《Vampires at Night》 Chapter 1: the beginning Kole never thought he¡¯d see the inside of a mansion this grand, let alone as a prisoner. The ornate walls loomed over him, the gold-trimmed edges catching the faint moonlight streaming through towering windows. His breath hitched as he sat in the corner of the lavish room, chains biting into his wrists. "You''re awake." The voice was smooth, like velvet dipped in poison. Kole¡¯s eyes snapped to the figure leaning against the doorframe: Thorne, tall and regal, with piercing green eyes that seemed to see through him. ¡°Wh-what do you want from me?¡± Kole¡¯s voice trembled despite his attempt at defiance. Laurent, the second captor, entered the room, his flowing auburn hair a stark contrast to his pale complexion. He gave Kole a slow, predatory smile. "Isn''t it obvious? You''re an experiment. A rare one at that." Thorne''s lip curled into a faint smirk. "We don¡¯t often find mortals with your¡­ resilience.¡± Kole flinched as a third figure emerged from the shadows, Auron, the most intimidating of the trio. He was massive, his presence filling the room with an unspoken authority. His eyes glinted a dark crimson, and he crouched down to Kole''s level. ¡°You¡¯ll learn to behave, or you¡¯ll regret it.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Why me?¡± Kole demanded, trying to mask the fear in his voice. Laurent chuckled, kneeling beside him. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough. For now, consider yourself lucky. We could have drained you dry already.¡± Kole shivered, the weight of their stares suffocating. Whatever they had planned for him, he knew one thing: escape wouldn¡¯t come easy. Kole''s heart raced as Laurent leaned in closer, his crimson eyes never leaving Kole¡¯s face. The silence in the room felt suffocating, thick with anticipation. Thorne stepped forward, his voice calm, almost clinical. "Your blood," he said slowly, "is unlike anything we''ve encountered before. It holds immense potential." His eyes flickered with a dark glint, and the air seemed to crackle with power.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kole''s breath caught in his throat. "What... what do you mean?" he stammered. Auron¡¯s low growl echoed through the room, a warning. "Don''t play stupid. You know exactly what we''re talking about." Laurent grinned, leaning back slightly. "Your blood has something... special. Something that can grant us power beyond your comprehension. Immortality, strength, speed¡ªall the things vampires crave. But yours is different. Your blood doesn''t just sustain us¡ªit enhances us. It can make us gods." Kole recoiled, his mind racing to process what they were saying. "I¡ªI don¡¯t understand. I''m just a normal person. What could you possibly want with my blood?" Thorne¡¯s lips twitched into a smile, though there was no warmth in it. "Normal? Hardly. We''ve been watching you for some time. Your body is resistant to the effects of vampire venom, your blood sustains us longer than any human''s should. And there''s more¡ªyour blood has a unique energy, a magic of its own." Laurent stepped forward, his tone soft and persuasive. "You don''t know it, but your blood is a key. And we need that key to unlock our true potential." Kole¡¯s mind spun as the words hit him like a wave. Magic. He had always been different, but never like this. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. He had no idea what he was being pulled into, but now it seemed as though there was no way out. "And if I refuse?" Kole asked, trying to keep his voice steady, but it cracked in the middle. Auron¡¯s expression darkened, his eyes flickering dangerously. "Refuse, and we''ll take it anyway. But don¡¯t make us do that. It will be more painful for you." Kole swallowed hard, his head spinning. What choice did he have? He was trapped in this luxurious prison, surrounded by creatures that could rip him apart without a second thought. Thorne¡¯s voice was chillingly calm. ¡°You can make this easy on yourself, Kole. We will take care of you, but only if you help us unlock the power you possess.¡± Laurent¡¯s fingers brushed against Kole¡¯s cheek, his touch icy. ¡°The decision is yours. Help us, and we¡¯ll grant you a life unlike any other. But if you defy us¡­ Well, that¡¯s a different story.¡± The three vampires stood over him, their eyes glowing with an intensity that made Kole¡¯s skin crawl. The power they promised seemed impossible to refuse, yet Kole couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the cost of giving in would be far too great. ¡°You¡¯ll never leave, you know,¡± Thorne said softly, almost as if reading his thoughts. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure of that. You belong to us now.