Chapter 0158

7 Years Ago

Tobias kept his promise. After six months, a burner phone arrived. He updated us regularly—pack movements, the relentless search for our family. Gradually, the hunt lost its urgency, though it never truly ceased.

We remained cautious. Lived quietly. But we were content.

Mother homeschooled me, turning the wilderness into my classroom. Father trained me daily. As a Guardian, my strength outpaced others my age. By sixteen, our sparring matches ended in equal victories.

That spring afternoon began like any other. Mother and I returned from gathering medicinal plants—herbs Father believed would enhance Valeria's growth.

Then everything shattered.

Father burst from the cabin, a duffel bag slung across his shoulder. "They're here. We leave NOW."

No questions asked. We shifted instantly. The bag landed between my jaws as we fled northward, skirting familiar territory lines.

An hour into our escape, the howl came. They'd picked up our scent.

We pushed harder. Crossed streams. Dove through lakes. Anything to break our trail. When Mother faltered near midnight, Father found a cave.

"Seraphina, guard your mother." His mind-link was tense. "I'll scout the perimeter."

The frantic message came too soon. "RUN! Vampire nest! Go NOW!"

The sickly-sweet stench hit my nostrils as we exited. I pivoted away, Mother at my heels. We'd barely covered a mile when the scent intensified. I changed course.

Again. And again.

Until realization struck—we were encircled.

The vampire emerged from shadowed pines with predatory grace. "Well, well." His crimson gaze flicked between us. "Related to the mongrel we caught, I presume?"

My blood turned to ice as two figures dragged Father into the clearing. Human form. Barely alive. Mother tensed. "Don't move," I mind-linked.

"Mate and... pup?" The vampire tilted his head. "Pity your blood tastes foul. I do enjoy them young."

His order came like a guillotine's drop. "Kill them."

Father's head rolled before the command fully registered. As the second vampire lunged for Mother, I moved faster than thought—ripping off his arm, then his head with a single slash.

The clearing erupted into chaos.