Eye Of The Codex (The last Alpha)

Selene

Water trickled down the ancient, damp concrete walls. Cobwebs clung to every corner, and the stench of decay wrinkled my nose. I wandered deeper into the deserted corridors, turning into shadows where only darkness kept me company.

Quickening my pace, I rounded another corner and halted. Snatching a torch from the wall, I began my descent down the slick stairs, each click of my heels echoing like a warning in the gloom.

At the foot of the stairs, I approached the massive, shadowed wooden doors. Lifting my gaze, I drank in their imposing presence—a sight that never failed to awe me.

I pressed my slender hand to the symbol, twisting the emblem at its center. Four locks whirred and spun, aligning with my touch.

A thunderous bang echoed from beyond, and the double doors groaned open. A wave of humid, smoky air hit me, making me cough as I tried to wave the stench away.

Damp walls, crumbling pillars, and treacherous floors greeted me as I entered the vast cave. I set the torch aside and sighed at the sight. Torchlight flickered across the ancient stone as I gathered my skirt and carefully descended the narrow stairs.

A sudden rustle made me glance sharply to the side.

“Damn rats!” I hissed, annoyed.

I continued my path.

I finally pressed on until I reached the heart of the cavern. Brushing an errant strand of hair from my face, I fixed my gaze ahead. There, a dark wooden podium stood alone, cradling the object of my journey, the codex.

I scoffed. I disliked this ritual.

Unfastening the lock, I opened the codex. Dust billowed around me as I flipped to the page I sought. My finger traced the yellowed parchment until I found the entry.

“Ten, is it now?” I murmur to myself. Sighing, I pinch my nose and continue reading. Turning two more pages, I stop when I see a specific name. “Twenty more years…” I whispered. “Is there nothing that I can do?”

I shook my head with a weary sigh. This was a task I loathed. Returning to the list of ten names, I drew a dagger and sliced my palm. Holding my bleeding hand above the page, I whispered the incantation, letting crimson drops fall.

One by one, the names faded beneath my glare, vanishing from the codex within minutes.

“Father will surely ask me how many this time,” I sighed, cleaning my hand. As the wound closed, the mark of the eye appeared again.

“I simply can’t understand how this can be called a gift,” I said and closed the codex, locking it once again. Turning around, I headed back out.

“Ut Claudat Ostia,” I whispered as the two enormous doors closed behind me.

***

At last, I reached the entrance and lifted my eyes to the sky. Gray clouds pressed down, heavy and foreboding.

“You’re finally done?” someone asked. Turning around, I found my brother.

“Deimos,” I mutter.

“Shall we go, dear sister?” Deimos asked, offering his hand. His pitch-black eyes and short black hair made him look ethereal.

“Sure,” I mutter, grasping his hand. Then, glancing over my shoulder, I frown.

This place carries a shadow that never lifts, and that gives me the shivers.

“Our father has seemed worried,” Deimos said, chuckling. “You know Father worries for your wellbeing every time you come here.”

“I know,” I said, looking his way, “but he shouldn’t.”

Deimos stopped smiling. Instead, he glared at me.

“Selene,” he said, making me roll my eyes.

Without saying another word, we continued our ride back home in complete silence.

As we arrived, we got down from the carriage. I lifted my head and found my other brother waiting at the entrance, smiling at us.

“Shall we, sister?” Deimos said.

I looked back at the road as we heard thunder. Rain will soon pour.

As Deimos tugged my hand, I glanced up at the towering gray pillars framing our grand entrance. White double doors and glittering chandeliers cast light over the somber day. Marble floors mirrored nothing but our clothes as we passed, and out in the garden, servants tended to the blooms.

“The roses are blooming,” Deimos said, squeezing my hand. I smiled as I stared at the white roses.

Each return felt like stepping into this home for the very first time.

“Welcome home,” my brother Janus said.

“Thank you,” I said as I looked into his blue eyes like mine.

“Our father is waiting,” Janus said, walking next to me.

“Tell him I will meet him later,” I said, turning toward the stairs.

“What?” Janus frowned.

“You heard me, Janus. Don’t make me repeat myself,” I spat angrily. Janus frowned and turned his head. Then, turning my back on them, I headed up to my bedroom.

