Chapter Five — Secrets Beneath the Surface
Night settled over Blackville like a heavy cloak, thick with fog and silence. After the encounter with the nomads, the brothers returned home in uneasy quiet. The house, still filled with half-unpacked boxes, felt smaller that night. Every creak in the floorboards echoed louder than usual.
Ethan paced the living room, his hands shoved into his pockets. "You're going to tell me what's going on," he said finally, turning to face Adrian. "No more half-answers."
Adrian sat on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "I wish I could explain it. I don't fully understand it myself."
"You've been attacked—twice. There are people following us. That girl—Selene—shows up every time something happens, and somehow, she knows your real name. Don't tell me you don't see a pattern."
Adrian rubbed his temples. He did see it. He just wasn't ready to accept it.
Before either of them could speak again, a soft knock echoed through the house. It wasn't the frantic pounding of danger. It was calm. Purposeful.
Ethan moved toward the door cautiously. Adrian stood behind him. When the door opened, Selene was there—dressed in a long, dark coat, her hair slightly damp from the mist outside. Her eyes met Adrian's immediately.
"We need to talk," she said.
---
They gathered in the living room. Ethan hovered protectively near Adrian while Selene stood by the window, scanning the tree line before she spoke.
"You're both in danger," she said plainly. "The attack in the forest wasn't random. Word has spread. The blood you carry, Adrian—it's rare. Older than any tribe currently walking this earth. Some will want to protect it… others will want to claim it."
Ethan frowned. "Blood? What does that even mean?"
Selene turned to Adrian. "Your lineage isn't ordinary. You descend from a line that vanished centuries ago. A bloodline believed to be lost in the Great War between tribes. But it survived… through you."
Adrian's heartbeat drummed in his ears. "You're saying I'm part of… your world?"
Her expression softened slightly. "You always were. You just didn't know it."
Ethan shook his head. "This is insane."
"No," Selene replied quietly. "It's history."
---
Selene's POV
Standing in their living room felt surreal. Years ago, when they were children, she used to sneak away from her royal guardians just to see him. Back then, he didn't know who she truly was—and she liked it that way. Their worlds had separated when his family left, but she had never forgotten the scent of his blood.
The Council would not be patient. They would tighten their grip around Blackville. If Adrian didn't learn the truth soon, others would force it on him—and far less gently.
She looked at Ethan, protective but unaware of the storm he stood beside. This family has no idea what's coming, she thought.
---
Adrian leaned back against the couch, struggling to keep up. "Why me? Why now?"
"Because your return wasn't just noticed by me," Selene said. "The tribes have been restless. Power has been shifting. Your presence has ignited something they've been waiting for. Some believe your blood can restore abilities lost through centuries of dilution. Others…" Her eyes darkened. "…believe it can be consumed to enhance their own power."
Ethan stiffened. "Consumed?"
Selene met his gaze. "Yes. There are vampires who would kill for even a drop."
The room fell into a tense silence.
---
The next day, the town felt different. People spoke in hushed tones, glancing over their shoulders rumors had started to circulate About the appearances of strange creatures
Marcus intercepted him in the hallway, his usual arrogance replaced by a wary respect. "You've stirred up something big," he muttered. "The tribes are watching. I'd be careful where you go after dark."
Adrian didn't answer. He had too many questions, and Marcus wasn't the person he trusted to answer them.
After classes ended, Selene appeared by the gate. She didn't speak at first, just walked beside him in silence. Eventually, he broke it.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were back then?"
She looked straight ahead. "Because back then, I was just a girl who wanted a friend. Not a princess. Not a vampire. Just Selene."
Adrian studied her face. There was no lie in her voice, just quiet honesty. "And now?"
"Now," she said softly, "I don't have that luxury anymore."
They stopped by the forest trail. A strange, humming stillness hung in the air.
Selene turned to him, her expression serious. "You need to understand something, Adrian. You're standing in the center of a storm. Whether you like it or not, the tribes will force you to choose a side. If you don't, they'll decide for you."
That night, Ethan found a folded note slipped under their door. The handwriting was elegant and old-fashioned:
"The blood has awakened. Trust no one"
Ethan brought it to Adrian immediately. None of them could recognize the signature, not of someone they know
Outside, in the shadows hidden in the pine trees two cloaked figures watched the house silently. One turned to the other.
"He doesn't know yet," the first whispered.
"He will," the second replied.
"And when he does",.. asked the first
"It will change everything." replied the second