The road back to Diarmid’s home stretched in uneasy silence, the tension thick around us. Diarmid’s grip on the reins was firm, his expression hard as we rode toward the estate. From a distance, I could see a gathering near the entrance—more than just the usual guards. Among them, Michael and Rafail stood out, their presence unmistakable even in the dim light.


    I instinctively clung closer to Diarmid, my heart pounding with unease.


    “What happened?” I whispered.


    “Let’s get you home first, hun,” Diarmid replied, his voice steady but tense.


    As we approached, all eyes turned toward us. Finn stepped forward, followed by Brigit, but it was Michael who spoke first. His gaze locked on mine, worry etched into his features.


    “Arwen, are you hurt?”


    “I’m fine,” I said quietly, though the tremor in my voice betrayed the turmoil inside me. Diarmid put me down on my feet, before addressing the gathered group.


    “Let’s talk inside.”


    The air was thick with unspoken questions as we made our way into the estate. Once inside, Diarmid led me to a large room where everyone gathered—Finn, Brigit, Rhyian,Roisin, Michael, Rafail, and a few others I didn’t recognize. Their expressions ranged from concerned to grim, and the weight of their stares pressed heavily on me.


    “Arwen,” Michael said again, more softly this time. “What happened out there?”


    I hesitated, glancing at Diarmid. He gave me a slight nod, silently encouraging me to speak. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.


    “I saw Azrael,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The room seemed to freeze for a moment, and all eyes fixed on me with renewed intensity.


    Michael’s brows furrowed, and Rafail took a step closer, his usually calm demeanor replaced by visible tension. “Azrael? You’re sure?” Rafail asked carefully.


    “Yes. It was him. There’s no mistaking his presence.” I felt my hands trembling slightly, but I clasped them tightly to keep it from showing. “He… spoke to me.”


    “What did he say?” Michael’s tone was sharp, urgent.


    I hesitated again. The secret about Talisa burned in the back of my mind, but I knew I couldn’t tell them—not yet. Not until I understood it myself.


    “Just warnings,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “He told me to be careful, that something dark is moving, something beyond what we’ve faced before.” That much was true, at least.


    Michael exchanged a glance with Rafail, and a quiet tension settled over the room. Diarmid remained close by my side, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder, a silent reassurance.


    “This isn’t good,” Rafail murmured, his tone grave. “If Azrael himself has appeared, it means the balance is shifting.”


    “I don’t understand,” I said, looking between them. “Why would he come to me? He’s never appeared before, not even when…” I trailed off, unwilling to revisit those memories.


    Michael’s expression softened slightly, but the worry in his eyes remained. “Because you’re different, Arwen. You always have been. Azrael’s bloodline flows through you, and that makes you… significant.”


    Diarmid’s hand tightened on my shoulder protectively, and I leaned into his touch. I wanted to argue, to say I wasn’t special, but deep down, I knew they were right. My connection to Azrael had always set me apart, even if I tried to ignore it.


    “We’ll increase patrols,” Finn said, breaking the tense silence. “If something dark is out there, we need to be ready.”


    “Agreed,” Michael said. He turned back to me, his gaze softer now. “Arwen, if you remember anything else—anything at all—you need to tell us.”


    “I will,” I promised, though my heart clenched at the thought of what I was holding back. The truth about Talisa was a weight I would have to carry alone for now.


    “Rest for tonight,” Rafail added. “We’ll discuss our next steps in the morning.”


    The meeting broke up slowly, tension lingering in the air like an unspoken threat. Diarmid stayed by my side as the others left, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of emotions swirling around me.


    “Thank you,” I said quietly once we were alone.


    He turned to me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You don’t have to thank me, Arwen.. I’ll always be here for you.”


    I smiled faintly, leaning into his touch. But even as I found comfort in his presence, the unease in my heart remained. Secrets had a way of festering, and I could only hope that when the time came, I would be ready to face the truth—whatever it might bring.


    Warm sunlight kissed my skin, but it wasn’t the light that stirred me awake—it was Diarmid’s lips brushing gently against mine. His touch was feather-light, almost teasing, as if testing whether I was truly awake.


