Chapter 3: The Bloodhound
1316 Words
Elian hesitated, weighing his options. "What makes you think I’ll trust you?"
The girl’s expression turned solemn. "I don’t need you to trust me. I need you to survive. They’re coming for you, Elian—and I’m your only chance."
---
Suddenly, the windmill creaked, wood groaning under pressure.
Shadows gathered.
Then shifted.
Then formed into figures—dark and menacing.
---
"Too late," the girl whispered. "They found you."
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Elian turned, the book clenched tight in his hand. "Who are they?"
The girl grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Run."
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The wind howled as they burst from the windmill.
Then a voice cut through the darkness.
"Nyx… why are you helping him?"
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Elian froze for a split second.
Nyx didn’t look back.
"I’m not helping him, Keal," she said sharply, pulling Elian through the alleyways. "I’m containing him. For now."
---
A cold laugh echoed behind them.
"You think The Triumvirate will see it that way?" Keal said. "You’re playing with fire, Nyx."
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Nyx’s grip tightened on Elian’s arm.
"I know what I’m doing."
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Elian stumbled, trying to keep up. "What does he mean? What’s going on?"
Nyx’s eyes flashed. "Not here. Keep moving."
---
A blur of motion—
Keal appeared ahead of them.
His body twisted, shifting—
Fangs bared.
Eyes glowing red.
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Elian’s breath caught.
"Vampire…?"
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Nyx yanked him into a narrow doorway.
"Keal’s a Bloodtracker," she said quickly. "Vampires like him don’t stop."
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Elian’s mind spun. "Why me? What’s the book?"
Nyx’s gaze flicked to it.
"Your family’s legacy," she said. "You’re the last of the Dawnbloods. And Keal wants it."
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"I don’t understand!" Elian said.
---
Nyx didn’t slow down.
She pulled him into the woods.
Fast.
Faster than he thought possible.
---
Behind them—
A twig snapped.
Keal was still coming.
---
"Dawnbloods have power," Nyx said as they ran. "Light in the shadows. Keal wants it—to break The Triumvirate’s rules."
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Elian stumbled over roots. "What power? What rules?"
---
"Yours to unlock," Nyx replied. "If he gets that book, he’ll hunt down every Dawnblood left… including you."
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Another sound behind them.
Closer.
---
Nyx pulled him deeper into the forest.
"Hold on."
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Then—
Silence.
---
Keal was gone.
---
The woods swallowed them whole.
---
Elian turned on her instantly.
"What is going on? Who are you? Who’s that guy? What do they want from me? And what is The Triumvirate?"
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Nyx leaned against a tree, steadying her breath.
"Alright," she said. "Catch-up time."
She looked at him directly.
"I’m Nyx. I’m helping you survive."
A pause.
"Keal is a Bloodtracker. A vampire working for The Order of the Umbra. They want the Dawnblood power in you."
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Elian shook his head. "What power?"
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Nyx’s voice hardened.
"Your bloodline carries something rare. A power that can shift the balance between light and shadow."
She continued:
"The Triumvirate sits at the top of The Order. They control everything. And they want that power… controlled."
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Elian narrowed his eyes. "And you?"
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Nyx didn’t answer right away.
"I have my reasons," she said finally. "Just know this—I need you alive."
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A distant howl echoed.
Keal wasn’t done.
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Elian’s jaw tightened. "What do we do now?"
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"We move," Nyx said.
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Elian shook his head. "No. We go to my uncle. Maybe he can help."
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"NO."
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Nyx’s reaction was instant.
Sharp.
Her eyes burned.
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"They’re not looking for your uncle, Elian," she said. "They’re looking for you."
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Elian froze. "What do you mean?"
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"You don’t know who you are," Nyx said. "Your family’s legacy is bigger than you think."
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Elian stared at her. "Then explain it."
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Nyx grabbed his arm again. "Not here. We need to get you somewhere safe."
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Then—
A shadow dropped from the trees.
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Elian turned.
His breath caught.
"…Uncle Marcus?"
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Marcus stepped forward.
Relief crossed his face.
"Elian. Thank the gods you’re safe."
He looked at Nyx.
"What’s going on?"
