The Last Veylorn

Silent Promise

The evening rain fell gently over New Haven as the museum closed for the day.

Employees hurried toward the entrance, shielding themselves with umbrellas while others laughed as they rushed through the rain.

Elara stepped outside and sighed.

"I should've checked the weather."

Just as she was about to open her umbrella, a sleek black luxury car pulled up beside her.

The tinted window slid down.

It was Lucien Draven.

"Miss Vane."

She blinked in surprise.

"Mr. Draven?"

"The rain is getting heavier," he said with a soft smile. "May I give you a ride home?"

"You don't have to."

"I know," Lucien replied calmly. "I'd like to."

After a brief hesitation, Elara smiled and climbed into the car.

The warm interior was a welcome escape from the cold rain outside.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Soft piano music drifted through the car as city lights reflected across the rain-covered windows.

Finally, Lucien broke the silence.

"How are you settling into New Haven?"

"It's... different," Elara answered. "Sometimes it feels like this city is hiding something."

Lucien gave a quiet laugh.

"Cities are like people. They all have secrets."

She turned to look at him.

"And what about you?"

He kept his eyes on the road.

"My secrets are older than this city."

His answer left her speechless.

The silence returned.

Elara stole a quick glance at Lucien before looking out the window again.

He's hiding something...

Ever since the night he had appeared from nowhere and stood between her and that terrifying creature, she had known he wasn't an ordinary man.

She still remembered the way his silver eyes had glowed beneath the moonlight.

The way the monster had called him...

Veylorn.

She had promised herself not to ask him about it again.

Not yet.

If Lucien truly wanted her to know the truth, he would tell her himself.

Until then...

She would wait.

Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on her face.

Lucien noticed her reflection in the window.

"What are you smiling about?" he asked gently.

Startled, Elara looked back at him.

"Oh... it's nothing."

Lucien smiled faintly.

For reasons he couldn't explain, being near her made the silence feel less lonely.

A few moments later, the car stopped at a red light.

As Lucien rested one hand on the steering wheel, Elara noticed a thin scar running across the back of his hand.

It looked strangely old.

Without thinking, she reached out and lightly brushed her fingertips against it.

Lucien froze.

No one had touched him so gently in centuries.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, the sounds of the city disappeared.

His heart, silent for so long, beat just a little faster.

Across the street, hidden beneath a black umbrella, Adrian Vale watched them from the shadows.

"So..." he murmured.

"The mighty Veylorn has finally opened his heart."

He lowered his gaze.

"Let's hope love doesn't become his greatest weakness."

With that, Adrian disappeared into the rain.

The car finally arrived outside Elara's apartment.

"Thank you for the ride," she said softly.

"It was my pleasure."

She opened the door, but before stepping out, she turned back.

"Goodnight, Lucien."

He smiled-a genuine smile that even surprised him.

"Goodnight... Elara."

She walked toward her apartment, unaware that Lucien remained parked outside for several moments, watching to make sure she got inside safely.

Only when the light in her apartment came on did he quietly drive away.

From the rooftop of a nearby building, a pair of crimson eyes watched the departing car.

A cold voice whispered into the darkness,

"The bond between them grows stronger..."

"...which means the time to destroy it is drawing near."