chapter 23 The haunting encounter

Emily trudged wearily towards her room, her feet aching from the evening's events. The grand ball, scheduled for the upcoming days, weighed heavily on her mind. As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a stately couple.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Emily exclaimed, hastily bowing her head.

"It's alright, you may rise," a gentle voice replied.

As Emily lifted her gaze, she was struck by the uncanny resemblance between herself and the woman before her. The woman's dark brown eyes, shaped like almonds and fringed with thick lashes, mirrored Emily's own. Her raven hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, framing a face that seemed to echo Emily's own features.

The woman's expression transformed from serenity to shock.

"Emily, is that you?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "We've been searching for you for a long time."

Emily's mind reeled.

The man beside the woman stepped forward, his strong jawline and warm smile stirring a deep sense of familiarity.

"Emily," he said, his voice low and soothing.

Without a word, Emily turned and fled towards her room, tears streaming down her face.

"Emily, wait!" the woman called, rushing after her.

Emily slammed the door shut, leaning against it to catch her breath.

The woman's desperate knocks on the door echoed through Emily's mind.

"Emily, please open the door. We need to explain."

Emily's heart pounded.

Slowly, Emily turned the handle and opened the door.

The woman's eyes locked onto hers, filled with tears.

"Emily, you're our daughter," she whispered. "We thought we lost you forever."

Emily's world shattered.

The woman's slender fingers reached out, tracing Emily's face as if relearning every curve.

"My child," she whispered. "My beautiful child."her slender fingers tracing Emily's face.

As Emily's tears flowed, her mother gently wiped them away.

"Let me clean your face, dear," she said, producing a delicate handkerchief from her sleeve.

Emily's mother dabbed at her cheeks, her touch soothing.

"During the period...after the accident in the human realm," she began, her voice trembling.

"I think that's what they call it, right? The human realm and the vampire realm...so different, yet connected."

Emily's curiosity piqued.

"What happened?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mother took a deep breath.

"Someone saved us. We were brought here, to the vampire realm. We worked hard, gained positions...your father became an advisor to the king."

Emily's eyes widened.

"An advisor?"

Her mother nodded.

"Yes. We thought we'd lost you forever. But fate...fate brought us back together."

Emily's heart swelled.

"I have so many questions," Emily said.

Her mother smiled.

"I'll answer every one. But first, let me hold you."

Emily's mother enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"I've missed you so much, my child," she whispered.

As Emily hugged her back, she felt a sense of belonging.

This was her family.

Her mother pulled back.

"Let's sit," she said. "I'll tell you everything."

Emily nodded.

Together, they sat on the couch.

"Where's Father?" Emily asked.

Her mother's expression turned happy .

"Your father is.... He'll join us soon."

Emily's concern deepened.

"What do you mean?"

Her mother's eyes locked onto hers.

"He's been searching for you, Emily. But we glad we found you finally

Emily's mother smiled, her eyes shining with happiness. "Emily, I want to show you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. With a subtle shift, her mother's canines lengthened, revealing her vampire teeth.

"Mother!" Emily gasped, her eyes wide.

Her mother chuckled. "We're not humans anymore, Emily. Your father and I...we've been turned. We're vampires now, including your sister Sophia."

Emily's mind reeled. "Sophia?"

Just then, Emily's father walked in, followed by a beautiful young girl with piercing green eyes.

"Emily, meet Sophia, your sister," her father said, smiling.

Sophia's eyes sparkled. "Hi, Emily! I've heard so much about you."

Emily's heart swelled as she hugged Sophia tightly.

Her father's eyes shone with tears. "We're finally together again, as a family."