Kalix's voice was like steel, cutting through the tension in the room.
"Stay away from her, Diana."
I turned to look at him, my heart pounding in my chest. How could I have doubted him? For some unknown reason, deep within me, I knew—Kalix would always protect me.
The air in the room was thick, suffocating.
Diana's lips curled into a knowing smirk; her sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why so possessive? She's not even your pack member."
Kalix's grip on my hand tightened, his fingers warm and grounding. His next words sent a shiver down my spine.
"She is off-limits."
The male vampire emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with fluid grace. He was an exact replica of Diana—with the same sharp features and eerie stillness. Siblings?
His dark gaze flickered to me, unreadable but intense. He didn't smirk like Diana; instead, his expression held something else. Curiosity? Calculation?
"Apologies for her... enthusiasm," he said smoothly, his voice velvety, yet laced with an underlying danger. "She tends to forget herself around fresh blood."
Then his expression darkened slightly, and his eyes cut to Kalix.
"And you promised us blood."
I stiffened.
My mind raced, trying to make sense of his words. Promised them blood? What did that mean? I pressed myself closer to Kalix, my fingers tightening around his arm, peeking from behind him to get a better look at the two vampires.
It wasn't every day that I encountered a vampire. My entire life, vampires had been nothing but horror stories told by elders, whispers of war and bloodshed. Most of the time, when a werewolf met a vampire, only one survived.
But times were changing.
Treaties between species were forming. The old ways were shifting. And yet, standing here, in a room with two vampires whose mere presence sent chills down my spine, I couldn't help but wonder…
What are they doing here?
I met the male vampire's gaze head-on, unblinking. His pupils dilated ever so slightly, as if reading my thoughts, holding me hostage in their abyss-like depths.
Fascinating.
Despite the danger, despite the fact that my life had almost been drained from me moments ago, I couldn't stop staring.
"I am Sebastian Blackthorne, and this is my sister, Diana Blackthorne," he introduced smoothly.
His voice was velvety, laced with an eerie kind of charm. He smiled—a small, placating smile. The kind you give to a child to keep them from being afraid.
My eyes narrowed.
Does he think I'm a child?
Still half-hidden behind Kalix, I answered cautiously. "Celia."
Sebastian tilted his head slightly as if savoring the name. "Celia means moon. You do look like a moon."
I blinked, caught off guard by his words. He had gone from menacing to strangely charming in a matter of moments.
How did he go from predator to poet in seconds?
Before I could filter my words, I muttered, "I'm just glad I don't look like a snack to you."
The room fell silent.
Sebastian and Diana both stared at me, their expressions unreadable. A sharp tension filled the air.
Then, unexpectedly, Sebastian threw his head back and laughed. A rich, genuine laugh—so unlike the controlled smiles he'd been giving me before.
I exhaled a quiet breath of relief. Good. He has a sense of humor.
Kalix, however, was far from amused. His jaw was locked, his eyes sharp and assessing. His patience with the Blackthorne siblings was clearly wearing thin.
"James!" Kalix called, his voice commanding.
A werewolf entered the room swiftly, bowing his head slightly.
"You know where to take them," Kalix instructed, his tone final. A clear dismissal.
James turned to the vampires. "Please follow me."
Diana rolled her eyes but complied, sauntering past with an air of indifference.
Sebastian, however, lingered.
He turned to me, his lips curving into a slow, knowing smile. There was something dangerous in his eyes—something that made my breath hitch.
"Let's meet again, Celia."
His voice carried a promise, one that sent an uneasy shiver down my spine.