HIS DAUGHTER, HIS CURSE

Life to live

The first light of dawn had yet to touch the skies above Valley Haven. Rabun Hall remained wrapped in silence.

The towering mansion, which had stood unmoved for centuries, rested beneath a blanket of darkness. Every corridor was still. Every candle burned steadily against the cold stone walls, casting long shadows across portraits of Original Vampires whose names had been forgotten by history. A bedroom door opened.

Theron stepped into the corridor, fastening the cuffs of his black coat as he quietly closed the door behind him. He hadn’t slept.

Maya’s voicemail had echoed in his mind throughout the night. “Come to my house before dawn. Come alone. If you still remember the promise you once made to me… don’t be late.”

Whatever the old witch wanted… It had to be important.

He had barely taken a few steps toward the staircase when another door opened. Caius emerged from his room. Unlike his brother, he wasn’t dressed for another ordinary day.

A black travelling coat rested neatly over his shoulders, while a leather bag hung from one hand. His expression was unreadable. He walked toward the staircase without sparing Theron a glance. Theron frowned. “Where are you going?” Caius didn’t stop walking. “I’m relocating.”

Theron slowly descended the first step after him. “You mean… you’re leaving Valley Haven?” Only then did Caius stopped. He looked over his shoulder. “I am.” Theron’s brows knitted together. “This is our home.” “Our home?” Caius repeated with a faint smile. “I’ve buried enough memories in this place.”

His eyes drifted briefly toward one of the tall windows overlooking the sleeping village. “There is nothing left for me here.” Theron folded his arms. “So where exactly are you going?”

Caius adjusted the strap of his travelling bag “Somewhere far from Valley Haven. Somewhere I can begin again.” Theron’s expression darkened. “Begin what?”

Caius answered without the slightest hint of guilt. “I’ll find another woman. I’ll compel her. I’ll make her carry my child.” His crimson eyes met Theron’s. “And perhaps this time… she’ll give birth to the Child I’ve been searching for. And you, you have always tried to stop me over centuries, until I decided to move on my own will toward Madonna .” The words settled heavily between them. Theron’s jaw tightened. “So that’s your solution? Involve another innocent woman?” Caius shrugged. “It worked once." “No.” Theron’s voice remained calm, but colder than before. “It destroyed one.”

Caius hardened his expression . He stepped closer until only a short distance separated the twins. “This time… l'm not involving either of you.” His gaze remained fixed on Theron. “I trusted my family. And somehow… I walked out of that hospital feeling betrayed.” Theron said nothing. He knew exactly why Because Caius believed everyone had failed him. He just didn’t know how completely.

Before either brother could speak again, slow applause echoed through the hallway. Clap. Clap. Clap. Both twins turned.

Maelis leaned casually against the archway leading into the sitting room, dressed in an elegant black gown, lazily twirling a red apple between her fingers.

A teasing smile spread across her face. “Well… I wake up expecting breakfast… and instead I find one brother planning to abandon Valley Haven…” She took another bite of the apple. “…while the other looks like he’s questioning every decision he’s ever made.” Her silver eyes settled on Caius. “So… Running away?” Caius rolled his eyes. “I’m relocating." Maelis laughed. “Of course you are. Running away just sounds less sophisticated.”

Without waiting for another remark, Caius walked past her. As he reached the massive entrance doors, his hand rested briefly on the iron handle.

Without turning around, he spoke. “If fate refuses to give me the child I need… I’ll simply make fate try again.” The heavy doors swung open. A cold breeze swept into Rabun Hall.

Moments later… Caius disappeared into the fading darkness of Valley Haven. Behind him… Theron and Maelis watched in complete silence. Neither of them knew… that before the morning ended… Caius would leave one final nightmare behind for them to clean up.

"and you" Maelis asked, "And you? Aren't you going to follow him, that should be your better choice though"

Theron answered heading off before she could speak.

The cold morning air settled over Valley Haven as

Caius strode through the quiet streets without looking back. His leather bag rested comfortably over one shoulder. And after Centries of living in Valleyhaven, He was leaving. Not because he had been defeated. But because he refused to accept defeat.

If Madonna had failed to give him the child he wanted… Another woman would. His footsteps echoed softly against the empty road leading toward the edge of the village. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “One prophecy…” He chuckled to himself. “…cannot stop Caius.”

Just then… Someone emerged from the opposite side of the road. A young woman. She walked carefully, one hand resting protectively against the gentle curve of her stomach. The hospital nurse. The same nurse who had announced the birth of the twins. She looked peaceful.

Completely unaware that only hours earlier, Theron had compelled her to forget everything she had seen inside the delivery room. Caius stopped walking. His crimson eyes narrowed. “So…” A slow smile spread across his face. “My brother cleaned up my mess.”

The nurse noticed him standing in the middle of the road. She offered a polite smile. “Good morning.”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of fear in her voice.

She didn’t recognize him. She couldn’t.

Theron had erased every memory connected to him.

Caius let out a quiet laugh. “Always so responsible… aren’t you, brother?” He slowly walked toward her.

The nurse instinctively took a small step backward.

“I’m sorry… Do I know you?” “No.” Caius answered calmly. “You never will.”

Before she could react… He was already standing in front of her. His icy fingers wrapped gently around her wrist. Her smile disappeared. “W-What are you doing?” She tried to pull away. She couldn’t. The man’s strength was impossible. Her heartbeat quickened. “P-Please… My husband is waiting for me. And…” She instinctively placed her free hand over her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”

Caius looked at her swollen belly. His expression didn’t change. “I know.”

