Fang My Life! (Revamping Cover)

Trigger warnings: Mentions of possible r*pe, torture, massacre, blood, and death. PLEASE BE ADVISED AND MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ABOVE ALL ELSE.

Silence envelops me, an unsettling calm. My back presses against the wall, yet I sense a gap between my feet and the floor. Is there something clasping my wrist? It’s elusive, beyond my grasp. A shake of my wrist yields the clinking of chains. I find myself suspended, chained to the wall, legs hanging freely. Another shake brings a searing pain. Turning my head, I inspect the chains; they’re coated with wolfsbane, notorious for its toxicity to vampires and werewolves. This revelation clarifies my plight: I am a captive.

My throat is parched; I must have been here for quite some time. Normally, I can manage my thirst, but the need to feed becomes imperative after a couple of months. I try to lift my head towards any source of light, only to discover a cloth obstructing my view. Damn it! If I weren’t so weakened, I could escape this place. My captors remain unknown to me, as does their purpose. It’s infuriating! I let out a sigh. For now, I have no choice but to wait for an opportune moment to act. The chains sear into my wrists, making the mere act of sitting here all the more agonizing. Yet, endure it I must.

Footsteps echo down a corridor, drawing ever closer. Then, a door creaks open. “Greetings, pureblood vampire princess, Heaven De’Monte.” The man announces. For some reason, my body trembles and instinctively recoils from him. “I wouldn’t do that,” He warns. As the chains seared into my skin, I let out a hiss of pain. “I warned you. Now, shall we begin?” He suggests, moving to my right. “You probably don’t even know why you’re here,” He states the obvious, and I keep my head lowered. From the way he speaks, it seems he has known me for some time, as if we were adversaries. Yet, I have no memory of him at all.

I attempt to speak, but only a raspy voice emerges. My lips are chapped, blistered, and sore. I can’t muster a single word. “Oh, you can’t speak, my dear; such chapped lips will make it quite difficult,” he says, grabbing what sounds like a bucket with something slushing around inside. “Here,” He offers. Naturally, I hesitate to accept whatever he’s offering. “Don’t worry, my dear, I’m only trying to help you speak,” He assures. He dips into the bucket, pushing something

toward my lips, but I still reject it. The man grabs my chin, forcing my mouth open. The strange spills into my mouth, the liquid in question was blood.

I consumed the blood, doing so with great enthusiasm. Overwhelmed by hunger, I behaved in a manner most unbecoming, almost beast-like. “Drink your fill, so I might once again hear your exquisite voice,” he said, his voice hoarse. It was revolting; was he deriving pleasure from my savage state? Once the blood had soothed my chapped lips, I found my voice and posed the question that had been haunting me, “Who are you, and why am I here?” His laughter was a low chuckle. “My princess, I’m honored you would inquire about me,” he replied. “I am Zane Seiko, the leader of the Van Helsing.” Van Helsing? That name meant nothing to me. “Ah, you seem perplexed, my dear,” Zane chuckled again, “Naturally, He ensured your confusion.”

He? Who the f*ck is he? “Now, my dear princess, since the boy with the dreadlocks is not here to disrupt us as before,” Zane approached me, “We can proceed from where we were interrupted,” He declared. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I exclaimed. Zane laughed even louder, “Again, He is the reason for that.” Zane comes even closer to me, grabbing a lock of my hair and deeply inhaling it. “I had enjoyed watching the maids bathe you,” Zane said in a hoarse voice. I manage to shake him off, but the chains sear into me once more. A louder hiss escapes me as the pain intensifies. “Now, don’t do that; we wouldn’t want your precious wrist to suffer third-degree burns, would we?” Zane said jokingly as he pulled the cloth away from my eyes. “I like my prey to at least watch as I ravage them.” I watch as Zane licks his lips. Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I could see that Zane appeared to be in his early forties. He had black hair, brown eyes, and fair, rosy skin.

My eyes go wide, is he saying he means to take my virginity? Against my will? No, I cannot allow that! I will burn off my own hands and wrists before I even let that happen. “My virginity is only to be given to a woman or a man that I can trust or even love enough!” I screamed at the man. Zane bursts into laughter, clutching his stomach and pounding the wall as he laughs. “You think you have a choice here,” Zane says, smiling at me. His smile unnerves me even more than it did before. “I take what I want when I want.” Zane smiles, “Now, be a good girl and enjoy yourself being claimed by a lowly human such as I.” Zane spins around, facing the door frame, “The history books that every vampire will read in their education will tell the tale, of how a human took the virginity of their future queen!” Zane then spins back around to face me, “And you will bear my children!” Zane smiles at me, “And you shall be mine even if you don’t want it.”

I did the only thing I could manage to do. I laughed, not a mere giggle, nor a simple ‘ha-ha’ laugh. I laughed as though I had finally snapped, perhaps even lost my grip on sanity. I refuse to be weak; I will never allow myself to be perceived as weak or merely a tool for others. I will intimidate my enemies into submission, I will stand firm, and I will not succumb to this human... this despair. Zane comes closer to me, bending down to my ear, “I promise to be gentle.” Zane whispered. I tried to shake him off me, but he was overpowering me in my weakened state. I couldn’t even fight him off me. Zane laughs as I struggle to get him away. Zane forces my legs to lace around his hips; he then pushes the dress that falls to my kneecaps higher up, revealing more of my legs. The fabric stops at my waist.

Zane starts to kiss my neck and lick me vigorously as if he were starving for me. His vile hot breath made me shift and tremble in horror. I was disgusted. This human would take me by force and make me bear his children. My realization sets in, I am about to be claimed by a man I can’t even remember. This situation is dire, and there is no one to help, let alone save me from this impending doom. My resolve had finally broken. A tear ran down my face. I began to weep and cry uncontrollably; this man would ruin me. Zane licks the tears from my face. He tilts my face up to meet his gaze, “Oh my dear, you’re quite exquisite.” He says in a very raspy voice. He takes off my underwear, deeply inhaling it. I close my legs, preventing him from seeing anything. “You smell so sweet.” He says in a hoarse tone. He starts to undo his pants, “You won’t be needing those, now the fun part.” Zane says. He throws my underwear to the ground, I close my eyes, knowing that my fate is sealed, yet however, I pray to the Moon goddess for a savior. Zane grabs my legs. I open my eyes from the sudden touch; he’s preparing himself to claim me.

I close my eyes again, praying for anything or anyone to help me. Please, someone, help me! I begged again to the Moon goddess. I feel him coming closer to me. When a loud bang burst in from the door. “Master Seiko, the base is under attack!” A man appeared from the door. Zane turns around to look at the man in great disbelief, “Can’t you see you, simpleton, I’m claiming my prize!” Zane screamed at the man. The man looked away from the site before him, “I understand, sir, but the base is under attack from the water.” He said, keeping his head down. “I’ve waited 20 years to finally claim this beast, and you’re telling me some insignificant invective group is attacking my base?” Zane asked the man. The man answers with a nod.

