Chapter 11: Caught in the shadows

Vladimir's POV

The fireplace crackled softly, casting long shadows against the dark wooden walls of the study. Vladimir leaned back in his chair, fingers loosely wrapped around a glass of red wine he had yet to sip. Across from him, his three most trusted men—Sebastian, Scott, and Frank—sat with expectant expressions, their gazes fixed on him like wolves scenting blood. It was Frank who spoke first, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "So, are we going to talk about what the hell that was back at the party?"

Vladimir arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Scott scoffed. "Don't play dumb. We saw you dancing with her."

Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "And then, what's even stranger—you brought her here. You, of all people, brought a human to the mansion. After an accident, no less." The room fell into silence, the air thick with unspoken questions.

Vladimir finally exhaled, setting his untouched glass down on the table. "She's the one."

Sebastian let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "You're serious."

"I don't say things I don't mean," Vladimir replied coolly.

"You've been searching for over a century, Vlad," Sebastian continued, his voice quieter now, almost cautious. "How do you know? How can you be sure? You might be confusing it for—"

Vladimir cut him off with a single glance. "She has the mark."

Silence. All three men stilled.

Frank was the first to react, dragging a hand down his face. "Shit. Well that changes everything".

Scott's gaze flickered toward Vladimir. "So what now?"

Vladimir leaned back, exhaling slowly. "I wait."

Sebastian frowned. "You wait?"

"She's not ready," Vladimir said simply. "She doesn't know what she is. What any of this means."

Frank's expression darkened. "And if she never is?"

Vladimir's fingers tightened slightly around the armrest of his chair, "she has to be ready".

Frank's head suddenly snapped toward the door. A low growl rumbled from his throat.

Vladimir, unfazed, glanced toward the entrance and smiled. "Relax," he murmured. "It's just Kaira."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "She came back?"

Vladimir's smirk deepened. "To ask questions she's not ready to hear the answers to."

Kaira's POV

The iron gates groaned open before I even reached them.

I paused, my fingers still hovering over the steering wheel.

"Well," I muttered under my breath, "so much for forcing an entry." I parked my car just off to the side, stepping out into the cool night air. The mansion loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, just like before. I hesitated only for a second before striding forward. The massive wooden doors were just as intimidating up close. I raised my fist to knock, but before I could, the door swung open.

And there he was. The blonde-haired guy. The one who had nearly choked me out when I screamed for Julian.

His lips curled into a slow, almost amused smile. "Well, well. Back so soon?"

I stiffened. "I need to see Vladimir."

His grin widened. "He's expecting you."

That made me pause. Expecting me?

I shoved the unease down as he gestured for me to follow. The mansion was just as eerie inside as it was outside, but I wasn't given time to dwell on it. The blonde guy moved fast, his steps barely making a sound as he led me through the halls.

He stopped at a set of double doors and turned to me.

"Right through there," he said smoothly. Then, as if an afterthought, he added, "Try not to scream this time."

I shot him a glare, but he just smirked and walked off.

The doors swung open, revealing Vladimir seated in the same leather chair from before, a glass of wine in hand. He smiled lazily.

"Back so soon, would you like something to drink?"

I folded my arms. "I don't trust you enough to take anything from you."

He chuckled. "Fair enough".

I didn't bother sitting. "I came back for my phone."

He tilted his head. "Yes. But that's not all you came back for, is it?"

I clenched my jaw. "Are you actually going to give me answers, or just more cryptic nonsense?"

"Maybe."

I let out a frustrated breath. "God, you are insufferable."

"You wound me."

We went back and forth, his nonchalant attitude only irritating me more. Before I could push him further, the blonde guy from before suddenly reappeared, moving too fast—inhumanly fast.

A shiver ran down my spine.

He leaned in, whispering something in Vladimir's ear.

Vladimir's face darkened. "Warn Scott and Sebastian. And tell everyone to clear the building."

I stiffened. "Wait—why? Who's here?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he took my wrist.

I yanked back. "What the hell are you doing?"

His grip was firm. "Quiet."

He led me up the staircase, ignoring my protests. I struggled, but his grip was unyielding.

He pushed open a door, stepping inside. I recognized the room immediately—the one I had woken up in after the accident.

By the headboard, my phone sat untouched.

I rushed toward it, snatching it up. When I turned back, Vladimir was already at the door.

