Jackson's eyes flickered for a brief moment, the intensity in his gaze softening as he took a step closer. Henry, who had been standing by the door, shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting between Jackson and Aria. He sighed deeply, as if he had been waiting for this question to surface.
"It's not what you think, Aria," Henry said quietly, his voice filled with an unusual amount of hesitation. "Jackson and I... we have a history. We've known each other for a long time, longer than you can imagine."
Aria's confusion deepened. A history? What did that mean? Why hadn't she ever known about this before? Henry had always been so secretive about everything—now it seemed like there was so much more to the story than she had been told. And Jackson... Jackson was a part of it.
Jackson took a deep breath and spoke again, his voice low and steady, as though trying to break down the wall Aria had built around herself. "We've crossed paths more times than I can count, Aria. Your family and mine, we're... connected in ways that you don't fully understand yet. But you will. Soon."
Aria shook her head, her mind spinning with questions. Connected? What did that mean? And how did it tie into what Henry had told her about her heritage? She felt the weight of the words in her chest, the pressure building as she tried to make sense of it all.
"Why didn't you tell me, Uncle?" she asked, her voice trembling. She had always trusted her uncle, but now everything felt like a lie. He had kept so much from her, and now, standing in front of her, was Jackson—someone she barely knew—telling her they were connected.
Henry avoided her gaze, his expression tightening. "I wasn't sure how to explain it, Aria. You weren't ready. I never wanted to burden you with it. But now…" He hesitated, clearly weighing his words. "Now, you're becoming part of something much bigger. You're awakening, Aria. And we can't hide from the truth anymore."
Aria's breath caught in her throat. "Awakening? What does that even mean?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. It felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling, and she was powerless to stop it.
Jackson stepped closer, closing the distance between them, his presence overwhelming. "It means that the transition you're going through is just the beginning, Aria. Your powers, your heritage... it's all coming to the surface. Your family's history, our history, it's all tied together. You can't escape it."
Her chest tightened as Jackson's words echoed in her mind. Powers? Heritage? The weight of it all was too much, and Aria could feel herself unraveling. She didn't want this. She didn't want to be part of whatever twisted web of secrets Henry and Jackson were involved in.
"But I don't want this," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I didn't ask for any of this. Why me?"
Henry reached out, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. "You were born into this, Aria. You're a Velmoryn, whether you like it or not. There's nothing I can do to change that. But I will help you, I will guide you through this. You don't have to go through all of this alone."
Jackson nodded, his expression softening with a hint of empathy. "This isn't just about survival. It's about control, Aria. You need to learn how to control your powers, your instincts. You're stronger than you realize."
A flicker of doubt crossed Aria's mind. Control. Could she really control this hunger, this strange power that was now coursing through her veins? She wasn't even sure she could control her emotions, let alone something as dangerous as... whatever she was becoming.
"And what about you, Jackson? Are you a Velmoryn too?" Aria asked, staring at his eyes, not even blinking one bit, with eyes full of curiosity.
"No, I am not. I am a hybrid, I have werewolf and vampire blood coursing through my veins. But, unlike you, I am part of the Umbralyth lineage, second to the powerful Velmoryns. I possess different abilities, but not as advanced and powerful as yours. " Jackson said.
Aria's brow furrowed in confusion as she tried to process Jackson's words. "So, you're not a Velmoryn?" she asked, her voice trailing off as if testing the words. "Then what does that even mean? What's the difference between us?" She glanced at him, trying to make sense of everything, but her mind felt foggy, like she was grasping at something just out of reach.
Her eyes locked onto his, searching for answers, but all she found was uncertainty. "Velmoryns, Umbralyths... are we all just... different kinds of... creatures?" She shook her head, trying to sort through her thoughts. "What does it mean to be a Velmoryn? What makes me... different?"
The questions poured out, her voice quivering with the weight of confusion. "And what do you mean by your abilities not being as advanced as mine? What does that even mean? How am I supposed to know what I'm supposed to do with all of this?" She gestured vaguely to herself, the panic creeping into her chest again as she tried to come to terms with the truth.
"Help me understand, Jackson," she pleaded, her eyes searching his. "Why is this all so complicated?" She looked at her uncle with a puzzled face, her eyes on the brink of crying.
Jackson hesitated for a moment before speaking, his tone measured but calm. "I know this is a lot to take in, Aria, but I'll try to explain." He glanced at Henry, who nodded in silent agreement.
"Velmoryns, Umbralyths, and Noctivanas are all different types of vampires, each with their own abilities and hierarchy. The Velmoryns—like you—are the most powerful of us all. They're rare, almost legendary. You possess incredible strength, speed, mind control, visions, and—most importantly—control over blood itself. You are the bloodline's future, Aria. You can bend the very essence of life to your will. That's what makes you a Velmoryn."
Aria's eyes widened as she processed the words. "So... I'm like... a queen or something?"
Jackson gave a small, rueful smile. "In a way, yes. But it's not as glamorous as it sounds. The responsibility is immense, and if you don't learn to control your powers, it could consume you."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "The Umbralyths, like me, are powerful, but we're not in the same league. We have abilities like mind control, sharp eyes, shadow manipulation and mind influence and because of my werewolf blood, I also possess incredible strength.. We're strong, but not on the same level as Velmoryns. The Noctivanas are the weakest of us all. They're like... the foot soldiers. They have basic vampire abilities, strength, and speed, but they lack the more advanced traits. The Velmoryns are the ruling class, and Umbralyths and Noctivanas fall below them in status."
Aria's mind raced as she tried to digest everything he was saying. "So, are Velmoryns the top? And everyone else just... follows?" she asked, trying to connect the dots.
"Yes," Jackson said softly. "But power comes with its own dangers. Every vampire type has its own strength and weaknesses, even the Velmoryns. Sometimes, the power also depends on the abilities of the parents. And you, Aria, are in the midst of awakening to all of it." His gaze softened, and he took a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're special, Aria, but you're not invincible."
Henry finally spoke up, his voice full of quiet concern. "It's true that you're a Velmoryn, Aria. But that means more than just power. It means you'll have enemies, people who want to control you or destroy you. Your family, me and your father, Viktor, have kept you hidden from all of that, hoping to protect you. But you can't stay in the dark forever."
Aria swallowed hard, her throat tight. "And... you? You're not a Velmoryn, but you know about all of this?" asking Jackson while gazing into his eyes.
Jackson nodded. "I've known for a long time. I'm an Umbralyth, yes, but I have my own reasons for being here. I won't let anyone hurt you, Aria. But you have to be ready to face what's coming."
The weight of the truth was suffocating. Aria's heart pounded as she tried to come to terms with her new reality. "I don't know if I can handle all of this," she whispered, her hands trembling.
Jackson's gaze softened with empathy, "we'll be with you every step of the way,"