THE RETURN OF THE PRINCES*
990 Words
(Season 1)
CHAPTER 14
TENEBROUS
Three black cars cut through the fog and came to a stop before the gates of Tenebrous.
A castle-like estate carved into the mountainside. Towers that touched the clouds. Windows that watched like eyes.
And waiting at the gates: an army of servants in perfect black and gold uniforms.
They’d been waiting for years.
Whispers spread through the line like wildfire.
“I can’t believe I’m finally going to see the four princes,” a young maid breathed, clutching her tray.
The older maid beside her scoffed. “Four princes? You’ll only see three.”
The younger one frowned. “Why?”
“The eldest,” the older maid lowered her voice. “Prince Kalen. He cut ties with Tenebrous years ago. After... the fight. No one’s seen him since.”
She glanced around. “Then the others left too. Some say exile. Some say they ran. But look — they’re back.”
The car doors opened.
And the air changed.
Ryan stepped out first, looking around with quiet shock.
“I can’t believe I’m back here after all these years,” he murmured. Nothing had changed. Same stone. Same cold. Same ghosts.
Kai followed, hands in his pockets, jaw tight.
“I’d rather be anywhere but here.”
Tenebrous was a cage. It had taken so much from them. It took the brother they used to know and replaced him with something cold.
But no matter how far they ran, blood always dragged you home.
Zach said nothing. He walked past the bowing servants without a glance.
His face was stone. But inside, his mind was already moving 10 steps ahead.
Emergency. Handle it. Leave.
And Liora.
He’d told her not to be scared of Kalen.
But the truth was... _he_ was scared. Of what Kalen might do to her if he was alone with her.
A guard stepped forward and bowed low.
“Your Highnesses. The King awaits you in the throne room.”
Zach gave a single nod and kept walking.
As they moved through the halls, whispers followed them.
Not the usual silent vampires in the shadows.
These were voices. Curious. Loud.
“The three princes...”
“Where’s the fourth?”
“Dead? Exiled?”
“He looks like Kalen...”
The massive throne room doors groaned open.
Inside: The King. The Queen. And the two Princesses of Tenebrous.
One of the princesses was practically vibrating in her seat, foot tapping. She wanted to run down the steps and throw her arms around them.
But she was a princess. She had a reputation.
Her smile bloomed the second she saw them — and then faltered.
Only three.
Her eyes darted to the doors behind them, waiting. Hoping.
Nothing.
Disappointment flashed across her face before she schooled it into a polite smile.
“Tenebrous is blessed to have you back,” the King said, genuine warmth in his voice. It had taken years to drag them home.
Zach didn’t smile back.
“Where was the attack made?”
His voice was flat. Cold.
For a second, the room went silent.
Because it wasn’t Zach talking.
It was _Kalen_.
That same aura. That same ice.
Zach had become him.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Two days.
That’s how long it had been since they left.
Liora was losing her mind from boredom.
The house was too quiet. Too big.
She barely saw Kalen. He moved like a ghost — meetings, calls, doors closing.
And when he did see her? He looked right through her.
She hated it.
She drifted out of her room, aiming for the kitchen. Travis the cook was magic. She could watch him for hours.
But on the long dining table, a black folder sat open.
Kalen’s.
He’d been going through it at breakfast.
“Cauis?” she called.
The youngest guard appeared, grinning. Unlike Lucas, he actually talked to her.
“Yes, Miss?”
“Do you think Kalen left this on purpose?"
Cauis picked it up, flipped it open — and his eyes went wide.
“Shit.”
Liora froze. “What?”
"This is the investor meeting folder. He has a meeting today. In like... an hour.”
Her stomach dropped. Kalen wasn’t careless. Something was wrong.
“We have to get it to him. "
40 minutes later, they were standing in front of VEX ENTERPRISE.
Liora had to stop and stare.
Glass. Steel. 80 floors of power.
She’d known the Vex brothers were rich. But _this_?
Zach — 4 hospitals worldwide.
Kai — top lawyer and businessman.
Ryan — helping run the empire.
And Kalen — the ruthless tactician who built it all.
No wonder people threw themselves at them.
“Go ahead, Miss,” Cauis said, phone to his ear. “Ask reception to direct you to his office. I have to take this.”
Liora nodded and walked in.
The lobby was marble and silence.
The receptionist looked her up and down. Designer jeans. Simple sweater. No jewelry.
Her smile tightened.
“Good morning,” Liora said brightly. “I’m here to see Mr. Kalen Vex. It’s urgent.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but—”
“Then you can’t go in.” The woman cut her off, voice dripping with disdain.
She leaned forward. “Let me guess. You’re another girl trying to throw herself at Mr. Vex?”
A slow, cruel smile. “Get lost.”
Liora blinked.
Compared her to a _slut_?
Just like that?
Her hands clenched around the folder.
She could walk away.
Or...
She lifted her chin. The same determination she had when she ran away from home flared in her eyes.
“Tell Mr. Vex that if he misses this meeting because of you,” Liora said quietly, “it won’t be me who gets fired.”
TBC
- Writer
