Chapter 48

Deep within Divina's heart, a sense of desolation had never weighed so heavily before. She tossed aside the sheets and rose from her bed, her bare feet padding silently across the room as she approached the window. Gently, she pulled back the curtains and gazed out into the dense forest that lurked at the edge of her grandfather's estate. Despite the quiet serenity of the night, she couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. Letting out a long sigh, she turned away from the window and slipped on her slippers. Her thoughts turned to Melissa, her closest friend. Perhaps she should make amends and confess that blaming her for the ambush at her mother's funeral was a mistake. But pride held her tongue.

She had not closed her eyes for even a moment. Her thoughts were consumed by the looming threat of danger and fear coursed through her veins. Without her mother's steady guidance and support, she felt adrift and helpless. And her father, lost in his own unrelenting sorrow, was unable to offer her any comfort or solace. Kane, always the intrepid adventurer, had embarked on a journey of his own. She was utterly and completely alone, a feeling that was entirely new and overwhelming to her.

Softly treading down the staircase, she made her way to the kitchen. Pouring a glass of water, she brought it to her lips, letting the coolness cleanse her parched throat. Suddenly, a deafening sound emanated from outside, causing her to react with fright. The glass slipped from her grasp and shattered upon impact, the crash echoing throughout the room.

Summoning all of her courage, she steeled her nerves and drew in a calming breath, attempting to still the wild beat of her heart. Swiftly, she darted towards the front entrance, gliding subtly within the velvety veil of darkness. With lightning agility, she unlocked the door and aggressively flung it open, stepping boldly into the frigid air, clad in nothing but a light tank and shorts. In a fleeting moment, her sharp gaze observed the murky silhouette of a lupine beast slinking away into the cloaked depths of the forest, vanishing into the shadows without a trace.

She remained rooted in place, her keen gaze sweeping over the shadowed canopy of the forest. The wolf had vanished into the night mist, confirming her suspicions. She had sensed the presence of a watching entity, but the identity and motives of this watcher eluded her grasp. With a final wariness-drenched glance, she retreated back into the protection of her home, securing the door with a decisive click.

Divina made her way into the living room, weaving between the furniture and settling onto the plush couch. She curled herself up, tucking her legs beneath her and reached for her phone, nestled on the coffee table. The screen illuminated the dim room as she typed out a message to Melissa begging for forgiveness. Yet before she could hit send, doubts began to bubble up inside her. Was she truly at fault? Could Melissa have played a role in what had transpired? Divina's hesitation was palpable as she erased the message with a swift motion of her thumb and flipped her phone over, determined to get to the bottom of this before she made any apology.

****

Melissa was boiling with an inferno of rage and pain. How could Divina dare to accuse her of such a heinous deed? To orchestrate an assault at her own mother's funeral? Yes, she may have succumbed to the bloodlust of a vampire, but that did not make her malevolent. She was still the same Melissa, the loyal friend they have known for ages. Divina ought to have had faith in her. Fuming and wounded, Melissa wandered aimlessly along the desolate, moonlit streets, infrequently crossing path with drunken louts. But she barely acknowledged them, shrouded in the depths of her fury.

In an instant, a towering figure emerged from the shadowed alleyway. A sly, uneven grin played upon his face, his complexion an eerie paleness and his hair as black as midnight. Melissa halted in her tracks, apprehension consuming her before deftly veering to the side to avoid the man's path.

As Melissa brushed past the man, he seized her arm in a crushing grip. But she was no damsel in distress; no meek and defenseless maiden. Swiftly and without hesitation, she bared her razor-sharp fangs and darted behind her assailant in a blur of movement. Her teeth were mere inches from his throat when she detected something that made her recoil in disgust: the cold, putrid stench of death, emanating from the very pores of his skin like a sickly aura.

"You're a vampire," she spat, pushing him away with a flick of her wrist.

"Indeed I am." The man responded, his eyes glittering like obsidian in the dim light of the alleyway. He began to move around her in a slow and sinister manner, like a great cat toying with its prey before the final, deadly strike.

"My name is Redclaw," the man growled, baring his teeth. Melissa couldn't help but laugh. "Redclaw? How original. I've met Blackclaw, but I'm still waiting for Blueclaw, Purpleclaw, Orangeclaw..." Before she could finish her sarcasm, Redclaw lunged at her, his fingers wrapping tightly around her neck, slamming her against a nearby building. "You mock me? I am Redclaw! Son of Blackclaw!" he roared in fury.

Melissa met his gaze fearlessly, unfazed by his threats. "And I'm Melissa. So what?" The corners of Redclaw's lips twitched, impressed despite himself by her boldness. "You should be afraid of me, little girl," he warned quietly, his voice laced with malice.

"I have nothing left to lose," she retorted fearlessly. "So I fear nothing." Redclaw released his hold on her, taking a few steps back as he regarded her curiously. He cocked his head, a small, almost playful smirk curling his lips. "You're not afraid of anything, are you?" he said softly. "I like that. Let's see what you're made of, Melissa."

"I believe we could aid one another," Melissa heard RedClaw suggest, his voice a smooth purr. She emitted a dry chuckle before stating, "I'm not interested." As she pivoted to depart, RedClaw again clasped her arm with a tight grip. "I assure you, I can make it worth your time," he promised with a gleam in his gaze. Melissa gnawed on her lip, drawing a trickle of blood that she leisurely savored. "Even still, I am not interested," she declared, seeking to step away. "But what if I told you that I could elevate you? Appoint you as the Queen of the very vampires that roam these lands," RedClaw proposed, his smile increasing in magnitude. Melissa swung around, her interest peaked. "But what if I have no wish to rule?" she inquired, as RedClaw closed in on her. "Imagine the strength you would possess. The devotion of your followers. You can have it all, if you so desire," he urged, his words luring her. What else did she have, she contemplated. With her closest friend abandoning her, claiming her to be a monster, else did she retain? "All right," Melissa eventually relented, "what is it that you require in return?"