Chapter 4 : Fading strength

Vanessa's POV

*Previously*

I watched as Leonardo’s grip loosened, and Austin crumpled to the floor.

His face was pale like any moment longer from that grip he could die.

My hands trembled as I went over to kneel beside him, hoping he was okay.

But as he kept gasping for air, I was unable to help him.

I felt like I was just frozen at that moment and I didn't want to make things worse.

My heart hammered in my chest as I forced myself to walk away, to follow Leonardo out of the restaurant like I wasn’t leaving behind the only person who had made me feel anything real in so long.

Leonardo led me to the sleek black car parked along the curb, and I slid inside without a word. The doors slammed shut, sealing me in with the demon.

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the car.

Then Leonardo broke the silence with his chuckle as the car drove.

"That was quite the performance, Vanessa"he spat."I almost believed you’d moved on."

I turned to face him.

"Is that why you nearly killed him? Because you think I belong to you?" I said with the anger burning inside me. “I don't!”

Leonardo exhaled sharply, his stare deep into my eyes. "You misunderstand me, Vanessa. I don’t care who you entertain yourself with. What I care about is who he is.”

"What are you talking about?" I asked with curiosity.

"Austin." Leonardo said smoothly.

“What?”

"Do you know who he really is?"

I didn’t answer.

Leonardo smirked. "Of course, you don’t. That’s what makes you reckless. Always running blindly into people." He leaned back on the seat, tapping his forehead. "Austin isn’t just some charming fool. He’s far more valuable than you realize."

I swallowed.

"And what does that mean?"

"Austin is the key to unlocking the last artifact, the one your parents spent their lives searching for."

My breath caught short.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. "That’s impossible."

"Is it?" Leonardo’s voice was laced with amusement. "You really think it’s a coincidence that you found him? Out of all the people in this world?"

“You planned all of this?” I asked.

“No, I smelled him.”

My thoughts whirled.

My parents had sacrificed everything to find that artifact. The one that could have saved me. And they died before they could reach it.

"It’s real, Vanessa. And it’s within reach." He said coldly.

I studied him, wary and tense. "If that’s true, why haven’t you taken it already?"

Leonardo’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. "Because it requires something only Austin can provide."

A shiver ran down my spine. "And what is that?"

His silence spoke volumes.

A sick feeling churned in my stomach.

"You want to kill him."

Leonardo tilted his head slightly, as if considering my words.

"I will use him."

I shook my head. "Even if it kills him?"

Leonardo’s expression was unreadable, his tone sharp. "Why do you care? He should mean nothing to you."

But that was a lie. I do have feelings for him.

Austin wasn’t like the other guys I have probably tried to date.

He wasn't like Leonardo either.

And Leonardo knew it.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked.

I looked up and met his gaze.

"I will refuse to let you hurt him." I declared.

Leonardo smirked,his eyes cold and sharp.

"Then you’ll die before he ever learns the truth."

“You know that can't happen, dummy.” I insulted. “I don't take threats.”

The car came to a slow stop in front of my estate.

I opened the door and stepped out.

I could feel Leonardo’s gaze on me from behind.

He can't hurt me.

He wouldn't dare.

Once Inside my room, I locked the door behind me and exhaled shakily, my hands trembling as I peeled off my gloves.

My breath hitched as I looked at my hands.

The veins were turning gray.

Panic surged through me as I was terrified.

“Oh no!” I whispered.

I had been hiding it, pretending it wasn’t happening. But the truth was undeniable now.

It's getting worse. My strength was fading faster than ever.

Leonardo had always been obsessed with powers of these artifacts. He collected them as if they were trophies.

But he never once had he used them to help me.

Although, He didn't know.

But right now I was at my weakest.

I'm dying slowly, infected with a vampire curse.

I clenched my fists, fighting the panic clawing at me.

My parents had died while searching for the artifact that could have saved me. They had given everything, and in the end, they were slaughtered before they could find it.

If Austin truly was the key, and Leonardo was after him. I have to protect him.

If Leonardo finds the artifact first… I wouldn’t survive long enough to see what came next.

Austin could be my only hope.

But I couldn’t tell him everything. Not yet.

I had to be careful.

The next morning, I sat at my desk when Leonardo appeared in my office, his presence was suffocating and unwelcoming.

"You’ve been avoiding me," he said, shutting the door behind him.

I leaned back in my chair, confused. "Or maybe I’ve just been busy."

His eyes darkened. "Don’t play games with me, Vanessa. I know you’re hiding something."

I met his gaze without flinching. "And what exactly do you think I’m hiding?"

Leonardo stepped closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "You’re weak," he said bluntly. "I see it. You think you’re fooling me, but you’re not. And now, you’re getting desperate."

I stayed silent.

Still confused at his stupidity.

He tilted his head, his lips curling into a smirk. "Let me guess. You still think you can protect Austin."

I froze.

Leonardo’s smirk widened. "Oh, Vanessa. You really are pathetic."

I clenched my jaw and raised up one of my eyebrow.

"You made it clear a long time ago that I was nothing but a liability to you." I said. “Why do you want me to help you?”

“I'm about to meet up with him and reveal the truth” He replied, his expression remained unreadable. "If you try to protect him or convince him otherwise, it will end badly for both of you."

It was a warning.

And he was promising something worse.

He would keep watching me.

He was watching Austin.

If I don't move faster, he would take away my only chance at survival. I wouldn't let that happen.

Leonardo thought he had me cornered. But he had no idea how far I would go to live.