Edward, Emily's grandfather, sat in his study, surrounded by ancient tomes and flickering candles. His mind wandered to the past, to the days before Emily's birth.
He had sought out the wise woman, Ariana, to uncover the secrets of his granddaughter's future.
Ariana's words still echoed in his mind:
"Emily's fate is intertwined with the balance of power in both realms. Her existence can alter the course of history."
Edward's eyes clouded with concern.
He had lost his daughter and son-in-law, and the weight of protecting Emily fell upon him.
He vowed to shield her from the unknown dangers lurking in the shadows.
But now, a sense of foreboding settled in his chest.
What he had protected Emily from had finally caught up with her.
Edward's thoughts racing, he recalled the measures he took to keep Emily safe:
No revealing her true heritage.
No displaying her potential.
No attracting unwanted attention.
All to ensure a peaceful life, free from the prying eyes of those who would exploit her gifts.
In the human realm, they would experiment on her, probing the source of her power.
In the vampire realm, she would be a war tool, used and discarded without remorse.
Edward's heart ached.
He wanted the best for Emily: a life without fear, without constant vigilance.
But fate had other plans.
As the darkness closed in, Edward's phone rang, shrill in the silence.
"Edward, it's Axel. I've found something. Emily's in danger."
Edward's world crumbled.
"What is it?"
Axel's voice was laced with urgency.
"Victor, the vampire king, has her. I don't know why, but I know it's connected to the prophecy."
Edward's eyes widened.
The prophecy.
The very thing he had protected Emily from.
"Find her, Axel. Bring her home."
The line went dead.
Edward's determination ignited.
He would stop at nothing to save his granddaughter.
The clock ticked, each passing moment a reminder:
Time was running out.
Leo's anger boiled over as he gazed at Rebecca, Emily's aunt, sleeping soundly on the cold, tiled floor.
"Take her to my underground treatment room," he growled at his bodyguards.
They swiftly carried her away, leaving Leo seething.
Rebecca's husband had abandoned her, fearing the consequences of her treachery.
Leo's eyes blazed with fury.
"I'll interrogate her myself. How dare she disrupt my plan?"
His hand clenched tightly, drawing blood.
In the dungeon, the bodyguards secured Rebecca to a computerized chair, clipping her hands and legs.
"She shouldn't have messed with the devil," one guard whispered.
The lights extinguished, plunging the room into darkness.
Meanwhile, Leo contacted Emily's grandfather, Edward.
"Greetings, Mr. Edward. I'm Leonardo, a friend of Emily's. By any chance, do you know where she might be?"
Edward's pause was palpable.
"Not bad, young prince," Edward said finally. "I didn't know how you did it, but she trusted you instead of me. Asked you for money and even slept at your place. How annoying and stressful."
Leo's laughter erupted, tinged with anger.
"You're monitoring a grown woman, and I sense you're a strong wizard. You hid yourself well."
Edward's tone shifted.
"Not bad, young prince. I was once a wizard working for the vampire royal family, but not anymore."
The two engaged in a tense, hours-long conversation.
Finally, they reached an agreement: to collaborate silently in searching for Emily, avoiding dangerous attention.
"I'll find her, Edward," Leo assured.
"And I'll ensure she's safe from those who seek to harm her," Edward added.
Their unlikely alliance forged, they began their clandestine search.
But Victor, the vampire king, remained one step ahead.
And Emily, trapped in the vampire realm, was running out of time.
Leo materialized in the dungeon, his presence commanding attention. Rebecca, Emily's aunt, glared at him with defiance.
"So, you're awake," Leo said, his voice low and even.
Rebecca spat at his feet.
"You'll never find Emily."
Leo's eyes narrowed.
"I don't want to torture you, Rebecca. But your stubbornness leaves me no choice."
Rebecca's smile twisted.
"You'll never break me."
Leo's jaw clenched.
He didn't relish causing pain, but Rebecca's resentment had clouded her mind.
With swift precision, Leo struck Rebecca, and she crumpled.
He pulled out her nails, one by one, until she screamed.
"Stop! Please!"
Leo's face remained impassive.
"Tell me, Rebecca. What did Victor promise you?"
Rebecca's eyes welled with tears.
"He...he said he'd take Emily to the vampire realm...make her life hell...and come to rescue her as a savior."
Leo's grip tightened.
"What else?"
Rebecca's voice trembled.
"He didn't say...said I was unworthy to know...please..."
Leo's eyes blazed.
