the blood pack

blood pack chapter 11

THE BLOOD PACK

Chapter Eleven: The First Vampire

The stone doors opened slowly, revealing a massive chamber buried beneath the earth. Black candles burned along the walls even though nobody had lit them. Darius stepped in front of Seraphina, his weapon raised, while an ancient figure emerged from the darkness. He was tall and pale, dressed in a long black coat that appeared untouched by time. His eyes were almost completely black, and his presence alone made the air feel heavy. Seraphina stared at him as though she had seen a ghost.

"Malachi," she whispered.

The ancient vampire smiled.

"You remember me."

Darius tightened his grip on his weapon.

"You've been waiting for her."

Malachi looked at him.

"I have been waiting for her blood."

Seraphina stepped forward.

"Why?"

Malachi's expression became almost gentle.

"Because your bloodline began with me."

Darius looked at Seraphina.

She shook her head.

"He's lying."

Malachi laughed quietly.

"Your mother told you stories, didn't she? She told you that your family was blessed."

Seraphina's face changed.

"How do you know about my mother?"

"I knew her."

Seraphina froze.

Malachi continued.

"She was one of the few vampires who understood what I was trying to accomplish. She believed vampires could rule without hiding from humans."

Seraphina's eyes filled with anger.

"You killed her."

"No."

Malachi stepped closer.

"The hunters killed her."

Seraphina attacked him.

Malachi caught her wrist effortlessly.

"You have her strength."

He released her.

"But you have something I never had."

Darius moved beside Seraphina.

"What?"

Malachi looked at him.

"Love."

Darius stared at him.

Malachi smiled.

"That is why you are dangerous."

Suddenly, the chamber shook.

Stone cracked above them.

Darius looked toward the ceiling.

"The others."

Malachi nodded.

"They are fighting their way through my army."

Darius's eyes narrowed.

"Army?"

Malachi stepped aside.

Beyond him stood hundreds of vampires.

Some were ancient. Others looked like they had been turned only days before. All of them stared at Seraphina.

"They have been waiting for their queen."

Seraphina looked horrified.

"I'm nobody's queen."

Malachi smiled.

"Not yet."

Darius grabbed her hand.

"We're leaving."

Malachi didn't stop them.

Instead, he said, "Go."

Darius stopped.

"Why?"

"Because I want you to run."

Malachi's eyes darkened.

"I want you to gather your little pack."

He smiled.

"Bring them all."

Darius understood.

"You want us together."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Malachi's smile disappeared.

"Because when the time comes, I want to destroy the entire pack at once."

Darius pulled Seraphina toward the exit.

Behind them, Malachi's voice followed.

"You cannot protect her forever."

Darius turned.

"I don't have to."

He looked at Seraphina.

"She can protect herself."

For the first time, Malachi looked uncertain.

The two vampires escaped through a narrow passage beneath the chamber.

But they didn't know that someone was waiting for them.

Lucian.

He stood at the end of the tunnel, covered in blood.

Darius raised his weapon.

"Lucian?"

Lucian looked at Seraphina.

Then he looked at Darius.

"I found Gabriel."

Darius lowered his weapon.

"Where is he?"

Lucian's expression was cold.

"Dead."

Seraphina stared at him.

"Who killed him?"

Lucian looked directly at her.

"I did."

Then he opened his hand.

The glass vial containing Seraphina's blood was shattered.

But Lucian's palm was bleeding.

And something dark was moving beneath his skin.

Malachi had found another way into the pack.