Prologue - The Night She Was Supposed to Die
The Night Peace Was Declared
In the heart of England, King Draven ruled the vampire empire with a vision unlike that of any ruler before him.
He wanted peace.
Not only among vampires, but between vampires and humans as well.
When he announced that vision before the brood, silence swept through the Grand Council Hall.
“For generations, we have lived by bloodshed,” Draven declared. “That ends today.”
Every vampire fixed their gaze upon their king.
“From this day forward, we will no longer hunt humans. We will survive on animal blood or blood legally supplied by human hospitals. There will be no more unnecessary killing.”
Shock rippled through the chamber.
Whispers spread from one noble to another.
Some stared at Draven in disbelief.
Others looked at him with open outrage.
Then a chair scraped sharply across the stone floor.
Morvane rose.
Unlike Draven, he made no effort to conceal his emotions. Fury burned openly in his crimson eyes as he stepped forward.
“You’ve lost your mind.”
His voice echoed through the hall.
“Peace? With humans?”
He let out a bitter laugh.
“They are beneath us. They exist to serve us, not stand beside us. We are the superior race. We should rule them... not protect them.”
Draven met his brother’s furious stare without flinching.
“I have made my decision.”
His voice remained calm and unwavering.
“And I will not debate it any further.”
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Every noble in the chamber could feel the growing tension between the two brothers.
Morvane took another step forward, openly challenging the authority of the throne.
For a brief, dangerous moment, it seemed the Grand Council Hall itself might become a battlefield.
Instead, Draven turned away.
His cloak swept across the polished stone floor as he left the chamber without another word.
The argument was over.
His decision would not change.
Because it had never been made for politics.
It had been made for the future.
For his wife.
For his daughter.
For every innocent life he hoped would never again be stained by the endless cycle of bloodshed.
Contrary to what most humans believed, vampires did not spend their lives hiding in ancient castles or isolated territories.
They lived among humanity...
They owned businesses, built successful careers, and blended seamlessly into society while concealing their true identities.
Among them, Draven and Morvane each served as the CEO of a major corporation, making them not only rulers of the vampire brood but also respected figures in the human world.
Draven returned to his office, exhausted by yet another argument with his brother. He had hoped Morvane would eventually understand the reason behind his decision, but instead, his opposition had only grown stronger.
The moment Draven entered his office, Morvane followed him inside without waiting for permission.
The door slammed shut behind him.
“Draven, what happened to you?” Morvane demanded, his voice sharp with anger. “Have you lost your mind trying to make peace with those worthless humans?”
Draven met his brother’s furious gaze without flinching.
“I have made my decision, Morvane,” he said calmly. “Further discussion is unnecessary. I’m tired of arguing about this.”
His expression hardened.
“Leave my office.”
Morvane clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His crimson eyes burned with resentment as he glared at his younger brother.
Without another word, he turned and strode out of the office.
As the door closed behind him, a single thought echoed through his mind.
This peace will never last.
To Morvane, humans were nothing more than obstacles standing in the way of the world he intended to create. One day, he would conquer them all. And before that day came, he would take the throne that he believed should have been his from the very beginning.
Meanwhile, Draven remained seated behind his desk.
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the growing tension between his eyes.
He hated being at odds with his own brother.
More than anyone, he wanted Morvane to stand beside him.
But as king, he could not allow personal feelings to outweigh what he believed was best for their brood.
He had no idea that while he hoped to build peace...
Morvane was already planning to destroy everything he was trying to protect.
A gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Come in.”
The office door opened, and Kael stepped inside carrying a neatly stacked pile of documents.
Kael was more than Draven’s secretary.
He was his closest friend, his most trusted confidant, and the one person Draven could always rely on without question.
“Here are the documents you asked me to process, Your Highness,” Kael said politely. “They only need your signature.”
“Thank you, Kael.”
Draven accepted the documents before looking up with a faint smile.
“How is your wife? Has she recovered from the delivery?”
Kael’s tired expression softened into a proud smile.
“She’s doing well.”
“And?”
“We have twins.”
Pride shone in his eyes as he spoke.
“You’ve helped me more than you know. Because of this position, I’ve been able to support my family, save money, and even buy a house.”
He lowered his head respectfully.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Draven smiled warmly before placing a reassuring hand on Kael’s shoulder.
“No, Kael.”
His voice was gentle.
“You earned everything you have through your own hard work.”
Kael smiled.
“I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“I know you’ll be a wonderful father.” Draven said.
For a brief moment, the burdens of kingship faded.
