POV Lucian

The library was dimly lit, with beams of late afternoon sunlight streaming through the high windows. Lucian sat at a secluded table in the far corner, hidden from view by rows of towering bookshelves. In front of him was an open book, but his gaze was far from its pages. His mind churned, haunted by memories he wished he could forget.

Elena.

Her face, her voice, her laughter—it all came rushing back, tearing at the walls he’d spent years building around himself. He could still see the look in her eyes from that night, the night she—

Lucian’s hand clenched around the edge of the table, his knuckles whitening. “It wasn’t me,” he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of anger and guilt. “It wasn’t supposed to happen.”

But no matter how many times he repeated those words, they couldn’t erase the image of her lifeless body or the blood that stained his hands. Pearl’s betrayal had taken so much from him, but it was Elena’s death that had broken him.

Now she was here, alive, but with no memory of the past they’d shared. That should have been a relief. It should have made it easier to stay away from her.

Yet, here he was, lurking in the shadows, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

“If I stay, she’ll fall for me again,” he whispered, running a hand through his hair. His voice dropped, tinged with despair. “And if I stay away, Pearl will find her... and this time, she won’t survive.”

The weight of the choice crushed him. How could he protect her without risking her heart, her life, and everything in between?

His thoughts were interrupted by the faint creak of the library door. Lucian tensed, his heightened senses immediately tuning in. He knew that heartbeat anywhere—steady, but with a faint quickness, as if curiosity mingled with caution.

POV Elena

I found Lucian in the library, sitting in his usual spot, flipping through a thick, leather-bound book. He looked so calm, so composed, like he had no idea the storm I was carrying inside me. My steps quickened as I approached him, and he glanced up, sensing my presence before I even said a word.

"Lucian," I said, my voice shaky.

He frowned, closing the book. “What is it?”

I hesitated, holding out my hand, showing him the bite mark Pearl had left on me. “It’s Pearl. She came to my room last night. She… she said I have two days. And then she did this.”

His eyes darkened instantly, his calm façade crumbling. “She bit you?” His voice was low, almost a growl.

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. “And she made me… drink her blood. She said it’s just a trailer. Lucian, what does it mean? What’s going to happen in two days?”

He stood abruptly, running a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged animal. “Damn it, Pearl,” he muttered under his breath before turning to me. “Elena, you need to go home. Right now. Don’t meet anyone, don’t talk to anyone. Just go straight home and stay there.”

“Lucian,” I said, grabbing his arm, “what’s happening? What does this mean? Am I going to—”

“Trust me,” he interrupted, his voice firm but laced with urgency. “Just go home. Please, Elena.”

I stared at him, his concern breaking through the walls he always kept up. Finally, I nodded. “Fine. But you owe me answers.”

He didn’t respond, already walking away, his steps quick and purposeful.

POV Author

Lucian’s anger burned as he stormed into Pearl’s house. The once-grand estate was now a shadow of its former glory, dark and decayed, much like its occupant. He didn’t bother knocking, slamming the door open instead.

“Pearl!” he roared, his voice echoing through the empty halls.

She appeared at the top of the grand staircase, her smirk infuriatingly calm. “Well, well, look who’s here. Come to play hero again, Lucian?”

“You’ve gone too far,” he growled, his eyes beginning to glow a deep, menacing red.

Pearl descended the staircase slowly, each step deliberate, her heels clicking against the wood. “Too far? I thought you’d appreciate my little gift to your human pet.”

Lucian’s fangs extended, sharp and glinting under the dim light. “You don’t get to touch her. Not her.”

Pearl laughed, her head tilting back. “Oh, Lucian. Always so protective. It’s adorable, really. But let’s not pretend she’s anything more than a pawn to you. Like Elara.”

“Enough!” he roared, his wings unfurling from his back in a blur of dark, leathery power. They stretched wide, casting ominous shadows against the walls.

Pearl’s eyes shifted, glowing crimson, her smirk fading. Her nails extended into razor-sharp claws as her own wings erupted, smaller but sleek and bat-like. Her face contorted, veins darkening under her skin, her fangs gleaming as she hissed.

“You always were too sentimental,” she said, her voice now a low, guttural snarl.

