Chapter 1
Ashwood was not like other towns. Nestled deep in a valley surrounded by dense forests, its streets wound between centuries-old brick buildings and cobblestone paths that had seen generations pass. The air carried the scent of pine and rain, and even in the busiest corners, a calm stillness lingered. What made Ashwood truly special was not its age or beauty. It was the bond between humans and vampires. For decades, they had learned to live side by side, helping each other survive and thrive.
Vampires no longer had to hunt to feed. Many volunteered to receive blood from bags donated weekly by humans, and in return, they helped protect the town, patrolling streets and forests to ensure everyone was safe. Peace in Ashwood was earned, a fragile harmony that had survived thirty years. And today, the town prepared to celebrate that peace. Lanterns were strung along the streets, banners fluttered in the wind, and the scent of food from market stalls filled the air.
Inside her home, Andria stood at the top of the grand staircase, looking down at the hall below. Her dress shimmered in the light, a soft sapphire silk that hugged her figure and fell in graceful folds to the floor. At twenty, she carried herself with a quiet confidence, her chestnut hair falling in waves around her shoulders, her hazel eyes glowing with excitement. Tonight was the celebration of thirty years of peace, and she was ready to shine.
She descended the stairs slowly, savoring the soft swish of her dress, when Sebastian appeared in the doorway. His dark eyes softened as he took in her beauty. “You look stunning,” he said quietly, stepping forward.
Andria smiled, her cheeks tinged with pink. “Thank you,” she said.
Just as Andria reached the bottom of the staircase, her mother appeared in the doorway of the hall. She was a graceful woman with warm brown eyes and a gentle smile.
“Well, am I not pretty too?” she joked, adjusting the pearl clasp of her necklace and giving Sebastian a teasing look.
Sebastian bowed slightly, his dark eyes sparkling with humor. “You are always stunning, Mrs. Whitmore. But tonight, your daughter outshines everyone, including you.”
Her mother laughed, the sound soft and musical. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Sebastian.” She studied him for a moment, then nodded. “You may take her. Make sure she behaves herself.”
“I promise to keep her safe,” Sebastian said sincerely, inclining his head. “And to return her with memories of a perfect evening.”
Andria rolled her eyes playfully but did not resist as Sebastian lifted her into his arms. The world seemed to blur around them as he moved with the effortless speed of a vampire, gliding past the cobblestone streets, the fountain, and the cheering crowd. In moments, they arrived at the celebration grounds, the square alive with music, lanterns, and laughter.
He set her down gently near the center of the festivities. Andria’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked around at the humans and vampires mingling freely. Sebastian smiled at her once more. “Go, enjoy the night,” he said softly. “I’ll be watching over you.”
She gave him a small, grateful smile before turning toward the celebration, her heart racing with excitement and the thrill of the evening ahead.
Andria laughed as she wove through the crowd, her friends close behind. Clara, her blonde best friend, tugged at her arm, pointing at a stall bursting with sweets. “Race you to the caramel apples!” she shouted, her laughter ringing through the square.
Darian, the young vampire with dark, sharp eyes, strolled beside them, moving with effortless grace. His calm, measured presence balanced Clara’s energy, and Andria found herself smiling at his quiet confidence.
Ethan, the human with messy brown hair and a mischievous grin, elbowed Darian playfully. “Bet you cannot catch us, vampire boy,” he teased, and Clara doubled over laughing.
Together, the four of them, Andria, Clara, Darian, and Ethan, felt unstoppable, a lively mix of humans and vampires celebrating thirty years of peace in Ashwood. The square buzzed with music, lantern light, and the warm hum of laughter.
Then the lights went out.
Not a flicker, not a warning, just darkness. Absolute, suffocating darkness that swallowed the square in a heartbeat. Gasps and startled cries echoed around them, the joyous noise of the celebration cut off instantly.
When the lights returned, Sebastian was standing right in front of Andria.
“I thought you hated parties and would come back later to get me,” Andria teased, her laughter light, though her pulse raced.
Sebastian said nothing. His dark eyes seemed sharper than usual, more intense, and the air around him felt charged. Before she could react, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. The world narrowed to the warmth of him, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.
A sharp tug pulled her back suddenly, and a hand struck Sebastian across the face. “How dare you!”
Andria spun around, her heart hammering. Standing before her was a man with dark, tousled hair and a dangerous grin, eyes that held mischief and something darker beneath. The shock hit her. He looked exactly like Sebastian. But then, she turned, and the real Sebastian stood on her other side, his familiar playful smirk in place.
“Hello, brother,” the first one said, his voice smooth and teasing as he casually rubbed his jaw. His grin was magnetic, almost hypnotic, and every movement exuded confidence and danger.
“How dare you, kissing my girlfriend,” the real Sebastian said, stepping forward, his tone sharp but playful.
He tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, I did not know,” he said, his voice laced with charm and mock innocence. His smile hinted at secrets and trouble, a thrill in the chaos he had caused.
Andria’s gaze darted between them, her heart racing. “Who… who are you?”
