1. Codex
Selene
The old concrete walls were damp and leaking with water. There were cobwebs in every corner, and the scent of dead animals made me wince.
I turn and continue walking down the deserted hall, farther into the old corridors.
Nobody was around.
It was only the darkness and me.
I quicken my pace and make another bend before stopping. Then, I take the torch from the wall and down the slippery stairs.
My heels clicked loudly in the silence.
I headed to the end of the steps, where the old, massive, dark wooden doors stood and looked up at them.
Every time I came here, I was overwhelmed by the sight in front of me.
My slender hand rose to cover the symbol. After aligning the emblem, I flip it. The four locks on the sides of the door began to rotate, eventually reaching my hand.
With a loud bang from the other side, the double doors unlocked.
I pull my hand away as they open for me. A humid odor hit me and made me cough.
Inside, wet concrete, crumbling pillars and slippery floors opened into a huge cavern.
I set the torch to the side and sigh when I reach the short flight of stairs.
I grab my skirt and descend slowly.
A rustling sound to my side made me glance over.
“Damn rats!” I muttered, irritated.
I reached the center of the cave and pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
A dark wooden podium stood in the middle and atop of it sat the codex I’d come for.
I stopped for a moment and snorted. I was not fond of the book.
I reach for the lock and open it. Dust flew everywhere as I searched for the page.
I slid my finger down the yellow pages until I found it.
“Ten, is it now?” I murmured, exhaling.
I pinched my nose and read. Two pages later a name made me stop.
“Twenty more years….” I whispered. “Is there nothing that I can do?”
I shook my head, displeased. Returning back to the ten names, I drew a dagger out and cut the palm of my hand.
I held my hand over the names, I spoke the incantation and let my blood fall across the page.
One by one the names faded and within five minutes they were erased.
“Father will surely ask me how many this time,” I said, wiping my hand and watching the wound seal.
The mark of the eye reappeared on my skin.
“I simply can’t understand how this can be called a gift,” I remarked, closing the codex and locking it once more. Then I turned away.
“Ut Claudat Ostia,” I whispered as the doors shut behind me.
***
I gaze up at the sky as I reach the entrance; clouds pressed low and heavy, the air thick with gloom.
“You’re finally done?” a voice asked.
I turned and found my brother waiting.
“Deimos,” I muttered.
“Shall we go, dear sister?” he said, extending his hand.
His pitch-black eyes and short black hair made him look otherworldly.
“Of course,” I replied, taking his hand. Still, I glanced back over my shoulder with unease.
“Is father waiting for my return?” I asked, my eyes drifting towards the window.
“Yes,” Deimos smiled. “He’s been wondering how it went. You know how he frets over you.”
“I know,” I replied, glancing at him, “but he shouldn’t.”
His smile faded, and his stare hardened.
“Selene,” he said sharply.
I rolled my eyes in answer.
We continued the rest of our ride in silence. When the carriage pulled up to the mansion, we stepped down.
Janus, our other brother, waited at the entrance with a smile.
“Shall we, sister?” Deimos asked again.
Thunder cracked loudly in the distance. It was about to rain.
Deimos tugged me forward as I simply looked up at the towering gray pillars framing our vast home. White double doors gleamed beneath the chandeliers which even in daylight poured golden light over the marble floors polished enough to mirror our reflection which we didn’t have.
Servants tended the gardens, where pale roses swayed in the wind.
“The roses are blooming,” Deimos stated, giving my hand a squeeze.
I smiled faintly at the sight of the white blooms. Coming back here always felt like the first time.
“Welcome home,” Janus said warmly.
“Thank you,” I answered, noting how his blue eyes mirrored my own.
“Our father is waiting,” he said, already falling into step beside me.
“Tell him I will meet him later,” I said, already turning towards the stairs.
Janus frowned.
“What?”
“You heard me. Don’t make me repeat myself,” I snapped.
His face soured, but he said nothing more.
I left them both behind and headed upstairs.
The halls were empty as always. Of course with twelve bedrooms, two libraries, four parlors, a dining hall, a training room, offices, an enormous kitchen and a piano hall. It would definitely be hard to spot anyone in this place.
