"Fear isn't born in darkness; it's born in the presence of something far more powerful than yourself." By the Divine
The morning sun poured through the massive glass windows of the penthouse, casting warm golden rays over the dining area. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the buttery aroma of bread and scrambled eggs. Leviathan leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze fixed on the view of the city below.
Sophia shuffled in, tying her robe as she approached the table. "Morning," she murmured, her eyes heavy with sleep.
Lotan was already seated, sipping his coffee and scrolling through his phone. "Morning," he replied absently.
Sophia's brow furrowed as she scanned the table. "Where's Alice?"
Leviathan's gaze flicked toward her, his expression unreadable. "She should be in the room with you"
Lotan glanced up, his usual humor absent. "She wouldn't skip breakfast. Maybe she woke up earlier than you today" he said motioning to Sophia.
Sophia frowned, a flicker of concern settling in her chest. "I'll check the training room" she said, setting her cup down.
She returned minutes later, her face pale. "She's not there"
Lotan put his cup down, his expression sharpening. "Maybe she just went out early okay? Did she say anything last night?"
Sophia shook her head. "No, she didn't. And her phone is on her nightstand."
Leviathan stood slowly "She wouldn't leave without telling someone. Not after last month."
The air in the room grew heavy, tension palpable as silence stretched. Sophia's mind raced through every possible explanation, but none seemed to fit. Alice was cautious, especially after the events with the portal.
Lotan rubbed his temples. "We were supposed to leave for Las Vegas today," he muttered. "She was excited about it."
Sophia glanced at Leviathan. "Could she have been?"
"No," Leviathan cut in, his tone cold. "No one would dare take her from under my roof."
Sophia flinched slightly at his tone but didn't back down. "Then where is she, Levi?"
Leviathan's jaw tightened, his glowing eyes narrowing. "We'll find her. Lotan, contact anyone you can to help us find her. If someone took Alice, they've signed their death warrant."
The words hung in the air like a promise, leaving Sophia with a mix of relief and apprehension.
Lotan made a call before returning to the dining lounge. "I just contacted a witch friend of mine, she said she could help us find Alice, so we have to head over now" Lotan said and they all stood up and followed Lotan to the car.
"Remind me why we are taking the care again Lotan" Leviathan asked as he entered the back seat "You can't always fly through the sky if Seattle and no one will notice, a blogger might just be playing with the zoom function of his phone and he will find you flying" Lotan said as he entered the driver's seat "Does he matter, no one will believe him anyway" Leviathan said "You both should shut up and let's focus on the issue at hand" Sophia said angrily and the all kept quiet
The witch, was a middle-aged woman with wild, unkempt hair and a penchant for speaking in riddles, led the trio into her cluttered living room. Books on esoteric knowledge were stacked in for of towers on tables, and herbs hung drying from the ceiling beams, filling the air with an earthy scent.
Lotan followed closely behind her, his expression unreadable. Sophia, however, couldn't help but glance nervously at the odd assortment of jars and talismans scattered about. Leviathan, standing stiffly at the doorway, was visibly impatient.
"Who's the one you're looking for?" the witch asked, her voicefilled with curiosity. She peered at each of them, her eyes finally landing on Sophia.
"Her name's Alice," Sophia said quickly, stepping forward. "She's a friend of ours. She went missing this morning."
The witch smirked. "A friend, you say? This spell isn't cheap, you know."
Lotan sighed and handed her a thick envelope. "This will more than cover it. Now, do you have everything you need?"
The witch eyed the envelope with satisfaction before placing it on a nearby shelf. "Almost. I need something of hers. Something that holds her energy."
Sophia blinked, then hurriedly reached into her pocket and pulled out a bracelet. "She gave this to me last week. Will this work?"
The witch inspected the bracelet, then nodded. "This will do." She gestured toward Leviathan. "But he can't stay here."
Leviathan raised an eyebrow, his annoyance visible. "And why not?"
"Your energy disrupts the spell," she replied curtly. "It's too powerful and too chaotic. It like destruction in its raw form so If you stay, I can't guarantee results."
Lotan placed a hand on Leviathan's shoulder. "Just wait outside, Leviathan. We need this spell to work."
With a frustrated sigh, Leviathan turned and stepped out, the door shutting behind him.
"Why is he so impatient and frustrated today" Sophia asked "I don't know" Lotan said shrugging his shoulders
The witch moved swiftly, lighting candles and arranging a series of crystals in a circular pattern on the floor. She placed the bracelet at the center and began chanting in a language unfamiliar to Sophia. The air grew thick with energy, the flames on the candles flickering unnaturally.
Suddenly, the crystals began to glow, and a faint image started to form in the air above the bracelet—a dark, ornate manor surrounded by dense fog.
"That's where she is," the witch said, her tone triumphant. "The Vampire's Manor."
Sophia felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at the image, her heart sinking. Lotan exchanged a grim look with her before turning to the witch.
"Thank you. That's all we needed."
The witch smirked. "Good luck. You're going to need it."
They stepped outside to find Leviathan pacing all around the porch"Well?" he demanded.
Lotan met his brother's intense gaze. "She's in the Vampire's Manor."
Leviathan's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "I have been wanting to pay them a visit since I got here."
The car sped through the darkened streets of Seattle, the city's skyline fading into the rearview mirror as they headed toward the outskirts. Lotan's hands gripped the wheel tightly, his jaw clenched as his sharp eyes scanned the road ahead.