    “Mmm,” I murmured, eyes half-lidded, catching the faint smirk playing on his lips. “Morning already?”


    “Morning, mo ghrá,” he whispered, his voice low and velvety, a hint of mischief in his tone. “Thought I’d wake you up properly this time.”


    I smiled, letting my fingers trace the sharp lines of his jaw. “You’re getting better at this.”


    “Better at kissing you?” he teased, leaning closer, his lips just a breath away from mine.


    Before I could reply, a loud, urgent knock echoed from the door.


    “Diarmid! It’s important!” Roisin’s voice cut through the quiet morning, shattering the peace we had.


    Diarmid sighed heavily, resting his forehead against mine for a brief moment before pulling back.


    “Why is it always Roisin?” he muttered.


    I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Guess we’re not meant to have a peaceful morning.”


    Diarmid reluctantly pulled himself away, running a hand through his hair.


    “Come in, Roisin,” he called, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance.


    The door swung open, revealing Roisin, looking as composed as ever despite the tension in his eyes.


    “We have a situation,” he said without preamble. “Something involving vampires—right outside the estate’s border. You need to see this, Diarmid.”


    Diarmid stood, already slipping on his jacket. I quickly followed suit, a sense of unease settling over me.


    “Do you know what happened?” I asked Roisin as we moved down the hallway.


    “Not yet. Scouts reported strange activity near the perimeter about half an hour ago. No casualties, but it’s… odd. We can’t ignore it.”


    As we stepped outside, the cool morning air hit me, carrying with it a strange stillness. Finn, Brigit and Rhyian are already outside waiting for us, while the guards are on high alert,  their weapons ready. Diarmid exchanged a few curt words with one of the lead guards before turning back to me.


    “Stay close, Arwen.”


    I nodded, clinging to his side. My heart pounded, and my mind was racing, trying to process everything when suddenly, my phone rang.


    It was Josh.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    I hesitated, glancing at Diarmid. “It’s Josh. Should I—”


    “Answer it,” Diarmid said, his expression hardening.


    With slightly trembling fingers, I answered the call. “Josh?”


    “Arwen!” His voice was frantic, breathless. “Leroy’s been attacked. It was so fast—I didn’t even see what it was. One second everything was fine, and then—” He cut himself off, his breathing uneven. “He’s bleeding so much. We need help—now!”


    “What?! Where are you?!” I asked, my voice rising in panic.


    “We’re holed up in the east sector near the park. Please, Arwen, I can''t make the blood stop!”


    “We’re on our way,” I said without hesitation, ending the call.


    “What’s going on?” Diarmid asked, his sharp eyes locking onto mine.


    “Josh. Leroy’s been attacked. It was something—someone—fast. Josh isn’t sure what it was. Leroy’s bleeding badly, please Diarmid.”


    Diarmid didn’t waste a second. He turned to Roisin. “Rally the team. Finn and the others will secure the estate border. We’re heading to Josh—now.”


    The tension thickened, the sense of urgency driving us into motion. Amidst the chaos, I felt utterly out of place, still trying to grasp how my life had spiraled into this world of danger and bloodshed. Yet, as Diarmid’s hand briefly found mine, his grip reassuring, I knew one thing: I wasn’t alone in this.


    Roisin''s driving skills were too good—almost unreal. The SUV roared through the streets, weaving through traffic effortlessly. In less than fifteen minutes, we arrived at the park, where flashing red and blue lights from ambulances and police vehicles lit up the night.


    The scene was chaotic. Paramedics moved with urgency, officers spoke in hurried tones, and the faint metallic tang of blood lingered in the air.


    As soon as I stepped out of the SUV, Diarmid was at my side, his hand firmly around my arm. He didn’t let go, his protective stance making it clear that he wasn’t about to let anything—or anyone—near me.


    Then I heard it.


    Josh’s cries cut through the commotion, raw and filled with anguish. My chest tightened, dread settling deep in my stomach.


