Moonlight Bloodline

CHAPTER 3

Back at the hospital, Pierce had fallen asleep in the chair. Roxy tossed a pancake at him to wake him up.

“Finally, you’re up,” Roxy said.

“Hey — you look better. I was worried after all that screaming,” Pierce replied.

Roxy frowned. “Screaming? What are you talking about?”

Pierce straightened up. “Wait — you don’t remember?”

“I feel fine,” Roxy shrugged.

“What attacked you in the woods?” he asked carefully.

“An animal — what else could it have been?” she said quickly.

Before he could say more, Jimmy stepped in. The tension made Pierce stand up and excuse himself to get coffee.

Roxy rolled her eyes. “Did you see the look on Pierce’s face? It’s suspicious. I don’t want people to find out about us.”

Jimmy smirked. “I don’t care.”

Roxy leaned closer. “Well, Tristan is starting to show some interest again too.”

Jimmy crossed his arms. “You should get over that too.”

Meanwhile, Lila was on her way to the Old Ashford Estate to see Grayson. She rang the doorbell but got no answer, so she knocked — the door creaked open by itself.

“Grayson?” she called, stepping inside. The house was quiet. She called again, then flinched when a door creaked behind her. Ash was standing there, watching her.

“I’m sorry for barging in — the door was open,” Lila stammered.

Ash smiled. “You must be Lila. I’m Ash — Grayson’s brother. Come in. I’m sure my brother will be home soon.”

He walked her into the sitting room, his smile just a little too wide.

“I see why my brother’s into you. For a long time, I didn’t think he’d ever get over his ex.”

“His ex?” Lila repeated, confused.

“Yeah — Lilith. His girlfriend. Or, well… she was.”

Lila’s eyes widened. “Oh — he hasn’t mentioned her.”

Ash raised an eyebrow. “No talk yet about exes? Hmm. Probably didn’t want you thinking you’re the rebound.”

Lila shifted uncomfortably. “You talk like you know how this ends.”

Ash chuckled. “What can I say? I’m a realist.”

At that moment, Grayson stepped through the front door.

“Hey,” Ash said lightly, turning to him. “Look who dropped by.”

Grayson froze. “Lila — I didn’t know you’d come by.”

“I know. I should have told you first—” Lila began, but Ash cut in.

“She can come over anytime. She’s welcome here, brother.”

Grayson forced a smile. “Thank you for coming over, Lila. It’s… nice to see you.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I should probably go. It was nice meeting you, Ash.”

Ash took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Nice meeting you too.”

As the door clicked shut behind her, Ash turned to Grayson, his grin sharp.

“Wow — she’s great. You, on the other hand — not so great. Did you overwork yourself at the hospital today?” Ash asked mockingly. “If you don’t feed properly, you know your persuasion won’t stick.”

Grayson narrowed his eyes. “How long was she here for?”

Ash just laughed. “Worried? Scared history might repeat itself?”

Grayson’s voice was tight. “What games are you playing, Ash?”

Ash leaned close. “Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out, won’t you?” Then he turned and vanished down the hall.

Back at Lila’s house, she sat at the kitchen table, venting to Aunt Camille.

“He’s using me as a rebound. And he has family issues on top of it,” she muttered.

Aunt Camille raised an eyebrow. “Sweetheart, at least it’s not an ex-wife or cheating scandal. Wait till you date someone with mummy issues — or worse.”

Lila snorted, but before she could reply, Jimmy slammed the door and stomped through the hall.

“Jimmy — come back here!” Aunt Camille snapped.

Jimmy ignored her and hurried upstairs. Aunt Camille grabbed an apple from the counter and threw it at him. It thudded against his shoulder.

“Ouch! Why would you do that?” Jimmy yelped.

“Because you need to listen! Stop ditching classes — or you’re not leaving this house for anything but school.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Wow — parental authority. That’s new.” He stomped up the rest of the stairs, muttering.

Later that night at the hospital, Roxy couldn’t sleep. She shuffled to the bathroom to splash water on her face. The air turned icy behind her, making her breath catch.

