The Vampire Nightmare

Chapter 8

"Cassian!"

The scream tore from my throat before I realized I had spoken.

Without thinking, I turned and ran toward the battlefield.

"Aria!" Kael called after me.

"Stop!"

I ignored him.

Branches whipped against my face as I sprinted through the forest.

My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Please...

Don't let him be dead.

The battlefield came into view.

The ground was scorched.

Trees had been reduced to blackened stumps.

Broken swords and torn banners littered the clearing.

The wolves were gone.

Most of Cassian's soldiers lay wounded.

Some struggled to stand.

Others didn't move at all.

The smell of smoke and iron filled the air.

"Cassian!" I shouted again.

No answer.

Fear gripped my chest.

I searched frantically until I spotted a familiar black coat lying near a shattered boulder.

My breath caught.

"No..."

I dropped to my knees beside him.

Cassian's eyes were closed.

Blood stained the sleeve of his coat, and a deep wound ran across his side.

"Cassian."

My voice cracked.

"Please wake up."

There was no response.

I reached for his hand.

It was cold.

Too cold.

Tears blurred my vision.

"This can't be happening."

A weak chuckle escaped his lips.

"You cry..."

"...too much."

My eyes widened.

"Cassian!"

His crimson eyes slowly opened.

A faint smile appeared on his pale face.

"I've had better days."

Relief crashed over me so suddenly that I laughed through my tears.

"You idiot."

"I thought you were dead."

"I almost was."

He tried to sit up, but pain forced him back down.

Kael finally reached us.

"He needs a healer."

One of the vampire soldiers hurried forward.

"My King, the Shadow Court has retreated."

Cassian frowned.

"Darius?"

"He escaped."

Of course he had.

Villains never seemed to stay defeated for long.

Cassian looked toward the crimson sky.

"He'll be back."

"And next time..."

"...he won't come alone."

A sudden gust of icy wind swept through the clearing.

The wounded wolves lifted their heads.

The vampire soldiers instinctively reached for their weapons.

I looked around.

"What now?"

Kael's expression became serious.

"We've stayed here too long."

"The Veil is collapsing."

Almost as if the forest had heard him, glowing cracks spread across the air itself.

The world shimmered.

The trees flickered like reflections on water.

"This place is breaking apart," I whispered.

Cassian slowly pushed himself to his feet despite his injuries.

"We leave."

He looked directly at me.

"There's no turning back after this."

I hesitated.

"What happens if I go with you?"

"You'll enter Noctis."

"The hidden kingdom of vampires."

"And if I don't?"

His expression darkened.

"Darius will hunt you."

"He'll never stop."

I looked down at my trembling hands.

Yesterday, I had been an ordinary college student.

Today...

I was standing in a magical forest with vampires, talking wolves, and an immortal guardian.

Nothing about my old life felt real anymore.

I took a slow breath.

"I'll go."

Cassian gave a small nod.

"I promise you'll learn the truth."

Before anyone could move, the ground beneath us split open.

A blinding silver light burst from the c***k.

An ancient stone archway slowly rose from beneath the earth.

Its surface was covered in glowing runes.

At its center swirled a pool of crimson mist.

Kael lowered his head respectfully.

"The Gate of Noctis."

Cassian extended his hand toward me.

"This is the last chance to walk away."

I looked at the gateway.

Then at Cassian.

Finally...

I placed my hand in his.

The moment our fingers touched, the runes on the ancient gate burst into brilliant light.

The crimson mist began to spin violently.

A haunting voice echoed from within the gateway.

"Only the chosen may enter."

Then the mist suddenly turned black.

Kael's face lost all color.

"Impossible."

Cassian stepped in front of me.

"What is it?"

Kael stared at the gate in horror.

"Someone..."

"...is already waiting for us on the other side."