“An elite military unit is launching a strategic assault on the northern hillsides and the southern towers. Their primary objective is the western portion. This is a critical moment, and we need to act swiftly.” He explained. Zane looks at the man in question, “Why hasn’t an alarm been sounded?” Zane’s question was abruptly drowned out by the blaring alarms. The room goes red with white lights flashing as if it were a fire alarm. Zane lets go of my legs and pulls up his pants. Zane started shouting, cursing all those involved and responsible for interrupting his ‘prize claiming’. Zane clears his throat and turns to me, “Well, it appears our time together has come to an end, but don’t worry, I’ll be back for you.” Zane turns on his heels towards the man, “You watch the princess, I don’t want her escaping.” He nods, “Yes, sir!” Zane takes his han,d pushing back his hair, “If one more person interrupts me again, I’ll have their head on a spike no matter the reason.” Zane’s last remark. Zane turns to look back at me for one more longing look and walks down the hallway out of sight. The man breathes a sigh of relief and continues to look down. I hang my head in relief while tears stream down my face and cross my legs. I don’t know if I can handle another encounter with Zane again. I begin to tremble in fear. If Zane comes back, it’s over for me. I shake my head. No, I can’t give up. I can’t let this break me; I have to find a way out of here before Zane-

The man walks over to pick up my underwear. “Heaven, are you okay?” I lift my face. “It’s me, Zeph. I’m here to get you out of here.” I look at the man questioningly. “Do I know you?” I ask. He looks at me with deep sorrow in his eyes. “I was hoping the report I received was wrong. You don’t know who I am, do you?” I shake my head. He sighs, ruffling his hair. “I’m Zeph. I’m a friend of Xion’s,” Zeph says. “Who is Xion?” I ask. “I’d love to answer your questions, but we won’t get another chance like this ever again,” Zeph explains as he swiftly unlocks the chains from my arms. With a reassuring grip, he guides me to the ground. “Here’s a change of clothes.” He lays out the clothes beside me: a pair of rugged, ripped pants and a sleek black shirt, my underwear, and black combat boots. “Just in case some sh!t goes down, here.” Zeph then places two dual swords on the side of the stack. Zeph sighs and looks up at me, “I don’t know if I’ll survive this, but if I don’t, tell Xion I’ll meet him on the other side.” Zeph said, smiling. Getting a good look at Zeph’s face, he seems to be no younger than 20. With brown hair that covers his eyes, I don’t know what his eye color is, which would help me know if he was a vampire, yet his smile was strangely comforting. I nod at his request.

Zeph looks at my wrists, burned and blistered from the chains. Zeph turns around towards the bucket, “Your wrist will heal, but I need you at 100, not 20.” Zeph says while reaching for the bucket. He places the bucket next to me, looking up to meet my gaze. “I’ll step out to give you some privacy, knock when you’re ready to go,” Zeph says, leaving to stand watch. I look at the clothes, I have to be brave, I have to be strong, I say to myself. I shake my head; what foolishness, I say, preaching to myself about being strong. Being strong isn’t going to benefit me here in the slightest. Being strong isn’t going to keep me and Zeph alive. I need something stronger. Zane humiliated me; he tried to claim me and put me through the most traumatic experience I’ve had to endure. This has nothing to do with my honor as a future queen. This matter feels more personal than anything. My blood began to boil.

No, I don’t need to be strong. I grab one of the dual blades, peering into my reflection.

I need revenge.

I begin to get dressed. After finishing getting dressed, I pick up the bucket, staring at the blood in disgust. There’s no telling who or where they got this blood from. The blood very well could be Zane’s blood; the thought that it's possibly Zane’s blood makes me want to vomit. To have this vile human’s blood run through my veins sickens me. However, I can’t be picky.

Rolling my eyes, I begin to drink the blood; at the very least, the blood is indeed human. Finishing the blood off, I placed the bucket on the floor, wiping the remaining blood from my mouth. I look at my wrists, and the burns have healed, almost as if they were never burned. Sighing in satisfaction, I look up at the ceiling. Taking in a deep whiff, I could smell the scent of sweat from their skin. The smell of fear and despair was almost intoxicating. I smirked, “Knock knock, here I come.” I walk towards the door and knock, signaling that I’m ready. Zeph looks me up and down and nods in approval, “Okay, that’s more like it.” Zeph looked at my face once again, “Besides the fish-out-of-water look you have going on there, I know we got this.” Zeph said, smiling at me, and I smiled back at him.

I get Zeph’s trying to get me to trust him more, but I feel like he’s trying a little too much. Besides, I get the feeling Zeph’s a good person; I just hope my gut feeling is right. “Follow me,” Zeph says, motioning me to follow him. I followed behind Zeph silently. Every few seconds, we’d hear running footsteps and have to hide, but once it was cleared, we’d continue forward. I feel quite uneasy about this place. The stench of death hovers over this place. As we’re walking, we pass a window, and I glance into the room. It appears to be a type of bath area. This must be where Zane watched me. I look down at my body, instinctively trying to cover myself with my hands. Zeph looks back at me, “Hey, hey, we can’t get stuck in the past.” Zeph says.

I nod at him. Noticing my demeanor wasn’t changing, he pulled me into a hug. “It will be okay, Heaven,” Zeph says soothingly while rubbing my back. He lets me go and cups my face in his hands, “We don’t have the luxury of time on our side, so I’m going to need you to put on your big girl panties and turn that fear into pure rage.” Zeph says. I take a deep breath and nod with determination. Zeph smirks at me, “Also, I don’t want to die today because you froze up.” Zeph says in a joking tone. I playfully hit him on his shoulder and smiled at him, “You won’t die on my watch, I promise.” I replied. We continued onward.

As we continue, I see nothing but horrors. I saw rooms and rooms of many deceased supernatural’s. Werewolves, regular vampires, elves, witches, ghouls, etc. all this death surrounds this place. I could feel the unrest of these souls. Something is telling me to enter one of the rooms. I know that what I’ll find will be unpleasant, unnerving, and most definitely disgusting. But I have to. I decided to enter one room on the right. The sight horrified me.

I walked into a room that had twin vampires chained together, lying on one another for support. I slowly approached them. I peered into their faces, and I saw nothing but agony, pain, and fear. The girls were far younger than I, maybe 12 or 13. The girls wore the same dress as I did; however, their dresses were torn. Pieces of their dresses lay around the room. Cuts, bruises, and burns littered their bodies. I looked away from them. I could only imagine what they went through. Together, no less. A painfully sharp feeling came from my head, and I saw a flash of light. I start seeing flashes of white and black hair, and sets of yellow and pink eyes. I see two of the same face. The pain starts to go away. I was breathing rapidly. Did I by chance know a set of twins before? I look at the twins again. I breathe in slowly, trying to calm my fast breathing.

I wonder if I could revive them, but would that be a smart move? Or one that could potentially get me and Zeph killed?

Zeph enters the room, looking mortified. He looks at my face and shakes his head, “Heaven, I know what you’re thinking, but I don’t think this would be a good idea.” Zeph says. How did he know what I was thinking? I nodded my head. “I know, but I can’t help but want to save them,” I said, looking down at the girls. “Did I know a set of twins before my memory was wiped?” I asked. Zeph shifts uncomfortably and sighs, “We don’t have the luxury of time, Heaven.” Zeph states again. I look at Zeph. “Why are you avoiding the question?” I asked. “I don’t want to overload you with information you’re not ready to receive in your current state.” I sigh. “So what do we do?” I asked. Zeph shrugged. “By the look on your face, I can see you won’t budge on the issue unless I help,” Zeph said. I look at him with a hopeful gaze. “Will you help them?” I asked. Zeph looks towards the door. “It’s either that or die here.” He says while pulling up his sleeves.

I nodded to him. “I will create a small portal where their bodies will be held.” He states. He begins creating the portal. I look at him questioningly, “Why can’t we use that to portal out of here?” I asked. “Because it’s only supposed to be used for the deceased. If a living supernatural being were to enter, they’d die.” Zeph coldly replied. I nodded silently. I know I don’t want to cause Zeph trouble, but I can’t just walk away from these girls. Zeph finishes up with the girls and looks at me sternly, “We cannot afford any more distractions, Heaven.” Zeph says, a bit irritated. “I understand, thank you for at least helping me with this,” I said with a smile. He sighs again. “Their bodies were sent to the undertaker, who will prepare them for viewing and write up a report on their cause of death,” Zeph said. I nodded, “Thank you.” I said quietly, Zeph nodded.

