Some Unanswered Questions

As we were on our way out, I got the same light bulb moment as those cartoon characters: How did Luna know I was a vampire to begin with? And how the hell did she show up at the exact right time? It was nagging at me like a persistent itch. I hated to think it, but… is this all just a coincidence, or is this another one of those sad betrayals waiting for me on the next turn?

I took a deep breath and gathered all my courage, the kind you need before jumping off a cliff. I finally asked her out… no, not asked her out! That's not what I meant. It came out wrong. Okay, Eli, focus. 

"Hey, Luna, there are some things bothering me. Can you answer a few of my questions...?"

She glanced at me, her attention elsewhere. "Yeah, sure, what is it?"

"Okay, first one. How did you know where I was last night? No, wait, more importantly—how did you know I was a vampire to begin with? I mean, I only figured it out a few nights ago... so how the hell did you guys already know?"

Luna's steps came to a sudden halt. She turned around slowly, and for a moment, the lighthearted look in her deep blue eyes was gone. She stared at me with such intensity that it almost made me step back.

"Well, I thought you weren't sharp enough to notice something like this," she said, her lips curling into a faint smile. "But I'll give you credit where it's due."

"Thanks, I guess? But I'm not moving until I get my answers," I said, trying to sound assertive—well, trying to sound cool, but it probably just came off as awkward.

Luna sighed. "Fine, if that's what you want. I'll give you those answers."

I crossed my arms, feeling like I was ready for some big revelation. "So, how'd you know?"

"Do you remember the first time we met on campus?" she asked, her voice dropping to a quieter, more serious tone. "You had a few cuts and bruises on your face. A few scrapes here and there?"

I nodded. "Yeah… How can I not remember that amazing moment of my life? A heroic battle where I valiantly fought off my bullies, only to be asked if I'm okay by a beautiful girl. What a dream. Can we skip to the part where you stop embarrassing me?"

She smirked. "I'm getting there. You told me that night that you'd be fine. That the cuts and bruises were no big deal, and you'd be all healed up by tomorrow. I thought you were just being… you know, a guy. But when I saw you the next day, completely fine, not a scratch in sight… well, it wasn't normal."

I blinked. "Wait. You're telling me that's not normal? I mean, who doesn't recover from a few bruises overnight after a hot bath?"

Luna facepalmed. "You idiot. No one heals like that—unless they're not entirely human. So I started to wonder. I didn't say anything at first, but then I noticed more things. Your reflexes, the way you moved… it all added up."

Her words sank in slowly. I mean, she had a point, but I couldn't help but feel like an idiot for not noticing any of this about myself. I'm really that clueless?

"So, you followed me around?" I asked, a little bewildered.

"Yeah," she admitted, "just to confirm my suspicions. And… here we are."

"Wow… that's, uh, something," I mumbled. *I'm really the last one to figure this out, huh?*

Before I could respond further, I felt a presence behind me. Sebastian cleared his throat and said in his usual deep voice, "There's something more important you should be asking."

"Oh yeah, speaking of important," I said, turning towards Sebastian. "Where are we going to hide from those cultists? Because I'm not interested in another game of hide-and-seek with those Veil freaks."

Sebastian's expression hardened as if he was weighing his next words carefully. His eyes were darker than usual, almost unreadable. "I know a place," he said, his voice quiet but heavy. "A place where you might find not all—but most of your answers. It's also where you may unlock the true extent of your powers."

"Wait, powers? What powers?" I asked, suddenly wary. He was being vague again, like always. The more he tried to guide me, the more suspicious I became.

"No tricks this time, Sebastian?" I quipped, trying to keep the mood light, though I was increasingly on edge. "I'm not interested in any death traps like your last suggestion."

"This is different," Sebastian said, his tone cold and serious. "It's a place protected by your ancestors, tied to your bloodline. Only you can enter. I've tried before, many times, but the barrier would not let me through. I believe this place holds the key to your past, your powers, and even the prophecy."