Yet as Kael gathered the signed documents, he couldn’t help noticing the lingering sadness behind Draven’s calm expression.
He understood the reason without asking.
The argument with Morvane still weighed heavily on the king’s mind.
Choosing not to intrude any further, Kael accepted the documents, excused himself, and quietly left the office.
Once again, silence settled over the room.
On the other hand, Morvane returned to his company.
The moment Morvane stepped into the building, his employees immediately sensed his foul mood. No one dared greet him. Every employee lowered their head and quietly returned to work as he strode past them.
Unlike Morvane, Draven employed both vampires and humans. He believed that working alongside humans would help bridge the gap between their two races. If the truth about vampires was ever revealed, he wanted humanity to see that not all vampires were monsters.
The brothers had always been different.
That was why their parents had chosen Draven to inherit the throne.
Although Morvane was the elder brother, they had seen the darkness growing within him from an early age. His ambition often outweighed his compassion, while Draven had always placed the well-being of their brood above his own desires.
Their parents believed Draven would become the better king.
He was powerful, yet never driven by greed.
He possessed the strength to conquer the world if he wished...
But he never desired to.
Morvane entered his private office and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
The anger he had displayed during the council meeting had not faded.
If anything...
It had become something far more dangerous.
Determination.
He refused to allow Draven’s dream of peace to become reality.
Without another moment’s hesitation, he summoned the three assassins who had served him in secret for years.
Not long afterward, the office door opened.
Three figures stepped inside.
They were known only as the Three V’s.
Veydrik.
Vorgrath.
Vorasil.
Morvane called them the Three V’s because they were siblings, each one feared for abilities that made them among the deadliest vampires in existence.
Veydrik, the eldest, was a ruthless hunter who specialized in eliminating the strongest opponents. He possessed atmokinesis—the ability to manipulate the weather itself, summoning rain, powerful winds, lightning, and even devastating storms.
Vorgrath, the second eldest, never allowed his prey to escape. His gift was chlorokinesis, the power to control and manipulate plants. Roots, vines, and towering trees all obeyed his command, turning nature itself into a deadly weapon.
The youngest was Vorasil.
His greatest weapon was deception.
He possessed shapeshifting, allowing him to transform into another person or even an animal, making him the perfect assassin for infiltration and ambush.
For years, Morvane had kept the Three V’s hidden from the rest of the brood.
No one knew they existed.
In secret, he had used them to kidnap humans, carry out missions he could never allow the kingdom to discover, and quietly turn selected humans into vampires who would one day serve his cause. Long before Draven announced peace with humanity, Morvane had already begun laying the foundation to steal his brother’s throne.
Now...
He had a far greater task for them.
He intended to use them to kill his own brother.
Draven was the greatest obstacle standing between Morvane and the throne.
He also knew defeating Draven would not be easy.
Draven possessed mastery over the four elements—fire, water, earth, and air—making him one of the strongest vampires in history.
Morvane possessed powers of his own.
He could manipulate objects with his mind, and only recently had he discovered another rare ability...
Power Negation.
The power to weaken or temporarily suppress another person’s abilities.
He had not yet mastered it.
But if he could use it at the right moment...
Even Draven could fall.
Everything had already been planned.
Now...
All that remained was to set his plan in motion.
In Draven’s mansion, preparations for tomorrow night’s celebration were already underway.
Elise moved gracefully through the estate, overseeing every detail with care. She spoke with the servants, offered gentle instructions, and made sure everything would be ready before the following evening.
Beside her stood Lucio, the mansion’s butler.
Although he was human, Elise had never treated him any differently from the others.
Years earlier, Draven had rescued Lucio and his young grandson, Davon, from a group of rogue vampires. Instead of erasing their memories or sending them away, he had offered them a home within the estate.
Lucio had accepted without hesitation.
Since then, he had faithfully managed the household, while Draven generously paid for Davon’s education, believing the boy deserved the opportunity to build a better future.
Over the years, Draven and Elise had come to trust Lucio completely.
To Draven, Lucio represented the future he hoped to create—a future where humans and vampires could live side by side without fear.
“I’d like tomorrow night’s celebration to be perfect,” Elise said with a warm smile as she looked over the decorations.
Lucio nodded.
“It will be, Your Highness. The servants are doing everything they can.”
Elise’s smile softened.
“I don’t want this celebration to honor Draven alone.”
She glanced toward the gardens, where servants carefully hung lanterns that would illuminate the estate beneath tomorrow night’s full moon.
“I want everyone to see that peace is possible.”
Lucio smiled.
“I believe they will.”
Before Elise could reply, she suddenly felt a familiar presence approaching.