We exit the room, continuing onward. We still pass up other rooms similar to the one holding the twins, but Zeph shakes his head, signaling that we don’t have the time. I kept my head down the rest of the way. I couldn’t bear seeing the sights of these supernaturals anymore. They were subjected to experiments, torture, and violation. It’s sickening to see this side of humanity.

I already knew Zane was a monstrous human; however, I didn’t think so many people would have fallen prey to him. Even more, I didn’t think so many people would follow his leadership. He deemed us the monsters, the creatures with no humaneness, yet here he is being such. A beast in human form.

Finally, after so much terror and horror, we reached the last hallway. “Okay, the horror show is finally over, this is the last hall before-.” I swiftly grab Zeph and pin him against the wall that has a bookcase in front of us. Coming close to him, I press a finger against my lips, signaling him to shush. His hair is pushed back far enough that I can finally see his eyes.

His eyes, which looked at me wide with shock, were bright yellow. Which isn’t the normal eye color for a vampire, also along the center of his forehead lay a single red gemstone, meaning he’s a noble like me. Zeph begins to blush heavily, and I smirk, stifling back a laugh.

I point past the bookcase and mouth the word, enemy, Zeph nods. I readied my dual swords. Walking around the bookcase as silently as I could, I swiftly cut down the enemy without making a single noise. Zeph rushed around the bookcase, bending down to catch his breath. It appears he was holding his breath the entire time; my guess is that he wouldn’t have notified our position to the guard. I placed my hand on my hips, “Are you okay, Zeph?” I asked. He sits up straight and looks at me with a tired expression, “Please, next time give me a warning before pinning me to a wall, I’m still a virgin.” He states.

I giggle at his remark, “I’ll remember for next time.” I said while smiling at him. “I hope there won’t be a next time.” Zeph states. “If there’s a next time, Xion is getting your ass not me,” Zeph added. I snickered at him, “Well, if I remember him, I hope he’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.” I replied. Zeph rolled his eyes, “Come on we’re almost out of here.” He says as we continue down the path. “I hope you do remember him again; it’d break his heart you know.” He says as we walk. I look closely at Zeph’s face, and he has this pained expression. I don’t know why I care, but I hope whoever this Xion person is okay, I hate seeing Zeph with this expression on his face.

I started to hear a strange thumping sound, I stopped halfway down the path, “What’s wrong, Heaven?” Zeph asks as he stops walking as well. “Do you not hear that?” I asked. Zeph shakes his head. I look around to see if I can pinpoint the noise. I could hear rumbling now, wait, those are footsteps! I sniffed the air again, I looked at Zeph in panic, “Stront! They’re here, get behind me!”(Stront~Sh!t)

I shout. A bullet almost hits Zeph, but I block it in time with my blade. Zeph jumps back at the impact of the blade and bullet hitting, I glared at the direction the bullet came from; there stood a man in a grey bulletproof vest. “Stop! Return the princess or we will open fire!” The man shouts, and Zeph flinches. I don’t remember Zeph, but from what I’ve seen of him recently...He’s not meant for fighting. I walk in front of Zeph, shielding him in case they fire another shot, “Who do you think you are, human, ordering me and my companion around as if we were beneath you!” I shout, the man glares at me, “You’re nothing but a flesh bag for Master Seiko!” The man says. This man is trying to degrade me in front of his subordinates. “It’s unwise for you to try to degrade me when I hold your life in my hands!” I responded, and the men all started to smirk, some even began to laugh. They don’t take me seriously; that will be their downfall. “I will not be returning to the likes of you! Either get out of my way!” I smiled wickedly at them, “Or be cut down from where you stand!” I shouted.

The man in the grey vest was unfazed, he held up his hand, and the group of men behind him raised their guns and took aim. “This will be your undoing!” The man shouted. I didn’t bother making a comment those will be his last words. “I’m happy they chose to die with some dignity at least,” I said amused by the group of men. I smirked and kept my eyes on the group of men gathered, “Zeph, you have two choices.” I spoke. He nods panickily. I hold up one finger, “You can either hide behind something.” Then I add another finger, “Or stay as close as possible to me.” He doesn’t even need to think about it for even a second, Zeph sprints towards a large crate that is a few feet behind us, holds a reassuring thumbs up, and gets down for cover.

I laughed pushing back my red curls, I looked towards the group of men gathered. I count about 50 men in total. I slowly started to walk to the men gathered, I smiled at them bearing my fangs. Some flinched thinking I was about to charge, I smirked at how easily their resolve was shaken, “I grow fat on your fears!” I wasted no time as I sprinted towards them, the man lowered his arm signaling for the bullets to start flying.

Dodging the first ray of bullets, I slide between the legs of the man with the grey vest. Cutting down the guy directly behind him. The man falls on his butt, I laughed at him. “Never underestimate a superior being, ” I say, as I cut more of them down one by one. Two men tried to fire their guns in time as I eagerly approached, however my sword had already sliced one of their sets of hands. And with the other side of my left sword, I cut the other set of hands from the other man. I listened to their screams, “My hands, my hands!” One man screams as he stares at them in horror.The other had already passed out from the raging pain. “You deserve so much more than your hands being cut off,” I said to the man as the blood drained from his face.

I continued to cut more of the men down, I slid between the legs of another man and then sliced against his throat. He grabs at his throat trying to stop the bleeding. I kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the ground, and watched him struggle in agony. “How do you think I felt when Zane was taking advantage of me,” I said crouching down beside the man as he struggled even more. Absolute fear was all I could see on his face, “No one did anything to shield me from what I had to endure.” The man began to crawl away trying to escape me maybe even death. I started to feel my blood begin to boil with pure rage I grabbed the man by his collar forcing him to look at me, “No one did anything as you slaughtered, claimed, and abused innocent supernatural’s!” I shouted. “You deserve not an ounce of humanity or mercy.” I spoke. “You don’t even deserve a quick death.” I say to the man, tears stream down the man’s face as the life begins to fade from his eyes. I lower my head trying to calm down.

I dropped the man’s body to the ground; I look up through my locks of red hair and see the man in the grey vest running for the exit. He really is trying to escape while his men fall before him. I laughed at his cowardice, I launched my right sword toward him at full speed piercing him through his chest, as I saw his body topple over, I began to feel dizzy. I clutched my head and screamed in agonizing pain; I started to feel my consciousness slip. I started to fall forward, as I started to close my eyes. I see strands of white hair caress my vision; then it goes completely dark.

I don’t know how much time has passed. One, two, three days. All I know is I no longer have the strength to open my eyes, however, I feel out of the body like I’m moving but I’m not conscious. This feeling is quite terrifying, my body moving on its own like I’m sleepwalking. I hope that at the very least I and Zeph are safe from danger. I don’t want him getting hurt because of me. All I need to do is wake up; how hard can that be?

You’ll wake up in a second, don’t worry.

I turn to what I thought was the source of the voice. “Who the f*ck are you?” I asked, but there was no one in that direction, I waited but no answer. Great, now I’ve gone completely insane. First, the rapist, now a disembodied voice who sounds like me but yet not like me. I sighed, “At the very least, can you tell me that Zeph is safe?” I asked hoping for at least a response.

He’s safe, now wake up.

