Elian hesitated, weighing his options. "What makes you think I'll trust you?"
The girl's expression turned solemn. "I don't need you to trust me. I need you to survive. They're coming for you, Elian—and I'm your only chance."
---
Suddenly, the windmill creaked, wood groaning under pressure.
Shadows gathered.
Then shifted.
Then formed into figures—dark and menacing.
---
"Too late," the girl whispered. "They found you."
---
Elian turned, the book clenched tight in his hand. "Who are they?"
The girl grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Run."
---
The wind howled as they burst from the windmill.
Then a voice cut through the darkness.
"Nyx… why are you helping him?"
---
Elian froze for a split second.
Nyx didn't look back.
"I'm not helping him, Keal," she said sharply, pulling Elian through the alleyways. "I'm containing him. For now."
---
A cold laugh echoed behind them.
"You think The Triumvirate will see it that way?" Keal said. "You're playing with fire, Nyx."
---
Nyx's grip tightened on Elian's arm.
"I know what I'm doing."
---
Elian stumbled, trying to keep up. "What does he mean? What's going on?"
Nyx's eyes flashed. "Not here. Keep moving."
---
A blur of motion—
Keal appeared ahead of them.
His body twisted, shifting—
Fangs bared.
Eyes glowing red.
---
Elian's breath caught.
"Vampire…?"
---
Nyx yanked him into a narrow doorway.
"Keal's a Bloodtracker," she said quickly. "Vampires like him don't stop."
---
Elian's mind spun. "Why me? What's the book?"
Nyx's gaze flicked to it.
"Your family's legacy," she said. "You're the last of the Dawnbloods. And Keal wants it."
---
"I don't understand!" Elian said.
---
Nyx didn't slow down.
She pulled him into the woods.
Fast.
Faster than he thought possible.
---
Behind them—
A twig snapped.
Keal was still coming.
---
"Dawnbloods have power," Nyx said as they ran. "Light in the shadows. Keal wants it—to break The Triumvirate's rules."
---
Elian stumbled over roots. "What power? What rules?"
---
"Yours to unlock," Nyx replied. "If he gets that book, he'll hunt down every Dawnblood left… including you."
---
Another sound behind them.
Closer.
---
Nyx pulled him deeper into the forest.
"Hold on."
---
Then—
Silence.
---
Keal was gone.
---
The woods swallowed them whole.
---
Elian turned on her instantly.
"What is going on? Who are you? Who's that guy? What do they want from me? And what is The Triumvirate?"
---
Nyx leaned against a tree, steadying her breath.
"Alright," she said. "Catch-up time."
She looked at him directly.
"I'm Nyx. I'm helping you survive."
A pause.
"Keal is a Bloodtracker. A vampire working for The Order of the Umbra. They want the Dawnblood power in you."
---
Elian shook his head. "What power?"
---
Nyx's voice hardened.
"Your bloodline carries something rare. A power that can shift the balance between light and shadow."
She continued:
"The Triumvirate sits at the top of The Order. They control everything. And they want that power… controlled."
---
Elian narrowed his eyes. "And you?"
---
Nyx didn't answer right away.
"I have my reasons," she said finally. "Just know this—I need you alive."
---
A distant howl echoed.
Keal wasn't done.
---
Elian's jaw tightened. "What do we do now?"
---
"We move," Nyx said.
---
Elian shook his head. "No. We go to my uncle. Maybe he can help."
---
"NO."
---
Nyx's reaction was instant.
Sharp.
Her eyes burned.
---
"They're not looking for your uncle, Elian," she said. "They're looking for you."
---
Elian froze. "What do you mean?"
---
"You don't know who you are," Nyx said. "Your family's legacy is bigger than you think."
---
Elian stared at her. "Then explain it."
---
Nyx grabbed his arm again. "Not here. We need to get you somewhere safe."
---
Then—
A shadow dropped from the trees.
---
Elian turned.
His breath caught.
"…Uncle Marcus?"
---
Marcus stepped forward.
Relief crossed his face.
"Elian. Thank the gods you're safe."
He looked at Nyx.
"What's going on?"
---
"Keal's on our tail," Nyx said. "We need to move."