¡± Kole clenched his fists, every muscle in his body screaming for release. But as much as he wanted to escape, he knew it was futile. He was trapped¡ªnot just in this mansion, but in a much larger web that he couldn¡¯t even begin to understand. Auron¡¯s voice was final. "Decide quickly, Kole. The longer you wait, the less control you¡¯ll have over your fate." Kole looked between them, a sense of hopelessness creeping up his spine. It was true¡ªhe was in their hands now. There was no turning back. Chapter 2: Agreement Kole''s mind raced as he weighed the impossible choice before him. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to fight, to resist, but the cold, predatory stares of the three vampires reminded him that resistance was futile. ¡°I¡­¡± He took a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll help you.¡± The words tasted like ash in his mouth, but before he could process what he had just agreed to, Auron¡¯s eyes lit up with an intense hunger. In a blur, he lunged at Kole, his fangs bared and his growl low and primal. Kole yelped, scrambling back as far as the chains would allow, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Auron¡¯s hand gripped his shoulder, pinning him down with a force that felt like being crushed beneath a mountain. ¡°Auron, stop!¡± Thorne¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. He moved with lightning speed, grabbing Auron¡¯s arm and yanking him back. ¡°Not yet.¡± Laurent was there a second later, shoving Auron further away from Kole. ¡°Control yourself,¡± he hissed, his tone icy but laced with frustration. ¡°We need him alive, not drained.¡± Auron snarled, his crimson eyes wild. ¡°He said yes! What are we waiting for?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not savages,¡± Thorne snapped, his regal composure cracking just enough to reveal a flash of irritation. ¡°The process must be controlled, or we risk ruining everything.¡± Laurent¡¯s grip on Auron¡¯s arm tightened as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ¡°If you can¡¯t restrain yourself, perhaps you¡¯re not worthy of the power his blood can offer.¡± Auron¡¯s lips curled back in a snarl, but he didn¡¯t push further. He wrenched himself free from their hold, pacing to the far side of the room like a caged predator. His shoulders heaved with restrained fury, but he didn¡¯t make another move toward Kole. Kole sat frozen, his heart hammering in his chest. The fear coursing through him was almost paralyzing, but the sight of the vampires arguing over him sent a shiver down his spine. He was nothing more than prey to them, a prize they were barely holding themselves back from tearing apart. Thorne turned to Kole, his expression carefully composed once more. ¡°Forgive the outburst,¡± he said smoothly, as though they hadn¡¯t just been moments away from ripping him to shreds. ¡°Auron can be¡­ impulsive.¡± Laurent offered a thin smile, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Consider it a compliment. Your blood is more tempting than you realize.¡± Kole swallowed hard, his throat dry. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re not going to kill me, right?¡± Thorne chuckled, though there was no humor in it. ¡°Not if you keep cooperating. But remember, Kole¡ªour patience has limits. Do as you¡¯re told, and you¡¯ll remain intact.¡± Auron, still pacing like a restless predator, growled low in his throat. ¡°If he tries anything, I won¡¯t wait next time.¡± Laurent shot Auron a warning look before crouching down in front of Kole. ¡°You¡¯ve made the right choice,¡± he said, his voice soft but laced with an undercurrent of danger. ¡°Don¡¯t make us regret giving you the chance to cooperate.¡± Kole nodded numbly, his mind spinning. He didn¡¯t know what terrified him more¡ªthe hunger in their eyes, or the realization that his life now belonged entirely to them. Over the next week, Kole found himself confined to the opulent room, the chains around his wrists replaced with an ornate cuff that glimmered faintly with magic. It allowed him to move freely within the room but sent a sharp, searing pain through his body if he got too close to the door or windows. He had tried once¡ªjust once¡ªto test its limits, and the resulting agony left him curled on the floor for hours. Food and water were brought to him by two servants, a man and a woman, both dressed in simple but elegant uniforms. They moved silently, their eyes downcast, setting trays on the small table near the room¡¯s centerpiece¡ªa grand, canopied bed that felt more like a prison throne. Each time they entered, Kole tried to get answers.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°Where are they?