Lucian lunged first, faster than human eyes could follow, aiming for her throat. Pearl dodged, her claws slashing toward him, catching his arm and drawing dark, inky blood. He barely flinched, twisting her wrist and throwing her across the room.

She landed with a thud but sprang up immediately, charging at him. Their bodies collided, their strength shaking the walls as they grappled. Claws scraped against skin, tearing through flesh, blood splattering across the dusty floor.

“You think you can protect her?” Pearl sneered, slashing at his chest. “She’s already mine!”

Lucian growled, his fangs bared as he shoved her against the wall, his hand around her throat. “She’s not yours. She’ll never be yours.”

Pearl laughed, choking slightly but defiant. “You can’t save everyone, Lucian. You’re a monster, just like me.”

He tightened his grip, his claws digging into her skin. “Maybe. But I’m not you.”

With a burst of strength, Pearl broke free, her wings flapping as she soared across the room, landing gracefully on a broken table. “You’ve always been so self-righteous,” she taunted, wiping blood from her lip. “It’s pathetic.”

The air in Pearl’s mansion was thick with tension, the dim light casting long shadows over Lucian and Pearl. Blood dripped from Lucian’s mouth, his body battered from the fight. Pearl stood over him, her smug smile unbroken as she wiped his blood off her hands.

“Did you really think you could win?” Pearl said, her voice dripping with mockery. “I’m older than you, little brother. Stronger. Smarter. You should’ve known better.”

Lucian spat blood onto the floor, glaring up at her. “You won’t win, Pearl. Not this time.”

Pearl crouched down to his level, her crimson eyes glowing in the dim light. “You know what’s so impressive about me?” she said softly, her voice dangerously calm. “I’m always two steps ahead. I always get what I want. And right now, what I want is her.”

Lucian’s heart clenched, but he kept his face neutral.

Pearl continued, her tone hardening. “If you don’t do what I say, I’ll make Elena vampire. Or maybe her sweet aunt… what’s her name? Remenise?”

Lucian’s eyes widened briefly before narrowing. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

“Oh, I will,” Pearl said, standing up. “Unless you give me what I want. Turn it off, Lucian. Your humanity. Be the monster you were meant to be. Kill Elena, or I’ll kill them both.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger and fear. He looked up at Pearl, his face hardening into a mask of cold resolve. “Fine,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Pearl tilted her head, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she smiled. “Good boy.”

Lucian rose slowly, his movements deliberate. His crimson eyes seemed darker, his expression hollow. He let out a chilling laugh, his voice now void of warmth. “You should’ve stayed out of my way, Pearl.”

Pearl smirked, clearly pleased. She flicked her fingers, and suddenly, Aunt Remenise appeared, her face blank, her movements stiff. Pearl’s compulsion radiated off her.

“Just a little insurance,” Pearl said. “Elena’s kidnapper is ready to snap her neck at my command.”

Lucian’s face didn’t flinch, but inside, his fury burned. He lunged forward, grabbing Pearl by the throat, his nails extending. “Release them. Now.”

Pearl flickered out of his grasp, laughing as she moved with inhuman speed. “Nice try,” she said, already across the room. “But you’re too late.”

With a final laugh, she disappeared into the night, leaving only the faint echo of her voice.

POV Author

Lucian found Elena hours later, lying unconscious on the side of the road. Her hair was matted, her clothes torn, but she was alive. Relief washed over him as he knelt beside her, carefully scooping her into his arms.

“Elena,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”

Tears slipped down his face as he carried her back to his home. His act of turning off his humanity had been a bluff, a gamble to buy time. But the weight of Pearl’s threat still lingered in his mind.

At his house, he laid Elena gently on the couch, his hands trembling as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. She stirred slightly, her lips parting as she murmured his name.

“Lucian…”

“I’m here,” he said softly, sitting beside her. “You’re safe now.”

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her gaze. “What… what happened?”

“Pearl,” he said, his voice bitter. “She... she wanted to break me. But I won’t let her win. Not ever.”

Elena’s hand reached out weakly, brushing against his. “Thank you… for not giving up on me.”

Lucian swallowed hard, his throat tightening with emotion. “I’ll never give up on you, Elena. Never.”

As she drifted back into sleep, Lucian sat beside her, his resolve hardening. He knows she is gonna transformed into a monster till morning.

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