Blood on His Hands

Kai walked into the living room, with a calm and composed countenance, holding the glowing orb in his hand. Everyone turned to look at him as he raised it slightly. "Look what I found," he said with curiosity.

The glow from the orb filled the room, catching Anya's attention immediately. Her eyes widened with recognition. "That's Servon's Eye!" she exclaimed, rising from her seat.

Kai arched a brow. "Servon's Eye?"

Anya nodded eagerly, stepping closer to examine the orb in his hands. "I read about it in the Grimoire," she said excitedly. "It's an ancient artifact, named after the wizard Servon."

Damien, sitting nearby, looked intrigued. "And how exactly did you get your hands on something like this?" he asked with suspicion in his tone.

Kai shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. "I found it laying around outside."

Anya was too caught up in her excitement to notice his vague answer. She reached out and took the orb from Kai's hand with her eyes lighting up as she held it close. "This is amazing! Do you even know what it can do?"

Kai gave a small smile, feigning interest. "Enlighten us."

Anya began to explain with enthusiasm. "Servon's Eye can detect magical auras and energies."

Damien leaned forward, intrigued. "So, it's basically a magical radar?"

"Exactly!" Anya confirmed. "If someone is practicing magic around here, or using powers, this orb will notify us."

Zephyr crossed his arms, watching the glowing orb closely. "And you're sure it's the real thing?" he asked, skeptical.

Anya nodded confidently. "Yes. It even has a piece of the wizard Servon's essence inside, which is why it's so accurate. This is a powerful artifact."

"Seems like you've got it all figured out, then." Kai said.

"This could help us track down whoever is using magic near the estate. We need to keep it safe."

Zephyr's eyes moved with concern. "And if someone else is after this thing?"

Anya glanced around at them all. "We'll have to be cautious. Servon's Eye is valuable, and if it's in the wrong hands, it could cause trouble."

Kai nodded in agreement, but his mind wandered back to the woman he had left hidden outside. He kept his expression neutral, hiding his growing hunger.

Zephyr leaned back with his arms crossed. "So, who do you think left this just lying around, Kai?" His question carried suspicion with it, with his eyes narrowing at his brother.

Kai met Zephyr's gaze, showing no sign of unease. "I didn't see anyone. Like I said, I just found it."

Kai clenched his fists behind his back. He could feel the bloodlust rising again as he thought about Lizzie, the woman he'd left hidden outside, her blood was still calling to him.

He needed to feed, and soon. He needed an exit, and he needed it fast. His bloodlust was rising, and he knew he couldn't stay in the living room much longer without raising suspicion. He looked toward the window, squinting slightly at the sun's rays that streamed in, knowing his brothers were watching him closely.

"I'm going to step outside for a bit," Kai announced casually, moving toward the door. "The sunlight is actually... refreshing." He smiled faintly, trying to keep his voice light.

Zephyr arched a brow but didn't comment further. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

Kai gave him a nod and slipped outside. 

He reached the hidden spot in no time and saw Lizzie slowly regaining consciousness. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes fluttered open, and she saw him standing over her, fear immediately took hold of her. She opened her mouth to scream.

"Don't scream," Kai said coldly. "Unless you want to die right here."

Lizzie's mouth clamped shut, but her wide eyes stayed locked on him. "I know you," she said, her voice trembling. "You're Juran Crimson's son."

Kai's expression darkened. "Stop talking," he warned.

But Lizzie kept on. "I'm sorry… about your father," she stammered, searching his face.

Kai's patience thinned. "I don't need your apology," he said. 

At that, Lizzie went silent. After a moment, she swallowed hard. "Are… are you going to kill me?" she asked, her voice was barely above a whisper.

There was no reason to lie. "Yes," Kai replied flatly, his voice carried no emotion with it.

Lizzie's breath hitched, but Kai didn't pick up on the subtle energy shift in her aura. He moved closer, ready to feed, as his fangs lengthened. Just as he was about to bite her neck, Lizzie muttered a spell under her breath.

"Migran vex!"

Suddenly, an excruciating pain seared through Kai's head, sending him staggering back. He groaned in frustration, clutching his head as the intense migraine pounded in his skull. "What the—"

Lizzie, taking the opportunity, limped away, trying to make a break for it. But her escape was short-lived. With his supernatural speed, Kai caught up to her in seconds, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her around. His eyes glowed a furious red.

"You've pissed me off," he snarled. "Now I'm not even hungry anymore. I just want to kill you."

Lizzie's eyes filled with tears as she begged, "Please, wait! My nephew, Justin… make sure he's safe. Please, just look after him. He doesn't know what's coming."

Kai chuckled darkly as his grip tightened. "And why would I do that?" he asked mockingly.

Lizzie's lips quivered as she stared into his cold, unforgiving eyes. Before she could say another word, Kai's hand shot forward and ripped her heart out of her chest. The blood sprayed from her body, her eyes widening in shock for a brief second before they dulled, then her lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

Kai stood over her, breathing heavily as his rage slowly faded. He looked at the blood on his hands, "Messy," he muttered to himself, tossing the heart aside.  Calmly, he cleaned up the mess, making sure no one would ever find Lizzie's remains.

Satisfied with his work, Kai stood tall and began the walk back to Crimson Estate. The hunger had not been quelled, but a dark satisfaction remained and he was fine with that.

—————-

Justin walked slowly, with his feet dragging as he made his way from Crimson Estate to his aunt Lizzie's little witch shop in Burdly town. His mind was oddly quiet and his thoughts were blank, as though a fog had clouded his memories. When he reached the shop, just before he could enter, Kaylor, his blonde-haired friend, appeared in front of him.

"Justin!" Kaylor called out, waving. "Hey, where've you been? You didn't answer my texts."

Justin blinked at her with an expressionless face. "I don't know…" he muttered, with his voice seeming distant.

Kaylor frowned, with concern etching her face. "What do you mean you don't know? What's going on? You look... off."

He stared at her for a moment, his blue eyes glazed over. "I don't remember."

Kaylor's confusion only deepened, but she could see he wasn't in the right headspace. "Alright, Justin... if you need anything, just let me know," she said as she stepped aside to let him pass.

Justin gave her a blank nod before walking past her and into his aunt's shop. The moment he stepped through the door, something inside him snapped. The compulsion that had clouded his mind slowly began to fade and wash away.

Suddenly, everything came rushing back—the mansion called Crimson Estate, the thorn from the rose bush and the blood, Kai's cold, murderous eyes, Lizzie's body falling to the ground. His heart pounded rapidly, each memory was more horrifying than the last.

Confusion, heartbreak, and anger filled him. It was too much to handle.

Justin staggered, his vision spinning, and with a final, strangled gasp, he collapsed to the floor of his aunt's shop, unconscious.