I Fell In LOVE with a VAMPIRE

Chapter 7 : The Hidden Cabin

The tunnel was cold and damp.

Elena stumbled through the darkness, using the rough stone walls to keep her balance. Her breathing echoed around her, mixing with the distant rumble of collapsing rocks behind her.

She didn't know how long she had been walking.

Five minutes.

Maybe thirty.

Finally, a faint light appeared ahead.

She pushed against a rusted iron door.

It creaked open.

Fresh night air rushed into her lungs.

She was deep in the Raven Hollow Forest.

The moon hung high above the trees, casting pale light over the winding path before her.

For a brief moment, everything was quiet.

Then...

Snap.

A twig broke behind her.

Elena spun around.

"Who's there?"

No answer.

She backed away slowly.

Another snap.

Something was following her.

Before panic could take over, a familiar voice called from the shadows.

"Elena!"

Mara Nightshade stepped into the moonlight, holding an old lantern in one hand.

"Mara!"

Elena ran to her and threw her arms around her.

"I thought I was too late," Mara said, relieved.

"How did you find me?"

"Lucien planned for this."

"He... what?"

"He told me that if anything ever happened to him, I'd have to protect you."

Elena's heart sank.

"He's alive... isn't he?"

Mara hesitated.

"I don't know."

Those three words hit harder than Elena expected.

Without another word, Mara led her deeper into the forest.

After nearly an hour of walking, the trees opened into a small clearing.

In the center stood an old wooden cabin hidden beneath climbing ivy.

"This place belonged to my grandmother," Mara explained.

"No one knows it's here."

Inside, the cabin was warm despite its age. Shelves were lined with strange books, dried herbs hung from the ceiling, and candles flickered with blue flames.

Elena looked around in amazement.

"You're really a witch."

Mara smiled.

"My family has been practicing magic for generations."

She placed a kettle over the fire.

"I've been waiting a long time to tell you."

"You knew about vampires?"

"I know about vampires..."

"Werewolves..."

"Ghosts..."

"Curses..."

"And the First Vampire."

Elena sat down heavily.

"So everything is real."

"I'm afraid so."

Mara reached into an old chest and pulled out a weathered leather journal.

"This belonged to your mother."

Elena stared at it.

"My mother?"

"She left it with my grandmother before she died."

With trembling hands, Elena opened the first page.

Written in elegant handwriting were the words:

If you're reading this, my sweet Elena... then I couldn't protect you anymore.

Tears filled Elena's eyes.

She turned the page.

Her mother's words continued.

There is something I've kept from you your entire life. Your father wasn't just an ordinary man...

Elena's heart pounded.

She leaned closer.

Just as she was about to read the next sentence—

A powerful explosion shook the cabin.

The windows shattered.

Blue flames erupted across the room.

Someone had found them.

Outside, a familiar voice echoed through the forest.

"Did you really think you could hide her from me?"

Damien.

He had come for Elena.