The morning light filtered in through sheer curtains, pale gold kissing the room in soft warmth. Kael lay beside me, one arm wrapped possessively around my waist, his breathing steady and deep. For a while, I simply lay there, listening to the silence, letting the comfort of his touch ground me.
But the peace was deceptive.
My body still ached from last night in all the best ways but my mind refused to rest.
The memory of blackness, of being taken, of Azrael's icy touch and Lilith's looming presence still clung to me like shadows behind closed eyes. My fingers gently grazed the curve of Kael's jaw, tracing the faint scar that disappeared into his stubble. He looked so human when asleep, not the powerful vampire lord the world feared. Just a man. Mine.
Still, I slipped out of bed quietly, dressing quickly. I needed to check on Maya. I needed to see that she was okay. That the horrors of last night hadn't touched her the way they did me.
The hallways of the manor were quiet, save for the ticking of the antique clock on the wall. Outside, rain fell lightly on the windows.
When I reached Maya's apartment, I hesitated. Then knocked softly.
"am Coming," came her groggy voice.
Then for a second she pushed the door open.
You're up early," she said with a yawn.
You look like hell but in that post-sex glow kind of way."
I smiled faintly. "Thanks. I think."
Her face turned serious. "Are you okay?"
I sat beside her. "I don't know."
There was silence between us, the kind only shared by those who'd seen too much and still chose to stay.
"I felt something last night," she said, eyes narrowing. "Like the air cracked open. You were gone, weren't you?"
I nodded. "Kidnapped."
She flinched. "By who?"
"A vampire named Azrael. One of Kael's old enemies. And Lilith she was involved. She's not done."
Oh wait you were damn serious when you said kael was a vampire,Maya said in shock.
Of course Maya. Seraphina said
So you mean you are a vampire because I know might already mark you.
Of course darling. Seraphina said smiling.
So you mean you will suck my blood.
Oh please Maya stop it you like a sister to me I can't do such a thing. She said laughing
Ok, no problem . Then we need to be ready."
Maya's eyes sharpened.
For a moment, strength sparked in my chest. Maya wasn't just a friend, she was a family. And with Kael maybe we had a chance. But I knew peace never lasted in our world.
And something told me the storm was far from over.
Maya and I talked for a few more minutes, but I could tell she was still shaken. Even if she tried to be strong for me, the truth sat heavy in the room like a storm cloud refusing to break.
"I'll be fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Just don't disappear again without warning, okay?
"I didn't plan it the first time," I murmured with a weak laugh, but my heart wasn't in it. I hugged her tightly, needing the hug mostt. Just stay close to Kael's men. Don't go anywhere alone.
She nodded, and I left her house.
When I returned to our house,in the bedroom Kael was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless, muscles tense, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. He looked up as I entered, concern shadowing his features.
You shouldn't have gone alone, he said softly.
"I had to make sure she was okay," I replied, stepping into his arms.
His embrace was satisfying me, but I could feel the way he held me tighter than usual as if something inside him was unraveling.
"She's fine," I added. "But Kael something still feels wrong. I don't think Azrael's done."
He exhaled slowly. "He won't stop until he tears apart everything I care about. He thinks I killed his family centuries ago. He wants vengeance and now he's found you."
I looked up into his eyes. "What happened, Kael? What did you do?"
He hesitated. "It wasn't me. But someone made sure Azrael believed it was. Someone ancient. Someone dangerous."
I blinked. "Lilith."
A sharp nod. "She played both sides back then too. Manipulated him. Framed me. She wants you out of the picture, Seraphina. And now she's giving Azrael exactly what he needs to destroy us."
A chill ran down my spine.
I stepped back and sat on the bed, my fingers curling into the blankets. "So what do we do now?"
Kael knelt before me, taking my hands. "We prepare. There's more at play here than either of us understand yet. But I promise you I'll burn the world before I let them touch you again."
I kissed his forehead, trying to hold in the tremor in my lips.
But deep inside, I knew the war hadn't even begun.
Later that evening, after Kael had gone to meet with his guards and reinforce security around the estate, I stood by the window, watching the moon drift through the clouds. My reflection stared back at me tired, pale, but different somehow. I wasn't the same girl who first walked into Kael's world. I was stronger. But strength didn't make the fear go away.
The door creaked open behind me.
