Page 2 of Vampire Blood

Chaos erupted all around me, but my focus stayed locked on Lucas as he moved with deadly precision. His fangs flashed in the dim light as he tore through the shifter like it was made of paper, his hands a blur of violence.

I should’ve been running, finding shelter, or helping the townsfolk. But my feet felt rooted to the spot, my body frozen between fear and awe. He was magnificent in the most terrifying way, a creature of pure power unleashed.

“Annika!” he barked, snapping me out of my trance. “Move!”

Another shifter lunged toward him, a massive wolf with silver streaks in its fur. Lucas met it mid-air, his strength overwhelming as they crashed to the ground. The wolf snarled and clawed, but Lucas was faster, stronger. He ripped it apart before it could do more than snap at his arm.

But there were more. Too many.

I turned, finally finding my legs, and sprinted toward the nearest building. People were scattering, some hiding behind overturned tables, others screaming as the shifters closed in. A few of the town guards tried to fight, but they were outmatched. These weren’t ordinary wolves… they were bigger, faster, and too coordinated to be a random attack.

“Annika!” Lucas’ voice boomed again, closer this time. I whipped around just in time to see another shifter, one in its human form, with glowing amber eyes and claws extended, charging straight at me.

My heart seized. I stumbled back, my hands fumbling for the knife I kept tucked at my side.

Before I could even pull it free, Lucas was there. He moved so fast it was like a shadow passing over me. He grabbed the shifter by the throat and slammed it into the ground with enough force to crack the cobblestones. The sound of bones snapping made my stomach churn.

“Are you okay?” he demanded, his eyes blazing as he turned to me.

I nodded, though my heart was pounding so hard I could barely breathe. “I’m fine.”

“Stay close to me,” he ordered, his voice sharp and unyielding.

I wanted to argue, to tell him I could fight too, but the look on his face stopped me. His protective instincts were in overdrive, his fear for me buried beneath the feral rage he was unleashing on anything that came too close.

A low growl sounded behind him, and I barely had time to shout a warning before another wolf lunged. Lucas spun, catching the creature mid-air and slamming it down with a sickening crunch.

I gripped my knife tightly, scanning the square. The shifters weren’t just attacking. They were targeting specificpeople. And the way their eyes kept darting toward me sent ice down my spine.

“They’re after me,” I whispered, the realization hitting like a punch.

Lucas didn’t look at me, his focus locked on the next wave of attackers, but his voice was grim. “I know.”

That was when a low, guttural laugh cut through the chaos.

“Enough!”

The voice was deep and commanding, and it sent a chill racing down my spine. The shifters stopped mid-attack, their glowing eyes turning toward the source of the voice.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of authority that made the air feel heavier. His amber eyes locked onto mine, and he smiled… a cold, calculating expression that sent every alarm in my body screaming.

“You must be Annika,” he said, his tone almost casual. “We’ve been looking for you.”

The figure’s gaze pinned me in place, cold and unyielding. Around us, the shifters stood still, their glowing eyes trained on me like predators waiting for a command.

My heart pounded as I instinctively stepped back, bumping into Lucas. His hand found my arm, steadying me, but his body was coiled tight, ready to spring.

“You’ve got the wrong person,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

The figure tilted his head, amused. “I don’t think so. Your blood…” he inhaled deeply, his eyes flashing brighter, “it sings. You’re exactly who we’ve been searching for.”

Before I could process his words, he moved. One moment he was standing calmly, and the next he was a blur of speed. Ibarely had time to react before his hand was on my arm, yanking me away from Lucas with inhuman strength.

“Annika!” Lucas’ roar shook the air, but the figure didn’t flinch.

Panic flared as I struggled, kicking and clawing at the man holding me. His grip was iron, his claws digging into my skin as he dragged me toward the edge of the square.

“Let me go!” I shouted, twisting with everything I had.

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