When she turned back to her bed, Ash was standing there — veins crawling beneath his eyes like cracks in stone, pupils wide and predatory. His grin was inhuman.

Roxy’s scream echoed down the hallway — but when the nurse arrived moments later, her room was empty and silent again.

The next morning at school, students buzzed about the Blood Moon Festival.

“Blood Moon Festival,” Lila read aloud, handing a flyer to a classmate.

Claire nudged her. “So — you never texted him? You just showed up?”

Lila shrugged. “I realized we never even exchanged numbers.”

Claire’s jaw dropped. “That’s, like, an essential phase of a relationship!”

Lila sighed. “The timing was off, Claire.”

“No time is ever perfect,” Claire shot back.

“Well, I’m putting myself out there at least!”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “Babe, all I hear are excuses.”

Lila glared at her. “What do you mean?”

Claire crossed her arms. “You keep finding reasons why you can’t — not why you should.”

They split up, each walking in a different direction as students moved past with decorations for the festival.

Back at the Old Ashford Estate, Grayson’s uncle Hale confronted him.

“What is Ash doing back here?” Hale demanded.

Grayson rubbed his temples. “He’s here because I came back — and because he wants to make sure I never know peace. That’s his idea of fun.”

Hale lowered his voice. “The girl in the hospital could talk — he’s putting us all in danger.”

“She won’t. I handled it.”

“Are you sure?”

Grayson’s jaw tightened. “No. I’m not as strong as Ash. I don’t know how well it worked.”

He grabbed his jacket, ready to leave for school.

Hale stopped him. “Is this girl worth it? The one you came back for — is she worth it?”

Grayson didn’t answer. He just looked away, pushed past Hale, and stepped out the door.

At the Grill, Roxy was back at work — a bandage on her neck but no sign of slowing down.

“Hey — shouldn’t you be resting?” Jimmy asked, leaning on the counter.

Roxy shrugged, smirking. “The doctors didn’t give me anything strong, so yeah — it still hurts.”

Jimmy slid her a bottle of painkillers. “Take it — knock yourself out.”

“Thanks,” she said, smiling.

Just then, Tristan swaggered up. “Hey — you feeling good?” he asked.

Roxy glared at him. “Like you care.” She shoved past him, brushing his shoulder. Jimmy couldn’t help but grin.

Tristan narrowed his eyes. “What’s your problem, Jimmy?”

Jimmy didn’t answer — he just walked away.

That night, the Blood Moon rose over Tree Oak Hills. Lanterns glowed, families gathered, and the town square buzzed with laughter and whispers.

Grayson found Lila near the bonfire. They stood side by side, staring up at the crimson moon.

“Claire says the Blood Moon causes chaos,” Lila murmured. “Last time it came through Tree Oak Hills, there were… stories.”

Grayson’s gaze didn’t leave the sky. “I think it’s just a moon — trying to bless its people. It comes every hundred years. Only a few are lucky enough to see it.”

Lila turned to him, a soft smile on her lips. “Then I guess we’re lucky.”

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Grayson said quietly.

She tilted her head. “Seems like you like apologizing.”

“I have a lot to apologize for.”

She lowered her eyes. “You didn’t tell me about your brother.”

“We’re not close. It’s a love-hate thing.”

She looked up at him again. “He told me about your ex. Lilith.”

His jaw tensed. “What did he say?”

“That she broke your heart.”

Grayson’s eyes softened. “That was a long time ago.”

Lila’s voice dropped. “When someone leaves, it stays with you. It’s hard to let them go.”

He stepped closer, about to speak — but she shook her head gently.

“It’s okay. I get it — we’re kind of the same in that way. But… reality sets in.”

Grayson stood frozen, searching for the right words, but none came. Lila turned, her hair brushing his arm, and walked away — leaving him staring up at the blood-red moon alone.

On the other side of the festival, Ash sat alone under the lanterns, watching the crowd with a calm, cold stare.

Roxy spotted him and hesitated. “Hey — I know you,” she said.

Ash tilted his head, smirking faintly. “You sure about that?”

She faltered. “Your face… you know what, never mind. I’m sorry.” She turned quickly and slipped into the bathroom.