And all this was built by my father, the king of vampire seekers.
A vampire seeker is no ordinary creature. Born of a royal vampire and a seeker, we are hybrids, wielders of powers few can match.
We are respected, feared and untouchable.
With my father the seeker and my mother, the vampire queen. My bloodline made me extraordinary.
But I despised it.
Not only because I am the only female daughter, but because of the curse bound to me.
My gift — the Eye of the Codex is a power that steals life, but not from anyone but from wolves.
Every six months, their lives are mine to take.
I pushed the doors to my bedroom and froze. Someone was waiting, seated on my bed.
“Seth?” I said, frowning.
He stood, his long brown hair spilling over his shoulders, and smiled.
“Finally home, my princess,” he said softly as he brushed a strand of my hair.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” I replied, turning away.
“Surprise then?” he replied, pressing a kiss to my cheek as his hand slid down my back.
He grabs my waist and pulls me. I brace my hands against his chest.
“Are you in a foul mood?” Seth teased, his laugh gruff.
“I’m just tired,” I explained, pushing him off.
He caught my arm and spun me back to face him, stealing a kiss I didn’t want.
I closed my eyes out of habit, not desire.
“Come on, my beautiful seeker,” he coaxed.
"Not today,” I said firmly, turning around and retreating to the bathroom.
I shut the door behind me, pressing myself against it. The tub was already filled. Steam curled in the air.
I undressed, and when the warm water touched me, I flinched.
At last, I let my body relax.
***
I stirred at the sensation of being lifted. My eyelids fluttered open — I must have dozed off.
“Deimos?” I said, trying to sit up.
“Easy,” he whispered as he lowered me onto the bed.
He crouched beside me, his gaze steady. I clutched the towel tighter around my body.
“How many times have I told you not to fall asleep in the bath?”
“I fell asleep?” I asked, confused.
“You did,” he replied, rising to his feet. “Seth said you’d been taking a bath for nearly two hours. Useless bastard didn’t even bother to check on you.”
I looked down. It wasn’t the first time this had happened.
“Let it be the last time,” Deimos retorted. I nodded obediently.
I got up and went to the closet, pulling a set of clothes from one of the racks.
Deimos leaned against the doorframe, his back turned politely while I dressed.
“Father is impatient,” he suddenly said.
His words made me stiff.
“I know,” I muttered, combing through my hair. “I’ll go right now.”
Together we head down and straight to the adjoining hall where my father and the elders convened.
Guards opened the white doors, and Deimos stepped in first.
I followed, head bowed.
“Welcome,” my father’s voice rang loud. “It’s about time you’ve come.”
I rolled my eyes, bowing only out of formality before meeting his gaze.
His black eyes bore into mine.
“You look tired,” he said.
“No surprise there,” I snapped back.
“Feisty as ever,” my grandfather Drystan chuckled warmly. “Welcome home, child.”
“Thank you,” I smiled.
“How many this time?” my father, King Veles, asked.
“Ten,” I replied simply. “Only ten.”
“That is unexpected,” my grandfather mused.
“I thought so to,” I sighed. “But that is what the Eye revealed. I did as it was commanded.”
“Good, we shall put this into the records,” my father said. His tone grew heavy. “We’ve heard whispers ─ a seer sought audience with the Alpha King. I doubt she’ll reveal anything, but the rumor persists.”
“Never trust rumors,” Janus interjected coldly.
“I know,” Father admitted, “yet I feel she won’t say a word.”
“Can I go now?” I asked with arms crossed.
“So soon?” my grandfather asked, raising a brow.
“I’d rather rest than be here,” I answered with a smile.
My grandfather nodded, and after a moment’s silence, so did my father.
I excused myself and left the room.
The walk back dragged, my steps heavy. As I passed through the tall windows I paused, staring out. Rain streaked the stained glass, thunder rolling as the storm broke heavier.
“What a strange day,” I whispered before moving on.
In my room, I took off my clothes and slipped beneath the covers.
I lay watching raindrops chase one another down the windowpane, lighting flashing in the distance. Thunder answered, loud and violent.
