Chapter5
637 Words
11:45 p.m. – Mid-Atlantic, 40,000 ft
The jet shuddered.
Turbulence—or something worse.
Cassian’s hand tightened on mine.
“Storm’s not natural,” he muttered.
I looked out the window.
Black clouds swirled like blood in water.
Lightning flashed—gold.
The baby kicked.
Hard.
I winced.
Gold veins flared under my skin.
Cassian’s eyes widened. “She’s coming.”
I nodded.
Contraction.
First.
11:50 p.m. – Cockpit
Pilot—human—sweating.
“Ma’am, we’ve lost comms. GPS is spinning. Something’s jamming us.”
I leaned over his shoulder.
Radar—seven red dots converging.
Vampire jets.
Livia.
I smiled.
“Land us. Now.”
“Where?”
I pointed at the storm.
“There.”
11:55 p.m. – Emergency Landing, Abandoned Island
Runway—cracked concrete.
WWII relic.
The jet skidded.
Sparks.
Stopped.
Doors ripped open.
Seven vampire fighters circled overhead.
Cassian grabbed the axe.
I stepped out—barefoot.
White dress soaked in gold blood.
Contraction.
Second.
I dropped to my knees.
Cassian knelt. “Elara—”
“Not here.” I gasped. “Inside.”
He carried me to the hangar.
12:00 a.m. – Hangar
Rusted planes.
Moonlight through broken roof.
I lay on a tarp.
Cassian tore his shirt—makeshift blanket.
“Breathe.”
I screamed.
Gold fire erupted from my hands.
Planes melted.
Third contraction.
12:05 a.m. – Livia Lands
Seven jets touched down.
Livia stepped out—white suit. Red lips.
Fifty vampires behind her.
She smiled.
“You burned my council. I’ll burn your child.”
Cassian growled.
Fangs out.
I pushed.
Fourth contraction.
12:07 a.m. – The Birth
Gold light blinded the hangar.
The baby cried.
Girl.
Gold eyes.
Tiny fangs.
Cassian cut the cord with the axe.
I held her.
Livia clapped.
“Perfect.”
She blurred—hand reaching.
Cassian blocked.
Fought.
I stood—legs shaking.
Gold fire coated my arms.
“Touch her and die.”
Livia laughed.
“You’re weak. You just birthed.”
I smiled.
“I’m a mother now.”
12:10 a.m. – The Fight
Cassian vs. ten vampires.
Axe swinging.
Blood spraying.
I walked forward—baby in one arm.
Gold fire in the other.
Vampires charged.
I burned them.
Ashes.
Livia watched.
“You can’t kill me. I’m family.”
I laughed.
“You’re nothing.”
12:15 a.m. – The Truth
Livia smiled.
“You think Cassian loves you?”
She threw a vial.
Crimson.
“His blood. The real one. He drugged you again on the jet.”
Cassian froze.
I looked at him.
“Tell me she’s lying.”
He dropped the axe.
“I had to. To protect you.”
I slapped him.
Gold fire flared.
The baby cried.
Livia laughed.
“He’s mine.”
12:20 a.m. – The Choice
Livia blurred—claws at the baby.
I threw myself between.
Claws ripped my shoulder.
Gold blood poured.
Cassian roared.
Tackled Livia.
They fought.
I crawled to the baby.
Held her.
Gold fire healed my wound.
12:25 a.m. – The Final Bite
Livia pinned Cassian.
Fangs at his throat.
“Say goodbye.”
I stood.
Baby in arms.
“Livia.”
She turned.
I threw the baby—into Cassian’s arms.
He caught her.
I lunged.
Gold fire coated my fists.
I punched through Livia’s chest.
Heart in my hand.
Gold fire burned.
She screamed.
“You… can’t…”
I crushed it.
Ashes.
12:30 a.m. – Silence
Fifty vampires—ashes.
Livia—gone.
Cassian held the baby.
Tears in his eyes.
I walked to him.
Took her.
Kissed her forehead.
Gold eyes stared up.
Cassian knelt.
“I’m sorry.”
I cupped his face.
“You’re hers now.”
He smiled.
1:00 a.m. – Dawn
The storm cleared.
Sunrise.
Cassian stepped into the light.
No burn.
The baby giggled.
I smiled.
Daywalker.
- Writer
