Betrayal of Our Blood

ry, a 900-year-old vampire, glided effortlessly through the night, her dark hair billowing like a cape behind her. Her eyes, deep pools of emerald, scanned her surrou

with humans, a gift bestowed upon her by the vampire who turned her centuries ago, served her well in this world where vampires and other nonhumans

d a young gentleman, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, smiling at her expec

melodious purr that seemed to entrance the man. "B

unning to bend others to her will – was another skill she wielded with expertise. It had saved her li

from a mile away, smell the blood coursing through a human's veins, and see in absolute darkness. These

ed with purpose through the shadows. "You've s

was changing rapidly around her, and she needed to adapt if she wanted to continue to survive. As she walked, the weight of

scing about the ease of which she secured an invitation. The full moon cast an eerie glow on the grand mansion, its opulence hidden behind a veil of shadows. The music from within was a seductive lure, beckon

ered, her voice barely a

of loveliness, her pale skin luminous, her obsidian curls cascading down her back like a river of

, his eyes lingering on her form with undisg

r smile bewitching as she took his proffered hand

ghter, music, and the heady scent of blood pumping through the veins of the revelers.

?" Mr. Worthington asked, his plu

cating herself from his grasp with prac

wing and retreating, entranc

in meaningless conversation. All the while, her eyes searched for her prey. It

with raven hair and piercing blue eyes. He stood alone near th

hand on his arm. His eyes widened slightly but didn't

is voice low and ent

e syllables like a lover's touch. "Tell me, Adr

outh quirking into a half-smile. "Would

riumphant grin as Adrian guided her through the t

aning against the stone railing and

"Yes, peace," she whispered, her flashing fangs in anticipation. She leaned in, he

f his neck. Adrian gasped, his body tensing before going limp in her embrace. Sh

ench, arranging his limbs into a position of repose. With practiced movements, she nicked one fingertip with her nail and le

slipping back inside the mansion, her hunger momentarily sated. But she knew it w

nsion's grand entrance. Selena Cross, leader of the vampire hunters, observed her quarry with a steely gaze. The fai

o herself, clenching her fist

asked her second-in-command,

" he confirmed, his voice low and tense. "On

ngled among the party guests. She couldn't help but admire the vampire's

mary goal is to capture her alive. We need to study th

Lucas said, no

onhumans. Grief and anger coursed through her veins as she recalled the horrifying sight of her sister's lifeless body, drained and discarded by the very

ight?" Lucas asked,

cold and detached. "Just reme

s reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "

from Lucas's touch. Focus on the task

taking a step back and rais

sp, and one more threat to humanity would be neutralized. She couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction at the thoug

ena ordered her team, her

n Lavinia as she stepped into the moonlit night, compl

ce more, her breath catching i

the young man's blood still lingered on her tongue, a decadent reminder of her most recent indulgence. She should have been

Lavinia?" a voice called

lightness into her tone that she didn

nlit garden, searching for any sign of danger. She had evaded captu

to unravel. Their carefully orchestrated ambush had instilled a sense of unea

er voice barely audible even to their trained

fferent - they stalked with an unsettling precision that spoke of experience and dark intent. As she walked briskly down the garden pa

, spinning around as her fangs elo

stepping into the moonlight. Her hunters followed sui

izing the woman from whispers in the

cing through the night. Lavinia began to launch herself at Selena, but somehow one hunter had gotten much cl

r very essence away. Desperation clawed at her insides, urging her to fight back, but her limbs were heavy and unrespon

ce now a mere whisper. "You think you've wo

ing the silver chains around her captive's wrists. "We're we

had to bide her time and she could end these fools. Selena stared at her a moment, lips curling into a knowing smirk. Lavinia's vision blurred as her head lol

dible. "This is only the beginning." Only Selena's laughter an

aptors dragged her along mercilessly, their grip on her chains unwavering as they navigated the dark streets, the cold night air biting at her exposed skin. S

r voice devoid of emotion. "We can't risk her r

the sharp sting of the needle piercing her flesh. The serum coursed through her veins, attacking what was left of her once formi

ia through the entrance hidden from prying eyes behind a wall of ivy. Inside, she was met with the sterile smell of disinfect

r gaze never leaving Lavinia's weakened fo

other hunters asked, his voice laced with unc

ed, her eyes narrowing. "He won't pass up th

She knew that if Dominic Martelli got his hands on her, there would be no hope of reclaiming

her voice barely audible. "Yo

table, an eyebrow raised in ske

onger with each word. "But you have no idea what I am capable of when c

ffed, turning away. "Your time is up

echoing in the cold chamber. She had only one chance to escape, and it hinged

e that still burned deep within, waiting for the moment when her captors

eatures. He exuded an aura of menace that demanded respect from those who dared to enter his office. A glass of

ackled through the phone, "I have s

his eyes narrowing as he t

ither. Lavinia Mallory, she's ancient and powerful. Unfortunately for her, we've managed to weaken

s power intrigued him. If he could control her, she would become a formidable weapon against h

eplied, his tone measured. "

and she's yours," Selena bargain

strike a favorable deal. "Very well," he agreed. "Sen

won't regret this," Sele

pire and establish himself as the most feared crime lord in the city. But first, he needed to ensure her loyalty

mind already spinning with ideas on how to exploit her vampiric abilities to their fullest potential. He imagine

s eyes as he finished his whiskey. The shadows cast by the dim light seemed

serum, felt every chill deep in her bones as she was roughly hauled out of the vehicle and escorted toward Dominic Martelli's impos

ly as he took her from the hunters and approached the entrance. The man's breath reeked

hissed through gritted teeth, trying to maintain her

Lavinia stumbled but managed to catch herself before falling

grand staircase, watching their arrival with an air of cool detachment. His eyes were d

manded, his voice low an

lway lined with ornate tapestries that seemed to watch her every move. She

der to see Dominic following a short distance behind. H

way Dominic looked her over like a piece of meat. "I'm sure yo

through a concealed door that opened into a hidden stairwell.

avinia growled, her eyes narrowing as they descended into the darkness. Th

mused, vowing to herself that she would

alls were lined with chains and shackles, each glinting menacingly in the pale light. She could fe

mockingly, locking the chain around her ne

he assessed her new prison. It was a far cry from the luxurious existence she'd

her. She looked at the mafia boss and he reached the cell door a moment