CHAPTER 8:GHOSTS ALONG MEMORY LANE

As I reflect on my past, customs and rules come to mind—unspoken rules that governed our lives. Our clans have remained hidden from humans for millennia, masquerading as mere mortals while embodying nature's imbalance. As a young boy, my curiosity leaned towards the human world. A deal with my father allowed me to explore, postponing my leadership role in our clan.

In high school, I met her—a forbidden light, vibrant and out of reach. She was intelligent, funny, firm in her beliefs, ambitious, stubborn, and curious.She was my dirty secret no one had to know ,she was human , she was my Lily. Our relationship blossomed over four years, and I knew she was the one. But I also knew I would deny her the dream of motherhood. In our clan, childbirth meant death for the mother—a brutal punishment from nature, one my mother chose. I vowed never to impose that fate on any woman.

Sixteen years ago, a war erupted between converts and clans. Converts were the underdogs, created out of desperation or punishment. They bore the burden of balancing nature and humanity. Over time, we modernised, abandoning the practice of eating hearts. Instead, we used a drug that altered our biology, halting ageing in the desired age and curbing inhuman cravings. This change sparked backlash, leading to uprisings and the war that claimed my father and deny me opportunity to claim Lily as my wife i was to purpose to her but on hearing the death of my dad ,i had to take my place as leader and there was no place for Lily to fit in it .Faking my death must have been the most difficult thing for me to do to her but it had to be done.But at least i had four peaceful years with her,not knowing her what i was truly …She was my reality escape.

Now, those signs are resurfacing, and I feel lost. I met Rogers as a young boy, the sole survivor of a car accident. Forced to convert him, I adopted him into the family. He chose to age normally, halting at a certain point for a century.

These sixteen years without Dad have been tough. I still wonder if she is okay. I did what I did for her sake and my sanity.

"Sir, we have word that the responsible parties want to meet," the guard said gravely.

"Where?" I asked.

I took my keys and headed to the pinned location—a warehouse where many had died for a cause. I brought my two best men.

"Seb, do you think this is it?" George asked, worried in his voice.

"No, it's an ambush—a death sentence for them," Will laughed maniacally.

Will thrives on thrills, while George is meticulous but effective.

"They're either stupid or daring, and we know how that ends," I said.

Suddenly, clapping echoed from the dark corners of the warehouse.

"Well, well, the man of the hour. I knew you'd come, unable to stuff your ego in your pocket and leave it at home," a voice taunted, stepping into the light.

"Well, I'm not the one hiding in the dark," I said, irritated.

"Sebby, that's no way to greet your host, especially on my turf," the woman giggled.

"Maze," I said with disgust.

Maze stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Her presence always brought an unsettling mix of memories and tension. She thrived on chaos, and this encounter was no different.

"Still the same, I see," Maze said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's been a while. How's the clan holding up without dear old Dad?"

Her words stung, but I kept my composure. "What do you want, Maze?"

"Oh, straight to business. I like that," she smirked. "Let's just say, there are forces at play that even you can't control. The converts are stirring, and they won't be silenced easily."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my anger in check. "And you think siding with them will help your cause?"

Maze laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Sebby, I'm not here to pick sides. I'm here to survive, just like you. But survival comes with its own set of rules."

Her words hung in the air, a reminder of the fragile balance we all walked. The warehouse felt colder, the shadows deeper. My mind raced, considering the implications of her presence and the threat she represented.

"You always had a knack for surviving," I said finally. "But this time, you're playing a dangerous game."

Maze's smile faded, replaced by a steely determination. "Dangerous games are the only ones worth playing. Keep your guard up, Sebby. The storm is just beginning."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving us with more questions than answers. I signalled George and Will, and we made our way back to the car. The weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future pressed heavily on my shoulders.

As we drove back, George broke the silence. "What now, Seb?"

I stared out the window, lost in thought. "We prepare. This isn't over. It's just the beginning."

Will chuckled. "I love a good fight."

I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. Despite the looming threat, it was moments like these that reminded me of the strength and loyalty of my clan. We would face whatever came our way, together.

The drive home was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. The echoes of the past mingled with the uncertainty of the future, but one thing was clear—we were ready for whatever came next.