The Vampire Nightmare

Chapter 9

A cold knot tightened in my stomach.

"What do you mean someone's waiting for us?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

His silver eyes remained fixed on the black mist swirling inside the ancient gateway.

"It shouldn't be possible," he murmured.

"The Gate only opens for the royal bloodline."

Cassian's expression hardened.

"Then whoever is there already knows she's coming."

The words sent another wave of fear through me.

I looked at the portal.

The black mist twisted like living smoke.

It felt as though countless unseen eyes were watching us from the other side.

"We don't have much time," Kael said.

"The Veil is collapsing."

As if to prove his point, another c***k split the air behind us.

The forest trembled violently.

Trees disappeared into glowing fractures that swallowed everything they touched.

I stumbled backward.

"The forest is... disappearing."

"It's being erased," Kael replied.

"If we're still here when the Veil falls, none of us will survive."

Cassian extended his hand again.

"Stay close to me."

I looked at his outstretched hand.

Only yesterday I had never met him.

Now I was trusting him with my life.

I slipped my hand into his.

His grip was warm and surprisingly gentle.

"Whatever happens," he said quietly, "don't let go."

"I won't."

Kael stepped toward the gate first.

He raised one hand, and the silver runes carved into the archway burst into light.

The black mist slowly parted.

Beyond it, I could see the outline of a massive city.

Towering black castles.

Silver rivers.

Thousands of glowing lights beneath a crimson sky.

Noctis.

It was beautiful.

And terrifying.

"Move!" Kael shouted.

We stepped through the gate.

The moment my foot crossed the threshold, the world spun around me.

The air became icy.

A strange pressure settled over my chest.

Then everything stopped.

I opened my eyes.

The city stretched before me exactly as I had glimpsed it.

Stone bridges connected towering castles.

Moonflowers glowed along the streets.

Elegant carriages rolled past alongside sleek black cars.

Ancient magic and modern life existed side by side.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

"It's... incredible."

Cassian smiled faintly.

"Welcome to Noctis."

Before I could take another step, a loud horn echoed across the city.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

Every vampire in the streets stopped walking.

They all turned toward us.

A woman in a silver cloak stepped forward from the palace gates, followed by dozens of royal guards.

She looked to be in her thirties, with long white hair and piercing violet eyes.

The moment she saw me...

Her face turned pale.

She slowly dropped to one knee.

"Your Majesty."

The guards immediately followed.

One after another, the vampires lining the streets knelt until the entire avenue was silent.

I stared at them in disbelief.

"No..."

"I'm not your queen."

The woman lifted her eyes.

Tears shimmered in them.

"We have waited centuries for your return."

Before I could respond, an icy laugh echoed from the palace balcony.

Every vampire froze.

A tall man dressed in black stepped into the moonlight.

His face was hidden beneath a hood.

Only his glowing crimson eyes were visible.

He looked directly at me.

Then he smiled.

"So..."

"The lost queen has finally come home."

Cassian's hand tightened around mine.

His voice was low.

"Don't look away from him."

"Why?"

Cassian never took his eyes off the hooded stranger.

"Because he's the one vampire..."

"...even kings fear."