Part 1: The Stranger in the Shadows
The rain fell in silver threads, dancing under the flickering streetlights. It was past midnight, and the city had slipped into that dangerous silence — the kind where shadows whispered, and nothing good walked the roads.
Vartika clutched her jacket tighter, breath fogging in the cold air, heels echoing as she rushed down the deserted lane. She knew someone was following her.
And he was close.
Her heart beat like a trapped bird, thudding in her ribs as the sound of his footsteps grew louder… measured, calm, almost mocking. She turned a corner sharply—and slammed right into his chest.
He didn’t even flinch.
Tall, dressed in black with a coat swaying like shadows themselves, he looked down at her with unreadable silver-grey eyes. His face was almost inhumanly perfect — sharp jawline, high cheekbones, lips pressed into a firm line. But those eyes… they burned cold.
She gasped, stumbling back.
“You again?” she whispered. “W-Why are you following me?”
He stepped forward, voice like velvet dragged over steel.
“I told you not to leave the house after sunset.”
Her eyes widened in fear. “You told me? Who the hell are you?”
He grabbed her wrist—not roughly, but tight enough. “They’ve found your scent. They’ll come for you tonight.”
“What—what are you talking about?” she tried to yank her hand back. “Let me go!”
“I’m not here to hurt you,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “But I will not let them take you.”
His fangs flashed just for a second, eyes glinting blood-red in the dim light.
She froze.
Terror swelled in her chest, a scream rising — but before it could escape, he pulled her into a side alley and pinned her against the wall, shielding her as a rustle of wings passed overhead.
Three dark figures flew above the buildings.
“Too late,” he whispered against her ear, his breath unnaturally cold. “They’re already here.”