She smiled even before turning around.
A vampire’s senses rarely failed them.
Moments later, Draven entered the mansion.
“It looks like you’re having a serious conversation,” he said with a gentle smile.
Elise crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him.
“We’re planning tomorrow night’s celebration,” she replied. “I want everyone to celebrate your decision... and I want you to know how proud I am of you.”
Draven returned her embrace.
For a brief moment, the weight of the crown seemed to disappear.
Then Elise noticed it.
The sadness he had tried so hard to hide.
She slowly pulled back and searched his face.
“What happened?”
Draven hesitated before answering.
He told her everything—Morvane’s anger during the council meeting, the confrontation in his office, and his brother’s refusal to accept his decision.
Elise listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she gently took his hands in hers.
“You’re a good king.”
Her voice was soft but certain.
“You made the right decision. Morvane was probably surprised because he never expected you to choose this path. Give him time. I believe he’ll understand.”
Draven wished he shared her confidence.
“I hope you’re right.”
After a brief silence, he smiled faintly.
“By the way... when are you planning to hold the celebration?”
“Tomorrow night,” Elise replied. “The full moon is the perfect time. Besides...”
Her smile grew brighter.
“I think it’s the perfect occasion to introduce Brienne as the future heir to the throne.”
Draven’s eyes softened at the mention of their daughter.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
He smiled.
“Even though she’s still just a baby, I want the entire brood to know who will one day inherit the throne.”
“I’ll make sure everything is ready,” Elise said. “Lucio and I will take care of the preparations.”
She paused before adding,
“Invite everyone.”
Her expression remained hopeful.
“Even Morvane.”
Draven nodded.
“I’ll ask Kael to send the invitations.”
Then another thought crossed his mind.
“Where’s Brienne?”
A smile spread across Elise’s face.
“She’s in the garden with Davon.”
Draven laughed softly.
“Then I’ll go see my little princess.”
Before heading to the gardens, Draven went upstairs to change out of his work clothes. A few minutes later, he made his way outside.
By the time Draven reached the gardens, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow across the estate. Davon gently carried little Brienne in his arms as he strolled along the garden paths.
The baby giggled happily.
A smile immediately spread across Draven’s face.
He approached them quietly before speaking.
“So...”
He smiled at Davon before letting his gaze fall to Brienne.
“How’s my little princess? Has she been behaving herself?”
Davon smiled.
“She’s been very good today, Uncle Draven.”
He looked down at the little girl in his arms.
“Taking care of her isn’t difficult at all.”
Draven chuckled as he gently brushed a finger across Brienne’s tiny hand.
Watching his daughter smile, even for a moment, made every burden he carried as king feel lighter.
As the day of the celebration arrived, the entire mansion buzzed with activity.
Servants moved quickly throughout the estate, making the final preparations for the grand event. Every detail had been carefully arranged. Elise wanted the celebration to be unforgettable—not only to honor Draven’s courageous decision to pursue peace between vampires and humans, but also to introduce their beloved daughter as the future heir to the throne.
By seven o’clock that evening, everything was ready.
The gardens had been transformed into a magnificent venue illuminated by elegant lanterns, while long banquet tables were filled with exquisite food and drinks. Members of the brood began arriving one after another, each offering respectful greetings as they entered the estate.
Inside the mansion, Draven adjusted the sleeves of his formal attire before turning to his family.
Elise looked radiant in her elegant gown, while little Brienne rested peacefully in her mother’s arms, dressed in a beautiful outfit prepared especially for the occasion.
Draven smiled warmly.
“You both look beautiful.”
Elise returned his smile.
“And our future queen has to make a good first impression.”
Draven gently brushed a finger across Brienne’s tiny hand before offering his arm to Elise.
“Shall we?”
Together, they made their way downstairs and stepped into the gardens, where the celebration was already underway.
The moment the guests saw their king and queen, respectful silence spread across the gathering.
Draven stepped forward.
“I want to thank all of you for accepting my invitation and for joining us tonight.”
His gaze swept across the crowd.
“This celebration marks the beginning of a new chapter for our brood. I believe peace with humanity is not a sign of weakness, but a path toward a better future for all of us.”
He paused before smiling at Elise.
“Tonight is also a very special occasion for my family.”
He looked at the child in Elise’s arms.
“I would like to introduce the one who will one day inherit my throne...”
His expression softened with unmistakable pride.
“My daughter...”
“Brienne.”
A wave of applause echoed throughout the gardens.
As Elise held their daughter close, Brienne let out a cheerful giggle, making several guests smile.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Draven watched his daughter with quiet joy.