The hallways of the place were empty. But, as my father calls it, this place or mansion had twelve bedrooms, two libraries, four living rooms, a dining room, a training hall, four offices, an enormous kitchen, and a piano hall. It was the home our father, the king of vampire seekers, built for us.

A vampire seeker is a rare hybrid. My father, a seeker, and my mother, a royal vampire, gave me this legacy. We are born with extraordinary gifts—magic, power, skills that set us above all others. No one dares challenge us. Yet I despised this so-called gift, not just because I was the only woman in the royal line, but because of what my power demanded.

The Eye of the Codex. It is a gift where I take life away from others. However, it wasn’t any person or being, but only wolves. I take the life of wolves every six months.

Opening the doors to my bedroom, I find someone on my bed.

“Seth?” I said, frowning. The man with long brown hair turned his head. Then, smiling, he stood up and walked over.

“Finally home, my princess,”he whispered as he moved a hair strand. I frowned slightly.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” I said, turning away.

“Surprise then?” Seth smiled as he kissed my cheek. I stood still as Seth moved his hand down my back.

Grabbing my waist, he pulled me. I put my hands over his toned chest.

“Are you in a foul mood?” Seth asked, chuckling.

“I’m just tired,” I said, pushing him out of the way.

Seth grabbed my arm and turned me around to face him. Leaning closer, he kissed me. I closed my eyes as he moved his lips.

I wasn’t in the mood.

“Come on, my beautiful seeker,” Seth said, making me sigh.

“Not today, ok?” I said, turning around and walking to the bathroom. Closing it, I leaned against the door. Then, noticing that the bathtub was ready, I undressed.

I flinched as the warm water touched my skin. Once my body adjusted, I leaned my head back and relaxed.

***

I felt someone carrying me; I tiredly opened my eyes.

“Deimos?” I said as I tried to sit up.

“Relax,” he whispered as he sat me down on the bed. Crouching, he looked at me. I gripped the towel that covered my body. “How many times have I told you not to fall asleep during a bath?”

“I fell asleep?” I asked, confused.

“Yes,” Deimos said, standing, “I found Seth a while ago, and he told me you had been taking a bath two hours ago. The bastard didn’t even check on you.”

I look down. It wasn’t the first time I had fallen asleep during a bath.

“Let it be the last time,” Deimos retorted. I nodded obediently.

Standing, I walked into the closet to get changed. Deimos leaned against the door frame. He had his back to me.

“Father is impatient,” Deimos suddenly said. I flinched at his words.

“I know. I will go right now,” I muttered as I fixed my hair.

Once done, we headed down. We walked towards the adjacent building. That’s where my father and the elders gathered, ordering the guards to open the two white doors. Deimos stepped in first. I followed behind with my head down.

“Welcome,” my father said as I peeked under my lashes. “It’s about time you’ve come.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Then, bowing, I lifted my head and looked at him. His black eyes met mine.

“You seem tired,” my father said.

“No shit,” I spat back.

“Feisty as always,” my grandfather Drystan said, laughing. “Welcome home, my dear.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“So tell us how many this time?” my father, King Veles, asked.

“Ten,” I answered, “Just ten.”

“That’s surprising,” my grandfather said, humming.

“I also found it surprising, but that’s what the eye saw,” I said, sighing. “I just did what it asked for.”

“Good, we shall put this into the record. We have been hearing rumors that a witch paid a visit to the Alpha King,” my father explained tiredly. “I don’t think the witch will tell him, though.”

“Never trust a witch,” my brother Janus said. “You know they can be good at what they say.”

“I know, but I have the feeling she won’t mention it,” my father answered back.

“Can I go now?” I asked with arms crossed.

“Already? Not staying?” my grandfather asked.

“No, I just want to rest,” I muttered with a smile. My grandfather nodded.

Looking back at my father, he quietly nodded. I excused myself and headed back out.

Exhausted, I trudged back to the room, feet heavy with fatigue. At the wide windows, I paused, watching thunder split the sky as rain lashed the earth.

“What a strange day,” I muttered, resuming my slow walk. Once inside my room, I closed the door and began to undress, eager to shed the weight of the day.

