Blood Rose Kings

Evelyn Chapter 7

As the night wore on, the music pulsed through the rooftop lounge, and I lost myself in the rhythm. Jake spun me around, laughing, and I felt carefree for the first time in weeks.

But my gaze kept drifting to the vampires, their eyes fixed on me like anchors. Asher's expression had turned enigmatic, his jaw clenched. Ryker's gaze was icy, his eyes never leaving mine. Kael's face was a mask of intensity, his eyes burning with an inner fire. Cormac's eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness, his expression thoughtful.

I shivered, and i blamed it on the rain, even though it had nothing to do with it. My friends didn't notice, too caught up in their own laughter and music.

As the song ended, Jake grinned at me. "You're an amazing dancer, Evelyn."

I smiled back, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Thanks, Jake. You're not bad yourself."

Ryth and Elanor swooped in, chattering excitedly about the next song. The DJ spun a new track, and the crowd surged forward.

I took advantage of the chaos to slip away, grabbing my phone from my purse. The screen flashed with a text from an unknown number:

"We're watching you, Evelyn. Don't think you can hide."

My heart skipped a beat. Who was this? One of Asher's allies or an unknown enemy?

I scanned the rooftop, searching for any sign of danger. The vampires still watched me, their eyes unyielding.

Suddenly, Cormac stepped forward, his movements fluid. He appeared beside me, his voice low and urgent.

"Evelyn, we need to talk. Now."

I hesitated, unsure if I should trust him. But something in his eyes made me nod.

"Follow me," he said, leading me away from the music and lights.

We descended to the quiet streets below, the city sounds muffled. Cormac stopped beneath a streetlamp, his face illuminated.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cormac's eyes locked onto mine. "Asher's not the only one who wants to protect you, Evelyn. There are others, hidden in the shadows. And they'll stop at nothing to claim you."

My heart pounded in my chest. "Who are they?"

Cormac's expression turned grim. "You'll find out soon enough. But know this: we're not your only allies. There are those who'll fight to keep you safe."

I swallowed hard, unsure what to believe. Was Cormac friend or foe?

As I searched his face, Asher appeared behind him, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Cormac, what are you doing?" Asher asked, his voice low and menacing.

Cormac turned to face Asher, his expression unwavering. "Telling her the truth, Asher. Something you've been avoiding."

Asher's gaze narrowed. "You're putting her in danger."

Cormac stood firm. "She deserves to know."

I stepped forward, my voice firm. "I want to know. Tell me."

The two vampires exchanged a weighted glance. Then Cormac spoke, his words sending shivers down my spine:

"The Order of the Blood Rose is coming for you, Evelyn. And they'll stop at nothing to claim your power."

My world went dark.

Asher's eyes flashed with anger, but Cormac didn't back down. "She deserves to know the truth, Asher. You've been keeping her in the dark for too long."

I took a step forward, my heart racing. "What does it mean, the Order of the Blood Rose? What power do I have?"

Cormac's gaze locked onto mine. "You're a direct descendant of the ancient bloodline, Evelyn. A bloodline thought to be extinct. The Order believes your blood holds the key to unlocking unimaginable power."

Asher's face twisted in disgust. "You're putting her in danger, Cormac. The Order will stop at nothing to claim her."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What kind of power?"

Cormac hesitated before answering. "The power to control the very fabric of life and death. The Order believes your blood can grant them immortality."

I stumbled backward, my mind reeling. "That's impossible. I'm just a normal person."

Asher's eyes softened, and he reached out to steady me. "You're far from normal, Evelyn. You're the key to their plans, and they'll do everything to capture you."

Cormac's expression turned grim. "We need to get her out of here. Now."

Without another word, Asher grasped my arm, and we followed Cormac through the winding streets. The city lights blurred together as we moved swiftly, the vampires' long strides forcing me to hurry.

We eventually stopped at a nondescript building, Cormac producing a key to unlock the door. Inside, the dimly lit space revealed a sleek, high-tech command center.

Ryker and Kael awaited us, their faces set in determined lines. "Time to brief her," Cormac said, nodding.

Ryker stepped forward, his icy demeanor thawing slightly. "Evelyn, we've been watching you for some time. We know you're unaware of your heritage, but we're here to protect you."

Kael added, his intensity still radiating, "We've taken measures to conceal your location, but the Order has resources beyond our understanding. We need your cooperation."

Asher's grip on my arm tightened. "We'll keep her safe."

Cormac's eyes locked onto Asher. "We can't do this alone. We need allies, Asher. The Order won't hesitate to destroy anyone in their path."

The tension between them was palpable. I felt caught in the middle, unsure who to trust.

"What do I need to do?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Ryker nodded. "First, we relocate you to a secure location. Then, we train you to control your... abilities."

Abilities? What abilities?

Before I could ask, Cormac handed me a phone. "Your new secure line. Memorize the number. We'll contact you soon."

Asher's voice whispered against my ear. "Trust no one, Evelyn. Not even us."

With those ominous words, they disappeared into the night, leaving me shaken and alone.

The city lights blurred as I stared at the phone, the darkness closing in.

I stood there, frozen, as the vampires vanished into the night. The phone felt heavy in my hand, a tangible connection to the dangerous world they'd dragged me into.

As I turned to leave, I noticed a figure lingering in the shadows. Ryker stepped forward, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"Evelyn, be cautious," he said, his voice low. "Asher's motives aren't entirely pure."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Ryker's expression turned guarded. "He has a personal stake in your protection. One that might cloud his judgment."

I frowned, unsure what to make of Ryker's warning. "What kind of personal stake?"

Ryker hesitated before answering. "Asher's past is... complicated. His connection to you runs deeper than he's letting on."

My mind whirled with questions, but Ryker disappeared into the night before I could ask more.

I took a deep breath and dialed the only number saved on the new phone – Cormac's.

He answered on the first ring. "Evelyn?"

"Cormac, what did Ryker mean about Asher's past?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

Cormac's pause spoke volumes. "Asher's history with the Order is... fraught. He lost someone close to him. Someone with your bloodline."

My heart skipped a beat. "What happened?"

"The Order killed her," Cormac said bluntly. "Asher's been driven by revenge ever since."

I felt a pang of sympathy for Asher, despite the danger surrounding him. "And what about you, Cormac? Why are you helping me?"

Cormac's voice softened. "Let's just say I have my reasons for wanting the Order destroyed."

The line went silent, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd lost the connection.

"Cormac?"

"I'm here," he said finally. "Meet us at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight. We'll relocate you to a secure location."

Before I could respond, the line went dead.