She should have run.
Every survival instinct she had built from sleeping under bridges and fighting stray dogs for scraps screamed at her to run.
But she didn't.
Lucien's hand remained extended toward her — steady, patient, powerful. He wasn't forcing her. He wasn't threatening her.
He was waiting.
That unsettled her more than anything.
Slowly, cautiously, she placed her trembling hand in his.
The moment their skin touched, something surged through her.
Not pain.
Not fear.
Recognition.
A pulse of warmth spread from her palm up her arm and settled in her chest, right where the glowing mark had burned the night before. Lucien's eyes flickered — just briefly — as if he felt it too.
"You feel it," he murmured.
She quickly pulled her hand back. "Feel what?"
But he didn't answer.
Instead, the world around them shifted.
The alley blurred.
The city noise stretched and warped like sound underwater.
Her stomach dropped as if she were falling—
Then everything went still.
She staggered forward.
They were no longer in the alley.
No streetlights. No trash bins. No city.
Before her stood a massive iron gate twisted into intricate designs — symbols she didn't recognize but somehow made her uneasy. Beyond the gate stretched a long stone pathway leading to a mansion so enormous it looked like it had been carved from the night itself.
The structure loomed against the dark sky, its tall windows glowing faintly amber. Vines crawled along its walls like living veins. The air around it felt… aware.
She swallowed hard. "Where are we?"
"Home," Lucien replied calmly.
Home.
She had never had one.
The iron gates creaked open on their own.
She flinched.
Lucien didn't react.
"Stay close to me," he said.
That wasn't a suggestion.
They walked down the stone path. The closer they got, the heavier the air became — thick, almost breathing. The front doors were towering wood carved with ancient figures — angels with broken wings, demons with crowns.
The doors opened before they reached them.
No one stood there.
She hesitated at the entrance.
The inside was dimly lit by chandeliers that held black candles burning with silver flames. The floors were polished obsidian marble. The walls were lined with portraits — figures with glowing eyes watching her as she stepped in.
The door shut behind her.
Loud.
Final.
Her heart pounded.
"Lucien…" she whispered.
He stepped ahead of her.
And that was when she felt it.
Not shadows this time.
Presence.
Four distinct energies.
Watching her.
From the grand staircase ahead, a figure descended slowly.
Pale skin. Sharp jaw. Silver hair falling neatly around a face too perfect to be human. His eyes were icy blue — but something darker lurked beneath them.
He stopped halfway down the stairs and tilted his head slightly.
"Well," he said smoothly, his voice refined and cold. "So this is her."
Her stomach tightened.
Another presence appeared — then two more.
Twin figures leaning against the railing above. Identical dark hair. Identical smirks. Their eyes glowed faint crimson.
And in the far corner of the room — barely visible — something moved within the shadows themselves. Watching silently.
Her breath shortened.
Lucien's voice cut through the tension.
"She will be treated with respect," he said quietly.
Not loud.
But commanding.
The pale man on the stairs gave a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Of course, Your—"
Lucien shot him a sharp look.
The man stopped mid-word.
Interesting.
The twins above exchanged amused glances.
She stepped closer to Lucien unconsciously.
"Who are they?" she whispered.
"My apprentices," he replied calmly.
Her throat went dry.
Apprentices.
The pale man finally reached the bottom step and extended a hand toward her, bowing slightly.
"You may call me Adrian," he said smoothly. "Higher vampire. Loyal to Lucien."
Her heart nearly stopped.
Vampire.
The twins jumped down from the railing with unnatural grace, landing silently before her.
"Relax," one of them said with a grin.
"We only bite when invited," the other added.
They laughed softly — but their eyes never stopped studying her.
Lucien stepped slightly in front of her.
"She is under my protection."
The air shifted again.
Heavy.
Dominant.
Even the vampire straightened slightly.
The shadow in the corner rippled but did not move forward.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
She turned slowly toward Lucien.
"What are you?" she whispered.
His gaze settled on her.
Dark.
Ancient.
And carrying secrets far too deep.
"You are safe here," he said instead.
That was not an answer.
The mansion creaked softly around them.
Almost like it was breathing.
And suddenly, she realized something terrifying.
The creatures that hunted her…
The witches whispering in her dreams…
The red-eyed shadows…
They were afraid of him.
And whatever he truly was…
Was far worse.