His smile widened, and he leaned just slightly closer, exuding a mix of charm and menace. “I am Lucien Vale, his evil twin,” he said, his tone casual yet dangerous. “And I do love making an entrance.”
“What are you doing here?” Sebastian’s voice was sharp now, his patience thinning.
Lucien leaned casually against the fountain, one eyebrow raised. “I missed you. And come on, it is my town too. I can come whenever I want,” he said, his grin dangerous and charming.
“I will smack you,” Sebastian growled and swung a fist toward him.
Andria quickly stepped between them, placing a hand on Sebastian’s chest. “Apologize!” she commanded, her voice firm.
Lucien tilted his head, eyes glittering with amusement. “In nature or words?” he teased, leaning slightly closer, dangerously playful.
Before Sebastian could react, their friends moved in. Darian, the vampire boy, positioned himself beside Lucien, blocking any further advance with calm authority. Ethan and Clara flanked Sebastian, giving him space while keeping an eye on Lucien. Clara’s blue eyes flickered with both irritation and fascination as Lucien smirked at her, leaning in with a teasing wink. “And who do we have here?” he murmured, his voice smooth and flirty.
The tension between Sebastian and Lucien was rising when the mayor’s voice boomed across the square. “Enough!” Mayor Jonathan Blackwood stepped onto the stage with authority, his presence commanding attention. “This is a celebration of peace. I will not have petty quarrels ruin what thirty years of coexistence have built.”
Even Lucien’s grin faltered slightly, and Sebastian’s clenched fists relaxed as they both turned to face the mayor. Andria exhaled, relieved, and the friends all straightened, remembering the eyes of the town upon them. The argument was over, at least for now. The mayor’s words had cut through the tension like a blade, and both twins begrudgingly stepped back, giving the stage and the crowd their full attention.
Mayor Blackwood nodded at his wife, Elena, who held the microphone gracefully. “My fellow citizens, today we celebrate thirty years of peace in Ashwood. For three decades, humans and vampires have lived side by side, proving that coexistence is not only possible but beautiful.”
Elena smiled warmly, holding the microphone. “This is a night of joy, friendship, and gratitude. Let us remember how far we have come together.”
Suddenly, Elena’s warm smile froze. Her hand flew to her face as a sticky, metallic warmth slid down her cheek. She touched it trembling and looked up.
Horror stole her breath. There, hanging limply from the balcony railing above the stage, was a young woman. Her skin was unnaturally pale, almost glowing in the lantern light. Her head tilted to one side at an impossible angle, and her dark hair fell in disarray around her shoulders. Two deep puncture marks were visible on her neck, small but unmistakable, the skin around them bruised and darkened. A thin line of blood trickled slowly from each wound, glinting in the light as it fell.
Elena’s scream cut through the square, sharp and raw. She reached for the body instinctively, but the corpse slipped from her fingers, sliding silently before hitting the stage below with a sickening, echoing thud. The impact reverberated across the crowd, the sound hollow and final. The young woman’s limbs splayed awkwardly, her dress damp with blood, one arm bent at an unnatural angle. Her eyes were open, staring blankly at the sky above, lifeless and wide, reflecting the lantern lights in a cold, glassy stare.
A stunned silence hung for a heartbeat. Then it shattered. Gasps, screams, and frantic cries erupted from the crowd. Children clung to their parents, friends held each other in terror, and whispers of disbelief spread like wildfire. Some humans staggered back, eyes darting to the balcony as if expecting the attacker to appear again. Vampires instinctively stepped forward, fangs bared, muscles tensing to protect.
The peace that had held Ashwood for thirty years evaporated in an instant. The town square, once alive with music, laughter, and lantern light, now reeked of fear and blood. Eyes searched for answers, for the attacker, for anything familiar, but nothing could undo the horror they had just witnessed. A single act had shattered decades of trust, and the shadow of suspicion began to creep into every heart.
Sebastian spun around, fury burning through his eyes. Lucien stood a few steps away, smiling as if the whole scene were nothing more than entertainment. The screams, the blood, the panic did not seem to touch him at all.
Sebastian grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close. His voice was low and shaking with rage. “Did you…?”
Lucien spread both hands in exaggerated innocence, eyebrows lifting dramatically. “Me? Me?” He pointed at himself and rolled his eyes with a careless laugh. “I would never do that to you.” His grin widened, sharp and wicked.
“Lucien, I will kill you,” Sebastian growled and pushed forward, ready to strike.
In a blink, Lucien blocked him and forced his brother to the ground with effortless strength. The moment he moved, it was clear who was stronger. Sebastian struggled, teeth clenched, but Lucien held him there as if pinning down a child.
“I came in peace,” Lucien said softly, his voice smooth but edged with threat. He leaned closer, his smile turning colder. “I killed no one. Not yet.”
That final sentence hung in the air like a blade. The crowd continued to scream behind them. Guards rushed toward the stage. Suspicion churned through every pair of eyes. And in the middle of it all stood Lucien Vale, calm, amused, and looking as if the nightmare unfolding around them was only the beginning.
