Bloodlines and Betrayal

The forest held its breath.

Anne felt the weight of Lucian's words settle in her chest like a stone. We're not supposed to exist. The way he had said it—so certain, so absolute—sent a shiver through her bones.

She wanted to deny it. She wanted to call him a liar. But something deep inside her, something primal, whispered that he was telling the truth.

The pieces didn't fit anymore. If her mother had been protecting her, why did it feel more like imprisonment? Why had she been forced into hiding for as long as she could remember? Why had she been afraid of the outside world?

Lucian watched her closely, reading the war behind her eyes. "You feel it, don't you?" he said softly. "The doubt. The cracks forming in the story you were told."

Anne swallowed hard. "If I believe you, then what? What am I supposed to do with this?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "You start seeing the truth for what it is."

He took a slow step forward.

"Your mother isn't just hiding you from the world," he said. "She's hiding you from them."

Anne frowned. "Them?"

Lucian tilted his head, studying her. "You really don't know anything, do you?"

Anger flared in her chest. "Then tell me!" she snapped. "Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what I need to know."

Lucian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. "Alright," he muttered. "You want the truth? Here it is."

The wind howled through the trees as he spoke.

"There are people out there who would rather see you dead than allow you to live. The Dragire—beings like us—aren't supposed to exist. We're a disruption to the natural order, a fusion of two ancient bloodlines that were never meant to mix. The dragons and the vampires… they've been at war for centuries. And if they knew about you—about us—they'd hunt us down without hesitation."

Anne's blood turned cold.

Vampires and dragons had always been myths. Legends. Yet she breathed fire. She could feel the hunger, the pull of something darker inside her.

The pieces were falling into place.

She had always assumed she was alone. That she was some unnatural mistake, a monster to be hidden. But Lucian spoke as if there were more like her.

"How many?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Lucian hesitated.

Then, "Not enough."

The way he said it sent another chill down her spine.

Anne forced herself to stand taller. "Then why haven't they found me yet? If they're so determined to wipe us out, why am I still alive?"

Lucian's gaze hardened. "Because of her."

Anne froze.

"My mother."

Lucian nodded. "She's kept you hidden. Protected you. But you don't see the full picture yet, Anne. You don't know what she's done—what she's willing to do—to keep you a secret."

Anne shook her head. "No. She wouldn't—"

Lucian cut her off. "Wouldn't she? Think about it. She's spent your whole life locking you away, keeping you ignorant. Has she ever told you the truth about what you are? About what's out there?"

Anne opened her mouth, but no words came.

Lucian was right.

Bela had never told her anything. She had just forbidden her.

And now, Anne was starting to wonder if it was out of fear… or guilt.

Lucian watched the realization dawn on her. "You're not a child anymore, Anne," he said. "If you want to know the truth, you need to start acting like it."

Anne took a slow breath.

If her mother wouldn't give her answers, then she'd find them herself.

No more blind obedience.

No more hiding.

She turned her gaze back to Lucian. "Where do I start?"

For the first time, Lucian almost smiled.

"Good," he murmured. "Because you don't have much time."

Anne frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "Your mother is keeping secrets, Anne. But she's not the only one looking for you."

A distant howl echoed through the forest, low and haunting.

Anne's breath caught.

Lucian turned toward the darkness, his body tensing. "We have to move."

"Who was that?"

He looked back at her, his gaze sharp and urgent.

"The ones who want you dead."

And just like that, the night no longer felt safe.

Anne swallowed hard, her heart pounding.

She had spent her whole life in the shadows.

But now…

The shadows were hunting her.