¡± he asked the first day, his voice hoarse. ¡°The ones who brought me here¡ªwhere did they go?¡± The servants froze, their eyes darting toward the door as though expecting one of them to appear at any moment. Without a word, they set the tray down and hurried out, the door clicking shut behind them. The same thing happened the next day. ¡°Why are you so scared of them?¡± Kole pressed, desperation creeping into his tone. The servants exchanged a nervous glance but remained silent. Their hands trembled as they placed his meal on the table, and they left even faster than before. By the third day, Kole began referring to the vampires only as ¡°them.¡± ¡°When are they coming back?¡± he asked, his frustration mounting. The servants didn¡¯t answer. The woman¡¯s hand slipped, nearly spilling the pitcher of water, but she quickly steadied it, her face pale. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to talk about them, are you?¡± Kole said bitterly as they fled the room again. Each night, Kole sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling forest that surrounded the mansion. The silence was deafening, and the questions in his mind only grew louder. Why had they left him here alone? Why hadn¡¯t they come to drain his blood or demand more from him? What were they waiting for? On the seventh day, Kole finally reached his breaking point. When the servants arrived, he stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the marble floor. They flinched, but he didn¡¯t care. ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me what¡¯s going on,¡± he demanded, his voice rising. ¡°Why am I here? Why are you so scared of them? Where are they?¡± The man, visibly shaking, refused to meet Kole¡¯s eyes. The woman stammered, ¡°W-we¡¯re just here to bring food. That¡¯s all we¡¯re allowed to do.¡± ¡°Allowed by who?¡± Kole pressed, stepping closer. They backed away in unison, panic etched on their faces. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry,¡± the woman whispered before bolting for the door. The man followed without a word, and the sound of the lock clicking into place once again sealed Kole¡¯s fate. Kole sank back into his chair, running a hand through his disheveled hair. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the empty room. That night, the air in the room felt different¡ªheavier, colder. Kole lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind spinning with unanswered questions. As sleep began to pull at him, he thought he heard faint whispers, like voices carried on the wind. His eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. The whispers were growing louder, clearer. And then, just as suddenly as they began, they stopped. Kole sat up, his pulse racing, the silence now more oppressive than ever. He wasn¡¯t sure what was worse¡ªthe thought that he might be imagining things, or the certainty that they were back. the door creaks open. Kole¡¯s body stiffened as three figures entered the room. It was them. Thorne was the first to step into the dim light, his movements as smooth and deliberate as ever. His regal bearing made it clear he was in control. Laurent followed, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint that sent a shiver down Kole¡¯s spine. Auron lingered near the door, his sharp gaze sweeping the room like a wolf searching for prey. ¡°You¡¯ve been behaving yourself,¡± Thorne said, his tone as cold and cutting as ice. ¡°Good.¡± ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡± Kole snapped before he could stop himself. Weeks of isolation and unanswered questions boiled over, giving him a reckless edge. Laurent arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smirk. ¡°Bold of you to think you¡¯re entitled to an explanation.¡± ¡°Do you have any idea how¡ª¡± Kole started, but Auron cut him off with a low growl. ¡°Watch your tone,¡± Auron snarled, stepping forward, his towering presence making Kole instinctively shrink back. ¡°We don¡¯t owe you anything, human.¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Thorne said, raising a hand. Auron stopped but didn¡¯t retreat, his crimson eyes fixed on Kole with barely restrained aggression. Kole¡¯s chest heaved as he tried to steady his breathing. He wanted to shout, to demand answers, but the intensity of their presence smothered his defiance. ¡°You¡¯ve been patient, Kole,¡± Thorne continued, his voice softening just slightly, though it still held a dangerous edge. ¡°That¡¯s good. We needed time to¡­ prepare.¡± ¡°Prepare for what?¡± Kole asked warily, his voice quieter now. Laurent stepped closer, his movements impossibly graceful. ¡°For the ritual, of course,¡± he said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°Your blood is too potent to waste. It must be drawn with precision and purpose.