I studied his face, trying to read the hidden layers beneath his words. There was something he wasn't telling me. Something dark.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me everything?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. Luna, who had been quiet, glanced between us, sensing the tension building.

"You'll have to trust me," Sebastian said, locking eyes with me. His words hung in the air like a challenge.

Trust. That was a word that had grown more complicated every day. The more I discovered about who I was, the more I realized how little I could trust anyone—least of all the guy who's been lying to me since the beginning.

"Fine," I finally said, forcing myself to take a leap of faith. "So where is this place?"

Sebastian hesitated, his gaze flicking toward Luna for a brief moment before answering. "It's located deep in the Alps. Hidden in a valley untouched by time, surrounded by ancient magic. A sanctuary built by the first of your bloodline—by Cain himself."

"Cain?" I asked, the name striking a chord within me, something I couldn't fully understand.

"The progenitor of our kind," Sebastian explained. "The father of all vampires. His power runs through your veins, Eli. You carry the Cain bloodline, a direct link to the origin of all vampires. That's why the Order of the Black Veil wants you. You are the key to their ascension."

A cold chill ran down my spine. The weight of his words settled heavily in the pit of my stomach.

I'm the key to something much bigger, something that could change the world.

"And you didn't think to mention this earlier?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration.

"I had my reasons," Sebastian said, his expression hardening. "And believe me, you weren't ready to know the truth back then."

"And now I am?" I raised an eyebrow.

"You'll have to be," he replied, his voice grim. "There's no more time for hesitation. Once we reach this sanctuary, you'll begin your real training. But be warned—unlocking the powers tied to your bloodline won't be easy. There are trials, ancient tests, that only someone of your lineage can pass."

"Trials? Great, more tests," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Sounds like a vacation."

"Don't take this lightly," Sebastian warned. "These trials will push you to the edge, physically and mentally. They are designed to break you."

"Well, isn't that just lovely," I muttered sarcastically, masking my growing sense of dread. I had already been through so much—what more could this so-called "trial" possibly throw at me?

Luna shifted uncomfortably next to me, her usual teasing demeanor fading as she spoke. "Eli, I don't know everything about this place, but what I do know is that you can't face this alone. Whatever these trials are, they're dangerous. You're not ready."

Her concern was genuine, and it caught me off guard. For a moment, I wanted to believe her—to think that maybe I wasn't as prepared as I thought. But I couldn't show weakness now. I couldn't let them see how terrified I was of what lay ahead.

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" I said, forcing a smile. "Besides, how bad can it be?"

Luna frowned. "You always joke when things get serious."

"That's because if I stop joking, I'll start panicking," I admitted, my voice softening. "And trust me, you don't want to see me in full panic mode."

Sebastian stepped closer, his expression unreadable as always. "This place, this sanctuary, will give you answers—but it will also demand sacrifices. You'll need to be prepared to lose something to gain the power you seek."

The gravity of his words hit me hard. Sacrifices. The word echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder what exactly I would have to give up. *What would I lose this time?*

"We leave now," Sebastian said, his voice breaking through my thoughts. "We don't have much time."

As he turned and walked away, I stood there in silence, Luna by my side. There were still so many questions, so many things I didn't understand. But one thing was clear—whatever was waiting for me in that sanctuary, it would bring me closer to the truth about my bloodline, my powers, and my fate.

And it would push me to the brink.

"Luna," I said quietly, not looking at her, "do you think… do you think I'm ready for this?"

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she stepped closer, placing a hand on my arm. When I finally met her gaze, her deep blue eyes were filled with something I hadn't expected—faith.

"You've survived this long, haven't you?" she said softly. "You'll make it through. You always do."

I smiled, though my heart was heavy with uncertainty. "Thanks."

But as I looked toward the horizon, knowing that today I would step into the unknown, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.

Sebastian… what are you really hiding?