Chapter 11: Shadows in the Dark

The road stretched endlessly before them, the car's headlights cutting through the thick darkness. The world outside was eerily silent, as if nature itself was holding its breath.

Elena sat in the backseat, her hands still trembling from the attack. She could still see those glowing golden eyes through the shattered windshield, still feel the sharp sting of glass against her skin.

They had barely escaped.

And the worst part?

She had no idea who—or what—was after her.

Natalie sat beside her, arms crossed tightly, her expression unreadable.

Damien, however, was furious.

His grip on the steering wheel was tight, knuckles white, his jaw clenched. The tension in the car was suffocating.

"Who was that?" Elena finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien exhaled sharply. "A hunter."

Elena frowned. "A… vampire hunter?"

Damien shook his head. "No. A rogue. Someone who works for himself, not the Council."

Elena's blood ran cold. "You mean… he wasn't sent by the Queen?"

Damien's expression darkened. "No. He was acting alone."

That didn't make her feel any better.

If rogue vampires were coming after her too, then how many enemies did she have?

Natalie leaned forward. "We can't just keep running forever. We need a plan."

Damien's eyes flickered in the rearview mirror. "That's why we're going to my brother."

Elena's stomach twisted.

Damien's brother.

She still couldn't believe it.

"Why haven't you mentioned him before?" she asked.

Damien hesitated. "Because he's dangerous."

Natalie scoffed. "Great. Another psychopath."

Elena frowned. "If he's dangerous, why are we going to him?"

Damien sighed. "Because he's the only one who might be able to train you."

Elena's heart skipped a beat.

Train her?

As in, fight?

She swallowed hard. "I told you—I don't want to fight."

Damien's grip on the wheel tightened. "You won't have a choice."

Elena turned away, staring out the window.

It wasn't fair.

She never asked for any of this.

But deep down, she knew Damien was right.

She had seen how easily Lucian had overpowered Damien. Had seen how fast their enemies could move.

If she wanted to survive, she had to learn how to fight.

Even if it meant turning into something she feared.

---

The Arrival

After what felt like hours, the car finally slowed down.

They were deep in the woods now, the road barely visible through the thick trees. The air smelled like rain, damp earth, and something else—something ancient.

Elena shivered.

"This is it," Damien said, pulling up to an old cabin.

The place looked abandoned.

The wooden walls were weathered, the windows dark. The front porch creaked under the weight of the wind.

"This doesn't look like the home of a powerful vampire," Natalie muttered.

Damien didn't respond.

He stepped out of the car, his movements tense.

Elena followed hesitantly, her heart pounding in her chest.

The air felt wrong here.

Like they were being watched.

Damien walked up the porch steps and knocked once.

Silence.

Then—

The door creaked open.

Elena held her breath.

A figure stepped into the dim light.

He was tall, his silver hair falling over sharp, wolf-like features. His eyes—identical to Damien's—glowed like liquid mercury.

But there was something different about him.

Something colder.

"Brother," Damien said.

The man's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

"Damien," he said smoothly. "It's been a while."

His gaze flickered to Elena.

"And you must be the girl everyone's talking about."

Elena swallowed hard.

This was Damien's brother.

And somehow, she knew—

He was even more dangerous than the enemies chasing her.