¡± Kole¡¯s stomach churned. ¡°What¡­ what kind of ritual?¡± Auron¡¯s grin was sharp and cruel. ¡°The kind that makes us unstoppable.¡± Thorne shot Auron a look before turning back to Kole. ¡°Your role is simple: compliance. If you cooperate, this will be¡­ manageable for you.¡± ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Kole asked, though he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted the answer. Laurent¡¯s smile widened, revealing a glint of fang. ¡°Then we¡¯ll take what we need by force. And trust me, you won¡¯t enjoy that.¡± Kole swallowed hard, his mouth dry. ¡°Why now? Why wait a week?¡± Thorne exchanged a glance with the other two, as if deciding how much to reveal. Finally, he spoke. ¡°Your blood isn¡¯t just powerful¡ªit¡¯s volatile. If taken incorrectly, it could destroy us instead of strengthening us. We needed time to ensure the ritual is¡­ flawless.¡± Laurent crouched down to Kole¡¯s level, his eyes narrowing. ¡°You should feel honored. Your blood is a gift, one that will elevate us to heights you can¡¯t even imagine.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this,¡± Kole muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. ¡°And yet, here you are,¡± Thorne said, his tone devoid of sympathy. ¡°Fate chose you, Kole. Now, embrace it¡ªor suffer for resisting.¡± The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of their words sinking in. Kole¡¯s mind raced, trying to find a way out, but every door seemed closed, every option a dead end. The ritual was coming. And there was no escape. Chapter 3: Ritual (part one) As Thorne and Auron began their meticulous preparations for the ritual, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly oppressive. Thorne moved with precision, tracing intricate runes on the floor in crimson ink that Kole didn¡¯t want to think too much about. Auron, meanwhile, arranged a series of ancient-looking artifacts on a nearby table, each one exuding an unsettling energy. Kole sat on the edge of the bed, his wrists now bound with chains to ensure he didn¡¯t try anything foolish. He couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the ritual setup, dread coiling tightly in his chest. Laurent leaned casually against the far wall, watching his companions with a faint smirk. But as the minutes ticked by, his gaze shifted toward Kole, and something flickered in his expression¡ªsomething almost imperceptible, but undeniably different. When Auron stepped out of the room to retrieve more materials and Thorne became engrossed in perfecting the runes, Laurent pushed off the wall and sauntered over to Kole. ¡°Enjoying the show?¡± he asked quietly, his voice laced with mockery but tempered by a strange undercurrent of curiosity. Kole glared at him, his fear momentarily overshadowed by frustration. ¡°What do you think?¡± he snapped. Laurent¡¯s smirk deepened, but his eyes remained locked on Kole¡¯s, studying him intently. ¡°You¡¯ve got spirit. I¡¯ll give you that.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s not like I have much of a choice,¡± Kole muttered, his voice dropping to a bitter whisper. ¡°You¡¯ve made sure of that.¡± Laurent tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. Then, to Kole¡¯s surprise, he crouched down so they were at eye level, his voice dropping even lower. ¡°What if I told you there¡¯s a way out of this?¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Kole¡¯s breath hitched. He searched Laurent¡¯s face for any sign of deception, but the vampire¡¯s usual smirk had faded, replaced by an unsettling seriousness. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Kole whispered, his heart pounding. Laurent glanced over his shoulder, ensuring Thorne was still preoccupied. ¡°Thorne and Auron are too blinded by their ambition to see the risks. This ritual? It¡¯s unstable. If it goes wrong, it could kill all three of us¡ªand you.¡± ¡°Then why are you going along with it?¡± Kole hissed, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. ¡°Because crossing Thorne isn¡¯t exactly good for one¡¯s health,¡± Laurent said dryly. ¡°But let¡¯s just say I¡¯m not as invested in this power grab as they are. And unlike them, I don¡¯t particularly enjoy killing unnecessarily.¡± Kole¡¯s mind raced. Could Laurent really be offering him a way out, or was this just another cruel game? ¡°Why would you help me?¡± Laurent leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. ¡°Because if this goes south, I¡¯d rather not be caught in the crossfire. And maybe I don¡¯t hate the idea of ruining Thorne¡¯s grand plan.¡± Kole stared at him, his pulse thundering in his ears. This could be his only chance, but trusting Laurent felt like walking into another trap. ¡°What do you need me to do?