He dreamed of the day she would grow into a wise and compassionate queen—one who would lead the brood with kindness instead of fear.
Then—
Slow.
Deliberate.
Applause echoed from the entrance.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Every smile disappeared.
The guests turned toward the sound.
Morvane slowly walked into the celebration, his expression calm, yet his eyes burned with cold amusement.
“So...”
He continued clapping as he approached.
“It seems you’ve all chosen to support my brother’s foolish decision.”
Silence settled over the gathering.
Draven’s smile faded.
He stepped away from the guests and faced his brother.
“Morvane.”
His voice remained calm.
“If you disagree with my decision, that’s your choice.”
He looked directly into his brother’s eyes.
“But if you’ve come here to cause trouble...”
“...then I must ask you to leave.”
Morvane let out a quiet laugh.
Instead of responding, he calmly picked up a glass of wine from one of the banquet tables.
He slowly swirled the crimson liquid before taking a sip.
Then another.
Only after emptying the glass did he finally speak.
“I’ll gladly leave...”
A faint smile spread across his face.
“...after I celebrate your downfall.”
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Several vampires instinctively stepped in front of Draven and Elise.
Morvane casually placed the empty wine glass on the table.
“You’ve enjoyed being king long enough.”
His smile widened.
“Now...”
“It’s my turn.”
The ground suddenly trembled.
Without warning, enormous tree roots burst violently from beneath the earth, shattering the stone pathways and sending tables crashing to the ground.
Guests screamed as panic spread through the celebration.
“This truly is a joyful night,” Morvane said with a laugh.
Almost instantly, three figures emerged from the chaos.
The Three V’s.
Without hesitation, they attacked.
The peaceful celebration descended into complete disorder.
Vampires rushed to protect the royal family while others charged toward the assassins, but the Three V’s were overwhelming.
Veydrik unleashed violent winds that hurled warriors through the air.
Vorgrath’s massive roots erupted across the gardens, trapping and crushing anyone caught within their grasp.
Vorasil disappeared into the confusion, waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Draven watched members of his brood fall one after another.
His jaw tightened.
He could no longer stand by while they sacrificed themselves.
He stepped forward.
“Protect the queen!”
The command echoed across the battlefield.
Then Draven turned his attention to the attackers.
He raised one hand.
A blazing sphere of fire erupted from his palm before hurtling toward the Three V’s.
The explosion forced them backward.
Streams of water surged from the fountains surrounding the gardens, while massive slabs of earth erupted beneath his enemies. Powerful gusts of wind followed, throwing debris across the battlefield.
For a moment...
The Three V’s were driven back.
Draven immediately charged toward Morvane.
The two brothers collided with tremendous force.
Morvane manipulated nearby debris with his telekinesis, hurling countless fragments toward Draven.
With a sweep of his hand, Draven summoned a wall of earth that shattered every projectile before launching a torrent of flames in return.
Their powers shook the entire estate.
Despite Morvane’s relentless attacks, he was clearly at a disadvantage.
Draven was stronger.
Realizing brute force alone would never defeat his brother, Morvane secretly attempted to use his newly awakened ability.
Power Negation.
Again...
And again...
He tried to suppress Draven’s powers.
But each attempt failed.
He still hadn’t mastered the ability.
Draven seized the opportunity.
With overwhelming speed, he closed the distance between them and forced Morvane backward.
Just as he prepared to deliver the finishing blow—
“Draven!”
Elise’s desperate scream pierced the battlefield.
Draven’s heart lurched.
Without hesitation, he abandoned his attack on Morvane and turned toward the desperate cry.
“Draven!”
Just a few steps away, Elise stood with tears streaming down her face, reaching frantically toward him.
“Help me!”
Seeing the woman he loved in danger, Draven didn’t hesitate.
He sprinted toward her.
Across the battlefield, the real Elise froze.
Her eyes widened in horror.
That wasn’t her.
Without a second thought, she shoved past the vampires assigned to protect her and rushed toward Draven.
She had barely taken a few steps when a figure suddenly landed in front of her, blocking her path.
Veydrik.
A cruel grin spread across his face.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Elise didn’t waste a single word.
She lunged at him with everything she had.
Steel clashed.
Veydrik intercepted every strike, forcing her backward.
Again.
And again.
Every desperate attempt to break past him was met with another attack.
Her only thought was reaching Draven before it was too late.
Meanwhile...
Draven reached Elise.
“I’m here.”
Relief washed over his face as he reached out to pull her into his arms.
Then...
