Mallory gripped the steering wheel tightly, her mind racing with worry as she drove towards the Adams house. The familiar sight of the sprawling estate brought no comfort as she parked the car hastily and marched towards the door.
"Grams!" Mallory's voice echoed through the house as she stepped inside, her boots clicking against the polished wooden floor.
Elizabeth appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishrag. Her face held a mixture of concern and calm. "What is it, Mal? What's wrong?"
Mallory crossed her arms, her brows furrowed deeply. "I can't get through to Stella. Her phone's off, and I've been calling all day. I'm getting worried, Grams."
Elizabeth's expression softened, but she didn't look surprised. Instead, she let out a small sigh and replied, "She's with Simon."
The name hit Mallory like a thunderclap. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Simon? Simon Winchester?"
Elizabeth nodded, her calm demeanor unwavering.
Mallory threw her hands in the air, pacing the room. "Grams, he's a vampire! A literal red signal! How could you be okay with this? Did you drink something you weren't supposed to?"
Elizabeth let out a quiet chuckle at Mallory's dramatics. "I've known what Simon is since the moment I met him, Mal."
That stopped Mallory in her tracks. "What?" she asked, incredulous. "You knew? And you're fine with this?"
"Trust me, Mal," Elizabeth said firmly, her voice carrying the weight of wisdom. "She's safe with him."
Mallory shook her head vehemently, her frustration bubbling over. "Safe? Safe with a vampire? Have you forgotten what year this is, Grams? The rules? The risks? She's safe with us, not with him!"
Elizabeth smiled gently at her granddaughter's fiery protectiveness. "I haven't forgotten anything, Mal. But you need to think clearly. You and I both know how safe she is with Simon."
Mallory's jaw clenched, her arms tightening across her chest. "He's a man, Grams. And a vampire. How can you trust him?"
Elizabeth stepped closer, placing a hand on Mallory's shoulder. "Don't let his nature or his gender cloud your judgment. Everyone is not bad, Mallory. He's dangerous, yes, but not to her."
Mallory huffed, her resolve unshaken but her heart heavy. "I just don't want her to get hurt. That's all."
Elizabeth gave her a reassuring smile. "Neither do I, Mal. That's why I trust Simon. He may be a vampire, but for Stella, he's more than that."
The words lingered in the air as Mallory mulled them over, her concern for Stella battling her distrust of Simon.
In the heart of an opulent yet foreboding manor, a heated argument echoed through its grand hall. The room, dimly lit by the flickering flames of a fireplace, seemed to absorb the tension crackling in the air. Milo paced restlessly, his boots scuffing the polished wooden floor, while his brother leaned back lazily in a high-backed chair, his expression one of bored amusement.
"We need her this year!" Milo's friend snapped, his voice sharp with urgency. "Every second we waste is a risk! Do you think we can afford to lose her again?"
Milo turned on his heel, his eyes blazing. "And do you think I'm just sitting around doing nothing? I know what's at stake better than you!"
The woman seated on the velvet chaise finally raised her glass to her lips, the ruby-red liquid swirling as she took a slow sip. Her dark eyes glinted with cold amusement as she set the glass down on the side table with a quiet clink. "Gentlemen," she began, her voice soft but commanding, "if you're done with this little display, I suggest you sit down and listen. We have much to discuss."
The men stilled. Milo reluctantly took a seat, but his brother moved toward her instead, his predatory instincts taking over. Without a word, he leaned into her neck and sank his fangs into her pale skin. She remained perfectly still, her expression unchanging as if she had expected it.
Milo clenched his jaw but said nothing. The silence stretched until the man finally withdrew, licking the remnants of blood from his lips before leaning back smugly. The woman turned her attention to Milo, ignoring the faint trail of crimson down her collarbone.
"Stella has gone missing," Milo began, his tone more subdued now. "She vanished during her Bali trip. Her colleagues filed a report, but there's been no sign of her since."
The woman arched an elegant brow, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. "And you're just now telling me this?"
"We didn't have confirmation until recently," Milo muttered.
The woman's gaze darkened, her amusement vanishing. "If we've lost her again, then we wait another six years. Six years, Milo. Do you understand what that means? Do you have any idea what the powers of a mermaid of the eclipse could achieve in the wrong hands? I'm done waiting. Find her."
The brother, who had been lounging with a smirk, leaned forward now, his eyes glittering. "We won't wait another six years, powers or not. Even if her abilities haven't awakened, we take her. She's safer as our hostage than running free. Milo, get her now, or I'll do it myself."
Milo ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "I'll find her. Before her twenty-second birthday. But Simon—"
At the mention of the name, the woman's gaze turned icy. "What about him?"
"No one's seen him in years," Milo said. "But if he's alive, he'll come for her. He always does."
The brother let out a low laugh. "Simon Winchester. Her supposed protector." He spat the word. "If he's still alive, he's a fool for staying hidden this long. But if he shows up now? Well, let's just say it'll be interesting."
The woman rose gracefully from her seat, crossing the room to the large window that overlooked the sprawling, storm-laden landscape. Her voice was measured, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "Simon isn't hiding because he's a fool. He's waiting. And that makes him dangerous. If he comes back, it won't just be trouble—it'll be war. And I won't lose."
She turned back to face them, her expression a mask of cold determination. "Stella is the key. Her powers, her connection to Simon—they're everything. Find her, Milo. Do whatever it takes. I don't care about the cost."
"And if Simon interferes?" Milo asked, his voice hesitant.
The woman's lips curved into a deadly smile. "If Simon interferes, we'll deal with him. Permanently."
The brother chuckled, dark and amused. "I can't wait to see Stella's face when she realizes who you really are."
The woman's smile deepened, her tone laced with cruel satisfaction. "Oh, she'll know soon enough. And when she does, it'll shatter her little world."
A tense silence settled over the room, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder. The storm outside was only a prelude to the chaos that was about to unfold..