The words sent a chill through her entire body. Fear flooded her eyes. “W-Who are you?” Cauis leaned closer. His voice dropped to a whisper. “A gift… for my brother.”

Then… His fangs slid into place. The nurse’s eyes widened in horror. “No…” Before another word could escape… Cauis sank his fangs into her neck.

A muffled cry escaped her lips. Her body trembled violently. She clawed weakly at his coat, desperate to push him away.

The pain burned through every vein in her body like liquid fire.

Moments later… Caius pulled away.

The nurse collapsed onto the roadside, gasping for air. She could feel it. Something inside her had changed. She looked up at him with terrified eyes.

“W…what… did you do to me…?” Caius calmly wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. “I solved one problem… and created another.” He glanced once toward Rabun Hall in the distance.

A cold smile returned. “Congratulations, Theron. You’ve always enjoyed cleaning up after me. Here’s one more.”

Without another glance… He turned his back and continued walking toward the village exit.

The nurse curled into herself, crying as an unbearable heat spread through her body. Her heartbeat became erratic. Her breathing grew shallow.

Then… From behind a large oak tree across the road… A figure stepped into view. Maelis. She had followed Caius from Rabun Hall out of nothing more than curiosity.

Now… The amusement had vanished from her face.

Her silver eyes settled on the trembling nurse. Then on the bite marks staining the woman’s neck. “…You really couldn’t leave quietly…” she whispered under her breath.

The nurse cried out again, her entire body shaking uncontrollably. Maelis sighed. “You’ve certainly made Theron’s morning more interesting.” She glanced once in the direction Caius had disappeared. Then hurried toward the fallen woman.

The eastern horizon had only just begun to pale when another figure appeared along the narrow path leading to Maya’s cottage. Theron walked alone.

The morning mist curled around his boots as he followed the familiar trail through Ravonhallow. Birds had not yet begun their morning songs, and the entire village remained asleep beneath the fading darkness.

He had spent the entire night wondering what could force the proud Starolite matriarch to seek help from an Original Vampire.

As the cottage finally came into view, he slowed his steps. A single lantern burned beside the front door.

She was awake. Before Theron could raise his hand to knock, the wooden door creaked open. Maya stepped outside.

She wore the same dark robe she had left the hospital in. Her silver-streaked hair rested loosely over her shoulders, and although exhaustion lined her face, her emerald eyes remained as sharp as ever.

Without a word, she pulled the door shut behind her. The latch clicked into place. Theron noticed it immediately. His gaze drifted toward the closed door.

“You aren’t inviting me inside.” “No.” Maya’s answer came without hesitation. “My home belongs to the Starolite bloodline.” Her eyes met his. “And you… are still an Original Vampire.” Theron gave a small nod.

“I wasn’t expecting an invitation.”

The both stood without saying anything for the moment.The cold wind swept through the trees between them.

Finally, Maya broke the silence. “Did anyone see you?” “No.” “And Caius?” “He left Valley Haven before sunrise.” A faint flicker crossed Maya’s eyes. “So he really left…” “He intends to find another woman.”

Another pause. “He said he’ll compel her. He believes another child may free him from the prophecy.” Maya closed her eyes briefly. “Then he has learned nothing.”“No.” Theron answered quietly. “He hasn’t.”

The old witch looked toward the cottage behind her. Behind those walls… Two newborn girls slept peacefully.

Completely unaware that the decision about to be made would change the course of their lives forever.

Maya drew a slow breath. “I didn’t ask you here to discuss your brother.” “I asked you here because of them.” Theron’s expression grew serious. “The twins.”

Maya nodded. “One carries the Starolite blood. The other… carries Caius’ curse.” Theron’s heartbeat slowed. He had suspected it since leaving the hospital.

Now… The truth stood before him. Maya stepped closer, lowering her voice. “I know which child inherited the prophecy.” Theron’s eyes searched hers.

“And?” Maya held his gaze without wavering. “The vampire child… is Kaira.” The name settled heavily between them.

Theron found himself unable to speak. Maya held the sleeping infant close to her chest for a long moment.

The little girl slept peacefully, completely unaware that her life was about to change forever.

Slowly, Maya stepped forward. She gently placed the baby into Theron’s waiting arms.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. “The vampire child Kaira…” Maya said quietly, I named her myself.”

Theron looked down at the tiny face sleeping against his arm. “So this is the child my brother fears.” Maya ignored the remark. “I’m not placing Kaira in your care because I trust you.” Her emerald eyes locked onto his. “I’m placing her in your care because I know how much you loved my daughter before Caius stole her from you.” Theron’s fingers tightened slightly around the infant. “You loved Madonna enough to let her go. You loved her enough to bite her when your brother asked, believing it would make her happy. And I believe… you’ll love her daughter enough to keep her alive.”

A long silence settled between them. Then Maya’s expression hardened. “Listen carefully, Theron. If anything happens to my granddaughter… I will not come looking for your brother.” She took one deliberate step closer. I will come knocking on your door.” Her voice was calm But it carried the weight of a vow. “Do you understand me?” Theron met her gaze without looking away. “…I do but I still haven't settle the case in my mind that I will turn into a nursing mother' He looked back down at the little girl sleeping peacefully in his arms.

Then, with quiet certainty, he whispered, “I’ll protect her. No matter what it costs though”