¡± Kole asked cautiously. Laurent¡¯s eyes glinted, a flicker of his smirk returning. ¡°For now, just stay quiet and do exactly as I say. When the time comes, I¡¯ll give you an opening. But if you betray me¡­¡± He let the threat hang in the air, his fangs glinting in the dim light. Kole nodded, his throat dry. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Laurent said, rising to his feet as Thorne turned toward them. His casual smirk was back in place, any trace of their conversation erased. ¡°Laurent,¡± Thorne said sharply, his eyes narrowing. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Just keeping an eye on our guest,¡± Laurent replied smoothly. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want him getting any ideas.¡± Thorne¡¯s gaze lingered on Laurent for a moment before he returned to the runes. But Kole noticed the slight tension in Thorne¡¯s shoulders, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the vampire suspected something. As Auron reentered the room, carrying a small black vial that pulsed with a faint red glow, Kole¡¯s sense of dread deepened. The ritual was moving forward. But now, he had a glimmer of hope¡ªhowever fragile¡ªthat Laurent might help him escape. Chapter 3: Ritual (part two) The days leading up to the ritual passed with agonizing slowness. Thorne and Auron continued their preparations with obsessive precision, their focus so intense that they barely acknowledged Kole unless it was to remind him of his impending fate. The room grew colder with each passing day, the air heavy with an oppressive energy that seemed to seep into Kole¡¯s bones. Laurent, on the other hand, was a constant but subtle presence. He rarely spoke to Kole, at least not in the others¡¯ presence, but every now and then, Kole would catch the vampire¡¯s sharp gaze darting toward him, a silent reminder that their fragile pact still held. Late one night, long after Auron and Thorne had left the room, Laurent slipped inside. His movements were silent, his figure blending into the shadows like a ghost. Kole, who had been lying awake, sat up quickly, his chains rattling faintly. ¡°Shh,¡± Laurent whispered, holding a finger to his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t make a sound.¡± Kole nodded, his pulse quickening. Laurent crouched beside him, producing a small, jagged blade from his coat. Its edge gleamed faintly in the dim light. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Kole hissed. ¡°Getting you out of here,¡± Laurent replied, his tone brisk but low. He glanced at the door, then back at Kole. ¡°Thorne and Auron are distracted. This is the best chance we¡¯ll get.¡± Kole¡¯s heart raced. ¡°I thought you said I had to wait for your signal.¡± ¡°This is the signal,¡± Laurent snapped quietly, his sharp eyes narrowing. ¡°Now hold still.¡± Before Kole could respond, Laurent sliced through the chains binding his wrists with shocking ease. The links fell away with a muffled clatter, and Kole instinctively rubbed his sore wrists, wincing at the raw skin beneath. ¡°Get up,¡± Laurent ordered, pulling Kole to his feet. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Kole asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Laurent smirked, a flicker of his usual arrogance returning. ¡°Follow me and don¡¯t get caught. Simple enough, right?¡± Kole glared at him but said nothing, his focus on keeping his steps as silent as Laurent¡¯s. The vampire led him through a winding series of hallways, each one dimly lit and eerily silent. The further they went, the heavier the air seemed to grow, as if the walls themselves were pressing in on them. As they rounded a corner, Laurent suddenly froze, his hand shooting out to stop Kole in his tracks. He tilted his head, his sharp ears twitching as he listened. ¡°What is it?¡± Kole whispered. Laurent didn¡¯t answer immediately, his eyes narrowing. Then, in a low voice, he muttered, ¡°Auron.¡± Kole¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°What do we do?¡± Laurent turned to him, his expression deadly serious. ¡°Stay behind me. Let me handle this.¡± Before Kole could protest, a shadowy figure emerged from the far end of the hallway. Auron¡¯s crimson eyes glowed like embers in the darkness, his lips curling into a cruel grin as he took in the scene before him. ¡°Well, well,¡± Auron drawled, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s been busy.¡± Laurent stepped forward, his posture relaxed but his tone razor-sharp. ¡°Auron. What a surprise.¡± Auron¡¯s grin widened. ¡°And here I thought you were loyal to Thorne¡¯s grand vision. But this? This is treachery.