4 The Covenant’s Warning

The shadows lunged.

Leila barely had time to react before Adrian grabbed her, pulling her out of the way as the writhing darkness slashed through the air where she had stood moments before. Sarah let out a scream, stumbling back against the cold stone wall of the underground chamber.

The silver-eyed figure stepped forward, his presence radiating something ancient, something beyond human comprehension. The shadows seemed to move with him, twisting at his command.

"Adrian," the man said, his voice deep and filled with quiet menace. "You've gone too far this time."

Adrian's grip on Leila tightened. "She's not to be harmed."

The man's lips curved into something resembling amusement. "She's already marked. Do you really think you can protect her from what's coming?"

Leila's pulse thundered in her ears. Marked? What the hell did that mean?

She pulled away from Adrian, turning to face the stranger. "Who are you?"

The silver-eyed man tilted his head, as if studying her. "Call me Darius." His gaze flicked toward Sarah. "And your friend should not be here."

Sarah swallowed hard, pressing closer to Leila. "Yeah, well, I didn't exactly sign up for any of this."

Darius ignored her, his attention solely on Leila. "You've awakened something, girl. A past that should have stayed buried. And now, you have a choice—either come with us willingly, or we take you by force."

Leila's blood turned to ice. "What?"

Adrian stepped in front of her, his entire body tense. "She's not going anywhere."

Darius sighed, as if disappointed. "You always were stubborn, Adrian." Then his gaze darkened. "But you're not the only one who has power here."

Before Leila could blink, the shadows lashed out again—this time, aimed directly at Adrian.

Adrian moved faster than her eyes could track, catching the tendrils midair. His body tensed, his muscles straining as he fought against the dark energy trying to consume him.

Sarah let out a panicked shriek. "This is insane! We need to get out of here!"

Leila knew she should run. Every part of her screamed to get as far away from this nightmare as possible. But she couldn't leave Adrian. Not like this.

Summoning every ounce of courage she had, she grabbed Sarah's hand. "We're not leaving without him."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Are you insane?"

"Maybe," Leila admitted. "But I trust him."

She turned back just as Adrian let out a guttural snarl—one that wasn't entirely human. His eyes burned crimson, his fangs bared as his control started slipping.

Leila had seen hints of his supernatural nature before, but this… this was something else entirely.

Adrian wasn't just a vampire. And he wasn't just a demon.

He was both.

And now, she was seeing the monster he kept caged inside.

Darius smirked. "Ah. There he is."

The air around them crackled with energy. The shadows grew more violent, swirling into a vortex of darkness. Adrian crouched low, ready to attack.

But then Darius did something unexpected. He stepped back.

"This isn't over," he said, his silver eyes locking onto Leila. "We will come for you."

And just like that, the shadows collapsed in on themselves, swallowing him whole.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Leila exhaled shakily, her knees nearly giving out. "What… the hell… was that?"

Adrian turned to her, his crimson eyes fading back to their usual dark intensity. "The beginning."

Leila swallowed hard. "The beginning of what?"

His expression was grim. "A war."

2

They barely made it out of the Sinclair mansion before Sarah broke down.

"Nope," she gasped, pacing back and forth. "Nope, nope, nope. I did not sign up for demons and shadow people and creepy men who can disappear into thin air."

Leila sank onto the old front steps, rubbing her temples. "Believe me, I wish I could unsee it too."

Adrian stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his face unreadable.

Leila looked up at him. "You need to start talking. Now."

Adrian sighed. "It's not that simple."

"Make it simple," she snapped. "Who the hell is Darius? What did he mean about me being marked? And what is this 'war' you're talking about?"

Adrian hesitated. Then, after a long moment, he sat beside her. "Darius is part of the covenant. One of the high-ranking enforcers."

Leila frowned. "I thought you said the covenant protected the balance between humans and supernaturals."

"They do," Adrian admitted. "But they also eliminate anything they see as a threat."

Leila's stomach twisted. "And… I'm a threat?"

His jaw clenched. "To them? Yes."

She shivered. "But why?"

Adrian exhaled slowly, as if debating how much to tell her. "Because of what you are."

Leila blinked. "Excuse me?"

Sarah let out a strangled laugh. "Oh, hell no. Leila is human. I've known her since we were kids. She's normal."

Adrian's gaze didn't waver. "She's not."

Leila felt her world tilt. "You're wrong."

Adrian reached out, gently taking her wrist. "Close your eyes."

She hesitated. Then, slowly, she obeyed.

A rush of warmth spread through her skin, followed by something else—something deep, something ancient. Images flickered in her mind—whispers in a language she didn't understand, symbols glowing in the dark, a power pulsing in her veins.

Her eyes snapped open. "What the hell was that?"

Adrian studied her carefully. "You've always felt… different, haven't you? Like there was something missing. Like you didn't fully belong."

Leila's throat went dry. He wasn't wrong.

Sarah frowned. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling us that Leila is some kind of supernatural being?"

Adrian shook his head. "No. But she's connected to something beyond this world. And that's why the covenant wants her."

Leila stared at him, her heart pounding. "Connected how?"

He hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Because your bloodline is tied to the original sin."

Silence.

Sarah gaped. "I'm sorry, what?"

Leila felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her.

Adrian's voice was steady but dark. "You carry the blood of those who opened the first forbidden gateway between worlds."

Leila shook her head. "That's… that's impossible."

"It's the truth," Adrian said. "And it means the covenant will never stop hunting you."

Sarah grabbed Leila's arm. "Okay. We're done here. We are so done."

Leila's mind was spinning. She wanted to run, to pretend none of this was real. But deep down, she knew Adrian wasn't lying.

Something inside her was waking up. And she had no idea how to stop it.