Chapter 2: Crimson Secrets
381 Words
Evelyn’s heart pounded as countless questions raced through her mind. Nothing about the past twenty-four hours made sense anymore. The world she believed she knew was beginning to crumble, replaced by one filled with ancient secrets, hidden enemies, and impossible truths she could no longer ignore.
Evelyn Ashford barely slept after the events at the abandoned warehouse. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the mysterious man’s crimson gaze and heard his warning echo in her mind.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Determined to uncover the truth, she rushed to her office the next morning. She inserted her camera’s memory card into her computer, expecting to find proof of what she had witnessed. Instead, every photograph was corrupted—except one.
It showed the stranger staring directly into the camera, his gray eyes glowing a faint shade of red.
“Who are you?” she whispered.
Using every resource available, Evelyn searched police records, newspapers, and public databases. There was no record of the man. It was as though he had never existed.
Miles away, Kael Nightshade stood before the council of vampire elders.
“You exposed yourself to a human,” one elder said coldly.
“She isn’t human,” Kael replied. “She’s a witch.”
The room fell silent.
The elders ordered Kael to find Evelyn before rival supernatural forces discovered her identity. Although he obeyed, he secretly decided he would protect her rather than use her.
That evening, Evelyn walked home through a quiet alley after following another mysterious lead. Suddenly, the air grew icy. Dark, shadow-like creatures emerged from the rooftops, surrounding her from every direction.
Without hesitation, Evelyn summoned brilliant blue flames into her hands, but the creatures kept advancing.
Just as one lunged toward her, a black figure dropped from the rooftop.
Kael.
With incredible speed, he defeated the creatures one by one until the alley fell silent.
Breathing heavily, Evelyn stared at him.
“You’ve been following me,” she accused.
Kael shook his head.
“I’ve been protecting you.”
Before Evelyn could respond, a chilling voice echoed through the darkness.
“The prophecy has begun.”
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of glowing golden eyes watched them, and both realized that their greatest enemy had finally found them.
- Writer
