Chapter 4: The Four Lords of the Night

The east wing of the manor was colder than the rest of the house. The walls whispered—soft, raspy murmurs like memories clinging to the stone. Mira stood by the fire, though the flames gave little warmth. Her body trembled, not from the cold, but from the weight of something deeper—ancient and binding.

She was not just in the House of Shadows now. She was of it.

The bond had awakened.

And so had they.

Footsteps echoed through the long corridor. Heavy. Purposeful. Each one like a heartbeat counted toward something final.

The door swung open.

They entered together—Varek, Kaelen, Lucien, and Darian. Not as men, but as beings carved from darkness and bone-deep wrath.

Mira's breath caught as they circled her, like predators scenting blood. No words at first—just the sound of silence sharpening between them.

Then Varek spoke, voice low and metallic. "The bond has sealed."

"You are ours now," Kaelen added, amusement ghosting over his lips. "Whether you understand it or not."

Lucien stepped forward. "We did not choose this. The blood chose you. It betrayed us."

Darian's red eyes glowed. "And for that, we should end you."

Mira stood her ground, though her knees trembled. "Then why haven't you?"

Varek's eyes narrowed. "Because your death would doom us all."

She blinked. "What?"

Kaelen tilted his head. "You are the blood vessel of the old vow. Without you, we fall. Our strength, our sanity… it all crumbles."

Lucien's voice was like ice. "We hate you for it."

Darian stepped closer, so close she could feel his breath, though his lungs hadn't drawn real air in centuries. "But we need you more than we've ever needed anyone."

Mira backed away, but the fire was behind her. There was nowhere to run.

Then, from the doorway, a slow clap echoed.

Salene.

Wearing black velvet that clung to her curves like a second skin, she sauntered in with a smile that could slice flesh. "Such drama," she purred. "You four always did enjoy tormenting what's yours."

"Leave, Salene," Varek growled.

"Oh, but why?" she cooed. "I was here first. I tasted each of you long before this blood-soaked brat ever opened her eyes."

Darian's lip curled. "You were a toy."

"And she's a curse," Salene snapped, her eyes locking on Mira with venom. "You don't deserve them. You don't want them. But fate tied your blood to theirs—my Lords. And now I have to watch you become what I could never be."

Mira's voice cut through the tension. "I didn't ask for any of this."

Lucien's eyes burned. "And yet, here you are."

Suddenly, a sharp sting bloomed across Mira's chest. She cried out, stumbling to her knees.

Kaelen grabbed her arm, lifting her easily. "The bond is activating. You'll feel them soon—our memories, our pain, our hunger."

Her pulse hammered. "I don't want it!"

"You don't get to want," Varek hissed. "You carry the contract inked in blood. Your blood."

Then, all at once, the four of them reached for her.

Mira gasped as their hands touched her skin—forehead, wrist, shoulder, heart. Not sexual. Ritualistic.

Their fangs stayed hidden, but she felt the pull—the way her blood called to them like a siren's song. It was unbearable.

"You are bound to us," Darian whispered. "One soul fractured into four."

Kaelen smirked. "Which of us will break you first, I wonder?"

Salene's scream pierced the silence. "Enough!"

She lunged, pushing between them, grabbing Mira's face. "They are mine. I let them feed. I let them ruin me. You—you—are just a prophecy in a pretty face!"

Lucien shoved her back, harder than necessary. She hit the wall, breath knocked out of her.

"Don't touch her," he warned.

Mira blinked. "Why… why did you stop her?"

Darian's smile was cruel. "Because breaking you will be our pleasure, not hers."

They left her then—one by one—each passing her like a verdict being read. The door slammed behind them, leaving only shadows and Salene's sobs.

Mira crawled toward the bed, heart thundering, skin still burning from their touch. Tears blurred her eyes.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind:

"Do not trust anyone—not even those who offer their hands in love. Especially not them."

But Mira knew now—this wasn't love.

This was bondage.

And it was only just beginning.