She smiled.
It wasn’t Elise’s warm, gentle smile.
It was cold.
Sinister.
Before Draven could react, her appearance began to change.
Her features twisted.
Her body shifted.
Within seconds...
Elise disappeared.
Vorasil stood before him with a satisfied grin.
“You’ve always been too easy to fool.”
Draven’s eyes widened.
“It was a trap...”
He immediately raised his hand, preparing to summon the four elements.
But something was wrong.
The power flowing through his body suddenly weakened.
His arm trembled.
“What...?”
Behind him, Morvane slowly approached with a triumphant smile.
“My Power Negation...”
“...has finally succeeded.”
Before Draven could recover, Morvane lunged forward.
A silver dagger flashed beneath the moonlight.
Stab!
The blade plunged deep into Draven’s chest.
His body froze.
Blood slowly stained his clothes as the dagger remained embedded in his heart.
Draven staggered backward before collapsing to one knee.
“Your Highness!”
The cries of the brood echoed across the battlefield.
On the other side of the battlefield, Elise finally managed to push Veydrik back.
The instant she looked toward Draven...
Her world shattered.
“Draven!”
She sprinted toward him, dropping to her knees beside him as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
She desperately held him in her arms.
“No...”
Her voice trembled.
“No... please...”
The silver dagger burned inside his chest, its deadly poison spreading relentlessly through his body.
He lifted a trembling hand and gently touched Elise’s cheek.
“I’m sorry...”
Before he could say another word—
Morvane appeared behind Elise.
Without warning, his hand shot forward and wrapped tightly around her throat.
Elise gasped.
Her feet slowly lifted from the ground.
Draven’s eyes widened.
“No!”
He struggled to stand despite the agony consuming his body.
“Don’t involve Elise...”
His voice cracked.
“...you coward.”
Morvane merely smiled.
Without taking his eyes off Draven, he reached down and pulled the silver dagger from Draven’s chest.
Blood poured from the wound.
Then—
He drove the blade into Elise’s chest.
The world seemed to stop.
Elise gasped as the dagger pierced her heart.
Her body slowly went limp.
Morvane released her.
She collapsed beside Draven.
Draven caught her before she struck the ground.
Tears blurred his vision.
His trembling hand gently brushed her face.
“Elise...”
She looked at him with fading eyes.
Despite the unbearable pain, she managed a weak smile.
“I love you... and our daughter... so much.”
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Draven’s tears finally fell.
“I love you too.”
He pulled her into his arms.
Neither of them spoke again.
Still holding one another...
The king and queen closed their eyes for the last time.
Silence spread across the battlefield.
Then—
Morvane laughed.
A loud...
Victorious...
Heartless laugh.
“I’ve done it.”
He spread his arms wide as he looked over the ruined celebration.
“The throne is finally mine.”
At that moment...
A baby’s cry echoed through the gardens.
Morvane turned toward the sound.
Brienne.
She lay crying inside her stroller, completely unaware of the tragedy unfolding around her.
Morvane slowly approached.
Several members of the brood froze in horror.
“No...”
Someone whispered.
Morvane reached into the stroller and lifted the infant into his arms.
Brienne continued crying.
For a brief moment...
The gardens fell completely silent.
Then—
Without the slightest hesitation...
Morvane killed her.
Gasps and cries erupted throughout the estate.
Some vampires turned away, unable to watch.
Others stood frozen in disbelief.
Morvane looked at the horrified survivors.
“From this moment forward...”
“I am your king.”
His cold gaze swept across the crowd.
“Anyone who refuses to obey me...”
“...will share their fate.”
His cold gaze swept across the terrified vampires kneeling before him.
“From this moment forward...”
“No one is to speak of what happened here.”
“If even a single word reaches the Brood Elders...”
His eyes narrowed.
“...especially the Highest Elder of the Brood...”
“I will personally make sure your entire bloodline disappears from this world.”
Silence fell over the battlefield.
No one dared to raise their head.
No one dared to object.
One by one, the surviving vampires lowered themselves even further, silently accepting the warning that had just become law.
His eyes settled on Lucio.
The human butler stood trembling, unable to believe everything he had witnessed.
Morvane smiled.
He looked toward Vorgrath.
“Kill him.”
His voice was calm.
“I have no use for humans.”
Without another glance at the lifeless bodies of Draven, Elise, and Brienne, Morvane turned away.
At last...
There was nothing left standing between him and his ambition.
He looked toward the moonlit sky.
“I can finally begin.”
His laughter echoed throughout the blood-soaked gardens as the kingdom’s darkest night began.