    “Josh,” I whispered, my voice shaking. I tried to move toward the sound, but Diarmid held me back for a moment, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. Rhyian stood on the other side of me, his stance tense, while Roisin lingered by the SUV, ready to jump into action if needed.


    “Let me go to him,” I pleaded, my voice breaking.


    Diarmid exhaled sharply and finally loosened his grip. “Stay close,” he warned, his tone low and protective.


    I hurried toward Josh, who was kneeling on the ground near the paramedics. His hands were trembling, stained with blood, his face pale and streaked with tears.


    “Josh!” I called out, dropping to my knees beside him.


    He looked up, his eyes wild with panic. “Arwen,” he choked out, his voice barely audible. “It’s Leroy… they… they hurt him. He’s—he’s barely breathing.”


    My heart shattered at his words. I turned my head, and there he was—Leroy. He was on a stretcher, surrounded by paramedics working frantically. His skin was ghostly pale, his chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths.


    “Leroy!” I gasped, starting to reach out, but a paramedic gently but firmly moved me back.


    “We’re taking him to the hospital,” she said, her voice clipped but professional. “You can follow us there.”


    Josh clutched my arm, his grip tight. “They attacked him, Arwen,” he said through gritted teeth, tears streaming down his face. “It wasn’t human.”


    The words sent a chill down my spine. I turned to Diarmid, who was already watching the paramedics load Leroy into the ambulance, his jaw set in a grim line. He nodded to Rhyian, who immediately started toward the park’s perimeter, sniffing the air, his posture rigid.


    “We’ll follow the ambulance,” Diarmid said, his voice calm but laced with tension. “Roisin, take the lead. Rhyian, stay on alert.”


    Josh’s cries broke through again, but I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. “He’s going to make it,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him—or myself.


    The drive to the hospital felt like an eternity. Josh sat in the backseat with Rhyian beside him, her presence calm but watchful. I was in the passenger seat, and Diarmid drove, his sharp focus on the road, his hand occasionally brushing my knee for reassurance.


    “Leroy will pull through,” Diarmid said softly, his tone firm yet comforting. “We’ll make sure of it.”


    Josh sniffled, his face buried in his hands. Rhyian leaned slightly toward him, her voice gentle. “Josh, I know this is hard, but we need to know what happened. Did you see who attacked Leroy?”


    Josh hesitated, his hands trembling as he wiped his face.


    “It was dark,” he mumbled. “We were jogging through the park, and everything seemed normal. Then… there was this sound—like footsteps, but faster. Before I could react, Leroy was hit so hard he—he flew backward. There were more of them. Their eyes… They were red. Glowing.”


    I glanced back at him, my heart sinking. Josh’s voice cracked as he continued. “They weren’t human.”


    Rhyian’s jaw tightened, her posture stiffening. She exchanged a subtle glance with Diarmid through the rearview mirror.


    “Anything else?” she pressed, her tone steady but probing. “Did you notice anything about them—how they looked, moved, or smelled?”


    Josh shook his head, his shoulders slumping. “I don’t know. It all happened so fast. I barely managed to drag Leroy out of there. I ran until I found someone who called for help.”


    “It’s okay,” I said softly, turning in my seat to reach for his hand. “You did everything you could, Josh.”


    When we arrived at the hospital, Diarmid slowed the SUV, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. The entrance was a flurry of activity with paramedics wheeling in stretchers, and civilians hurrying in and out.


    “Rhyian,” Diarmid said as we stepped out of the vehicle. “Stay close to Josh. I’ll coordinate the perimeter.”


    Josh clung to my arm as we entered the emergency room. The fluorescent lights were harsh, and the air smelled overwhelmingly of antiseptic. Nurses moved briskly between patients, their faces strained.


    “Leroy Brown,” Josh said to the receptionist, his voice trembling. “Where is he?”


    The receptionist typed quickly before glancing up. “He’s in surgery,” she said gently. “The doctors are doing everything they can. Someone will update you soon.”


    Josh stumbled to a chair in the waiting area, his head falling into his hands. I sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders while he sobbed quietly.


