Blood on Fire

Chapter11

“Stephen, you're here?” the woman said smoothly, glancing at him as she walked toward a tall cabinet near the long table.

I followed her with my eyes, heart still pounding. She opened the cabinet, and inside were rows of wine bottles, some old, some glowing deep red under the soft chandelier light. She pulled one out, uncorked it with ease, and poured herself a glass. The way she moved was calm, elegant, too calm for someone who had just tied me to a chair.

She took a sip, then smiled like nothing was wrong. “Mmm… tastes so good.” Her eyes slid over to Stephen, her smile never fading.

Stephen’s fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight with anger. He stared at her like he wanted to tear the room apart.

“You did this,” he said through gritted teeth.

She shrugged, took another sip, and said, “Isn’t it obvious?”

Then she rolled her eyes and added coldly, “You came all this way just to make a scene in my house, brother.”

Brother?

Wait—brother?

My head spun. What the hell was going on?

Stephen and this woman… were siblings?

“Let her go,” Stephen said sharply, stepping in front of me.

The other woman, named Iris, still standing near the table, smiled. “May I excuse myself?” Iris said to the tall woman who had just entered earlier. The woman with siren eyes gave a simple nod, her expression unreadable. She hadn’t said a word, but her presence was heavy. She just stood there, watching everything like a queen in her throne room.

Stephen was still looking at her, silently begging her to stop this.

But then the tall woman turned her eyes on Stephen again. “No,” she said coldly. “Not that easy, brother.”

She walked toward me, the wine glass in her hand, her heels echoing on the floor. Every step made my skin crawl.

Stephen moved fast, stepping between us, his arm raised slightly, ready to protect me. I saw his hand shaking, not in fear, but from how tightly he was holding back his anger.

“Veronica!” he shouted, his voice full of warning.

Veronica stopped. The smile on her face dropped, replaced by something sharper, more dangerous.

“That’s how you speak to your older sister?” she asked quietly, her tone mocking. “Tsk. You’ve forgotten your manners, little brother.” Her smirk returned, but her eyes stayed cold.

Everything in the room felt like it was ready to explode. My heart was racing, my wrists still tied, my mind still catching up.

Stephen, a vampire?

Veronica, his sister?

And me? Trapped in the middle of something I didn’t understand. But one thing is clear now. They weren’t just playing a game.

I couldn’t stay silent anymore. Something inside me wanted to explode. My chest was tight, and my throat burned.

“Stephen,” I said, my voice low as I kept my head down, my fingers curling around the arms of the chair.

He stepped closer. “Hey, Selene. Wait, I’ll untie you.”

“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, lifting my head, my eyes burning with tears and anger. “You… monster. You lied to me.”

Stephen froze in place, his hands halfway to the ropes. His face went pale like I had slapped him. “Selene, I—”

“Don’t you dare say my name,” I growled, my voice shaking. “You lied to me all these years. You let me trust you.

I struggled against the ropes, trying to break free, my wrists burning.

Behind him, Veronica slowly clapped her hands and let out a sarcastic laugh. “Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “What a beautiful scene. Should I bring some popcorn?”

“Shut up, Veronica!” Stephen shouted, turning to her with fire in his voice.

She only raised her hands in the air like she was surrendering. “Easy, brother. I’m just enjoying the show.”

Stephen turned back to me, his face softer now. “Selene, please… just let me explain.”

But I shook my head, blinking away angry tears. “There’s nothing to explain. You fooled me. All this time, you made me believe you were my friend. My best friend.” My voice cracked, but I kept going. “And you were just another vampire.”



Veronica walked to the couch, still holding her wine glass, and sat down like this was all just some casual evening drama. She swirled the drink in her glass and smiled. “Come on, brother. Tell her the truth. Or do you want me to do it for you?”

Stephen let out a long, tired sigh. He moved toward me, reaching for the ropes. “Just let me…” he said softly.

I leaned back as far as I could, even though I was still tied to the chair. My body tensed. I didn’t want him near me. Not anymore.

He paused, looking hurt, but continued loosening the knots. Another sigh escaped his lips. Veronica, standing nearby with her wine, rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she watched us.

As soon as Stephen finished untying me, I moved fast. I reached down and pulled out the hidden stake from my boot. But before I could aim it, Veronica was faster. She grabbed my wrist with an iron grip and twisted, making me drop the stake. It clattered to the floor, and she kicked it away like it was nothing.

“Easy now,” she whispered close to my ear, her breath cold against my skin. “Can you just stay still and listen, human?”

Her voice sent a chill down my spine. Goosebumps ran across my arms.

Stephen stepped in, grabbing her arm. “Let her go,” he said firmly.

Veronica looked at him with a smirk. “Relax, brother. I’m not hurting her. I just wanted to get her attention.”

She released me and whispered under her breath as she turned away, “Damn human… she actually tried to stab you.”

“I know,” Stephen replied quietly, not even looking at her.

“Tss.” Veronica clicked her tongue, shaking her head as she grabbed a chair and placed it in front of me. She sat down slowly, crossing one leg over the other, then stared at me with cold, serious eyes.

“Do you really think we just go around killing people and drinking blood like in some cheap horror movie?” she asked, her voice calm but sharp. “Don’t be stupid. You’ve been putting yourself in danger without even knowing the real rules of this world.” I stayed silent but locked my angry eyes on her. My jaw tightened. I didn’t trust either of them, but I needed to hear more.

“Veronica, please…” Stephen said quietly, clearly not wanting her to continue.

But she shook her head. “No. If you won’t tell her, I will.”

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. Her voice dropped, slow and serious.

“She needs to know what she’s walking into before it kills her.”