Chapter Eight
Lucas
I stood before the cell, the iron bars colder than they should’ve been, my fingers grazing the surface. A part of me—no matter how much I tried to suppress it, still felt the pull of family, the twisted bond that tied me to the monster behind those bars.
I had to speak to him. There was no other choice.
I couldn’t do this alone. I needed information about the clans, about the alliances forming between the shifters and the rogue vampires, and eventually about Aurelius—because I knew, deep down, that everything led back to him.
The door creaked open, and I stepped inside. The stale air in the underground cell was thick with the scent of earth and iron.
Damien was seated on the stone floor, leaning against the wall with his hands shackled in front of him. The runes that covered the cell glowed faintly, just enough to keep his power in check, but they wouldn’t hold him forever. I knew that well.
He looked up at me, his lips curling into a smirk that made my blood run cold.
“Well, well. The prodigal nephew returns yet again,” he mocked, his voice as smooth as silk, but dripping with venom. “Come to beg for help, Lucas?”
I clenched my fists at my sides. “I’m not begging.”
“You look like you’re begging,” he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he leaned forward, his shackles clinking. “What do you want, then? A word of advice from your dear old uncle? A bit of wisdom from a man who’s seen it all?”
I ignored the bitterness in his tone, pushing past the anger that burned in my gut. I needed to focus. I had a goal.
“I need to know about the other vampire clans,” I said, my voice low, controlled. “I need to know which ones might be working with the shifters and which ones might help us stop Aurelius.”
Damien raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. “You think I’d be interested in helping you stop anything? That’s laughable, Lucas.”
I stepped closer to the bars, my gaze never leaving his. “You know more than anyone about the power struggles between the clans. I’m not asking you to be a hero, Damien. I just need information. Names. Locations. Anything that might give us an edge.”
He chuckled darkly, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “And why would I give you that? After all, what’s in it for me? You can’t possibly think I’d help you just because you ask nicely.”
I ground my teeth together, frustration clawing at my insides. “This isn’t about you or me. It’s about stopping Aurelius from rising again. We’re both at risk.”
His smile only widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Oh, I’m not at risk. Not anymore. I’m already dead to the world, Lucas. A ghost, if you will. And if Aurelius rises, well... isn’t that just the natural order of things?”
I felt my control slipping. “You’re a coward, Damien. All you care about is power. You’d rather see everything burn than lift a finger to stop it.”
He chuckled again, louder this time, his eyes dark with malice. “It’s you who’s weak, Lucas. So eager to save everyone, to play the hero. You’re too soft. You don’t have what it takes to do what’s necessary, to kill the threats before they become problems.”
I felt my fists clench even tighter, the urge to snap his neck flooding my thoughts, but I resisted. It wouldn’t help. Not now.
“I’m not like you,” I said, my voice cold. “I won’t kill just to make myself feel powerful. And I won’t stoop to your level.”
Damien’s gaze turned sharp. “And that’s your weakness, Lucas. You’re too much like your father. Always thinking with your heart. You want to save people, but you’ll never be strong enough to protect them. Not if you keep thinking like that.”
His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. But I wouldn’t let him see it.
“I don’t need your help,” I said, finally backing away from the bars, my chest tight with unspent rage. “I’ll find another way. I’ll stop Aurelius without you.”
Damien’s laugh followed me as I turned to leave.
“You’re a fool if you think that’s possible.”
I didn’t dignify that with an answer. I stormed outside, breathing heavily. I turned, only to find Callum leaning against the far wall, his arms crossed over his chest. He’d been waiting. I didn’t know how long he’d been there, but his presence was a familiar anchor, even if I hated to admit it.
“You’re not going to get anything from him, you know,” Callum said, his voice quiet but direct.
I met his gaze. “I didn’t expect him to help. Not really. But I needed to hear it from his mouth. He’s not going to change. And neither will I.”
Callum’s brow furrowed. “You’re not really thinking of going after the other clans, are you?”
I shook my head, the weight of everything pressing harder now. “No, not yet. I need to know who we’re dealing with first. The shifters... they’re moving too fast. Too coordinated. And I need to know if they have backing. If there are more vampires involved. If they’re planning to use Annika’s blood to free Aurelius, then this is bigger than just us.”
“I don’t disagree with you.” Callum’s voice dropped lower, his eyes narrowing. “But going after those clans—it’s madness. There’s too much at stake. Damien knows things, sure, but he’s playing his own game. Don’t let him drag you into it.”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. “I know that. I’m not stupid, Callum. But we don’t have time. Every day we wait is another day the enemy gets closer to succeeding.”
Callum pushed off the wall and stepped closer, his gaze steady but concerned. “What’s the plan then? Go hunting through every clan until we find something useful? You know that won’t work.”
I let out a harsh breath. “No, it won’t. But we can’t just sit here either. Annika’s in danger. Every second that passes, the chains around Aurelius weaken. She’s the key. And she’s being kept in that hellhole while we’re sitting here doing nothing.”
Callum was silent for a moment, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. He always seemed to know when I was holding something back. But this time, I couldn’t tell him everything. I couldn’t let him see the storm swirling inside me, the desperation that gnawed at my insides, threatening to tear me apart.