As a blinding flash of light envelops me, I instinctively shut my eyes. When I cautiously reopen them, I find myself in a room that is entirely unfamiliar. As I slowly sit up, I notice that I’m in a different set of clothes. My curiosity piqued; I glance to the side. There lay a pen, I grabbed it in my fist and readied it for any danger beyond the door to this room. I slowly crept towards the door.

I listened through the door; I heard shuffling on the other side. I slowly turn the knob to the door swinging it open with great force, grabbing the person responsible for the noise.

I point the pen at the side of their throat, where the artery rests. Before I could even think let alone ask anything the person clears their throat to get my attention. “Umm, Heaven if you wouldn’t mind could you please let me go?” The person asked. I looked up to see that it was Zeph, “We just got done talking like an hour ago, did you by chance forget about me again?” Zeph asked.

I sighed shaking my head, “No I didn’t, sorry I didn’t know it was you.” I said while letting him go. Zeph breathes a reassuring breath while rubbing his neck turning around to look at me, “You look different?” Zeph states questioningly. I look at him confused, “What do you mean?” I asked.

Zeph looked at me, his expression one of utter surprise. “Your hair was completely white just an hour ago. Well, it’s been like that for days now,” Zeph stated. I gazed at him, my shock evident. “What happened, Zeph? Explain what’s going on,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. Zeph regarded me with a worried expression. “Heaven, what’s happening? Maybe we should find you a doctor,” Zeph suggested, reaching towards me. I instinctively smacked his hand away. “Don’t coddle me! Just answer my question!” I snapped. Zeph looked taken aback, then nodded. “For days, your hair has been completely white, not red,” he stated, and I nodded for him to continue.

“If your memory serves you correctly, you should remember that you had taken out the guys back at the Helsing base.” I nodded again. Zeph continued, “I watched you as you were screaming in pain, clutching your head. I ran towards you to help.” Zeph paused for a second. “But you were already falling. However, you didn’t hit the ground; instead, you caught yourself and stood upright.” Zeph looked at me in the eyes. “By the time I was behind you, your hair had mostly turned white.” Zeph swallowed hard. “Then you turned around. Your eyes were no longer blue; they were completely red, the brightest hue of red I’ve ever seen, almost glowing.”

“I shook my head, “There’s no way that’s possible! My eyes have never turned red, not even when I’m feeding,” I said. Zeph shrugged his shoulders. “You looked at me as if you remembered me from the past, even called me by the nickname you gave me,” Zeph said, looking a bit sad. “Anyway, you said we needed to go to the last place you remembered, which is the last mission you were on before you went missing,” Zeph stated. “So, where are we?” I asked. “We are in New York City, three blocks from the building. We’re in a hotel that you managed to get us,” Zeph added. I looked at him in question again, “How? I don’t have any money?”

Zeph smirked, “Don’t ask me. The way you were acting, I wasn’t going to challenge your plan.” I sighed and asked, “Then what happened?” Zeph’s smile disappeared as he hesitantly said, “On our way here, you were asking questions – only questions the old you would ask.” I looked at him and asked, “What did I ask?” He shook his head and replied, “I don’t remember most of the conversations we had. I think you used some type of power to make me forget.” Zeph sighed, “However, I do remember you asked if Zane was able to do anything to you while you were there.” I looked at Zeph in shock and exclaimed, “Why would I ask that if I lived through that ordeal!” I raised my voice, “If I was asking things I should already know, why didn’t you figure out something was going on?”

It wasn’t like I was pissed at Zeph; it was more like I’m pissed at myself because I don’t have any new information. All I know, is this disembodied voice took over my body. Lead me around town like a dog on a leash, put Zeph on a f*cking past guilt trip for days, and he doesn’t even remember what the f*ck the other me even asked him. I clutch my head in frustration. I don’t even have a power like that either. This shit doesn’t make sense in the slightest.

I’m feeling incredibly frustrated with myself and everything that’s going on around me. I feel utterly useless and helpless. Zeph looks down and says, “You did say that for you to remember everything, you need to reclaim something from that building.” I looked at him and asked, “What’s in the building?” Zeph shook his head and replied, “I don’t know, remember I wasn’t there.” I let out a sigh and said, “Okay, so what else do you remember?”

Zeph locked eyes with me and spoke softly, “Before you went into the room, you told me not to worry, to simply relax until you come back out.” I turned towards the large window in the hotel. So, this disembodied voice, this other me, waited to wake me up so that she could be caught up to speed. I sighed, facing Zeph. “Okay, I understand now. Sorry for yelling. All of this is very unnerving and scary for me.” Zeph shook his head and flashed a reassuring smile, “It’s fine. I’m just happy you’re okay, Ven.” I looked at him, “Ven?” I asked. Zeph looked momentarily startled, “I meant Heaven, sorry.” He glanced away. “Umm, okay?” I responded.

“How long are we going to wait here?” I asked. Zeph thought to himself, “I believe you told me once you wake up, we can head there whenever,” Zeph said. I nodded, “We’ll go in the morning, get some rest,” I replied. Zeph nodded and left for the other room in the hotel. I sighed, “I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be mentally draining,” I said as I returned to my room and got into bed. Didn’t Zeph say something about this Xion person? I thought to myself for a bit. “Who was he to me?” I asked. Was he, my friend? Or was he something more? That was my last thought before I turned on my side to fall asleep.

I awoke to the sound of a knock at my door. “Heaven, I made breakfast,” it was Zeph. I groaned as I got out of bed. I looked over to the clock at my bedside and saw that it was already 12 pm. Today, I will learn what happened to me...maybe even regain some of my memories at least, I hope. I opened the door and was greeted by the most delicious smell. I walked into the kitchen to see Zeph cooking a skillet of eggs. I saw two plates of bacon and avocado toast set to the side for plating. Zeph looked up at me and smiled, “I’m almost finished here; you can sit down at the table,” he said. I walked over to the table and sat down.

Once Zeph turns off the fire, he places a plate of eggs, bacon, and avocado toast in front of me. I look up to thank him, but he rushes away and returns with a cup of hot coffee, adding 2 hazelnut creamers and 3 spoons of sugar. He then puts his hands on his hips and has a smug look on his face, saying, “Almost forgot the most important part,” while laughing. I smile at him and say, “Thank you, Zeph.” Zeph starts brimming with happiness. He takes his plate from the kitchen counter and sits across from me, and we both dig into our food. After a while, Zeph clears his throat, and I look up to meet his gaze. “Do you remember how you used to cook everyone’s meals, Ven,” he says.

I look at him with confusion, wondering who Ven is. “Are you referring to me?” I ask. Zeph looks at me wide-eyed and says, “I’m so sorry, I forgot you’re back to normal,” without making eye contact. I place my hand on his, saying, “I’m not upset; it’s common, especially when I wasn’t myself for many days.” I take a bite of the toast and let go of his hand. He nods and says, “Thank you for understanding, Heaven.” Zeph begins to eat again. The rest of the meal passes in awkward silence. After finishing, Zeph grabs the plates and cups and puts them in the sink.

I sit there, gazing at Zeph as he lets out a heavy sigh. It’s unnerving to see him in this state of despondency; it’s almost alien to me. I stride up to Zeph and ask, “Zeph, can we talk?” Zeph shakes his head, saying, “I’d rather not. Revisiting it will only reopen the wound,” as he walks away. Determined, I grasp his hand and assert, “Zeph, if we’re going to unravel what happened to me and everyone else, we need to work together.” I plead with my eyes as I look at him. He meets my gaze and relents, “Fine,” walking away to sit on the couch. I settle next to him. “When you and Xion went missing, it felt as though a part of me had vanished with both of you,” he confesses. He averts his gaze and continues, “I felt abandoned; I thought you were both dead.” He looks at me again, saying, “Seeing you alive gives me hope that Xion’s still out there.” He turns away once more, “That day, I should’ve been there with everyone.”

