-where are we?
ered toward the street beyond the alley. "But they won't
ed hard. "W
nswering. "Vampires who f
an cold. "And what e
pping to a whisper. "Something powerful.
trance caught Lucian's attention. He moved faster than she could follow, pre
mured, his breath wa
lley, slow and deliberate. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloa
her tightened.
d time to react befo
th erupted in front of her as she pressed herself against the wall, watching in stunned silenc
unlike anything she had ever felt. Her vision sharpened, the darkness peeling away to reveal every detail-Lucian's swi
g onto her. A cruel smile twisted their lips.
breath caug
k a final, brutal blow, sending the vampire crashi
is expression unreadabl
for his outstretched hand. Whatever was happening to he