Chapter 21: The Cursed Gift

The grand ballroom of the Vampire Palace glimmered like an ancient dream come alive — lit with floating chandeliers of white fire and lined with crimson velvet banners that dripped from the high ceiling like blood. Glass roses bloomed in silver vases, while a haunting waltz floated through the air like a whispered memory.

It had been a night of wine, dancing, shadowy laughter, and veiled glances. Lena had smiled, nodded, and tried to fit in, even though her human heart beat too loud in a place where no one else had one.

She was tired. So very tired.

Just as the evening began to wind down, a hush swept across the room. All eyes turned to the black-marble staircase as Lady Calista descended like a falling star — her black gown glowing with threads of violet fire, her smile poised and royal.

She stepped onto the stage, holding a goblet of dark wine, and raised her hand with grace.

"My dear friends of the Night Kingdom," she began, voice velvet-soft but cold beneath the surface. "Tonight has been… unforgettable. And I thank every one of you for making it so."

The vampires clapped — a ripple of polite applause.

"Before we draw the curtains on this glorious celebration," she continued, her gaze drifting toward Lena, "I wish to acknowledge something… unusual."

Lena tensed.

Calista's smile widened. "A moment in history. A human, not dragged here in chains, but welcomed among us — like one of our own."

The crowd murmured.

"To Lena…" Calista purred. "A guest, a wonder, a symbol of peace — or… perhaps, fate."

She turned, and a servant stepped forward with a small black box.

"I offer this gift… a necklace forged in our realm. Let it represent the bridge between our worlds."

Lena blinked in surprise. Her heart skipped. Hesitantly, she stood and walked to the stage, every eye tracking her steps like a slow hunt.

When the box was opened, gasps echoed faintly.

The necklace was breathtaking. A silver chain thin as spider silk held a twisted black heart, and at its center, a violet gem pulsed faintly… like something alive.

Lena took it with a nervous curtsy. "Thank you… I mean it. I've never been this honored… or this terrified."

Soft laughter followed. She tried to smile. Only Calista's eyes remained unreadable — deep and poisonous.

Unknown to Lena, the necklace wasn't a gift of honor… but of doom.

A cursed relic.

Ancient.

Cruel.

And Calista alone knew its secret.

The crowd clapped. The music swelled one last time.

"And with that," Calista said smoothly, "I declare this celebration… concluded."

She raised her glass, and the vampires echoed her words.

"To the night!"

"To the night," they replied.

Outside, beneath the moon's silver eye, Lena slumped into the Night King's carriage with a deep sigh. Her head dropped back against the velvet seat.

"Finally," she groaned. "I'm so freaking tired I could pass out on a coffin."

The Night King tilted his head. "A coffin?"

"Don't worry. Human sarcasm. You wouldn't get it."

The ride was quiet after that. Peaceful… but tense. She caught him glancing at her once, eyes dark and unreadable.

When they arrived at his obsidian fortress, he helped her down.

"I have urgent matters to attend to," he said suddenly.

"What kind of—?"

But in a whirl of smoke and shadow, he vanished.

She stared at the empty air. "Great. Dramatic exits. Classic."

Inside her guest chamber — soft, warm, and lilac-scented — she dropped everything, let her purple hair down, and stepped into a steaming bath. The water eased her nerves, but something still clung to her mind… Calista's smile.

Later, in a silk robe, she sat before the tall mirror brushing her hair.

Her eyes drifted to the necklace, now resting on her vanity.

The gem pulsed again.

She touched it slowly… then fastened it around her neck.

Suddenly—

A chill like ice water slipped down her back.

She looked up at the mirror—

And her reflection smiled at her.

But she hadn't smiled.

She jumped back, heart pounding.

The mirror stilled.

She stared at her reflection, breathing hard.

And the gem around her neck beat once—

like a second heartbeat.

Fade to black.