My eyes closed, and sleep pulled me under.
***
A man. A hand. A voice. And those eyes ─ green, piercing, pulling me towards him until I shivered.
His face stayed hazy, impossible to focus on, like a memory sleeping away.
He clasped my hand, squeezing gently, almost reassuring. His lips moved, shaping words I couldn’t catch.
I tried to respond, but no sound came — only the motion of my mouth. Panic twisted in me.
Then a hand went to my throat and slammed me against the floor. My body jolted, breath torn from my lungs.
I opened my mouth to scream, but silence smothered me. Terrified, I clawed at him, desperate to shove him off.
Who was he?
For a moment he stilled, his shadow looming over me. Then he bent close his breath brushing my ear. One word slipped through: “See.”
My chest heaved.
I shoved, writhed, but his weight crushed me. The edges of my vision bled into black. Just as everything gave out, a deafening crash split the air.
I jolted up in bed, breath ragged. Sweat and tears streaked my face, and my trembling hand flew to my neck.
“It was only a dream,” I whispered to myself, trying to steady my breathing. Eyes closed, I forced myself to inhale, but the chill in my chest refused to ease.
When I opened my eyes, the storm still raged outside. Pushing the damp blanket from my body, I got up and moved to the window. Pressing a hand against my chest, I stared out at the rain.
Then ─ movement.
I frowned, leaning closer to the window.
A shadow slipped behind the trees. Someone was there.
I didn’t hesitate. Rushing out of my room, I fade in silence.
The house was dark; everyone else had gone to sleep.
I shoved the doors open and stepped into the rain. Rain slapped against my skin as my bare feet tapped across the stones.
“Where did you go?” I muttered, squinting through the water.
Something moved behind me.
I spun, but saw nothing. Closing my eyes, I stilled myself, reaching out with my senses.
A footstep echoed between the downpour. I turned, hand outstretched — grabbing hold of something solid.
With a pull, I dragged the figure and slammed him to the ground. My fist came down, but he caught it midair.
Wide eyed, I stared at the stranger cloaked in black, his hood obscuring his face.
I reached for him, but he twisted, throwing me onto my back.
A groan escaped me as his hand closed around my throat. I lashed out with a kick, forcing him to stumble back.
I was on my feet in an instant, dagger flashing from its sheath beneath my nightgown.
The stranger smirked and lunged.
I slipped aside, slashing him across his stomach.
His grunt was drowned by the storm. Without waiting my hand struck his face, knocking him down. Leaping forward, I caught his arm and ripped the hood away from his face.
Golden eyes glared back.
“A wolf?” I whispered, stunned.
My hesitation gave him an opening to escape.
He shoved me off and bolted just as voices caught up from behind.
“Selene!” my father yelled.
I stood frozen, eyes locked on the figure.
“Selene, are you hurt?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I muttered, not turning to face him.
“Janus! After him!” Father ordered.
“No!” I said, raising my hand to stop him.
“Why?” his voice boomed between the storm.
“Let him go. He’s just a wolf,” I answered, rain and mud clinging to my body.
“What did you say?” Deimos asked, stepping closer. “A wolf?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “Leave him.”
“How can we simply let him go?” Father angrily said.
I turned towards him, calm but firm. “He won’t make it out.”
The dagger in my grip still gleamed with blood. Its blade had been laced with poison ─ swift, merciless. No creature survived it longer than ten minutes.
“Send someone when the rain passes,” I said with a dismissive wave before turning towards the mansion.
“Selene!” Deimos caught up to me, worry etched into his pale face.
I stopped halfway up the stairs, meeting his eyes.
“You know they can’t know about you,” he said. His voice was almost pleading.
“Nothing will happen,” I said, offering a smile. “Trust me.”
“But ─”
“Trust me,” I interrupted.
Deimos fell silent, his expression heavy with doubt. I left him standing there as I climbed back upstairs.
Near one of the windows, I leaned against it, staring towards the forest where the wolf had vanished.
“Yes,” I whispered, closing my eyes. “Just trust me.”