He glanced over his shoulder. "Stay here."

"What?"

"Don't leave this room until I come back for you."

Before I could argue, the door shut in my face.

I scowled, gripping my phone. It had a small chip along the edge—probably from the accident.

I powered it on.

Immediately, the screen flooded with missed calls. Aunt Elena. Sophia. Guilt twisted in my stomach. I dialed Sophia.

She picked up on the first ring. "Kaira? Where the hell have you been?"

"I'm fine," I assured her quickly. "I'll explain everything later. I just—I needed space."

"Kaira, we've been worried sick," she snapped. "You can't just disappear like that!"

I sighed. "I know. I'm sorry."

There was a pause. "Promise me you'll stay out of trouble."

I almost laughed.

"Yeah," I murmured. "I promise."

Just as the words left my lips—

BANG.

A loud crash echoed through the mansion.

Sophia's voice sharpened. "What was that?"

I swallowed. "Nothing. Just—I'll call you later."

Before she could protest, I hung up.

For a moment, I stood there, my pulse pounding.

Then, slowly, I reached for the door.

I stepped out.

The hallway was empty.

Moving as quietly as possible, I crept toward the staircase. The voices grew louder.

When I reached the edge of the stairwell, I knelt, peering over the railing. Vladimir stood in the center of the room, tense. The blonde guy was next to him, along with several unfamiliar faces.

Then—

"Bring out the girl."

I froze. Girl?

Who—

Before I could process it, something sharp pressed against my throat.

A voice sneered beside me.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

I barely had time to react before I felt the cold steel of a blade against my skin.

And just like that—

I had been caught.

The blade was cold against my skin, sharp enough to make my breath catch in my throat.

I didn't move. Didn't even breathe.

Every instinct screamed at me to fight, to run, but one wrong move and the knife would sink into my throat before I could react.

"Looks like we found a little peeping mouse," the voice sneered. His grip on my arm was tight, bruising. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. From my limited view of the living room, I could see Vladimir's back tense, his head turning slightly—like he knew something was wrong. But he hadn't seen me yet.

Neither had the others.

Which meant, for now, this was between me and the guy holding the knife.

I had to act fast. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself.

Then, without warning, I dropped.

The motion caught my attacker off guard. His grip loosened just enough for me to twist away. The knife grazed my skin as I spun, a sharp sting blooming across my collarbone, but I barely noticed it. I used the momentum to slam my elbow into his ribs.

A grunt. He staggered back.

I bolted.

Heart pounding, I dashed down the hall, my feet slamming against the polished floor. Behind me, I heard a curse, then footsteps—fast, too fast.

He was gaining on me.

I veered sharply, grabbing a small decorative vase from a nearby table. Without thinking, I whipped it over my shoulder.

It crashed against the wall, missing him by an inch. I heard him snarl.

I didn't slow down. Where do I go?

The front door was too far.

The stairs? No—trapped.

Then—the window.

My eyes locked onto the massive stained-glass window at the end of the hallway.

I didn't hesitate.

I sprinted, ignoring the burn in my lungs, ignoring the footsteps thundering behind me.

Almost there~a hand grabbed my hoodie.

Yanked me back.

I stumbled, barely catching myself before I hit the ground. Shit.

I turned, just as my attacker lunged for me again.

I ducked.

His momentum carried him forward, and I used the opportunity to shove him as hard as I could, he hit the opposite wall with a curse.

I didn't wait, I turned and hurled myself through the window, glass shattered around me, the cold night air swallowing me whole.

For a second, I was weightless.

Falling.

Then—impact.

I crashed onto the gravel below, the shock rattling through my bones.

Pain flared up my arm, my palms scraped raw from the rough landing, but I was alive.

I barely had time to register it before—

A voice roared from inside the house.

"GET HER!"

Shit.

I pushed myself up, every muscle screaming in protest.

Then I ran.

The mansion's iron gates loomed in the distance, but I knew I wouldn't make it before they caught up to me.

I needed to get in my car. Luckily I had my phone and car keys in hand.

Think, Kaira. Think. My eyes darted around, heart hammering. There—the garden.

I veered off the path, darting into the maze of hedges and statues. The dense greenery swallowed me up, branches scratching at my skin as I pushed forward heading to where I remember parking my car.