Chapter 1
I said no! Kaelen growled. I won't bind myself to some fragile mortal girl just because fate threw some tantrums.
You don't got a choice, Theron the eldest brother replied, slamming his fist against the dining table.
Kaelen didn't flinch." I always have a choice,I just prefer those that don't include blood rituals and the rest that comes with it ".
Every hundred years, Cameron muttered arms crossed,we go through this same dramatic whining. Do you think you're an exception to this?
I think I have standards, kaelen said coldly. Mortals are weak,they break easily and then they die.
Precisely! Theron said. She's mortal , you're not. The ritual only works with balance.
Balance? Kaelen scoffed. You mean sucking life out of her to extend ours? Real noble brother.
If I had a silver for every time kaelen ranted about mortals,I could finally afford a personality transplant for Cameron. Elira said.
Stay out of this! Cameron replied.
Oh no,she grinned,please. I live for sibling drama she said emerging from the darkness.
Kaelen turned to her sharply. What would you know about the sacrifice?
She blinked,then smirked. Not much, but I do know there are consequences if it isn't carried out.
You mean the whole bloodline burns in poetic tragedy? Kaelen snapped. How original!
Before anyone could reply,the doors creaked open with a groan of old wood.
Sylenya stepped in first,her silver hair braided back,her eyes gleamed like glass,face unreadable.
Behind her came Kristof,tall and dark,the scent of ancient earth trailing behind him.
"Enough",Sylenya said, her voice soft, but sharp enough to slice through steel.
Kristof closed the door behind them.
Kaelen's jaw tightened. "If you're here to guilt me into obedience–"
"I'm here" Sylenya interrupted,her eyes landing on him," to remind you of what happened to the last one who refused" she continued.
Silence hung in the air.
"The first-born of House Draeven," she said, stepping toward the table. "He thought himself stronger than the binding… wiser than the will of the Crimson Moon."
She raised a single, pale finger.
"He was wrong."
Kaelen's voice dropped. "You're talking about myth."
Kristof's eyes glowed dimly. "No, son. We're talking about blood history."
Sylenya gazed at all of them. "Sit. And listen. Because if Kaelen does not bind the girl…"
She paused—then smiled faintly, cruelly.
"He'll become exactly what the first did before the curse swallowed him."
Elira,for once, went silent.
Kaelen didn't move.
And then—Sylenya began to speak.
To be continued…