Adrian felt the wind rush past him as Eliana carried him across rooftops, her movements unnaturally graceful. He struggled weakly, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened. The world below blurred in his vision as the night stretched on endlessly. His mind raced with questions: What had he become? Why had Eliana done this? And most of all, how could he undo it? They reached the outskirts of the city, where modern skyscrapers gave way to old, derelict warehouses and shadowy streets. Eliana descended with the same grace, landing lightly on her feet in front of a large iron door hidden beneath ivy and cracked stone walls. She set Adrian down gently, though he stumbled, glaring at her as he tried to steady himself. "Eliana, listen to me," he snapped. "I don't know what kind of sick game this is, but I'm not a vampire. I don't belong here."
Eliana sighed, brushing off his protests like they were insignificant. "You'll understand soon enough," she said, pushing the heavy iron door open with a creak. The space inside was nothing like Adrian expected. Instead of a damp, decaying hideout, the interior was a blend of gothic elegance and modern refinement. Dark velvet curtains adorned tall windows, and chandeliers cast a soft glow over antique furniture. It was strangely inviting, though the faint scent of blood lingered in the air.
"Home sweet home," Eliana said, leading him further inside.
Before Adrian could respond, a young man appeared at the top of a winding staircase. His sharp features and icy blue eyes immediately locked onto Adrian. He looked similar to Eliana but with an air of hostility that made Adrian instinctively step back.
"Eliana," the man said, his voice cold and clipped. "Who is this… stranger?"
Adrian tensed as the man descended the stairs, his movements precise and predatory. He looked Adrian up and down with clear disdain, as though trying to figure out why his sister had brought him here.
"Relax, Étienne," Eliana said, rolling her eyes. "This is Adrian. I turned him."
Étienne stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting to disbelief. "You turned him?" he said incredulously. "Have you lost your mind? He's human! Or… was." Adrian's fists clenched, his confusion boiling over into anger. "I'm standing right here, you know. And for the record, I didn't ask for this."
Étienne ignored him entirely, stepping closer to Eliana. "Father is going to have questions. Serious questions. You can't just bring him here like this. He's"
"Enough," Eliana snapped, her voice firm. "I know what I'm doing. You don't have to like it."
Adrian watched their argument unfold, feeling even more out of place. He wanted to say something, but the tension between the siblings was palpable. Étienne finally scoffed and stepped aside, gesturing dismissively toward a set of double doors. "Fine. But don't expect me to clean up your mess," he said coldly. Eliana ignored him and motioned for Adrian to follow her. "Come on. My father's waiting."
Adrian hesitated, still wary, but he followed her through the double doors into a grand study. The room was lined with towering bookshelves and dimly lit by a roaring fireplace. At the center of the room sat a man with an air of authority and quiet composure. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, and his silver hair glinted faintly in the firelight. His crimson eyes were just like Eliana's, but softer, more knowing. "Father," Eliana said with a small bow, her voice respectful. "This is Adrian." The man stood and stepped forward, his movements deliberate and graceful. He studied Adrian for a moment before offering a faint smile. "Welcome, Adrian. My name is Gabriel DeLacroix. Please, make yourself comfortable." Adrian remained standing, his shoulders tense. "I don't want to be comfortable," he said bluntly. "I want answers. And I want to leave." Gabriel tilted his head slightly, as though amused by Adrian's defiance. "Leave? You're welcome to try, but I suspect you'll find that… difficult." "I didn't ask for this," Adrian snapped. "I didn't ask to be turned into… into whatever this is. I just want to go back to my old life." Gabriel sighed softly, gesturing toward a nearby chair. "Sit, Adrian. There's much you need to understand." Reluctantly, Adrian sat, though he kept his gaze locked on Gabriel.
"You cannot go back," Gabriel began. "What has been done cannot be undone. You are no longer human, Adrian. You belong to a different world now."
Adrian shook his head vehemently. "No. I don't belong here. I'm not like you. I'm not "
Before he could finish, Gabriel turned on a large television mounted on the wall. The screen flickered to life, displaying a news broadcast. Adrian's heart sank as he saw his own face on the screen.
"Adrian Moreau, investigative journalist, was pronounced dead today following a violent attack," the anchor reported. "Authorities have ruled out foul play, but details remain unclear. Friends and family are mourning his loss…" Adrian's chest tightened as the broadcast continued, showing footage of a mock funeral with his name etched on the tombstone.
"No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No, this… this isn't real."
Gabriel turned the television off and faced Adrian, his expression calm but firm. "The government has erased you, Adrian. Everything you were your name, your life, your connections has been eliminated. You are dead to the human world." Adrian's breathing quickened as the weight of Gabriel's words sank in. "This can't be happening," he muttered, burying his face in his hands. "This can't be real…" Gabriel placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder, his voice steady. "It's a harsh truth, but one you must accept. You cannot return to what you were. But in time, you may find that this new life offers opportunities you never imagined." Adrian looked up at him, his eyes filled with desperation. "I don't want this life. I just want to be me again." Gabriel's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained resolute. "That life is gone, Adrian. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can begin to understand what you've become and what you are capable of." Adrian didn't respond, his mind a whirlwind of fear, anger, and grief. Eliana watched silently, her expression unreadable as she leaned against the wall.
For Adrian, the world he knew was gone, and the future was a terrifying void.