Chapter Three
1139 Words
Chapter Three: The Vampire's Secret
The mansion shook again.
Dust fell from the ceiling as another explosion sounded outside.
Elena stood frozen in the middle of the hall, staring at the stranger who had spoken her name.
She didn't know him.
Yet something about him made her uneasy.
His eyes were different from the other vampires.
They weren't completely dark.
They were silver.
Almost the same color as the moon before it had turned red.
Adrian stepped in front of Elena.
“Don't look at him.”
The stranger smiled.
“Still protecting her?”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Leave.”
“I came for what belongs to my family.”
Elena frowned.
“I don't belong to anyone.”
The vampire's expression changed.
For the first time, he looked genuinely interested in her.
“You sound exactly like your mother.”
Elena's breath caught.
“You knew my mother?”
The stranger didn't answer immediately.
Adrian turned toward Elena.
“Don't listen to him.”
“Why?”
“Because he'll tell you whatever he needs to make you follow him.”
The vampire laughed quietly.
“Is that what you're doing, Adrian?”
Adrian's eyes flashed gold.
“Enough.”
The stranger stepped forward.
“My name is Lucian.”
Elena stared at him.
“You knew my mother?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Before she abandoned our world.”
Elena's heart began pounding.
“My mother didn't abandon anyone.”
Lucian's expression softened.
“She tried to save you.”
Elena looked at Adrian.
“Is that true?”
Adrian didn't answer.
That silence was enough.
Elena felt betrayed.
“You knew.”
“I knew some of it.”
“You knew about my mother?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't tell me?”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“You keep saying that.”
Elena's voice shook.
“Everyone keeps saying they're protecting me, but nobody tells me what I'm being protected from.”
Lucian looked at Adrian.
“Perhaps she deserves the truth.”
Adrian glared at him.
“You're the last person who should talk about truth.”
Lucian smiled.
“Then tell her yourself.”
Before Adrian could respond, a howl came from outside.
The wolves had begun fighting the vampires.
The sound of snarling and shouting filled the night.
Mara rushed toward them.
“Adrian, we need you outside.”
He didn't move.
“I'm staying with Elena.”
Mara stared at him.
“If you don't go, they'll break through.”
Adrian looked at Elena.
“I'll be back.”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
He paused.
“Don't leave me.”
The words came out before she could stop them.
Adrian's expression softened.
“I won't.”
Mara grabbed his shoulder.
“We don't have time.”
Adrian finally followed her.
Elena watched him disappear through the doorway.
Lucian remained.
She turned toward him.
“You're not going anywhere.”
He smiled.
“I don't intend to.”
“Then answer my questions.”
Lucian leaned against the wall.
“Ask.”
“What was my mother?”
“A descendant of the Moonborn.”
Elena frowned.
“What is that?”
“A bloodline older than both vampires and werewolves.”
Elena looked at the mark on her wrist.
“And that's why I have this?”
“Yes.”
“What does it do?”
Lucian's expression became serious.
“It connects you to the Blood Moon.”
Elena shook her head.
“That doesn't explain anything.”
“The Moonborn were believed to have the ability to unite supernatural bloodlines.”
“Unite them?”
“Or destroy them.”
Elena stared at him.
“Which one will I do?”
“That depends on who controls your choices.”
She folded her arms.
“So that's why everyone wants me.”
“Yes.”
“Vampires want me. Werewolves want me. Why?”
“Because whoever stands beside you during the final Blood Moon could gain enormous power.”
Elena felt sick.
“Who is supposed to stand beside me?”
Lucian's eyes moved toward the door through which Adrian had disappeared.
“You already know.”
Elena's heart skipped.
“Adrian?”
Lucian didn't answer.
Instead, he said, “The prophecy doesn't name him.”
“Then who?”
“It names a descendant of the first wolf.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“Adrian?”
Lucian nodded.
“And it says the Moonborn girl will fall in love with him.”
Elena stared at him.
“No.”
“That's what the prophecy says.”
“I don't even know him.”
“You will.”
She looked away.
“I don't believe in prophecies.”
“You will when you discover what happens when you try to escape yours.”
Before Elena could respond, another explosion shook the building.
Lucian looked toward the windows.
“We should leave.”
“Why?”
“Because this place won't hold.”
“You said you came for me.”
“I did.”
“So you're taking me?”
Lucian shook his head.
“I'm giving you a choice.”
Elena stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because unlike the others, I don't want to control you.”
Something about his answer made her hesitate.
Then she heard Adrian's voice outside.
“ELENA!”
She ran toward the door.
Adrian was standing in the courtyard.
Blood covered one side of his shirt, and his breathing was heavy.
Elena rushed toward him.
“Are you hurt?”
“I'm fine.”
“You're bleeding.”
“It's not mine.”
He looked past her.
His expression immediately hardened when he saw Lucian.
“What did you tell her?”
“The truth.”
Adrian stepped inside.
“Elena, don't believe him.”
“Then tell me the truth yourself.”
Adrian went silent.
She looked at him.
“Am I really the Moonborn?”
He nodded.
“Does the prophecy really connect me to you?”
Another pause.
“Yes.”
Elena felt overwhelmed.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't know whether the prophecy was real.”
“And now?”
“Now I know.”
A strange silence settled between them.
Elena looked at the mark on her wrist.
“Why does touching you stop the pain?”
Adrian's expression changed.
“I don't know.”
Lucian answered instead.
“Because your blood recognizes his.”
Adrian glared at him.
“Enough.”
Elena turned toward Lucian.
“What does that mean?”
“It means the connection between you and Adrian is stronger than anyone expected.”
Suddenly, the mark on Elena's wrist began glowing.
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