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"Keal’s on our tail," Nyx said. "We need to move."
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Marcus nodded. "Good. We’ll head to the Sanctuary. We can explain everything there."
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Elian pulled back.
Frustration rising.
"Explain what? What’s going on? Who’s Keal? What is The Order?"
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Nyx stepped in. "We’ll tell you. But not here."
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Marcus turned. "This way. There’s a safe route."
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Elian didn’t move.
"No," he said. "I need answers. Now."
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Nyx’s voice sharpened. "Elian, this isn’t safe."
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Marcus’s expression darkened.
"The Sanctuary’s compromised," he said. "We go to the fallback point."
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Another howl.
Closer.
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Elian looked straight at him.
"What’s going on, Uncle?"
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Marcus exhaled.
"You’re in danger," he said. "The Order is hunting you. They believe you can control the Dawnblood power."
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"What is that?" Elian demanded.
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Marcus hesitated.
Then—
"It’s part of you," he said. "Your mother had it."
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Nyx cut in. "We don’t have time—"
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Elian didn’t move.
"Tell me."
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Marcus met his eyes.
"You’re a Dawnblood, Elian."
A pause.
"Half-vampire. Half-human."
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Everything went silent.
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"The most powerful kind," Marcus finished.
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Elian’s voice was barely there.
"My mom…?"
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Nyx grabbed his arm. "Later."
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Elian pulled free.
"No. Now."
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Marcus’s expression softened.
"Your mother… was the leader of The Triumvirate," he said quietly. "She’s gone."
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Elian’s eyes darkened.
"Gone how?"
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A howl tore through the forest.
Right behind them.
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Nyx grabbed him.
"We move. Now."
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Marcus turned, urgency snapping into place.
"Follow me. Stay close."
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Elian didn’t move.
"What happened to my mom?"
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Marcus stopped.
Looked at him.
"She died protecting you," he said. "Your father too. The Order came for you."
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Elian’s face went cold.
"Protecting me from what?"
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"Everything."
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Then Nyx pulled him.
"Run."
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The forest exploded with movement.
Keal’s pack burst through the trees.
Eyes glowing.
Fangs bared.
---
Marcus shoved Elian forward.
"Go! To the car!"
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Nyx dragged him through the trees.
"Stay with me!"
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Behind them—
Snarling.
Clashing.
Marcus turned back.
"Get him out of here!"
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Elian looked back—
Marcus vanished into the shadows.
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"Don’t look!" Nyx snapped. "Move!"
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They broke through the trees.
A black SUV waited.
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Nyx threw the door open.
"Get in!"
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Elian dove inside.
"Down!"
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The engine roared.
Tires screamed.
They sped off into the night.
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The road blurred.
Trees flashing past.
Elian gripped the seat, breathing hard.
---
Nyx checked the mirror.
"We’re clear. For now."
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"What happened back there?" Elian demanded. "Where’s Marcus?"
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"He bought us time," Nyx said. "He’ll meet us."
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Elian’s anger rose.
"Bought us time?"
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Nyx didn’t respond.
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"What is The Order?" Elian pressed.
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"They hunt Dawnbloods," Nyx said. "They want your power."
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Elian swallowed.
"So I’m really…?"
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Nyx nodded.
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"A Dawnblood."
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The SUV slowed.
Turned onto a dirt road.
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"Your mother was their leader," Nyx said. "She had power unlike anything else."
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Elian’s voice dropped.
"And my dad?"
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"Human," Nyx said quietly. "But important."
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The car stopped.
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"We’re here," Nyx said.
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A small cabin stood ahead.
Hidden.
Silent.
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"Safehouse."
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Elian stepped out slowly.
Still processing everything.
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"What now?" he asked.
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"We lay low," Nyx said. "Figure out our next move."
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Elian nodded slowly.
"I need answers."
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"You’ll get them," Nyx said. "Tomorrow."
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They stepped inside.
The cabin was dim.
Quiet.
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Nyx handed him a blanket.
"Rest," she said. "Dawn’s coming."
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Elian sat down.
Everything finally catching up to him.
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"Tomorrow," he muttered.
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Nyx nodded.
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And the darkness took him.
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End of Chapter 3
- Writer