Lying in bed, I watched raindrops race down the window, lightning and thunder entwined in a wild dance. Finally, I closed my eyes and drifted into uneasy sleep.

A man—a hand, a voice, piercing green eyes that drew me in and sent a shiver through me. His face was a blur. He squeezed my hand, reassuring, his lips moving in silent words I could not catch.

I tried to reply, but only my lips moved; no sound escaped. Suddenly, a hand clamped around my neck, slamming me onto the floor. Panic surged as I struggled to scream, to push him away. Who was he?

Confusion clouded my mind as he paused, bending close to whisper in my ear. Only one word reached me: “see.”

Gasping for breath, I fought to shove him off, but his weight pinned me down. Panic clawed at me. My vision blurred, and then a deafening crash shattered the moment.

I jolted upright in bed, sweat and tears streaking my face. Panting, I clutched my neck, my whole body shivering as I checked for marks.

“It was a dream, Selene,” I mutter. Then, closing my eyes, I tried to take several deep breaths that I didn’t need.

With a sigh, I opened my eyes again. Rain still hammered the world outside. I tossed aside the damp blanket and crossed to the window, pressing a hand to my chest as I tried to steady my breath. The air had grown colder.

A flicker of movement outside caught my eye. I frowned, peering into the darkness.

I stared hard, searching for the shadow.

It darted behind the trees, and my frown deepened. Someone was there.

I rushed from my room toward the garden. Few could cross onto our land, not with my father’s barrier. Was it someone I knew?

I raced down the stairs and slipped through the kitchen door. The house was silent, everyone asleep. Rain drenched me as I stepped outside, my bare feet tapping against the stone as I scanned the night.

“Where did it go?” I muttered, squinting through the downpour.

The rain blurred everything. Suddenly, something slipped behind me. I spun, but saw nothing. Closing my eyes, I focused on the sounds around me. A footstep—my hand shot out, reaching for the shadow.

My hand closed around something solid.

I yanked, sending the intruder stumbling. I slammed him to the ground and swung my fist, but he caught it.

Wide-eyed, I stared at the figure cloaked in darkness. I reached for his hood, but he flipped me over. I groaned as his hand found my neck. Kicking out, I forced him back. In a flash, I drew the dagger hidden beneath my nightgown.

He smirked and lunged.

I dodged, slicing his side. He grunted, and I struck his face, sending him sprawling. I leaped over him, grabbing for his hood.

He tried to block me, but I caught his arm and yanked the hood away. Golden eyes stared up at me in shock.

“Wolf?” I breathed, stunned. My distraction gave him an opening, he shoved me aside. Voices rang out behind us.

He seized the moment and fled. I clenched my fists, watching him vanish into the night.

“SELENE!” my father yelled. Stunned by everything, I kept my eyes on the man who disappeared. “Selene, are you all right?”

“Yes,” I mumbled without looking at him.

“Janus! Track that man down, now!” my father ordered.

“No!” I said, raising my hand to stop him.

“Why?” my father asked angrily.

“Let him; he’s just a wolf,” I said, standing. The rain and mud covered my entire body while I stood there.

“What did you just say?” my brother Deimos asked. “He was a wolf?”

“Yes,” I said, turning around. “Just let him go.”

“HOW CAN WE LET HIM GO?” my father yelled angrily. I knew why he was so mad.

“He won’t make it out of here,” I said, walking away.

The dagger I used to cut him had poison. A lethal one for any kind of being. One that would only take ten minutes to kill him on the spot.

“Send someone later when the rain has stopped,” I said, waving my hand.

My brother ran up to me and called my name. I stopped halfway up the stairs and looked at him.

“You know they can’t know about you, Selene,” Deimos said worriedly.

“Nothing will happen,” I said, smiling weakly. “Trust me.”

“But Selene!” Deimos repeated. I smiled again and lowered my head.

“Just trust me,” I mumbled, “Trust me this time.”

Deimos just looked at me. A crease formed on his pale face. Heading up, I leave him alone. I knew it worried everyone, but they had to trust me at least once. Reaching my room, I went back to the window.

Leaning my head, I looked towards the forest.

“Yes, just trust me,” I mumbled and closed my eyes.