Inside, Roxy gripped the sink, staring at her reflection. Her breathing quickened as she pulled out the pain pills. She bent down to sip water from the tap — and when she lifted her head, Ash was right behind her. His veins crawled beneath his eyes — sharp, unnatural. He grabbed her, and she screamed.

Inside the Grill, Jimmy was pacing. “Has anyone seen Roxy?” he asked, his voice sharp.

Tristan stepped in, smirking at Jimmy in front of Pierce, Serena, and Lila.

“Looking for your side piece, huh? What’s wrong — your drug supply dry?” Tristan sneered.

Jimmy lunged at him. “Watch your mouth—”

“Wait — Jimmy, what is he talking about?” Lila demanded, confused.

Pierce slammed his fist on the table. “All of you shut up and help me find my sister!”

Jimmy stepped back. “I’ll help—”

“No. You’re coming with me,” Lila snapped, grabbing his arm. “You have to stop all of this, Jimmy. Selling? Hiding? I’m not covering for you.”

Jimmy yanked his arm free. “Look, Lila — not now. I have to find Roxy first.”

Pierce turned to Grayson, desperate. “Hey — can you help me? Please.”

Grayson nodded once. “Yeah, I’ll look for her. If I see anything, I’ll tell you.”

As he stepped away, he froze — head tilting slightly. He could hear her. Roxy’s muffled voice drifted down from the rooftop — only his heightened hearing could catch it.

Grayson shot up the stairwell in seconds. On the dark rooftop, he found Ash gripping Roxy’s arms, pinning her against a vent. She was trembling, eyes wide.

“What attacked you the other night?” Ash hissed.

“An animal — I swear,” Roxy whimpered.

Ash’s eyes narrowed. “Think harder!” He forced her to meet his gaze — veins pulsing beneath his skin.

“Vampire,” Roxy gasped, terrified.

Ash turned, meeting Grayson’s glare. “Which vampire did it, hmm?” He whispered in her ear, voice dripping with compulsion.

Roxy’s eyes glazed. “Greyson. Greyson attacked me.”

“No — Ash, don’t do this! Please—” Grayson stepped forward, hands up.

Ash ripped the bandage from her neck. Fresh blood trickled out, the scent flooding Grayson’s senses. His pupils dilated, fangs pressing behind his lips.

“Come on, brother. You’re stronger than this. Animals make you weak — you can’t even compel properly. Feed.” Ash’s voice was poison.

Grayson trembled. He could feel the hunger clawing at him — but he shoved Roxy away, turning his head, fangs retracting.

“You have two choices,” Ash snarled. “Feed — or let her run back down there, screaming ‘vampire’ at the top of her lungs. Let them stake you for all I care.”

Grayson’s voice broke. “So that’s what this is? You want to expose me?”

Ash grinned. “No. I want you to remember who you are.”

Grayson’s hands balled into fists. “I won’t.”

Ash shrugged. “Then let’s see how merciful I’m feeling tonight.” He leaned down, brushing Roxy’s hair back. He whispered in her ear — a flicker of compulsion. Her eyes cleared; she blinked, dazed, and stumbled away down the stairs.

Ash stepped back, smirking at his brother. “I like it here — you, never knowing peace.”

Grayson spat the words out. “You’ll never tell me why you’re really here, will you?”

Ash’s eyes glittered under the Blood Moon. “Nope. That’s for me to know — and for you to wonder.” He disappeared into the shadows.

Back inside the Grill, Grayson found Serena and Claire by the bar.

“Hey — have you seen Lila?” Grayson asked.

Claire lifted her head. “She went home. But I’ll give you her number. She likes texting — tell her I gave it to you, no big deal.”

“Thank you,” Grayson said, taking the scrap of paper from her.

As their hands brushed, Claire shivered — a chill running through her.

“What happened to you?” she whispered.

Grayson frowned. “I’m sorry — what?”

Claire blinked like she was waking from a dream. “I’m sorry. Never mind.” She stuffed her things in her bag and slipped away, leaving Grayson standing alone under the lanterns.