Beyond the Afterlife

Lyra fell for Hannuel, an astral vampire who consumes the blood energy of mortals in their dreams. She learned that vampires like Hannuel can't be exposed to sunlight without their skin burning. Aspiring to be a top dermatologist, Lyra diligently studied Hannuel's skin condition. She wanted to be with him all the time, not just at night, and believed he felt the same way. Unfortunately, a careless mistake led to Hannuel's death. Overcome with guilt, Lyra took her own life, only to discover that Hannuel hadn't died. She had been deceived. On her way to the afterlife, Lyra struck a deal with her soul reaper to return to Hannuel and seek forgiveness. However, the soul reaper was deceitful. Though she returned to the living world, she couldn't remember her true identity. Additionally, she had only forty-five days to complete the deal. Can she reunite with Hannuel despite the world's constant unfairness? •┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈ PROLOGUE As soon as Hannuel entered the night bar, his eyes immediately caught sight of what he was looking for. It was part of a group having fun in a secluded corner of the noisy, chaotic bar. Hannuel walked closer to the group, which, if he wasn’t mistaken, belonged to the Illuminati in the country. His gaze focused on a particular woman—one he could not confuse with anyone else. He felt that familiar ache in his heart and smelled the appetizing energy of her blood, something he had only ever experienced with one woman: Lyra, the mortal he had loved but who had ultimately betrayed him. The memories of the past pierced deep into his heart, as if the events of yesterday were happening again today. His heart raced as he moved nearer to the group, and as he approached, the woman's appearance became clearer. She looked different now—wild, alluringly sexy, yet still carrying that tough exterior. The serene beauty she once had was gone, replaced by a wild, free spirit as she moved her perfectly curved body to the fast, wild rhythm that filled the place. He was sure this was Lyra, the woman he had once followed. But looking at her now, he began to doubt. Hannuel's chest tightened as he finally stood before her, noticing how her colleagues pointed in his direction. The woman's eyes widened briefly when she noticed him, and then she moved closer. "Hey! Have we met before?" she asked loudly, perhaps to be heard over the noise around them. He grabbed the woman, and in a moment, they walked away from the bar. In the shadows of the towering city buildings, he managed to carry her away unnoticed. "Oh my God! Is this real?" the woman asked, almost in disbelief. "Am I dreaming? Or maybe I'm drunk? How did we get here so fast?" The surprise and fear on her beautiful face were genuine. She was Lyra—he was certain of it! He couldn’t hear her thoughts, just as he couldn’t with Lyra, the only mortal he could never read. "Lyra..." he whispered, barely able to breathe. The woman furrowed her brow in confusion. Hannuel couldn't resist reaching out to touch her beautiful face, lightly caressing it. She felt just as soft and warm as before, stirring the same feelings in him. Unable to hold back, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her with a fierce, deep passion. His blood burned and pulsed within his veins. This was it! She still made his cold blood flame! When she responded to his kiss, he was sure. But how? How could this be possible? Lyra had been dead for a long time—how had she returned among the living? "H-how d-did you know me?" she stammered, astonishment and confusion evident in her voice. Hannuel was just as confused. "You're alive? How did you come back?" He glanced at her right wrist and quickly grabbed it, inspecting it closely. Then, he understood why. "You’re an Illu?!" Her eyes widened as she stared at him in shock. "How did you... find out?" Her voice was tinged with nervousness and fear. "Why do you know me? Who are you? What kind of creature are you? How can you move so fast?" Lyra didn’t recognize him? She no longer knew who he was... Had she forgotten all she owed him? Forgotten everything they shared? Was he really that easy to forget? He wanted to be angry! He wanted to lose control. But when Hannuel looked at the woman again, staring at her beautiful face, he also wanted to forget the past and start anew. But what assurance did he have that she wouldn’t betray him again?