¡± Laurent shrugged, his smirk unfaltering. ¡°Maybe I just got bored of following orders. Ever think of that?¡± Auron¡¯s expression darkened, and in a blur of motion, he lunged at Laurent. The two collided with a thunderous crash, their inhuman strength sending shockwaves through the narrow corridor. ¡°Run!¡± Laurent shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. Kole didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He turned and sprinted down the hallway, his heart pounding as he searched desperately for an exit. The sound of the vampires¡¯ fight echoed behind him¡ªgrowls, snarls, and the sickening sound of stone cracking under their blows. As he rounded another corner, he spotted a heavy wooden door at the end of the hallway. His chest heaved with relief as he barreled toward it, throwing it open with all his strength. The night air hit him like a tidal wave, cool and crisp against his sweat-drenched skin. He stumbled into the open, his legs burning as he pushed himself further away from the fortress-like structure. Kole stumbled through the dense forest, his legs trembling with exhaustion. The towering trees loomed above him, their branches casting skeletal shadows in the faint moonlight. He hadn¡¯t dared to look back since escaping the fortress; the memory of Auron and Laurent¡¯s clash still echoed in his ears.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Just as his strength began to wane, Kole spotted something through the trees: a faint, flickering light. His heart leapt, and he pushed himself forward, weaving through the underbrush until the shape of a small cabin came into view. The structure was old, its wooden walls weathered and moss-covered. A thin column of smoke rose from a rusted chimney, a sign that someone¡ªor something¡ªhad been here recently. Kole hesitated at the edge of the clearing, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. But his hunger and exhaustion overpowered his fear. He approached the door and knocked hesitantly, the sound hollow and weak. When no one answered, Kole pressed his ear against the wood. Silence. Taking a deep breath, he tried the door. It creaked open with a reluctant groan, revealing a dimly lit interior. A small fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting dancing shadows on the walls. A rough-hewn table stood in the center of the room, flanked by two mismatched chairs. Shelves lined one wall, sparsely stocked with canned food and dusty jars. Kole stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The warmth of the fire seeped into his chilled skin, and for the first time since his escape, he allowed himself a shaky breath of relief. The cabin was simple but functional. In one corner, a small cot was covered with a threadbare blanket. Near the hearth, a pile of firewood sat neatly stacked. Kole¡¯s stomach growled loudly, and he made his way to the shelves, scanning the labels on the cans. ¡°Beans,¡± he muttered, pulling down one of the least dusty options. He found a can opener on the counter and clumsily pried the lid off, his hands shaking from hunger and adrenaline. He ate straight from the can, the lukewarm beans tasting like a feast. After finishing, Kole sat by the fire, his back against the wall. His mind raced as he tried to process everything that had happened. The vampires¡¯ fortress, Laurent¡¯s unexpected betrayal of his kind, Auron¡¯s menacing grin¡ªnone of it felt real. As he stared into the flames, a sense of unease crept over him. The cabin was too convenient, its supplies too perfectly suited for someone in his situation. ¡°Who built this place?¡± Kole whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. He scanned the room again, his eyes lingering on the little details: a half-burned candle on the table, a mug with a chipped handle, a pair of muddy boots near the door. Someone had been here recently, but there were no signs of them now. Kole¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound outside¡ªa soft crunch of footsteps on snow or leaves. He froze, his breath catching in his throat. Slowly, he reached for the fire poker leaning against the hearth, gripping it tightly. His heart pounded as the footsteps grew louder, closer. The door creaked open. Kole held his breath, his eyes locked on the figure silhouetted in the doorway. It stepped into the firelight, and his heart sank. It was Laurent. ¡°Kole,¡± Laurent said, his voice calm but strained. His clothes were torn, and a faint smear of blood trailed from the corner of his mouth. ¡°You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d let you wander off alone, did you?