Chapter 6: The Hidden Diary
279 Words
Unable to sleep, Nina returned to Blackwood library.
Behind a loose stone in the oldest wall, she discovered a leather-bound journal covered in dust.
It belonged to Evelyn Hawthorne.
Her own great-great-grandmother.
The pages described strange dreams... a handsome vampire... forbidden love...
Then Nina froze.
One entry read:
"If anyone finds this journal, know that Prince Devin gave up his immortality once to save my life. The Blood Moon chose us, but I refused eternity. I loved him enough to let him live without me."
Nina's hand trembled.
The date was 1889.
More than a century ago.
The final page contained only one sentence.
"If my bloodline survives, destiny will give us another chance."
A chill raced through Nina.
She wasn't the first woman Devin had loved.
She was descended from her.
Rain poured over Blackwood as Nina confronted Devin.
"You knew."
He closed his eyes.
"Yes."
"You've known who I was this entire time."
"I recognized your eyes the moment we met."
"You let me fall in love with you anyway?"
"I tried not to."
His voice crackled for the first time.
"I stayed away for years after Evelyn died."
"I promised myself I'd never love another human."
"So why did you?"
He stepped closer.
"Because every time you smile..."
He looked away.
"...it feels like the universe has given me one impossible second chance."
Tears filled Nina's eyes.
"I'm not Evelyn."
"I know."
"I don't want to replace her?"
"I don't want you to."
He reached for her hand.
"I love you because you're Nina."
Not because of destiny.
Not because of history.
Because somehow, against every promise he'd made to himself...
She had become his future.
- Writer