Zeph sits back in his seat and says, “But instead I was sitting at a desk watching everything happen, and then the cameras cut off.” Zeph shakes his head, “Everyone disappeared, I couldn’t locate anyone, but the worst part was that I didn’t know if you and Xion were okay.” Zeph looks at me and says, “I’m a coward. I shouldn’t have allowed you both to go into that situation without more backup.” Zeph adds before grabbing my hand, “Please forgive me. I know you don’t remember what happened, but even so I have to ask you for your forgiveness,” he says looking down at our hands.

I lift Zeph’s face and look into his eyes, “You’re not a coward, Zeph,” I say. His eyes widen with shock, “Most likely before, I trusted you with my life, just like I do even now.” I smile at him as tears stream down his face, “I believe I and everyone involved were betrayed by someone within the group,” I add, a look of shock comes across Zeph’s face. “We were betrayed?” Zeph asks. I nod, “I don’t have all of the facts obviously, but by how Zane kept hinting about this person, that’s the conclusion I came to,” I say. Zeph starts thinking to himself, “Why would one of our own betray us, especially you of all people?” Zeph shakes his head, “That can’t be right, you’ve saved each of us from our own demise,” Zeph adds. I shrug, “I don’t know if it’s true. Remember, I don’t have all of the facts, but it’s a hunch I can’t ignore,” I say, looking away. I don’t want to believe it either. The last thing I want to do is suspect those closest to us. However, I know that if I don’t, that’ll put me in even more danger. Zeph let out a heavy sigh, “I understand.” I gently took his hand, “It’ll be okay once we figure out our current situation.”

I smiled at Zeph and said, “Now, let’s dive into the plan.” Zeph nodded, “You probably don’t remember, but I’m the technical genius in our group.” Zeph informed me. I chuckled at his remark, “I figured that out when you seemed out of your element at the Van Helsing base.” Zeph rolled his eyes and grabbed his laptop, showing me the building’s footage. “Anyway, I hacked into the building’s security footage and found out that everything else is in full operation besides the higher floors,” Zeph explained. I looked at Zeph in question, “Why would only the bottom levels be operable?” I asked. Zeph looked at me, “You and Xion were on the very top level when everything went down,” he stated.

From what I can decipher from the information given, they’re either hiding something on the top level or preventing anyone from coming into contact with whatever is in the room. I looked up at Zeph, “Do you by chance know what room we were in?” Zeph nodded, “Of course, especially when they blacked out the windows so no one could peer inside,” Zeph said as he flipped through the building’s footage again. “Are you still not able to see into the room?” I asked, peering at the laptop screen.

Zeph clicked a button on his laptop and showed me the screen. The screen was fully black. “I don’t understand,” I said as Zeph sighed, “The footage is back on, but because they blacked out the windows and haven’t turned on any lights in the room...” Zeph paused for me to finish the sentence, “It’s going to be dark and not show anything,” I said, and Zeph nodded. “I assume no one has gone inside since my disappearance,” I asked. Zeph nodded, “I reviewed all the footage last night. No one has been in, and no one has been out,” Zeph said, and I nodded, processing the information. “Do you know if there are any alarms connected to the room?” I asked. Zeph chuckled, “Nope, I disarmed them all without anyone noticing,” Zeph proudly proclaimed. I thought to myself for a moment, now the only question is how we get into the building.

“So, how are we getting in?” Zeph asked the obvious question. “Maybe we can try...” I trail off. I smirk to myself, Zeph looks at me in disbelief, “Please tell me we’re not going undercover; your hair sticks out like a sore thumb.” Zeph states. I look at him annoyed, “It’s not my fault I have naturally bright red hair.” I said in irritation, Zeph shrugs, “Even so It’d never work.” Zeph says and I shake my head, “We’re using something else.” I say while standing and walking into my room. Zeph looks confused, “How are we getting in?” Zeph asks I turn towards him and smirked, “You’ll find out when we get there.” I say entering my room to get ready.

Exploring the contents of the closet in the room, I discovered that my other self-had recently gone on a shopping spree. After carefully selecting a pair of blue ripped jeans, a white crop top, and white slip-on shoes, I proceeded to the restroom to assess my outfit. To my surprise, I found that my alter ego had also acquired some makeup. I decided to apply a light touch of makeup and fluff up my curls for a more voluminous look. Exiting my room, I settled onto the couch to patiently await Zeph’s completion of his preparations. Finally, after a 20-minute wait, Zeph emerged from his room.

Zeph is wearing a pair of pale pink shorts, a white tank top, and white shoes. I cross my arms while looking at Zeph, “Why do you look like a frat boy?” I ask, Zeph smirks at me, “Don’t hate me, cause you ain’t me.” Zeph says as I roll my eyes, “At least I don’t look like a f*ck boy.” I say in retort, Zeph looks at my outfit, “I may look like a f*ck boy, but you look more like a teenage girl, aren’t you like 2,000 years old?” Zeph asks. I glared at him, “Technically, I just still look like a teenager. I age differently from you.” I say in an annoyed tone, Zeph smirks, “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Heaven.” Zeph says as he walks to the door, I follow behind him out the door.

As we stepped out of the hotel, all eyes turned towards us. The curious gazes of the onlookers made us feel like celebrities walking the red carpet. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was my long red hair that attracted so much attention. Its extraordinary length was not something you’d see every day. Feeling a bit self-conscious, I reached up and tried to discreetly tuck a strand of my vibrant hair behind my ear, “Hey Ma!” I heard a low, melodic voice coming from behind me. I turned around to see a man with smooth, chocolate-brown skin. His hair was trimmed on the sides and curly on top, and his narrow hazel eyes seemed to sparkle in the light. His lips had a natural fullness to them, and his well-proportioned Grecian nose added to his striking features. Dressed in a white shirt with a deep V-cut, showcasing his well-defined chest muscles, paired with black pants and gold-colored shoes, this man exuded beauty. His chiseled face lit up with a captivating smile as he looked at me, “I noticed you from afar, wanna let you know you stun even bangin’.” He said smiling at me.

I look over to Zeph and whisper, “What’s he talking about?” I ask and Zeph rolls his eye and whispers back, “It means he finds you beautiful.” Zeph says. I look over to the man and smiled, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” I replied back to the man. The man nods, “Could I by chance get that number?” He asks. I flash a smile at him, recognizing the significance behind that particular expression. However, before I have the chance to speak, Zeph clears his throat, signaling his presence, “Actually, she’s dating my best friend.” Zeph says. The man’s eyebrows are furrowed, and his eyes are downcast. His lips are turned downwards in a slight frown, and his shoulders are hunched forward. It’s clear that he is feeling apologetic., “Oh sorry, didn’t know you’re spoken for.” The man apologizes again and quickly leaves.

Zeph looks at me, “Maybe we should hurry to the building before another one shows up.” He says as we continue on the path to the building at a quicker pace. At last, we arrive on the street facing the towering building. Surprisingly, it appears to be about 25 stories high, taller than I had initially perceived. However, the plan remains the same. “Are you finally going to tell me the plan?” Zeph asks eagerly. I smirked and replied, “The plan is simple – we’re just going to walk through the door.” Zeph gives me a skeptical look, “Are you crazy?” he asks. I shake my head and lay out the plan, “Here’s the deal: you’ll deactivate all the security cameras. Then we’ll stroll in, claiming that Zane sent us to inspect the traps you’ve already disabled.” Zeph raises a valid concern, “That won’t work. Won’t we need identification or clearance to access the higher floors?” I’m confident that I can convince them to let us through. “I’ve got it covered. Just trust me and stay quiet,” I assure him. Zeph nods cautiously, “Fine, I’ll trust you like I always have,” he says with a smile.