Sophia sat in the passenger seat, absently rubbing the bracelet Alice had given her. Her mind raced as she kept thinking about what could have happened to Alice. "Why would the vampires do this? I thought they stayed out of Leviathan's way."
Lotan let out a dry chuckle. "They don't get involved with things like this until someone powerful enough forces their hand."
Sophia shot him a sharp look. "You think someone is pulling the strings?"
Lotan nodded. "Of course, it's Clarisse. She has influence over them, whether through fear, power, or some twisted agreement. She's always playing the long game."
Leviathan, seated in the back, remained silent, his glowing eyes fixed on the road ahead. The faint hum of the pressure he released filled the car as a constant reminder of his presence. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes.
Sophia turned slightly in her seat, her voice softer. "Levi, you've been quiet. What are you thinking?"
Leviathan's gaze didn't waver. "That I shouldn't have let my guard down."
"If you are saying that what do you want me to say. She was sleeping right beside me and they took her without waking me up" Sophia argued. "You couldn't have known this would happen."
Leviathan's eyes flicked to her, glowing faintly in the dim light of the car. "It's my responsibility to know. Alice is a mortal and she is under my protection. And now she's in their hands."
The weight of his words hung in the air, silencing any further argument. Sophia looked away, her hand tightening around the bracelet.
The forest loomed ahead, its dense trees swallowing the moonlight. The road became narrower, the atmosphere shifting as they approached the vampires' territory. The air felt colder, heavier, as though the forest itself was warning them to turn back.
Lotan slowed the car, his sharp gaze darting between the trees. "We're close. The manor's just beyond this stretch."
Sophia shivered, rubbing her arms. "It feel weird. It's like we're being watched."
Leviathan leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "That's because we are. They know we're coming."
The car emerged from the tree line, revealing a sprawling estate surrounded by high iron gates. The Vampire Manor stood at the center, its dark silhouette illuminated by faint, crimson lights glowing from its windows. It was an imposing structure, its gothic spires piercing the night sky like jagged teeth.
The gates creaked open as they approached, the sound echoing eerily in the stillness. Lotan parked the car just outside the courtyard, his eyes narrowing.
"They're rolling out the red carpet," he muttered, stepping out of the car.
Sophia hesitated, glancing at Leviathan as he exited. "This doesn't feel like a trap to you?"
Leviathan smirked, his expression cold. "If it is, they'll regret setting it."
The trio crossed the threshold into the courtyard, the crunch of gravel under their feet the only sound. Shadows moved in the windows above, figures watching their every step.
"They're definitely nervous," Lotan murmured, his hand hovering near his weapon.
"Good," Leviathan replied. "They should be."
The grand doors of the manor opened with a slow, deliberate groan, revealing the vampire leader flanked by a dozen of his kind. He was tall and pale, his sharp features accentuated by the faint crimson glow emanating from the chandeliers above.
"Leviathan," the leader greeted, his voice smooth and dripping with false cordiality. "To what do we owe this… visit?"
Leviathan's wings remained retracted, but the sheer force of his presence filled the room as he stepped forward. "You have something of mine. Where is Alice?"
The leader's smirk faltered for a moment before returning. "Ah, the mortal girl. I'm afraid you're mistaken. She's not here."
Sophia's fists clenched, and Lotan stepped closer to her side. Leviathan, however, didn't flinch. His glowing eyes bore into the vampire leader, unblinking.
"Let me make this simple," Leviathan said, his voice a low growl. "You give her back, and I leave. If you don't…"
The leader chuckled nervously, but his confidence wavered as Leviathan's energy began to ripple through the room. The other vampires shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between their leader and the intruders.
"You can't do anything Leviathan. There are over hundred of us here and you think you can defeat us all" The vampire leader said and Leviathan took a step forward and all the vampires behind him moved backwards
"I think your underlings know I can" Leviathan said mocking the vampire leader "We do not fear you" the vampire leader said and his showed his fangs threatening at Leviathan
"I'll advise you not to do that, he isn't in a very good mood" Lotan said and the vampire leader bared his fangs at him too. "Okay, fine I'll back off but when he acts don't say I didn't warn you" Lotan said "We didn't come here to fight with you" Sophia said as she walked out from behind Leviathan
"We don't want to fight with you mortal and we have no business with the girl. Just tell him to surrender and we will give the girl to you safe and sound, I can promise you that no harm will come to her" the vampire leader said and Leviathan began laughing from anger
"You speak of going again me like you are capable of defeating me, it will be a miracle if you manage to keep your life after you battle with me" Leviathan said as his eyes became an intense red colour. "I'm not sure if what you said is possible, isn't there any alternative method" Sophia asked and the Vampire leader smiled
"Of course there is" the vampire leader said "What is it" Sophia asked and the vampire leader's smile grew bigger "We take you as hostage" the vampire leader said and one his vampire made his move to capture Sophia. Before the vampire could get anywhere near Sophia Leviathan already ripped it apart
"You are dead" Leviathan said in anger as lightning striked in the sky and then he made his first attack.
(To be continued)
(A/N: I hope you all are enjoying the novel at this point so please drop a chapter comment for me and recommend the novel to help me get more collections and also do not forget to vote for me with your power stones, keep on supporting me and I'll provide you with perfect chapters to read.)