Born With A Silver Claw

"You're not supposed to be here." The guard’s voice trembled as he stepped back, hand on his blade. His partner was already frozen, staring at the figure cloaked in black near the border wall of Duskfall. "I was exiled, not erased, " Liam said, stepping forward. The man didn’t move. “If the council sees you, they’ll—” “Panic?” Liam’s red eyes glowed. He pulled the guard closer and his blade fell from his hands.“ Go, tell Marcus I’m back. "Liam," the second guard finally spoke, his voice just a whisper. "They said you died centuries ago." Liam looked at him. “They lied. Just like they lied about my father. My mother. Everything.” "You need permission to enter". The guard continued. Liam slammed his palm against the gate. A spark shot out, then the gate split open. “No more permission,” he said as he walked through. “This city was mine before I had teeth.” "Duskfall hasn’t changed a lot," Liam muttered. The city skyline shone with bright lights and towering skyscrapers. Vampires walked the streets like royalty. But they didn’t look at him. They didn’t dare. A child tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Mama, who is that man?” The woman didn’t answer. She turned and dragged the girl away. Liam stopped at a fountain. His reflection stared back—tall, lean, black hair falling past his jaw. Cold eyes. Tired eyes. A shadow stepped behind him. "You're bold, bastard." Liam didn’t turn. “And you’re still slow, Marius. Is Marcus too scared to come by himself that he sent his son to welcome me? Or he is just a coward.” Marius stepped forward. Same jaw. Same build. But softer. Less wild. His coat had a gold crest now. His voice was calm, but his eyes burned. “You should’ve stayed in exile.” “You should’ve stayed in your lane.” "You’re outnumbered." “I’m not here for a war. Liam replied. Not yet.” Marius smirked. “You can’t walk in here and pretend like you weren’t cast out.” “You trained with me, remember?” Liam turned. “You begged me to show you how to fight. Now you act like you don’t bleed the same.” “That was before you betrayed our kind, killing vampires to satisfy your hybrid cravings.” Liam’s jaw tightened. “That’s the lie Marcus told you.” Marius stepped closer. “Don’t speak my father’s name anymore.” Liam’s silver claws pushed out from his fingers—just slightly, just enough. Marius stepped back. “You’re still scared,” Liam said. “Even now.” Marius's eyes dropped to the claws. “Those only appear when you're... angry. Or broken.” “I wonder which one I am right now.” A horn echoed through the city. “Ah,” Liam whispered. “My welcome party is about to begin. Be my guest.” He zoomed off. Marcus’s throne room shimmered with crimson light. A long hall lined with stone and fire, where silence was sharp as blades. He sat at the far end, dressed in royal black, fingers steepled. Around him, the council. Vampires. Lawmakers... The doors opened. Every head turned. Liam walked in like he owned the floor. “Am I going to miss my own welcome party?” Marcus rose slowly. “This is not a negotiation, boy. You step in here and expect a crown?” “I expect answers,” Liam said. “You expect too much. You were exiled. You are nothing now.” Liam tilted his head. “Funny. I thought nothing would scare you so much.” A murmur moved through the council. One man stood up. “You have no place here.” Liam’s claws slid out, silver and sharp. “I carry my grandfather's blood,” he said softly, “how dare you speak to me when you let a traitor rule you.” The man sat back down. Marcus walked down the steps. “You think those claws mean you’re destined? That your cursed Hybrid blood makes you special?” “I think they make me dangerous. To liars. To thieves. To traitors who were never meant to rule.” Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “You speak of your mother’s family?” “I speak of my enemy.” Marcus swung. Liam caught him. Twisted. Slammed Marcus’s hand into the floor. Claws an inch from his neck. “I’m not the boy your conspiracy sent away anymore,” Liam hissed. The council didn’t breathe. Marcus laughed. “You came alone, didn’t you?” he whispered. “No army. No allies. Just pride.” “I came with a memory,” Liam replied. “Your family is gone,” Marcus said. “You’ll never see them again.” Liam leaned in. “Then I’ll burn this city down.” Later that night, in the quiet alleys near the market square, Liam pulled his hood back. “Your performance was bold,” came a voice behind him. He turned. A woman stood in the shadows. Green eyes. A tiny crescent tattoo beneath one. A witch. “Selene” Liam said. “I was wondering when you’d come.” “You shouldn’t have returned. The city’s trembling.” “That’s the point.” “Marcus has witches on his side now.” “I noticed,” Liam said. “But he’s afraid of me.” “He should be.” Liam looked at her. “Why are you here?” “To help you. Or maybe to watch you fall. I haven’t decided.” “Then stay close,” Liam said. “You’ll need a front-row seat.” She smiled. “I know what you’re trying to do. I know about the grave.” “You know how to open it?” “I know how to try.” “Then let’s try.” “Not yet. There’s a spell guarding it. A blood-lock.” “Whose blood?” “Yours. Your mother’s. And someone else.” “Who?” “Damian.” Liam’s breath caught. “Is he alive?” he asked. Selene’s eyes didn’t blink. ‘He is still held in the Chamber of Nights. Bound in iron and magic.” “Then I’ll break in.” “You’ll die.” “I’m already a dead man remember.” “Liam—” He walked away. “Where are you going?” “To wake up a ghost.” In the deepest part of Duskfall, behind the catacombs, beneath layers of hexed walls and cursed stones, lay the door. It wasn’t locked. It was forgotten. Liam stood before it, palm bleeding, claws retracted. He pressed his hand to the stone. It drank his blood. The door opened with a slow, grinding groan. Darkness breathed out a cold that spoke. “Who dares enter this tomb?” Liam’s voice was steady. “Your son.” Chains rattled in the blackness. Something shifted far below. A heartbeat pulsed through the floor. “Liam,” the voice whispered. “You should not have come.” Liam stepped inside and the door slammed behind him.