I nod, a slight feeling of anticipation bubbling inside me as Zeph pulls out his phone and begins working on the security cameras. His fingers dance over the screen with a speed I’ve never witnessed before, a blur of motion communicating his intense focus and skill. Peering over his shoulder, I catch glimpses of a complex array—data that looks like a matrix filled with swirling numbers, cryptic letters, and peculiar symbols. Zeph had previously mentioned that he was a tech genius, but witnessing his expertise in action is astonishing.

I’m grateful that Zeph is on our side. With his technological prowess, it would be near impossible for anyone to catch him off guard; he could monitor our every move from a distance. “Hey, Zeph, how do we actually know each other?” I inquire, curiosity bubbling to the surface. Suddenly, he halts his typing and turns to meet my gaze. A soft smile spreads across his face. “We met through Xion. He introduced us after he met you,” he explains with a tone that suggests fondness for the connection we all share.

As he returns his focus to the screen, I can’t help but wonder what he truly thinks about our little group or, more specifically, about Xion and me. I feel a pressing need to clarify our relationship, so I take a breath. “Were Xion and I—” I begin hesitantly, but Zeph raises a hand, cutting me off. “Please, let’s not focus on that topic just yet. We need to finish this mission before we hash out anything else,” he states firmly, immediately redirecting his attention back to the array of data on the screen. A sense of disappointment washes over me, and I let out a resigned sigh.

Silence envelops us as we continue preparing for what lies ahead. After a moment, Zeph glances up and catches sight of my expression. “Once we’re safe, I promise to share what I can. I can’t have you mentally disintegrating because of my need to discuss things that might destabilize you even further,” he reassures me, his eyes revealing a mixture of concern and regret. It suddenly dawns on me just how difficult this must be for him—to carry secrets that he feels could burden me. Zeph’s choice to prioritize my well-being over his desire to confide in me speaks volumes about his character. I decide to trust him for now and nod, resuming my watch as he gets back to work.

Minutes later, Zeph looks up at me with a triumphant smile. “It’s done, let’s move,” he declares with renewed energy. I return his smile as we start walking toward the entrance of the building. Zeph pushes the door open hesitantly, his hands trembling slightly. I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry,” I say softly, trying to bolster his confidence. Taking a deep breath, he nods, and we step into the expansive lobby. Inside, I scan the area, noticing the sleek receptionist desk positioned at the center of the room, flanked by two women who appear to be busy at work. As I stride confidently toward the desk, one of the women looks up with a bright smile. “Hello, welcome to Helsing Tower,” she greets us warmly.

I take a moment to observe her and her colleague. Both women wear tailored black suit jackets with “Helsing” elegantly stitched on the right side, complemented by knee-length black pencil skirts and polished black heels. The other woman is frantically flipping through the footage on her monitors, her brow furrowed, but, to my dismay, all the screens display a stark blackness. Panic is beginning to creep into her demeanor, and I realize I need to act quickly before the situation escalates.

I muster a reassuring smile for the woman who greeted me. “Yes, we were sent by Master Seiko,” I say, hoping to instill some confidence in the situation. The lady nods, her professionalism returning. “Okay, let me just check to see if you have an appointment,” she responds, reaching for her mouse to pull up the necessary information. Feeling the weight of the moment, I take a deep breath, mentally preparing for the next steps. I tap into my vocal cords, choosing my words carefully. “The princess escaped. Master Seiko believes she’ll be arriving eventually. He asks us to inspect the traps and alarms to ensure they’re set in the event she seeks the package.” The moment I finish speaking, the woman freezes, her eyes widening for a fraction of a second before she regains her composure. “Oh yes, I recall Master Seiko giving us a call this morning, and he mentioned to let you both up without any disturbance,” she confirms, her tone shifting to one of urgency mixed with relief. I glance back at Zeph, his expression a mix of astonishment and admiration.

The receptionist then holds out a keycard, the glint of it catching the light. “The elevator is down the hall; you’ll be going to room 616,” she instructs. I take the keycard, feeling its weight in my palm. “Thank you,” I say, genuinely appreciative of her assistance. The lady bows her head respectfully. “Is there anything else I can assist you with, my princess?” she asks politely, her gaze flickering between Zeph and me. I quickly look over at the other woman, who appears deeply engrossed in a heated conversation over the phone, her voice rising as she addresses the maintenance team. “No, that will be all,” I respond, turning away and starting to walk off. The lady bows once more, and Zeph follows closely behind. Using the keycard, we proceed to the elevator and press the button for the 25th floor. As the doors start to close, I can feel the tension hanging in the air, heightened by the adrenaline of the mission ahead.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I glanced over at Zeph, who was staring at me with a bewildered expression. His finger was pointing directly at me, as if he had just seen a ghost. “Heaven, your hair...” Zeph exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. I looked down and was shocked to see that the ends of my hair had turned a striking white. The moment I reached for the tips, though, they shifted back to their usual vibrant red, like a light flicking back on after a power outage. “What the hell is going on?” I muttered, my confusion deepening. I turned to Zeph for answers, but he just shook his head, his brows furrowing in concern. “Honestly, I don’t have an answer for what’s happening,” He admitted, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts, pacing back and forth, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. “The only time I’ve seen your hair turn white is when you’re using magic, but you didn’t cast any spells back there,” Zeph clarified, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of it. Surprise and a hint of excitement bubbled up inside me. “I can use magic?” I asked, barely able to comprehend the implications. Zeph nodded earnestly. “You’re a dhampir; your dad is a royal vampire, and your mom is a witch who used to be human,” He explained, the realization washing over me like a wave. “But what I did back there wasn’t magic...” I said hesitantly, my mind racing to connect the dots. Zeph shrugged; his expression thoughtful.

“Most likely, you’ll need to ask your parents about this,” he suggested, and I nodded, knowing that the answers might lie with them. As the minutes ticked by, Zeph’s pacing grew more intense, and I could feel my own anxiety rising. “Hey, Zeph, could you check if the cameras are still off? I really don’t want any surprises,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite my mounting nerves. Without hesitation, Zeph pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he frantically checked the surveillance feed, his expression serious as he ensured everything was going according to plan. The anticipation hung in the air, thick with uncertainty about what was unfolding and what it all meant for me.

Zeph nods, his expression serious. “The cameras are off, traps and alarms have been deactivated, and no one has sensed our presence.” A heavy sigh escapes him. “What if we’re too late? What if Xion’s...” His voice trails off, laden with worry. I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and he meets my gaze. His long bangs sweep back, revealing his striking yellow eyes that seem to pierce through the dim light, searching desperately for hope in the midst of fear. I offer him a warm smile, hoping to ease the tension. “I promise, we’ve made it just in time, especially before Zane,” I reply, instilling as much confidence as I can. As Zeph nods, I glance up at the elevator doors, which finally signal our arrival at the 23rd floor.

We’re just moments away. My answers, my memories, and my hopes are just beyond these doors. With a soft ding, the elevator doors slide open, revealing a room painted in shades of grey and white. The design is both sleek and inviting, with couches, tables, and chairs meticulously arranged to create a professional yet comforting ambiance. However, my eyes are drawn to the two doors ahead of us, neither of which designate which leads to room 616. “This must be the waiting area,” I comment as we step out. Zeph nods thoughtfully. “Yeah, this is the room I saw before you and Xion went into 616,” he adds, his voice steadying. He points toward the door on the left. “That’s room 616,” he states with certainty. We approach the door, the air charged with unspoken anticipation. “There’s no telling what we may find behind that door. Are you ready?” Zeph asks, his voice tinged with concern.

