My life had always been like a lone boat adrift in a vast, endless ocean.§
Until I met Oliver.
He held out his hand and invited me into his world.
“Serena,” he said, “from now on, you have a home.“}
The castle, a place feared by all humans as hell itself was for me, the first place that ever felt safe.}
Felt like home.
Once, I truly believed this place belonged to us. To me and Oliver.
I would light the cold hearths with fire. I’d fill the sunless halls with vibrant, fragrant flowers.
With my presence, the castle bloomed with life.§
But all of that came to an abrupt halt the day Laura arrived.§
Oliver’s heart had shifted though I didn’t know when, or how far.§
He once told me I was the mistress of this castle. He told me Laura’s parents were elite vampire hunters, responsible for killing his most loyal subordinates.
And yet, he brought her back here. Threw her at my feet and said, “From now on, you’ll be in charge of training her into the castle’s lowest–ranking servant.“}
But when he later stripped me of the golden key that symbolized my position as mistress, I finally understood he had been watching in silence all along.&
Every task I gave her, every small chore. He remembered it all.
My mind wandered through a fog of darkness. I couldn’t understand if he had taken back his love for me because of Laura.} Then why now? Why was he desperately trying to summon me back into my own body, to restore my mind and consciousness?? Just as I drifted between awareness and oblivion, a sharp sweet scent of blood pulled me awake.}
My nose twitched.
This blood wasn’t from Oliver, it was human.}
I opened my eyes in an instant, my vision glowing red.
Standing nearby, Laura held her injured arm, a smug smile playing on her lips.
“Well, well,” she sneered. “Did the thirst wake you up?“>
“Serena, I brought a mirror. You should take a good look at yourself. Look at what you’ve become. A filthy beast. A dog.“} But I didn’t hear her mockery. All I could think about was how thirsty I was.
So, so thirsty.
I tried to move toward her, but my body was still weak. I rolled slightly in her direction, then fell off the bed with a dull thud. Laura’s smile deepened as she watched me struggle in pathetic exhaustion.
“You really want my blood, don’t you?” she cooed.}
“If you crawl over here like a good little dog, I might be generous enough to give you a taste.“}]
I had no strength left. My body trembled as I dragged myself toward her.”
She took a slow step back. Then another. Just enough to keep herself out of reach.
Her voice dripped with cruelty.
“Good girl, just a little further.”
Finally, Laura’s back hit the red wall of the room, no more space to retreat.
I leaned closer, nose twitching at the intoxicating scent of her blood.
But just as I reached her, she suddenly smiled with triumph and let out a piercing scream.§
The door burst open.
Oliver stood at the threshold.}
Tears streamed down Laura’s face as she pointed to me, voice trembling with just the right amount of helplessness.
“Oliver. I was just worried. I came to check on her. But Serena forced me against the wall and bit me!”
Oliver’s eyes immediately locked onto the deep bite marks on her arm.§
His gaze darkened, heavy and unreadable.}}
But instead of turning on me, he furrowed his brow and snapped at Laura.§
“I told you,” he growled, “no one is to enter this room. No one, unless it’s me.”
Laura froze, stunned by his rebuke. Her eyes brimmed with tears again.§
“I’m sorry, Oliver,” she said softly. “I know you’ve been using your own blood to sustain Serena all this time. I was just worried about you.” Then, with a trembling pout, she added, “If you never give me a First Embrace, will I become like Serena too? A low–class vampire?“}
