The room was thick with tension, the air almost crackling with the energy of the three women surrounding Julian. He stood frozen in the middle, his mind reeling as he tried to process the chaos that had overtaken his life in just the past day.
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Seraphina's crimson eyes burned like fire as she watched Eve and Lila, her smile widening with every passing second. The vampire exuded power, a force that seemed to wrap itself around Julian, making his heart pound faster.
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"Quite the gathering you've attracted, Julian," Seraphina said, her voice silky smooth. She stepped forward, her movements so fluid it was almost as if she glided across the floor. "A hunter," she glanced at Eve with mild amusement, "and a half-blood." Her eyes flicked toward Lila. "All of them trying to protect you. How touching."
"Stay back!" Lila hissed, her fangs bared. She moved in front of Julian, her posture protective. "He's under my protection now."
Seraphina's laughter rang out, cold and mocking. "Your protection? How quaint. You think you can stop me?" Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint appearing in her gaze. "I've been walking this earth for centuries, half-blood. You're nothing more than a child playing at being a vampire."
"Don't underestimate her," Eve interjected, stepping up beside Lila. "Or me."
Seraphina's smile didn't waver. "I'm not underestimating anyone. But I do find it amusing that you both think you can stand between me and what's mine."
Julian's voice cracked as he finally spoke. "What... what do you want from me?"
Seraphina turned her full attention to him, her gaze softening slightly. "Ah, Julian. So innocent. So unaware." She stepped closer, and this time neither Eve nor Lila moved to stop her. "You have something inside you. Something rare. Something special. And I'm going to make sure it belongs to me."
Julian swallowed hard, his throat dry. "What are you talking about? I'm just—"
"—just a human?" Seraphina cut him off, her lips curling into a smirk. "No, Julian. You're far more than that. And soon, you'll understand. But first..." She glanced at Eve and Lila. "These distractions need to be dealt with."
Julian's heart raced as Seraphina raised her hand. He could feel the shift in the atmosphere—a dark energy building in the room. Before she could make a move, Eve's knife flashed in the air. In an instant, she lunged at Seraphina, her blade aimed straight for the vampire's chest.
But Seraphina was faster.
With a blur of movement, she sidestepped the attack, grabbing Eve by the wrist and twisting her arm behind her back. Eve grimaced in pain but didn't back down. She kicked at Seraphina's legs, trying to free herself, but the vampire's grip was like iron.
"You're persistent," Seraphina said with a cruel smile. "I'll give you that."
Before Seraphina could tighten her grip, Lila was suddenly there, moving with a speed and strength that caught even the ancient vampire off guard. Lila slammed into Seraphina, forcing her to release Eve. The two vampires collided in a flurry of movement, their strength evenly matched, but the intensity in Seraphina's eyes told Julian she was just toying with Lila.
"You can't stop me," Seraphina whispered, her voice almost affectionate as she grabbed Lila by the throat and tossed her across the room. Lila crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, and for a terrifying moment, she didn't move.
Julian's stomach lurched. "Lila!"
Seraphina turned back to Julian, her face now devoid of any pretense of kindness. "She's not dead. Yet."
Julian's hands balled into fists, adrenaline surging through his veins, but he knew he was powerless. He didn't have the strength, the skills, or the knowledge to fight someone like Seraphina. She was beyond anything he could handle, and the two women who had tried to protect him were barely holding their own.
But Eve wasn't done yet.
With a roar, Eve charged at Seraphina again, her eyes filled with fury. This time, she moved with a speed that surprised even Seraphina. Their bodies collided, and Eve drove her knife into Seraphina's side.
For a brief moment, Seraphina's face twisted in pain, her composure slipping as she stumbled back, clutching her wound. Eve grinned, triumphant, but her victory was short-lived.
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"You think that will stop me?" Seraphina hissed, her voice laced with venom. She yanked the blade from her side, the wound already beginning to heal. "You're just delaying the inevitable."
Julian could see the exhaustion in Eve's eyes. She was strong, but Seraphina was something else entirely—an ancient force, a predator that had hunted for centuries. And she was growing impatient.
With a flick of her wrist, Seraphina sent Eve flying across the room, her body crashing into the same wall Lila had been thrown against. Eve slumped to the ground, her knife clattering to the floor beside her.
Seraphina turned back to Julian, her expression one of dark triumph. "Now, where were we?"
He backed up until he hit the wall, fear gripping him like a vice. "What do you want from me?" he asked again, his voice trembling.
Seraphina's eyes softened as she approached, her tone almost tender. "You'll understand soon, Julian. You're special. There's something inside you that makes you... different. And I want it."
"What... what do you mean?"
Seraphina reached out, her hand brushing against his cheek, and for a moment, the touch was almost comforting. "Your blood, Julian. It's unlike anything I've tasted in centuries. It's powerful. And if I have you, no one will be able to stop me."
Julian's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't know what she meant, but the hunger in her eyes made it clear—she wasn't going to stop until she had him.
Suddenly, the room darkened, and a gust of cold wind blew through the window. Julian looked up just in time to see Lila rise to her feet, her eyes glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. Her once-kind expression had vanished, replaced by something raw and primal.
"You won't have him, Seraphina," Lila growled, her voice deeper, more commanding than before. "Not while I'm still standing."
Seraphina's smile widened, clearly relishing the challenge. "Then come and try, little half-blood."
And with that, the battle erupted once more.