Page 103 of Dark Awakening

My fucking brain misfires as if I just heard her say her blood can allow me to walk in the sunlight. “What?” I ask, stunned.

She continues explaining that her blood is a source of light itself and will allow me to walk in the sun—something no vampire has ever been granted before.

I shake my head in disbelief. “This cannot be,” I utter.

It has been centuries since I have roamed the land during the day. If I were to step foot in the sun, I would immediately turn into a pile of ashes. I've got no choice but to rely on her words, to trust in her. But damn, is she right? Can I take this leap of faith on her say-so alone? The truth feels like a gamble with stakes higher than I’ve ever known.

“Rhyland, I swear it’s the truth. Why would Seraphina lie about something like that if it wasn’t true?"

She's dead serious as she lays down the law—this stays between us. Spilling these beans could paint a target on her back the size of the realm. It clicks now why Azrael and the rest of the nightwalkers can sniff her out like bloodhounds. There's this fire in her eyes as she spells it out for me, and the gravity of it all presses down like a goddamn anvil. If the vampiric world gets wind that her blood is the holy grail, the cure for our cursed existence, they'd swarm her from every shadowy corner of the globe. We've got to keep this under wraps, or she's as good as a lamb in a den of lions.

I nod, grab her hand, and open the door.

We walk into the main living area to find all of my brothers already there, seemingly in a trance-like state. Adrian is engulfed in a book while Lucian and Erik nurse their drinks at the bar.

Before I can utter a word, Lucian breaks the silence with his loud voice. “We heard every moan, whisper, and squeak of that damn orgy you two had.” He snickers.

Dani’s eyes shoot at me with panic.

“Don’t worry, your pretty little head about us telling anyone, girl. Man, alive, that was some major intel you just dropped on us!” Lucian says with excitement.

I walk to the bar and pour myself a scotch. Dani takes a seat on the pristine white couch.

Lucian smirks. “So when are you gonna get the balls to give her ‘Sunny D juice a go?”

I gulp down my scotch. “First thing in the morning,” I comment with a smirk.

Adrian whistles, impressed. “Damn. You lucky son of a bitch.” He coughs and continues. “I started researching Atheria—since now we know where Dani is from.”

Damn, Adrian sure is efficient. He’s a scholar and research extraordinaire!

I peer at him. “And?”

He shifts awkwardly in his seat. “There is an ancient relic that her guardian has talked about, a crown or tiara, depending on how you look at it. It was lost to this realm many moons ago, so much so that some thought it was just a fairy tale. However, the item symbolizes unity.”

I ask, “Any idea where it could be?”

Adrian gets up to wander around the space. He informs us that the document mentions its last known location was in the Valley of Ancients, concealed deep within the thick Amazon jungle. It is said to be under the watchful eye of ancient guardians and surrounded by powerful magic, making it almost impossible for adventurers to explore.

“Alright, let’s begin there.” Dani quips.

“Do you all have those nifty magic rings that teleport, or are you all taking the slow route by air?” Lucian chuckles.

Dani gives a bewildered shake of her head. “I don’t understand how to teleport. It’s crazy to think about it.”

Adrian sits beside her and asks, “Did Seraphina tell you what you must do? How to make it happen?”

Dani shrugs, replying, “She just said that I needed to concentrate on my destination, and that would be enough.”

Erik ends his contemplative silence with a confident statement, “Dani, you are capable of great things if you just trust in yourself and have faith. There is much more to this universe than meets the eye.”

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “Thanks, Erik. I’ve gathered enough insanity these past few days to last me an eternity .” She smirks.“But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

Erik laughs. “Indeed. We all have.”

I push into her mind with encouragement and support.

“We can make it through this, Angel. I’m here for you every step of the way.”

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