¡± Kole tightened his grip on the fire poker, his knuckles turning white. ¡°Stay back,¡± he warned, his voice trembling. Laurent raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression unreadable. ¡°Relax. I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡± ¡°Yeah, because that¡¯s been working out great for me so far,¡± Kole snapped, his voice rising with panic. Laurent sighed, his shoulders slumping. ¡°I just saved your life back there, in case you forgot. Auron won¡¯t be far behind, and Thorne is already looking for you. If you stay here, you¡¯re as good as dead.¡± Kole¡¯s resolve faltered. ¡°Why should I believe you?¡± ¡°Because,¡± Laurent said, stepping closer, his gaze locking onto Kole¡¯s, ¡°I¡¯m your only chance of making it out of this alive.¡± Kole stared at Laurent, his grip on the fire poker tightening as he weighed his options. He didn¡¯t trust Laurent¡ªhow could he? The vampire was part of the same group that had kidnapped him, that planned to use him in some grotesque ritual. But Laurent¡¯s injuries and the urgency in his voice made Kole hesitate. If what Laurent said was true, staying here wasn¡¯t an option. Reluctantly, Kole lowered the fire poker, though he didn¡¯t let go of it entirely. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, his voice sharp with mistrust. ¡°But if this is some kind of trick¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Laurent interrupted, his tone firm. ¡°I have no reason to trick you, Kole. Auron and Thorne will kill me too if they find out what I¡¯ve done.¡± Kole frowned but said nothing. He couldn¡¯t ignore the exhaustion weighing down his body, the gnawing hunger that even the canned beans hadn¡¯t fully satisfied. Laurent stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as though wary of spooking him. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time,¡± Laurent said. ¡°Auron will pick up your scent soon, and Thorne is already furious. If we¡¯re going to get you out of this, we need to move now.¡± Kole hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Laurent offered a faint smile, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Smart choice. Follow me, and stay close.¡± The two of them left the cabin, stepping out into the cold night. The forest was eerily silent, the shadows between the trees stretching long and dark under the pale moonlight. Laurent moved with practiced ease, his footsteps silent on the forest floor. Kole struggled to keep up, his legs aching and his breath visible in the frigid air. As they moved deeper into the woods, Kole finally broke the silence. ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± Laurent glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I don¡¯t agree with Thorne¡¯s methods. Or his obsession with power.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Kole pressed, his skepticism clear. Laurent¡¯s jaw tightened, but he didn¡¯t respond immediately. After a moment, he said, ¡°I¡¯ve done things I¡¯m not proud of, Kole. Helping you is...a chance to make up for some of it.¡± Kole frowned, unsure whether to believe him. Before he could ask more, Laurent held up a hand, signaling him to stop. The vampire¡¯s head tilted slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the forest around them. ¡°What is it?¡± Kole whispered, his voice barely audible. Laurent didn¡¯t answer, his posture tense. A low growl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down Kole¡¯s spine. ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Laurent muttered. Kole¡¯s heart raced as the growl grew louder, followed by the sound of something large crashing through the underbrush. Laurent turned to him, his expression deadly serious. ¡°Run,¡± he ordered. ¡°Head north. There¡¯s an old hunter¡¯s cabin about two miles from here. Go, now!¡± ¡°What about you?¡± Kole asked, panic creeping into his voice. Laurent bared his fangs in a fierce grin. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off. Just go!¡± Kole didn¡¯t wait to argue. He turned and ran, his legs burning as he pushed himself through the dense forest. Behind him, he heard the clash of inhuman forces¡ªthe growls and snarls of vampires fighting, the sickening sound of flesh meeting flesh. Fear and adrenaline drove him forward, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The forest seemed endless, the shadows closing in around him. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, he saw it: a small cabin nestled among the trees. He stumbled to the door and threw it open, collapsing inside. The interior was dark and cold, but he didn¡¯t care. He slammed the door shut and braced it with his weight, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. For a moment, there was silence. Then, faintly, he heard footsteps approaching. ¡°Kole,¡± a voice called, low and smooth. It wasn¡¯t Laurent.