I didn't have to turn to know it was him. I felt Kael's presence the moment he stepped into the room like the air thickened with static and something primal stirred beneath my skin.
"You're still up," he murmured, his voice low, dark velvet.
I couldn't sleep without you been here kael.
He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back into him. His scent wrapped around me woodsmoke, leather, and something darkly intoxicating. "Neither could I."
There was something in his voice. A need. A warning.
"We keep waiting for the next strike," I whispered. "For Azrael. For Lilith. But what if it never ends?"
Kael leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "Then we take what we can, when we can."
He turned me in his arms and kissed me slow, lingering, like he needed to memorize the taste of me in case it all vanished tomorrow.
I clutched his shirt, breathless. Kael
"I need to feel you're mine," he said, voice almost growling, fingers already unfastening the buttons of my shirt. "Let them come. But tonight I want to feel you again."
And he did it passionately, fiercely like our love was the only thing keeping the darkness at bay.
We collapsed into the sheets after, tangled in each other. I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
But just as sleep began to pull me under, a sharp chill rippled through the air.
Kael tensed.
A knock echoed through the manor soft, deliberate.
We both sat up, instantly alert.
"Who would knock at this hour?" I whispered, clutching the blanket.
Kael's eyes flashed. "No one good."
He rose, naked and unashamed, and pulled on black trousers, grabbing a dagger from the drawer.
"Stay here," he ordered.
But I was already moving.
Because deep in my bones, I knew:
Lilith had just made her next move.
I wrapped the throw blanket tighter around myself and stared out the window, watching raindrops slide down the glass like tears I didn't want to shed Last night clung to my skin, his touch, his voice, the way his body moved with mine like he knew every piece of me. But beneath the warmth of it all, fear still curled in my stomach.
Something wasn't right.
I couldn't shake the feeling the way the air felt heavy, how shadows danced too long at the corners of my eyes. I tried to dismiss it as paranoia, but my instincts had saved me before. And they were screaming now.
The silence broke with a buzz.
My phone vibrated on the table, and when I saw Maya's name flash across the screen, my heart jumped. I answered immediately. "Maya?"
"Seraphina" her voice was trembling, breathy, like she'd been running. "Something's wrong. I—I think someone's here, someone wants to hurt me."
My stomach twisted. "Where are you? Are you home?"
"Yes I locked the doors, but I can hear footsteps outside. They stopped a few minutes ago but" She gasped. "Wait oh my Goddd"
"Maya?! I shouted, but the line went dead.
And just like that, the fear became real.
Kael's grip on my hand tightened as we reached Maya's apartment. The hallway was skink of blood faint, but enough to make my stomach turn. My heartbeat thudded wildly in my chest as Kael shoved the door open without knocking.
"Maya?" I called out.
There was no immediate response.
The living room was dim. Curtains drawn. Silence oppressive. Then we heard it a soft whimper, like a wounded animal.
Kael moved ahead, following the sound to the bedroom. I stayed close behind.
There, curled up on the floor beside the bed, was Maya.
Her face was pale, a bruise darkening her cheekbone, and her lip split. Her clothes were torn at the sleeves, her breathing shallow.
I gasped and rushed to her side. "Maya!"
Her eyes fluttered open, full of fear and confusion. "Sera"
"I'm here," I whispered, brushing a trembling hand through her tangled hair. "You're okay now."
Kael stood by the door, his jaw clenched. "She was attacked."
Maya flinched at the word. "He didn't he didn't hurt me like that. But he was strong. Too strong. I couldn't scream."
"Who?" I demanded, anger creeping into my voice.
She closed her eyes, and a single tear escaped. "I don't know. His eyes .They were red. Like Kael's."
Kael and I exchanged a glance.
"Vampire," Kael said coldly. "It wasn't random."
Maya looked between us, then to Kael. "He said he said something about you. That you took everything from him."
Kael went still.
And just like that, the air shifted. Cold. Threatening.
Azrael. You damn bitch
"I'll make sure he never gets close again," Kael said, his voice sounding like a promise.
As I helped Maya onto the bed, I couldn't shake the feeling. This wasn't over. Something deeper was unfolding. Something dangerous. And now it has touched Maya too.
I wrapped my arms around her. "You're safe now."
Don't worry me and keal will save you. One will dare hurt my friend ok.
But even as I said it, I wasn't sure if that is true