Bloodline of Destiny

Stella stared at the faint morning light spilling through the edges of her curtains, her thoughts still spinning. The world outside conti

mory of Adrian; his voice, his touch, the way his eyes seemed to pierce thro

on the mundane details of the moment; the soft fabric of her sweatshirt, the faint smell of coffee still

e supposed

alive i

ned to see her best friend leaning against

muttered, manag

front of Stella before plopping onto the couch beside her. She tucked

of her coffee. "Have you figur

n't even know where to start. I mean, what am I supposed to do, Nadia? Tra

maybe not exactly like that. But you can't just si

intended. "I don't even know who he is. For all I

He's what? A serial killer

dmitted, her voice ba

d, her brow furrowi

he looked at me. The way he... moved, like he wasn't... It was eerie in a captivating sorta wa

quietly, her tone uncha

king at her friend

me how intense that night was. How he just disappeared afterward. And now,

at the word. Normal. Noth

s," she murmured, more t

dia said firmly, her eyes

**

of the cab in front of The Silver Fang. By day, the club looked less like the vibrant, electric space Stella remembered and more li

t the entrance, he

she said quietly, pulling her

ea if you chicken out halfway. Come on. If

r plan. This club was the only lead she had, and if anyo

tmospheric, and the air held a damp chill that crept under Stella's skin. Only a handful of patrons lingered a

?" he asked,

ice steadier than she felt.

cion flashing across his face.

the counter. "Tall, dark hair, sharp featur

n the glass he was cleaning. His eyes flicked be

you're talking abo

e not here to cause trouble," she said, her tone disarmingly casual. "We

deliberate care. "If you know what's good for you,

asked, her pul

else was listening, before leaning slightly closer. "He's not someone you mess with. He comes here every few weeks, s

a prompted, her curiosity cl

ird things happen. Fights that break out for no reason, peop

lla's spine. "What d

s not normal. And if you're smart, you'll stop looking fo

the bartender was right. Maybe she should just walk away. But the thought of doing not

said quietly, t

rtender called after her

**

was silent, the tension between he

lly asked, her voice break

topped, but the air was still heavy, and the clouds a

feel like I'm missing something. Like the

in the rain. Let's get back to your place and figure out a plan. B

nning with the bartender's words. She barely noticed the figur

Ste

her breath catch

t. But as they stepped closer, Stella felt an inexplicable sense of familiarit

Nadia's arm, p

derstand," the figure said,

r heart pounding. "Who ar

tures still obscured. "I am the keeper

Get away from us!" Nadia

avado faltering. "Be cautious, child," the figure said. "

gure's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about," sh

oak, pulling out a small, weathered scroll an

e truth you seek. But beware; knowled

igging into there skin, a silent plea to stop, but she ignored it. Slowly, she t

eemed to duck into a shadowed

gone, leaving her alone with the sc

ked with wide eyes, "Pro

olled it, her eyes scanning t

d undead shall tear asunder the veil of existence. The living shall walk among the dead, a

ind, their weight sinking i

s voice was shak

pale. "It's... I think it's

ant brow, "A prophec

t of Stella. "Yeah. Ju

ia said grinning, drawing

**

walk away, still h

you set i

eralyth, and gave a heavy si

" Seralyth said, still staring aft

halor said with convicti