Page 19 of Vampire Bite

His eyes met mine, unflinching. “I don’t have a choice, Annika. If we don’t stop them now, they’ll just keep enslaving and destroying everyone in their path. We’re done hiding, done waiting. The time for that is over.”

A strange mix of fear and awe welled up in me. I’d never seen anyone with such complete resolve, like he was made of it. And despite the danger, despite everything, I couldn’t look away.

He must have seen something in my expression because he gave a small nod, something almost like reassurance. “I’m not expecting you to stay. This isn’t your fight. But if you do… I’ll make sure you’re ready for what’s coming.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I was about to say settle heavily on my shoulders. “Lucas… I want to help. I really do. I want to see this rebellion succeed. But… after that, I have to go back. My mother… she needs me.” The words felt both solid and fragile, like they could stand alone but were barely holding together.

He looked at me, his dark eyes softening in a way I hadn’t seen before. There was no protest, no flash of anger, just a quiet acceptance. He gave a small nod, and I could see he meant it.

“I understand,” he said, his voice low, almost gentle. “Family… they’re everything.” He paused, and his gaze drifted away for a moment as if he was recalling something long buried. “I’d never ask you to stay if it meant leaving someone you love behind.”

A part of me felt relieved, but there was an ache too, something bittersweet in his gaze, like he’d already known what my choice would be. Like he’d prepared himself for it.

“I just… I don’t want you to feel like I’m abandoning you, any of you,” I said, trying to put the conflicting mess of emotions into words. “I want to see this through. Help the others if I can. But after that…”

He reached out, his hand resting on mine with a touch so soft it nearly undid me. “You’re not abandoning anyone, Annika. You’re doing what’s right for you… and for her. I’d never stand in the way of that.”

The warmth of his hand, his understanding—it was more than I could have hoped for. I didn’t realize how much I needed his approval until I felt the relief of it. I swallowed, nodding as I looked down, trying to steady myself.

I hesitated, glancing over at Lucas, who had turned thoughtful, his gaze fixed somewhere in the shadows. A question had been gnawing at me, one I hadn’t wanted to ask but couldn’t ignore any longer.

“Why… why do the shifters need the slaves?” My voice sounded quieter than I meant it to, as if saying it softly might somehow make the answer less terrible.

Lucas’s expression darkened, and he let out a slow breath. “They need labor—bodies to do their bidding, build their empire, and hunt. But it’s not just that.” His eyes met mine,serious and weighted with an emotion I couldn’t quite name. “They’re after something more powerful. Vampires and humans alike, they’re… experimenting, looking for ways to control us completely. It’s dark magic, fueled by something twisted, corrupt.”

I felt a shiver run through me as he spoke. “Control you? Like mind control?” The idea of it was horrifying, an unnatural invasion of what little freedom remained for those trapped in this place.

He nodded, his gaze hardening. “Yes. It’s a blend of magic and manipulation. If they succeed, they’ll have armies that are loyal to them alone, without any free will to resist. They’re trying to create something unstoppable, to break all remaining resistance.”

My stomach turned at the thought. “That’s… that’s sick.” I could barely get the words out. “I knew they were cruel, but to strip away someone’s will like that…”

Lucas’s jaw tightened, and he nodded. “It’s beyond anything I’ve seen. They want to control everything, right down to our thoughts, our very lives. It’s why we fight them. Why we’ll keep fighting them.” His voice was steady, unwavering.

I swallowed, feeling a renewed sense of purpose within me. The horror was clear now, sharper than it had ever been, and I understood in a way I hadn’t before.

“I’m with you,” I said, my voice firmer than before. “They can’t be allowed to keep doing this.”

Lucas watched me, a hint of pride in his gaze, and then he nodded. “Good,” he murmured, his voice almost a whisper. “Because we’re going to need every bit of strength we can get.”

Chapter Twelve

Lucas

Shortly after, we heard a knock on the door. It was sharp, insistent. I didn’t have to guess; I knew what it meant. I crossed the room in a few strides, pulling the door open to find Callum, Lena, and a few others. Their faces were tight, every glance urgent, weighted.

“We need you both,” Callum said, his tone clipped. “There’s another group out there—they’re pinned down. It’s only a matter of time before they’re done for if we don’t get to them.”

My gaze flicked to Annika. Her eyes met mine, unwavering. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t flinch. She just gave me a solid nod. She was ready.

“What’s the plan?” I asked, stepping out into the cool air. Annika moved right behind me, and I felt a surge of pride, something I hadn’t felt for anyone in a long time. She was in this with us, all the way… at least for now. And that was all I needed at the moment.

Callum ran a hand over his jaw, his eyes darting to Lena and then back to me. “They’re holed up in the east wing of an old factory. Shifters have surrounded them, but we’ve got a window while the main patrol’s been pulled back to cover a breach on the northern end.” His jaw tightened. “We get in, we get them out—fast and quiet.”

I nodded, feeling the familiar pulse of adrenaline in my veins. It was what we did, what we had to do. Glancing back at Annika, I caught her watching me, her face set, her eyes dark with determination. I could see it there, plain as day: she wasn’t backing down. Not now.

We moved as one, slipping into the shadows of the alleyway, the group silent but charged with purpose. Annika kept pace beside me, her eyes sharp and aware, every bit the fighter she’d proven to be. Callum took the lead, guiding us down a twisting path that kept us away from the main routes. Finally, we saw the factory looming ahead, hulking and abandoned. Its cracked windows were barely glinting in the dim light.

I could sense the others tightening up, each of us steeling for what lay inside. The shifters wouldn’t make this easy, even if we were catching them off guard.

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