    Diarmid stood a few steps away, speaking quietly to Rhyian. I caught fragments of their conversation.


    “The posts are set up,” Rhyian said, her voice low but clear. “Roisin’s covering the main perimeter. So far, nothing unusual.”


    “Good,” Diarmid replied. “Finn and Brigit are on their way. They’ll update us on the estate breach.”


    I turned my attention back to Josh, brushing a hand across his back in slow circles. “He’s going to make it,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure if I believed it myself.


    Josh lifted his head slightly, his face streaked with tears. “They’re after us, aren’t they? Those things… they knew where to find us.”


    Diarmid’s gaze darkened, and he walked over, his hand brushing mine briefly before resting on Josh’s shoulder. “Right now, Leroy is our priority. You’re safe here. We’ll handle the rest.”


    Josh nodded weakly, but his haunted expression lingered.


    Diarmid sank into the chair beside me, leaning close. “We’ll get through this,” he murmured, his voice meant only for me.


    I nodded, leaning into him slightly. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Finn and Brigit’s update would only add to the storm brewing around us.


    The next morning, the air in the town was thick with tension. News of Leroy’s attack had spread like wildfire, fueled by whispers of the killing spree at the local club days before. Speculations swirled, each rumor more dramatic than the last. The town was caught in a fever pitch of fear and curiosity.


    By mid-morning, the announcement came: classes were suspended at all levels until further notice. The official reason cited was an “unexpected wildlife incursion.” Diarmid scoffed when he heard the statement on the radio.


    “Wildlife?” he muttered under his breath. “They might as well have said a rabid bear danced through the park.”


    I sat on the couch beside Josh, who looked pale and exhausted. He hadn’t left Leroy’s bedside until the nurses forced him to get some rest. Now, he sat with his hands clenched together, staring blankly at the floor.


    Michael arrived at the hospital not long after, his presence commanding as always. He exchanged a firm handshake with Diarmid, then turned his attention to Josh.


    “Josh,” Michael began, his tone gentle but firm, “I know this is difficult for you, but we need your help. The media’s already caught wind of Leroy’s attack. I’ve spoken with the authorities, and we’re working to keep the situation contained. However, if reporters approach you, I need you to avoid giving any details about what you saw.”


    Josh blinked, his focus finally shifting to Michael. “You mean… you don’t want me to tell them it wasn’t human?”


    Michael nodded. “Exactly. The last thing we need is mass panic. The police and local government are trying to control the narrative by saying it was wild animals. If word gets out about what really happened, it could bring attention we’re not prepared to handle.”


    Josh looked down, his shoulders sagging. “I understand. My priority is Leroy. I don’t care about reporters or anyone else. I just want him to survive.”


    Diarmid stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Josh’s shoulder. “Thank you. That’s all we’re asking for now. Focus on Leroy, and let us handle the rest.”


    Josh nodded weakly, and I placed a hand over his, squeezing gently. “We’re all here for you,” I said softly.


    As the conversation settled, Michael turned to Diarmid. “I’ve sent warriors to help guard the town. They’ll keep a low profile but will report any unusual activity. We need to be vigilant.”


    Diarmid nodded. “Good. I’ve already got posts watching the hospital and the estate. We’ll coordinate to cover as much ground as possible.”


    Michael’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Arwen, you’re part of this now. Be careful who you talk to and what you say. This is bigger than just us.”


    “I understand,” I replied, my voice steady despite the weight of his words.


    Josh let out a shaky breath. “Leroy’s parents… they’re on their way, right?”


    Michael nodded. “They’ve been notified and are flying in as we speak. They’ll be here by tonight.”


    Josh’s shoulders sagged with relief, and he leaned back against the couch. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without all of you.”


    Diarmid’s arm wrapped around me as we stood to leave. “We’re in this together,” he said, his voice low but resolute.


    As we stepped outside, the cool morning air did little to calm the unease swirling in my chest. The town might be quiet on the surface, but beneath the fa?ade, danger lurked in every shadow.