Born by Blood and Moonlight

CHAPTER THREE--The Mysterious Stranger

Camilla stood frozen, her fingers still resting on the old book.

The stranger smiled politely, his expression calm and unreadable.

"You seem interested in local history," he said, glancing at the worn leather cover in her hands.

Camilla looked down at the book and gave a small shrug.

"I guess I was just curious. Every town has its own ghost stories."

A faint chuckle escaped his lips.

"Raven Hollow has more than ghost stories."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You sound like you actually believe these things."

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he stepped closer to the bookshelf and gently took another book from the top shelf.

"What if I told you that not everything people call a myth is imaginary?"

Camilla laughed softly.

"Then I'd probably say you've been reading too many fantasy novels."

For the first time, the stranger smiled—a genuine smile that somehow made him seem less intimidating.

"Maybe."

He extended his hand.

"I'm Lucien Hawthorne."

"Camilla Wilson." she said

As their hands met.

The moment their fingers touched, Camilla felt an unexpected warmth spread through her body. It wasn't painful or frightening—just... strange.

She quickly pulled her hand back.

Lucien noticed the slight confusion on her face but pretended not to.

"So, you're the new student everyone has been talking about."

Her eyes widened.

"You know who I am?"

"It's a small town," he replied. "News travels fast."

"I suppose that's true."

The bookstore owner suddenly appeared from behind the counter.

"Lucien! Your grandfather was asking about you earlier."

"I'll be there shortly."

The old man nodded before disappearing into another aisle.

Camilla glanced at Lucien.

"You come here often?"

"Whenever I need a little peace."

She smiled.

"I know exactly what you mean."

Outside, dark clouds gathered above Raven Hollow, casting long shadows over the streets.

A cold breeze swept through the open doorway.

Lucien's eyes drifted toward the sky for only a second.

His smile faded.

"It's getting late."

Camilla looked outside.

"I should probably head home too."

The two walked out of the bookstore together.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It was comfortable.

As they reached the parking lot, Camilla unlocked her silver sedan.

"It was nice meeting you," she said.

Lucien gave a slight nod.

"I'm sure we'll meet again."

Something about the way he said it made it sound less like a guess...

...and more like a promise.

Camilla climbed into her car and drove away.

She didn't notice Lucien standing exactly where she'd left him, watching until her car disappeared around the corner.

Only then did another figure emerge from the shadows between the trees.

He wasn't as tall as Lucien, broad-shouldered, with messy dark hair and piercing amber eyes.

His expression was far from friendly.

"So..." the newcomer, he said, folding his arms.

"She's the girl."

Lucien didn't look at him.

"Yes."

"The Council already knows."

"I expected they would."

The young man sighed heavily.

"This is going to start another war."

Lucien finally turned to face him.

"Only if we allow it."

The stranger shook his head.

"You know the prophecy."

"I do."

"And you still got close to her."

Lucien's crimson eyes darkened.

"I had no choice."

The wind howled through the trees.

Somewhere deep inside the forest, a wolf's haunting cry echoed across the valley.

The newcomer, closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"They've found her too."

Lucien remained silent.

Far away, Camilla drove home with soft music playing through her speakers.

She smiled to herself as she remembered the mysterious young man from the bookstore.

She had no idea that, at that very moment, two ancient races had already begun watching her every move.

And before the week was over...

One of them would finally reveal its true nature.