Chapter 4

The bass thumped through the underground tunnels, vibrations pulsing along the walls. The crowd moved as one, bodies jumping in rhythm, their shapes twisting beneath the strobe lights—some not quite human.

In a shadowed corner, a woman with black hair, silver-flecked eyes leaned over a table, her club attire clinging to her frame. She inhaled shimmering lines of magical power, the glowing strands vanishing into her nostrils as her eyes briefly flared with unnatural light.

Rani's silver eyes sparkled as the fairy dust surged through her, a burst of euphoria lighting up her veins. Her pupils dilated, swirling with shimmering light.

"Wow… this stuff is incredible," she breathed, a dazed smile spreading across her face.

"Told you," the man beside her chuckled, leaning casually against the wall. "My boss has been perfecting it for a while."

He handed her a glass filled with a glowing liquid, the neon light reflecting off his sharp canines.

She held it up, eyebrows arched. "What's this?"

"Not your average drink," he smirked. "While the others just get you drunk, this one'll get you there faster… and hit harder."

Rani didn't hesitate, downing the glowing drink in one gulp. The buzzing hit almost instantly, her body growing warm and heavy as she stumbled back onto the sofa. Her vision blurred, the room spinning as her silver eyes struggled to focus.

The man's face hovered above hers, a sly smile curling his lips. He gently brushed her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering. "You know," he murmured, his voice low and smooth, "I can't figure out why a beautiful girl like you is here alone… but don't worry. I'll make sure you feel amazing."

Before he could make his move, a man in a white T-shirt strode through the crowd, his presence slicing through the chaos. Behind him, the security guards lay crumpled on the floor, their heads nowhere to be seen.

"Hey! Stop the fucking music!" his voice boomed, eyes blazing crimson. The sheer force of his authority rippled through the room, crashing over the crowd like a tidal wave. The DJ's hands froze, the music cutting off mid-beat, leaving only stunned silence.

"Now, get out," he commanded, his tone softer but still laced with fury.

The crowd didn't hesitate. They scattered, slipping past each other in a panicked rush, leaving behind only the staff who ran the club, their faces pale with fear.

"Mister!" a man shouted, bursting out of his office. His shoulders were squared, false bravado in his stance. "Who the hell do you think you are? This club is under the protection of a Vampire Noble."

Michael's eyes narrowed, a cruel smile playing at his lips. "I don't think you understand what's happening." He took a step forward, his presence suffocating. "I'm Michael Adrastus, son of Damien Adrastus, descendant of Lycus." His voice dropped, a growl rumbling beneath his words. "And I'm looking for my sister."

His crimson eyes flared, locking onto the corner of the room where Rani lay sprawled on the sofa, the man hovering over her, his intentions unmistakable. Michael's fists clenched, his muscles rippling beneath his shirt.

Michael's body contorted, bones cracking as dark fur erupted across his skin. His frame expanded, muscles rippling beneath the shaggy coat. Canine teeth lengthened into vicious fangs, and claws as sharp as blades curled from his fingers.

The man barely had time to scream. Blood sprayed across the walls as Michael tore through the room, bodies hitting the floor one by one. No mercy. No hesitation.

The last man—the one who had touched Rani—scrambled back, his eyes wide with terror. "P-please… I didn't know she was a Noble!" His voice cracked as he pressed himself against the wall, legs shaking.

Michael's crimson eyes blazed with fury, his growl reverberating through the room. He lunged, jaws clamping down on the man's shoulder. Bone crunched beneath his fangs, the man's scream ripping through the air.

With a flick of his powerful neck, Michael hurled him across the club. The vampire's body slammed into the wall, sliding down in a broken heap. He convulsed violently, veins bulging as his skin bubbled and blistered. A strangled wail escaped his lips, his eyes wide with horror.

Then, his body swelled, limbs contorting as the venom consumed him from the inside out. His scream cut off abruptly as he exploded into a spray of blood and shattered bones, splattering the walls with what remained.

Michael's eyes faded from crimson to silver, the fiery glow dimming as his body shifted, bones snapping back into place. Within moments, the beastly form melted away, leaving him standing as a man once more.

He walked toward his sister, his movements purposeful. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand, giving it a swift, forceful pull. A sharp crack echoed through the room as he broke a bone.

She winced, the pain fleeting as the wound healed rapidly before her eyes. Her silver gaze sharpened as she regained control, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "Ahhh… that hurt," she groaned, rubbing her hand where the injury had been.

Rani rubbed her hand, brushing her hair back as she noticed her brother standing amidst the carnage. Her eyes scanned the room, settling on the lifeless bodies strewn around them. She opened her mouth to speak, but Michael's voice cut through the air, cold and serious.

"He was going to rape you," he said flatly. "You're coming home now."

His words were a command, and Rani's head dipped, her eyes welling with tears. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, and despite her strength, she couldn't hold back the rush of emotion.