"Unworthy?"
Rebecca nodded, crying in agony.
"Yes...he said Emily's fate was sealed...and I'd watch her suffer."
Leo's face darkened.
"What's Victor's ultimate goal?"
Rebecca's whispers grew incoherent.
"Can't...tell...you...please..."
Suddenly, Rebecca's eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Leo's gaze lingered on her broken form.
He knew Victor's plan was more sinister than he'd imagined.
As Leo turned to leave, a faint whisper echoed through the dungeon.
"Leo...find...Emily...before...it's...too...late."
Leo spun around, but Rebecca lay motionless.
Was it a trick, or a genuine warning?
Leo's heart pounded.
He had to find Emily, no matter the cost.
With newfound urgency, Leo vanished into the night planning to depart from the human realm...####
##Emily pov:##
I stumbled out of the carriage, my knees and hands scraping against the cold stone floor. The other girls and I were hastily pushed out, our elegant dresses replaced with long, oppressive maid gowns. The corset pressed against my breasts, accentuating them in a way that made me uncomfortable.
As I stood, dusting my hands, I noticed the envious glances from the other girls. Their gazes lingered on my breasts, and I felt a surge of annoyance.
Can't they see what's happening? We're being forced into being servants!
The head maid, Mrs. Blackwood, shouted, "Up, everyone! We don't have all day! Let's get moving!"
The girls scrambled to their feet, and I followed, trying to process our situation.
Mrs. Blackwood began assigning tasks, her voice firm and unyielding.
"You, Emily, will attend to Lord Lucas's chambers. Ensure everything is immaculate. You'll also assist in the kitchen, washing glasses and dishes."
Lord Lucas? Leo's younger brother?
I nodded, trying to commit the tasks to memory.
As I followed Mrs. Blackwood and the other maids, I caught glimpses of the opulent vampire palace. Grand chandeliers, velvet drapes, and ornate furnishings seemed to whisper tales of dark secrets and ancient power.
We reached the kitchen, where a stern-faced cook awaited.
"Welcome, new maids. You'll learn quickly. Failure won't be tolerated."
I began washing dishes, my mind racing.
How did I end up here?
What does Victor plan for me?
And where is Leo?
As I worked, I sensed eyes upon me.
Lord Lucas, Leo's brother, stood in the doorway, his gaze fixed on me.
I felt a shiver run down my spine.
What did he want?
And why did his eyes seem to hold a hint of curiosity?
Emily rembered everything perfectly but planned to pretend she doesn't ..
Emily's hands moved swiftly, washing and rinsing the dishes with precision. She was lost in thought, replaying her capture and the events that led her to this moment. As she finished her tasks, Mrs. Blackwood directed her to attend to Lord Lucas's chambers.
Emily made her way to the room, her heart racing. She had heard whispers about Lord Lucas, Leo's younger brother. Rumors of his cruelty and ruthlessness sent shivers down her spine.
As she entered the room, she began making the bed and tidying up. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Lord Lucas emerged, dripping wet. He was wiping his hair with a towel, his eyes fixed on her.
Emily's instincts screamed at her to flee, but she froze, unsure of what to do. Lord Lucas's gaze lingered on her, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"Ah, cute bunny," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You could help me dry my hair. Don't leave. Get used to your new master, won't you?"
Emily's skin crawled, but she knew she had to maintain her disguise. She quietly took the towel from him and began drying his hair, her movements swift and efficient.
Lord Lucas closed his eyes, relaxing into the chair. Emily saw her chance and made a move to leave, but Lord Lucas's eyes snapped open.
"Stay," he commanded, his voice firm.
Emily hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Lord Lucas's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, and she sensed a trap.
"I'm done with my tasks, milord," she said, attempting to sound subservient.
Lord Lucas chuckled. "I think you'll find you're not done with me yet, Emily."
Emily's heart sank. Had he discovered her true identity? She kept her expression neutral, waiting for his next move.
"Tell me, Emily," Lord Lucas said, his voice low and husky. "What do you think of your new home?"
Emily's response was cautious. "It's...impressive, milord."
Lord Lucas's smile grew wider. "I'm glad you think so. You'll grow accustomed to our ways here."
As Emily stood frozen, Lord Lucas's gaze roamed over her, sending shivers down her spine. She knew she had to tread carefully, or risk being discovered.
What would Lord Lucas do next? Would Emily's disguise hold, or would she be exposed to the dangers lurking within the vampire walls