Chapter 5 : Bloodline Key

Austin's POV

Leonardo moved ahead, his footsteps eerily quiet on the rocky terrain.

I wanted to run away, to escape, but I can't.

Not here, not now.

I swallowed hard and forced my legs to move.

He led me to a jagged opening within a rock. As we stepped inside, a rush of cold air brushed against my skin.

The cavern glowed with an ethereal light. Gemstones encrusted the walls, pulsing faintly in hues of green, blue, and gold. They illuminated the interior, casting twisted shadows on the rocky floor.

"This is where I keep the gemstones I have taken," Leonardo said, his voice echoed through the chamber.

At the center of the room stood a pedestal carved from black obsidian. Glimmering stones were arranged on its surface, but my eyes were drawn to a single conspicuous slot, empty and waiting.

“And this,” Leonardo continued, his piercing gaze fixed on the empty slot, “is where the final gem belongs. Only you can unlock the cage protecting it.”

My heart raced.

"I don’t know anything about a gem!"

Leonardo turned to me, his expression unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with something dangerous. “Your blood is the key,” he said, stepping closer. “Your father locked it. Only his bloodline can unlock it. That means you.”

"My blood?" I echoed with disbelief. "This can’t be real. None of this can be real!"

“It is real,” Leonardo said, his tone softened slightly. “And a few drops of blood are all I need. It won’t hurt, Austin. Think of it as a routine test.”

I shook my head and began to step back.

"Why me?!" I demanded with panic. "Why can’t you just... just break it open or something?"

His gaze darkened.

“This vault is bound to your father’s legacy. You cannot escape this.” His voice lowered, a cold edge creeping in. “Refuse, and I will make you cooperate. Willingly or not.”

The weight of his threat was suffocating, tightening around my neck like an invisible noose. I clenched my fists, anger and fear warring inside me. “How do I know you’ll let me go after this?”

He tilted his head, a faint smirk curling his lips. “Just follow me on this quest, a couple drops of blood, and you walk away unharmed. But first, prepare yourself. We’ll move in two days.”

“Two days…?”

Before I could protest, the cavern dissolved in an instant. The cold, the glowing stones, the pedestal—it all vanished, leaving me back in the bustling coffee shop.

The clinking of cups, the hum of chatter, and the hiss of the espresso machine rushed back, grounding me in the familiar chaos.

I sat confused, scanning the space around me.

My heart pounded as I stared at the empty chair across from me.

Was any of that real? Or had I finally lost my mind?

Am I safe?

I forced myself to leave, heading back to Pineapple Tech on autopilot. I stepped into the elevator, my thoughts still racing, trapped in the fear Leonardo had carved into me.

“I have to run” I whispered under my breathe. “I'm not safe”

The elevator dinged softly, the doors sliding open. I walked straight to Marcus’s office, avoiding eye contact with my coworkers.

I was afraid and confused at the same time.

but one thing was clear:

A vampire is after me.

I hesitated outside Marcus’s door, my hand hovering over the handle.

Should I tell him I would be leaving soon?

Would he believe me if I said a vampire is threatening me?

Or would I sound like a total lunatic?

No—I couldn’t risk it.

Taking a deep breath, I finally knocked.

“Come in,” Marcus’s voice called from the other side.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. He glanced up from a stack of papers, surprise flickering across his face.

“Austin,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “What’s up? You need something?”

“I... ” I faltered before I forced a tight smile. “I need some time off, Mr. Marcus.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Time off? What’s going on? Are you stressed?”

I nodded quickly,“Yeah. I just… I need a break to clear my head.”

Hoping he buys the lie.

He studied me for a long moment, I thought he might press further, but then his expression softened.

“I get it,” Marcus said, leaning forward with a nod. “First time in the city can be overwhelming. Take the time you need and get yourself back in shape. We’ll manage without you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Marcus.” I said as relief flooded through me. “I’ll be gone for a while, but I’ll stay in touch if anything urgent comes up.”

“Don’t worry about us,” he said with a faint smile. “Take care of yourself, Austin. Call if you need anything.”

Later that evening, I stood in my hotel room, zipping my suitcase shut with trembling hands.

I want to run now, far and fast without looking back.

But where?

Where could I possibly hide from someone like Leonardo?

My mind raced.

If I hesitate too long, Leonardo would find me. And then... it would be too late.

I tried to steady my breathing, but the questions kept coming.

Who really was my father?

Why had he hidden that artifact from Leonardo?

Had he known that his actions would put my life in danger?

And most importantly... where had he hidden it?

Then, a thought struck me.

My father’s house.

The old, abandoned family home in Arizona. If he had left anything behind—any clue, any trace of the truth—it would be there.

It had to be.

The long trip back to Arizona passed in a haze.

My mind churned with fragmented memories of my father and relentless questions about the artifact.

By the time I arrived, the old house was barely recognizable.

It was nothing like the vibrant home I grew up in.

Most of the window have broken, the house paint has faded, and weeds choked the front yard.

Time has turned it into a shell.

I pushed open the creaking door, the air inside heavy with dust. A wave of nostalgia and sorrow washed over me as I stepped into parlour.

I made my way to my father’s study room.

Flicking the light switch, I cursed as the bulb flickered once before dying. Pulling out my phone, I used its flashlight to illuminate the room.

The desk was buried under a layer of dust and a mountain of old papers. Sitting down, I began sifting through the mess, my fingers trembling with a mix fear as hope for something relevant.

After what felt like hours, my hand brushed against something solid. Pulling it free from the drawer, I found a heavy journal with worn leather cover.

Inside were detailed notes, intricate sketches, and a map marked with a name that sent a chill down my spine:

“The Vault of Elio.”