The Council’s Shadow

Lucian's breath was steady, but inside, he was burning. His mind raced as he locked eyes with the silver-haired woman. The weight of her words pressed down on him.

"Enough running, Lucian. Come with us now, and you won't have to suffer."

He knew what that meant. Surrender. Chains. A fate worse than death.

Viktor took a slow step forward, his golden eyes calculating. "If you're taking him, you'll have to go through me."

The woman's smirk returned, cold and knowing. "You misunderstand, Viktor. We aren't here to fight." She gestured to the figures on the rooftops. "If we wanted you dead, we wouldn't be standing here talking."

Lucian's fists clenched. "Then why are you here?"

Her crimson eyes gleamed. "Because the Council wants answers."

"The Council can burn," Viktor growled. "Lucian owes them nothing."

The woman tilted her head, unfazed by his words. "You say that, yet he bears the blood they fear."

Lucian flinched. "What do you mean?"

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "You feel it, don't you? The strength, the hunger, the power that stirs in your veins? You are not just any vampire, Lucian. You are something… more."

Lucian's heart pounded. He had felt it—since the night he was turned, his body had burned with something raw, something untamed. But he had no idea what it meant.

Viktor's jaw tightened. "You think throwing around riddles will make us trust you? Lucian doesn't need your games."

The woman sighed, her patience thinning. "You mistake me, Viktor. This is not a game. The Council has watched Lucian since the night of his rebirth. They know what he is. And if he refuses to come with us…" She paused, her gaze sharpening. "They will send something far worse."

A cold shiver ran down Lucian's spine.

Viktor's stance didn't waver. "We're done here."

He turned to Lucian. "We leave. Now."

Lucian hesitated, glancing at the woman. "If I go with you… what happens?"

The woman's lips curved slightly. "You learn the truth."

Lucian exhaled slowly. The truth. That was what he wanted, wasn't it? Answers to the questions that haunted him.

But something about this felt wrong.

Before he could respond, Viktor grabbed his arm. "We are not playing into their hands," he said firmly.

Lucian looked into Viktor's eyes. There was urgency there—an understanding that ran deeper than words. Viktor wasn't just protecting him from the Council. He was protecting him from something far worse.

Lucian took a step back, closer to Viktor. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

The woman's expression didn't change. "A shame."

She lifted a hand.

The figures on the rooftops moved.

Viktor cursed. "Move!"

The night exploded into chaos.

The first attacker landed in front of them, his claws gleaming in the moonlight. Viktor was faster. He lunged, his blade flashing as it met flesh. A pained snarl echoed through the alley as the vampire staggered back.

Lucian barely had time to react before another figure lunged at him. He twisted, dodging the strike, but the vampire was relentless. Claws raked across his arm, sending a sharp sting through his body.

Lucian gritted his teeth and countered. He moved on instinct, his strength surging as he drove his fist into the vampire's chest. The impact sent the attacker crashing into the alley wall.

The silver-haired woman hadn't moved. She watched the fight unfold, her expression unreadable.

Lucian spun as another attacker rushed him. This time, he was ready. He ducked under a wild swing and lashed out with a kick, sending the vampire sprawling.

Viktor was a blur of motion, his blade carving through the air with deadly precision. Another enemy fell, their body crumpling to the ground.

"We can't stay here," Viktor shouted. "More will come."

Lucian nodded. His body thrummed with energy, his instincts sharpened. The fight wasn't over.

And he was ready.

Lucian's heart pounded in his ears as he dodged another strike, the narrow alley a blur of movement and violence. The silver-haired woman still hadn't moved, watching the battle unfold with an eerie calm.

Viktor cut down another enemy, his blade flashing in the dim light. "Lucian, we need to go!"

Lucian barely had time to nod before another vampire lunged at him. This one was faster. Stronger. Their claws scraped against his ribs, sending a searing pain through his body.

Snarling, Lucian retaliated, driving his fist into the vampire's stomach. The impact sent them stumbling back, but they recovered quickly, their crimson eyes gleaming with hunger.

"Enough."

The voice was soft, almost bored, but it cut through the chaos like a blade.

The attackers froze instantly. Even Viktor hesitated, his blade inches from his opponent's throat.

Lucian turned toward the source. The silver-haired woman stepped forward at last, her expression as unreadable as ever.

"You've made your choice," she said, her gaze locking onto Lucian. "I hope, for your sake, it was the right one."

Lucian's body tensed. The way she spoke… it wasn't a threat. It was a promise.

She lifted a hand.

A sharp pain shot through Lucian's skull. He gasped, stumbling backward as his vision blurred. It felt like something was clawing inside his mind, trying to pull something out.

Viktor moved instantly. He grabbed Lucian's arm, yanking him away as he growled at the woman. "Enough of your tricks."

The pressure in Lucian's head vanished as suddenly as it had come. He gasped for air, his knees nearly giving out.

The woman's expression remained neutral. "Interesting."

Viktor didn't wait for her next move. He pulled Lucian with him and darted down the alley. The attackers didn't give chase. They simply watched as the two vampires vanished into the night.

They ran until the city lights faded, until the air grew colder and the streets became unfamiliar. Only then did Viktor slow down, his grip on Lucian's arm loosening.

Lucian leaned against a brick wall, catching his breath. His body still ached from the fight, but his mind was elsewhere.

"What the hell was that?" he finally asked.

Viktor ran a hand through his hair, his golden eyes dark with frustration. "A warning."

Lucian frowned. "She did something to me."

Viktor's jaw tightened. "She tried to. But you fought it off."

Lucian shivered. He had never felt anything like that before—like someone was trying to pry into his very being.

"What did she mean?" he asked. "About my blood?"

Viktor exhaled slowly. "I don't know."

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "You're lying."

Viktor didn't respond immediately. He turned away, staring at the empty street ahead.

Finally, he spoke. "I know the Council fears you. And if they fear you, it means you're dangerous to them."

Lucian's fingers curled into fists. "But why?"

Viktor looked at him then, his gaze unreadable. "That's what we have to find out."

Lucian's stomach twisted. He had spent his life running from the unknown. From his past. Now, it seemed, the past was chasing him.

He took a deep breath and straightened. "Then let's start looking."

Viktor smirked, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "That's the spirit."

Together, they disappeared into the night, the weight of their enemies pressing close behind them.

To be continued…