I nod firmly, placing my hand on the doorknob. “I have to know what happened,” I say, my resolve clear as I twist the knob slowly, swinging the door open. As the door creaks ajar, an engulfing darkness spills out from the room, completely swallowing any hint of light. The air feels thick and ominous, sending a shiver down my spine. “If this room doesn’t scream ‘don’t enter,’ then I don’t know what does,” Zeph quips nervously, clutching my hand tightly. I turn to him, my heartbeat quickening. “You do realize that we’re both vampires, right?” I say, trying to lighten the mood. Zeph shoots me a playful yet sassy glare. “Vampire or not, my inner self is shouting at the screen: ’Don’t go in there, you dumb b!tch!” He retorts, infusing humor into the tension.

I can’t help but roll my eyes, but there’s a smile hiding under my exterior as I step into the dark room. Zeph follows closely behind, his grip on my hand providing comfort in the uncertainty. “I seem to remember that the window is straight ahead... at least according to the building’s blueprints,” Zeph notes, his voice steady despite the fear creeping in. I roll my eyes again, searching for a light switch. “Is there really no light switch?” I ask, frustration creeping into my tone. Zeph groans, shaking his head slightly. “They took out the lights to stop anyone from hacking in and spying on what’s happening here,” he explains. I keep moving forward, my determination unwavering as we step deeper into the abyss.

I hear a loud thump and a loud f*ck from behind me, “Zeph are you okay?”I asked. “I’m just f*cking peachy; I hit my damn knee and fell.” Zeph exclaims in frustration, his voice sharp and laced with irritation. I suppress a chuckle, finding humor in his outburst, and press on through the dimly lit room. At last, my foot encounters a solid edge, abruptly halting my forward motion. Instinctively, I reach out and grasp what seems to be a heavy curtain, its fabric cool and slightly textured against my fingers. With a sudden surge of determination, I pull it aside with great force, eager to unveil whatever lies behind.

A sudden burst of brilliant light floods the room, illuminating every corner with a dazzling radiance. Zeph instinctively raises his arm, shielding his eyes from the blinding glare that pierces the darkness. “What the f*ck Heaven, trying to blind me?” Zeph asks. I sighed while shielding my eyes, “My bad, I didn’t think to warn before I pulled it.” I stated. I slowly open my eyes and when my eyes had finally adjusted to the room...I saw the most disturbing scene. Blood...All I could see was blood. The walls were splattered with blood, the floor, table and chairs, paintings, even the windows. Everything had blood on it, even behind the door we entered through. Bodies laid in different corners of the room some even in piles, each body was wearing the same combat uniform with Helsing stitched in the back of the uniforms. “This is honestly disgusting.” I stated. Zeph is staring at the center of the room; I look in the same direction. There laid a man with a dagger stuck in his chest. Zeph runs to the body crying.

Zeph collapses to his knees, overwhelmed by despair, as he envelops the man in his arms, cradling him as if trying to shield him from pain. The anguish etched on his face tells me that this man is his closest friend. I can hear the heart-wrenching cries escaping Zeph’s lips, each one a painful reflection of his soul’s torment upon discovering his friend in such a dire condition. The air around them is thick with sorrow, and the gravity of the moment hangs heavy as he struggles to comprehend the loss before him. His body is black and purple, the fluid is drained from him, blood slowly drips out his mouth, his eyes are closed as if he accepted his fate, and finally a dagger stabbed into the center of his chest.

I step closer to Zeph, my eyes narrowing in on the dagger that glints ominously in the dim light. Its intricate design catches my attention, a pattern that stirs something deep within my memory—where have I seen this before? Just as I try to piece it together, a sharp pain slices through my head, jolting me back to the present. I instinctively clutch my temples, hoping to quell the storm of confusion swirling in my mind, telling myself that answers will come when the time is right. Peering back at Zeph, I find myself grappling with a tumult of emotions. I search for clarity amidst the chaos: Should I be feeling sadness, horror, or an inexplicable relief? The emotional tide washes over me, leaving me adrift and uncertain, caught in the haze of my own thoughts.

I am lost in the maze of what I should feel, and the answer remains just out of reach. “Zeph, if I may ask, who is this?” I asked, curiosity piquing my interest. Zeph turned to me, his eyes wide with surprise, as if he couldn’t believe I didn’t recognize the person before me. “This is Xion, your—” He suddenly faltered, his voice trailing off as he shook his head, a look of frustration creeping across his face. “He’s one of your friends,” Zeph finally managed, wiping the tears from his eyes. I nodded slowly, trying to process the situation. “Well, let’s keep moving,” I said, my tone flat and indifferent. Zeph’s expression darkened, anger flashing in his eyes as he shot me a glare that clearly expressed his disbelief and disappointment. “How the f*ck can you act like you don’t f*cking care!” Zeph exclaimed, “Xion loved you, protected you, and sacrificed so much for you even possibly his life!” Zeph shouted, his voice echoing with frustration.

I turned to him, my heart heavy and my emotions swirling, clearly upset by his words. “If I could remember him, I would give you the response you so desperately crave!” I retorted, my voice rising with a mix of anger and pain. Zeph’s gaze fell to Xion’s still form, and his expression softened. “I’m sorry...” He murmured; the remorse evident in his eyes. I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding pass between us, before I continued resolutely, “I will call for the undertaker and then arrange our ride.” Zeph looked at me, confusion furrowing his brow. “Ride?” he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

I chose to ignore his question and began the chant, my tone steady and deliberate as the words flowed from my lips, weaving an atmosphere charged with anticipation, “Voor dit gevallen bloed. Ik zend je voor eeuwige rust. Ik zoek de begrafenisondernemer om deze man te ruste te leggen. Slaap nu.” I said completing the chant. (~For this fallen blood. I send you for eternal rest. I seek the undertaker to lay this man to rest. Sleep now.)

The ground beneath us suddenly trembles, a deep rumble echoing through the air as fissures snake across the earth. With wide eyes, we watch as the ground splits open beside us, revealing a stunning white marble stone bed that emerges gracefully from the cracks.

The bed glimmers in the light, its smooth surface reflecting hues of silver and cream. As the bed fully extends, I gesture towards Zeph, urging him to help me lift Xion’s lifeless body onto the elegant slab. But Zeph, with a quiet determination, halts my movements. He gently cradles Xion, lifting him with care and placing him softly upon the exquisite marble bed. As soon as Xion’s body is settled, the bed begins to retract, slowly sliding back into the earth’s embrace. With a final, serene motion, the ground closes around it, reforming seamlessly and restoring its original appearance, as if nothing remarkable had just transpired. The air settles, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.

I gazed up at Zeph, feeling the weight of the moment. “This ritual can only be performed by a pureblood, so please don’t attempt it,” I cautioned firmly. Zeph nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. “So what do we do now? How are we going to escape this place?” he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

I took a deep breath, recalling a spell my mother had taught me in my childhood. “Actually, I remember a spell that might help us,” I replied, the words bringing a glimmer of hope. Zeph’s expression changed slightly, his eyes widening as he processed what that meant.

“So, we came here just to rescue Xion?” he questioned, and I affirmed with a nod. Frustration creased his brow as he ruffled his unruly brown hair, a gesture of impatience. “Can we go now? I’ve had enough of this place,” he declared, his voice rising with urgency.