“Then what are you planning to do?” Callum asked, his voice low.
I met his gaze again, this time with more resolve. “I’ll go after her. Find where they’re keeping her. I know Kael’s infiltrating their ranks, and he’s getting close. If he can get her out, I’ll be there to meet her. But I’m not waiting any longer. I can’t.”
Callum exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “You’re insane.”
I didn’t flinch. “Maybe. But I’m done waiting for someone else to save her. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ve lost too much already. I won’t lose her too.”
There was a long silence. Callum looked at me for a while, and in his eyes, I saw the same worry I’d been carrying. He knew what it would cost. He knew the risks. But there was something else there, something unspoken, a thread between us that didn’t need words.
“You’re not alone in this, Lucas,” Callum said, his voice quieter now. “I’ll help you. But you need to think this through. Don’t throw yourself into this fight without a plan. You don’t have to do it alone.”
I nodded, but inside, I knew it wasn’t just about me anymore. Annika had become everything. Every choice, every action I took now, was for her.
“I’m going to find her,” I said, the words more of a promise than a plan. “And I’ll make sure nothing happens to her.”
“You’re not going alone, Lucas,” Callum said, his voice low, steady as his hand rested on my shoulder.
I shook my head, backing away from his touch. “I can’t risk anyone else. This is too dangerous. You don’t understand, if they catch us…”
I didn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t need to. The fear, the gnawing terror that clung to my every thought, was enough to say it all. But Callum’s response was quick, unwavering.
“I understand,” he said, his voice calm, but his eyes spoke volumes. “But you don’t get to decide for me. I’m not letting you walk into this alone.”
I felt a surge of frustration flood my chest. My hands curled into fists at my sides. “You don’t get it, Callum. Annika’s life is in the balance. I can’t afford to be distracted. I can’t afford to be weak.”
“I’m not asking for permission,” he said, his voice a low growl now. “I’m going with you. Whether you like it or not. You might think you’re saving her by going alone, but you’re only risking more. We’re a team, Lucas. And I’m not going to stand by while you sacrifice yourself.”
I stared at him for a long moment, the words swirling in my mind like a storm. There was no reasoning with him. Not now. Not when the fire burned so hot in his eyes.
Part of me wanted to argue, to push him away because I didn’t want him to get hurt. But deep down, I knew Callum wouldn’t let me go alone. He wouldn’t let me risk it all. And I wasn’t sure I could blame him. I would never let him go alone on such a suicide mission.
I wanted to tell him it was dangerous, that he was better off staying behind, that I couldn’t watch anyone else die for my choices. But as much as I tried to deny it, the truth was that I wasn’t the only one with skin in this fight.
So I did the only thing I could: I let out a deep breath and nodded.
“Fine. But if anything happens to you—”
“I know,” he cut me off, a half-smile flickering at the corners of his mouth. “You’ll kill me. You’ve said that a hundred times already.”
I couldn’t help the slight smirk that tugged at my lips. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Callum’s smile faded just as quickly as it appeared. He knew the stakes, and we both knew that a fight like the one we were about to face would leave scars deeper than any physical wound.
“I’m serious, Lucas,” Callum said, his expression hardening. “Don’t go rushing in without thinking. This isn’t just about Annika anymore. We’re fighting something far bigger than we can handle on our own.”
I met his gaze again, my thoughts swirling, and then the weight of his words settled deep in my chest. Bigger than we can handle.
I exhaled slowly, my mind made up. “I know. But I’m not letting her go. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.”
Quickly, we saddled the horses in silence. As we started on our way, even the animals were restless, sensing the tension in the air. Callum moved with his usual efficiency, but his eyes kept drifting back to me. I could feel his gaze, but I didn’t meet it. My thoughts were too consumed by what lay ahead. They were too consumed by Annika and the damnable feeling that every step forward was one I might not come back from.
It was madness. I knew that well. But fear of losing her, of never holding her in my arms again, was far worse than any uncertainty the path before us could bring.
“We’ll find her,” Callum said, finally breaking the silence, as if reading my thoughts.
I nodded, though I didn’t share the same confidence. There was no guarantee. We were heading straight into enemy territory, into a camp filled with shifters and rogue vampires—both bloodthirsty and unpredictable. And with each mile we covered, I felt the pull of the darkness waiting for me in that place. I couldn’t let fear get in the way, but I wouldn’t let myself forget the danger. Not for one second.
“Let’s move,” I said after we dismounted our horses.
I met Callum’s gaze, and for a brief moment, we understood each other. This wasn’t just about Annika anymore. It was about us. About survival. About what we were willing to sacrifice for those we cared about.
We pressed on, the camp growing nearer. I could see the flickering of the firelight through the trees, the shadows of figures moving around the perimeter. I held my breath, trying to remain as quiet as possible. Every step felt too loud, every breath too noticeable.
As we drew closer, a feeling twisted my gut. It was a deep sense of wrongness that I couldn’t shake. I glanced at Callum, and I could see it in his eyes too. This wasn’t just a rescue mission anymore. This was something else. Something far more dangerous.
And there was no turning back.