---
Marcus nodded. "Good. We'll head to the Sanctuary. We can explain everything there."
---
Elian pulled back.
Frustration rising.
"Explain what? What's going on? Who's Keal? What is The Order?"
---
Nyx stepped in. "We'll tell you. But not here."
---
Marcus turned. "This way. There's a safe route."
---
Elian didn't move.
"No," he said. "I need answers. Now."
---
Nyx's voice sharpened. "Elian, this isn't safe."
---
Marcus's expression darkened.
"The Sanctuary's compromised," he said. "We go to the fallback point."
---
Another howl.
Closer.
---
Elian looked straight at him.
"What's going on, Uncle?"
---
Marcus exhaled.
"You're in danger," he said. "The Order is hunting you. They believe you can control the Dawnblood power."
---
"What is that?" Elian demanded.
---
Marcus hesitated.
Then—
"It's part of you," he said. "Your mother had it."
---
Nyx cut in. "We don't have time—"
---
Elian didn't move.
"Tell me."
---
Marcus met his eyes.
"You're a Dawnblood, Elian."
A pause.
"Half-vampire. Half-human."
---
Everything went silent.
---
"The most powerful kind," Marcus finished.
---
Elian's voice was barely there.
"My mom…?"
---
Nyx grabbed his arm. "Later."
---
Elian pulled free.
"No. Now."
---
Marcus's expression softened.
"Your mother… was the leader of The Triumvirate," he said quietly. "She's gone."
---
Elian's eyes darkened.
"Gone how?"
---
A howl tore through the forest.
Right behind them.
---
Nyx grabbed him.
"We move. Now."
---
Marcus turned, urgency snapping into place.
"Follow me. Stay close."
---
Elian didn't move.
"What happened to my mom?"
---
Marcus stopped.
Looked at him.
"She died protecting you," he said. "Your father too. The Order came for you."
---
Elian's face went cold.
"Protecting me from what?"
---
"Everything."
---
Then Nyx pulled him.
"Run."
---
The forest exploded with movement.
Keal's pack burst through the trees.
Eyes glowing.
Fangs bared.
---
Marcus shoved Elian forward.
"Go! To the car!"
---
Nyx dragged him through the trees.
"Stay with me!"
---
Behind them—
Snarling.
Clashing.
Marcus turned back.
"Get him out of here!"
---
Elian looked back—
Marcus vanished into the shadows.
---
"Don't look!" Nyx snapped. "Move!"
---
They broke through the trees.
A black SUV waited.
---
Nyx threw the door open.
"Get in!"
---
Elian dove inside.
"Down!"
---
The engine roared.
Tires screamed.
They sped off into the night.
---
The road blurred.
Trees flashing past.
Elian gripped the seat, breathing hard.
---
Nyx checked the mirror.
"We're clear. For now."
---
"What happened back there?" Elian demanded. "Where's Marcus?"
---
"He bought us time," Nyx said. "He'll meet us."
---
Elian's anger rose.
"Bought us time?"
---
Nyx didn't respond.
---
"What is The Order?" Elian pressed.
---
"They hunt Dawnbloods," Nyx said. "They want your power."
---
Elian swallowed.
"So I'm really…?"
---
Nyx nodded.
---
"A Dawnblood."
---
The SUV slowed.
Turned onto a dirt road.
---
"Your mother was their leader," Nyx said. "She had power unlike anything else."
---
Elian's voice dropped.
"And my dad?"
---
"Human," Nyx said quietly. "But important."
---
The car stopped.
---
"We're here," Nyx said.
---
A small cabin stood ahead.
Hidden.
Silent.
---
"Safehouse."
---
Elian stepped out slowly.
Still processing everything.
---
"What now?" he asked.
---
"We lay low," Nyx said. "Figure out our next move."
---
Elian nodded slowly.
"I need answers."
---
"You'll get them," Nyx said. "Tomorrow."
---
They stepped inside.
The cabin was dim.
Quiet.
---
Nyx handed him a blanket.
"Rest," she said. "Dawn's coming."
---
Elian sat down.
Everything finally catching up to him.
---
"Tomorrow," he muttered.
---
Nyx nodded.
---
And the darkness took him.
---