I stepped toward the window, the cold glass cool against my fingertips. I looked out at the vast, sprawling expanse of New York City, the skyline stretching towards the heavens, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. It was a breathtaking sight, but I knew I had to tear myself away from it. This was our last glimpse of freedom before plunging back into the unknown. The bustling streets below were alive with vibrant energy, but I was lost in my own world. As I began to chant the ancient spell, I felt a peculiar sensation wash over me. My hair, once a vigrant shade of red, started to transform into a luminous white, glowing softly in the dim light of the room.

As my feet lifted off the ground, the cityscape blurred below me, and I cautiously turned my gaze toward the window. In that moment, I noticed my bright blue eyes shifting into a striking shade of crimson, an indication of the powerful magic coursing through my veins. Just as I neared the completion of the incantation, a mesmerizing portal burst into existence before me—a swirling vortex of purple, pink, and yellow hues, dancing and shimmering like a cosmic whirlpool, beckoning me toward the unknown, Zeph looks at the scene with awe, “This is extraordinary...” Zeph says. Finally saying the last words the spell was finally finished. I slowly descend to the ground, “Let’s go! I don’t know how long the portal will hold,” I say urgently. Without hesitation, Zeph strides forward into the swirling vortex of light, and I follow closely behind him, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. As we move deeper into the portal, the air grows heavy and dark, swallowing us in an inky void. A wave of dizziness washes over me, and I realize just how much energy that spell must have drained from me.

Instinctively, I reach out and grasp Zeph’s hand for stability. He responds immediately, gripping my hand tightly in a show of reassurance. “I got you,” Zeph says softly, though I can hear the underlying strain in his voice. “I know this must be really difficult for you.”

Before he can dive further into an explanation of our circumstances, I interrupt him, sensing the turmoil swirling around us. “No need to explain; I understand this must be hard for you, too.” Zeph shakes his head, his brow creasing as he wrestles with his thoughts. “I’m just having trouble processing everything, especially what’s going on with you and Xion,” he sighs, glancing down as if seeking answers in the darkness. “You and Xion were together before the memory loss. I don’t know what exactly happened, but I know Xion. He’s the kind of person who would willingly give himself up to protect you...He always has, even when the two of you weren’t together yet.”

His words hang heavy in the air, and I feel a flutter of confusion and concern. “Wait, we were together? Are we Mates—” I start to ask, but the sound of chirping birds interrupts me, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Quickly! I can see the light!” Zeph suddenly yells, a spark of determination in his voice. He takes off in a full sprint, and I feel my heart leap with a blend of exhilaration and anticipation. I race after him, fueled by the thrill of finally returning to a place I can call home.

As the bright light surrounds us, we emerge from the portal into a breathtaking sight. An expansive field of lush, green grass stretches out before us, swaying gently in the breeze, while a majestic castle rises in the distance against a brilliant blue sky. I pause, taking in the beauty of it all, before looking over at Zeph to see his reaction.

“Welcome to Castle Monte, Zeph,” I say, pride swelling within me. This is not just a place; it’s a piece of my past, a haven of memories, and most importantly, it’s home. Finally, after so long, I am back where I belong. As the sun stays on the horizon, the distant sound of raucous horns and vibrant trumpets fills the air, echoing through the valley. From the crest of the hill, two figures gradually come into view, illuminated by the fading light. A tall man strides confidently forward, his silhouette stark against the golden sky, while beside him, a woman moves gracefully, her flowing dress catching the gentle evening breeze. Together, they advance, becoming more distinct with each step, as the music swells and beckons them closer.

The man stands tall with smooth, brown skin that gleams subtly in the light. Though he appears to be in his late thirties, there is a timeless quality about him, as if he carries the weight of many lifetimes in his presence. His striking red eyes glow with a hint of mystery, and his beautiful, voluminous black curly hair cascades elegantly around his shoulders. He is clad in an opulent purple royal suit, intricately adorned with shimmering gems and elaborate designs that catch the eye and reflect his noble status.

Beside him stands a woman who contrasts beautifully with her fair, rosy skin, which seems to emit a soft, ethereal glow. She also appears to be in her late thirties, yet her youthful demeanor makes her look much younger than her companion. Her mesmerizing blue eyes sparkle like sapphires against the backdrop of her flowing white hair, which is as pure and bright as freshly fallen snow. She wears a magnificent purple royal gown that complements the man’s suit, embellished with dazzling gems and exquisite patterns that exemplify grace and elegance. Together, they create an enchanting vision of royal splendor. The two figures came to a halt before us, their presence instantly commanding attention.

The woman’s face was streaked with tears, glistening like silver in the soft light, while the man stood tall and rigid, a stern expression etched into his features. Disappointment flickered in his eyes as he cast a look my way. Slowly, the woman approached me, her arms outstretched, and enveloped me in a warm, desperate hug. She wept openly, her body shaking slightly as she held me tight. After a moment, the man stepped forward, joining the embrace, creating an unexpected cocoon of affection.

Though I had no idea who these people were, my heart felt an overwhelming connection, and soon tears began to swell in my own eyes. It was a curious reaction, one that I couldn’t explain. The woman pulled back first, her gaze searching mine with a mixture of love and sorrow. “Our daughter has returned, my love,” she said, her voice trembling yet tender.

The man nodded, but his demeanor remained cool and detached. “Yes, she has. But why now, after 20 years of silence?” he questioned with a cold edge. Was I really hearing him correctly? I glanced over at Zeph, who wore a look of bewilderment as well. “I’m sorry, but who exactly am I to you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

With great care, the woman cradled my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine with intensity. Suddenly, her expression shifted, morphing into an angry snarl. “You have been gone for 20 years, and not once have you reached out to us!” she exclaimed, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. Shaking her head, she took a moment to steady herself. “Your memory has been suppressed by some powerful magic,” she continued, a hint of urgency lacing her words. The realization struck me hard—I hadn’t even considered that I might be under a spell. I pondered the alternatives: a traumatic loss or even hypnosis might have caused my confusion.

“Is there any way to break the spell?” Zeph asked, his brow furrowing with concern. The woman shook her head slowly, sorrowfully. “No, after my transformation, my magic weakened,” she explained, her voice filled with a mix of regret and determination. “However, I do know of a place that will keep you safe until you can recover your memories.” A gentle smile broke through her earlier frustration as she spoke.

Turning my attention to the man, I noticed he had been watching us intently. “Your mother sensed you from the portal. Fortunately, we were able to meet you in time,” he said, his tone a blend of relief and sternness.

At last, the reality sank in: these two—this emotional woman and stoic man—were my parents. “Yes, we are your parents. I am your father, Gabriel De’Monte,” he stated firmly. My mother nodded beside him, pride mingling with emotion in her eyes. “I am Audra De’Monte, your mother,” she added, her voice now steadier.

I nodded, finally understanding the overwhelming truths laid before me.

“Now, we must call for a Grote hoorzitting,” my father said, his expression shifting to one of resolve as he began striding toward the castle, my mother following closely. (Grote hoorzitting~ Grand hearing)

I turned to Zeph, the corners of my mouth lifting in a playful smirk. “Well, do you have something to wear to the hearing?” I teased. He chuckled, a lightness piercing through the heavy atmosphere. “I’m sure I can borrow something. Maybe I’ll ask your dad for one of his suits,” he replied with a laugh.

We exchanged smiles, our camaraderie a beacon of light in the uncertainty ahead. Together, we followed my parents, knowing that this moment marked not the end of our journey, but merely the beginning of an extraordinary adventure.

END OF CHAPTER ONE.