Revelations and Trust

The safehouse felt secure, but deep down, Helena knew it was only an illusion. The walls were thick, the windows reinforced, and yet the weight of Xavier's revelations still pressed against her chest. She sat near the fireplace, the flames flickering as she tried to process everything.

She wasn't just an ordinary girl.

And Xavier… wasn't human.

She had seen it with her own eyes.

The image of him—blood smeared across his lips, his fangs gleaming under the dim moonlight—was burned into her memory. The way his wounds had sealed within seconds, the way his eyes glowed an eerie red when he thought no one was watching.

He wasn't just fast. He wasn't just strong.

He was a vampire.

Helena shuddered. Every part of her screamed to run, to get away from him, but deep down, she knew… if he really wanted to hurt her, he would have done it already.

Across the room, Xavier watched her carefully. He had given her space, but the air between them was heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"You knew, didn't you?" she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the crackling fire. "What I was?"

Xavier hesitated. "I suspected," he admitted. "But I didn't know for sure. Not until recently."

Helena clenched her fists. "Then tell me what you do know."

Xavier inhaled sharply. "There's an ancient prophecy," he said. "It speaks of a girl with powerful blood—blood that could either bring ruin or salvation to the supernatural world. My brother—he's been obsessed with it for years. But he never knew who the girl was." His voice dropped lower. "Not until now."

A shiver ran down Helena's spine.

This wasn't just about her.

It was about her blood.

"Is that why you saved me?" she asked, searching his face. "Because of the prophecy?"

Xavier's jaw tightened. "At first, yes," he admitted. "But now… it's more than that."

Helena swallowed. She didn't know what to say to that.

Instead, she stood. "I want to train."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Now?"

"If your brother is coming for me, I won't just sit here and wait to be captured," she said firmly. "I need to be ready."

A smirk ghosted across Xavier's lips. "Alright then. Let's see what you've got."

---

They moved outside, where the grass was damp with evening dew. The air was cold, but Helena barely noticed. Xavier stood before her, his stance relaxed but predatory.

"Attack me," he instructed.

Helena hesitated. "What?"

"You heard me," Xavier said, eyes glinting with challenge. "If you want to fight, show me what you can do."

Frustration bubbled inside her. Taking a deep breath, she lunged forward, aiming for his side. Xavier dodged effortlessly, stepping out of her reach like a shadow.

"Too slow."

Gritting her teeth, she spun and tried again, throwing a punch toward his chest. This time, Xavier caught her wrist mid-air, twisting her arm just enough to throw her off balance. She gasped as she tumbled backward, landing on the damp grass with a thud.

Xavier crouched beside her, his expression unreadable. "You're holding back."

Helena glared at him. "Because I don't know what I'm doing."

"You will," Xavier murmured. His gaze softened, and he reached out, offering her his hand.

The moment their fingers touched, something surged through Helena—an energy, raw and untamed, coiling in her veins like lightning.

The world blurred.

For a split second, she wasn't in the safehouse anymore. She was somewhere else—a forest bathed in silver light, whispers dancing through the air like an ancient song. Shadows moved between the trees, watching her with glowing eyes.

And in the middle of it all stood a woman.

Tall. Ethereal. Eyes the same shade as Helena's.

"My daughter," the woman whispered. "It is time to awaken."

A sharp gasp tore from Helena's lips as she snapped back to reality, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"What just—" she choked out, staring at Xavier with wide eyes.

He was watching her closely. "You felt it, didn't you?"

Helena swallowed hard. "It wasn't just a vision." Her voice trembled as she whispered, "It was her."

"Who?"

"I… I don't know."

Before Xavier could respond—

BANG.

A force slammed into the safehouse door, shaking the walls.

Xavier was on his feet in an instant, his fangs bared. "He's here."

Helena's blood turned to ice.

His brother had found them.