The Heirs of Devana

Rosaline's POV

I left Adam's office shortly after him. Sam was nowhere in sight as I passed the main cabin perhaps she'd left right after completing her little "business transaction."

By the time I arrived back at my apartment, it was just past ten. I was drained mentally and physically. Everything I had learned tonight churned in my mind like a storm. Adam knew who I was. He had power. And he wanted something from me.

Perhaps he could help me get the revenge I'd waited so long for.

But first I needed to secure a deal. I needed control.

With no energy to cook, I devoured a bowl of instant noodles, steam fogging up my tired face. Then I stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash away the tension clinging to my skin. Moments later, I collapsed into bed. The soft touch of the pillow against my face was all it took to pull me into unconsciousness.

The tower bells rang loud in my ears.

The realm shimmered with chaotic energy. Panic.

Devana was under attack.

I was no longer in my bed I was fifteen again, running barefoot through the palace corridors. My caretaker shoved me toward the secure chamber, her voice trembling. "Don't look back. Go."

Swords clashed outside. Screams tore through the night. The cries of maids and guards echoed in my ears. Tears welled at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. I wasn't supposed to feel fear. But I did.

Even at fifteen, I could fight.

I reached for my blade—the silver one my father gifted me on my thirteenth name day and slipped out of the safe room. In the corridor, a soldier charged toward me. He knew who I was his eyes locked on mine with lethal intent.

But he never reached me.

An arrow pierced his back, and he crumpled to the marble floor, blood blooming beneath him. I spun, searching for my savior.

There, standing in shadows one of our own. His face was half-covered by a dark scarf, but his piercing blue eyesburnedwith intensity. Something in my chest twisted. My breath hitched.

"My princess," he said softly, firmly, "you're not supposed to be out here."

I couldn't speak. His lips moved again, but his words were drowned by the chaos. He grasped my arm and guided me back, firm but gentle. When we reached the chamber, he pushed me inside, closed the door, and cast one last lingering look through the slit in the doorframe.

Then he was gone.

A scream rang out moments later raw, gut-wrenching.

I awoke gasping, drenched in sweat. My hands trembled.

It was a dream but not a fantasy. A memory. One I hadn't relived in years.

That was the last time I ever saw him.

After the war, I searched for that boy in the scarf. The memory of his eyes haunted me, yet I never found him. His face had been mostly obscured, his voice brief. Still, I held on to the impossible hope that he had survived.

I had to believe someone had.

Devana had fallen just one month after that night.

I stood under the shower again, letting the water cool my skin. The steam fogged the mirror as I stepped out. I chose a cream-colored pantsuit and brushed my damp hair neatly back. Minimal makeup just enough to define, not attract.

I arrived at the office earlier than usual.

To my surprise, Adam was already there in my chair, lounging with a mug of coffee in hand.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, arching a brow.

He looked unbothered. "You forget this is my company. I can be anywhere I want."

"Good morning, sir," I said with a tight smile, my tone clipped.

"No more questions today?" he asked, taking another sip of his drink.

"Why bother?" I shot back, crossing my arms.

"So you've realized asking too many questions is futile." His smirk was knowing, as if he already anticipated my every move.

A knock on the glass startled us both. It was Allen one of the marketing associates from the floor below. Always too cheerful for this place.

"Hello, Rose! Happy morning. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good, Allen. Do you need anything?" I asked politely.

"Nope, just thought I'd say hi. Also want to grab lunch today? There's a taco cart down the left street. Pretty popular."

Before I could respond, Adam cut in smoothly. "Ms. Rose has a lunch meeting with a client from overseas."

I frowned. "That's news to me."

"Impromptu arrangement," he replied without missing a beat.

Allen tried again. "Well then how about a movie after five?"

Adam answered again, "And yes, Rose you'll need to organize the performance files and submit your team recommendations before five."

I turned to him. "Do I really have to do that today?"

Adam nodded solemnly. No negotiation.

I sighed and gave Allen an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Maybe next time?"

"No problem. Some other time then," Allen said with a wave and left.

Adam stood up. "See me this afternoon. Don't be late."

And just like that, he walked out.

I dove into the files right away. It took an hour just to organize them, and the recommendations took even longer. As I worked, I couldn't help but feel how meaningless this corporate structure was for someone like me. My goal was far greater than an office position or corporate hierarchy.

But if I had to play the part to get closer to the truth, so be it.

By afternoon, I was headed toward the CEO's floor with the documents in hand. I was surprised to see Sam back at her desk. Perhaps her earlier "devotion" had earned her a second chance. Disgust rose in my throat, but I brushed it aside.

I was escorted directly into Adam's office.

He wasn't at his desk he was sitting on the couch instead, legs crossed casually.

"Hello, Princess. How's your day going?"

"You know this work isn't a challenge for me. It's child's play," I replied coolly, walking toward the table with the files.

As I bent slightly to pick up a binder, I felt him near me. A breath, warm against my ear. I turned sharply.

He was too close. In my space.

I stepped back, bumping into the edge of the table. "What are you doing?"

"Just taking a closer look… to confirm who you really are," he said, eyes burning into mine.

I tried to push him, but he didn't budge. His gaze locked with mine and that's when I saw it.

His pupils were changing. From ocean blue to blood red.

"You're… a vampire," I whispered.

This time, when I pushed him again, he stepped aside willingly.

"You lied about the curse," I accused.

"I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you everything," he said calmly.

"How can this be? You can't be a vampire and Devana's royalty. That's impossible."

"It's a long story," he said, voice low.

A knock came at the door. Adam's assistant Liam stepped in.

"Did I just walk in on something important?" he teased.

"No. You're right on time," I said quickly, brushing past them both and storming out of the office. I didn't care if there was actually a meeting scheduled. I needed space.

Back in my cabin, I downed a glass of water. My hands were still trembling.

I thought I had found an ally in Adam. A stepping stone toward vengeance. But now…

He had secrets.

He was dangerous.

And I could not trust him.

If needed, he would use me sacrifice me for whatever he was truly after.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of tension and paranoia. Evening came quickly. I packed up my things, ready to go home and regroup.

My phone rang.

Unknown number.

I let it ring. It rang again.

This time, I picked up.

"We need to talk."

It was Adam's voice.

"We'll talk tomorrow," I replied coldly and hung up.

My phone rang again. I ignored it.

I stepped into the elevator.

When the doors opened, I saw him.

Adam stood inside, hands in his pockets.

Silent.

We didn't speak. I pressed the parking button. The doors slid shut.

And then he moved.

In a blur, he pinned me against the wall of the elevator, his hands holding mine above my head.

I reacted instinctively, slamming my forehead into his nose. A satisfying crack echoed. He staggered but barely.

His grip shifted. In a second, he'd twisted me around, holding me from behind, both wrists locked behind my back. My body pressed to the cool steel wall.

"What are you doing?" I growled.

"You wouldn't listen. I said, We need to talk."

I struggled. He held firm. The heat of his body pressed against my back, his breath close to my ear.

"Fine. Talk," I hissed.

"I want us to work together," he said.

"I don't trust you. I know you're hiding something. I know you have another motive."

He didn't answer right away.

He got closer to me than he had previously. His cloth was really nice against my back. His muscles were straining on my back from his front.

He whispered in my ear, "I have been looking for you for centuries, and now that I have found you, I cannot let you slip."