CHAPTER 7 – THE GATEWAY TO TRUTH

“We’re almost there.”

Elara frowned. “Where exactly?”

"Someone who can answer your questions better than I can."

She wanted to argue, but the look Lucien gave her made her swallow her words.

Lucien turned off the engine and stepped out first, leaving Elara still frozen in her seat. She stared at the house in front of them—it was nothing like Lucien’s grand, classic estate. This one was modern, minimalistic, yet there was something… off about it.

The air felt heavier, as if something unseen was lurking in the shadows.

Elara bit her lip, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. Why am I even here? She knew that the deeper she stepped into Lucien’s world, the harder it would be to turn back.

A tap on the car window snapped her out of her thoughts. Lucien stood outside, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Elara,” he said flatly. “Get out.”

She sighed and finally opened the door. “Are you going to tell me why we’re here first?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Lucien barely spared her a glance as he walked toward the house. “You want answers, don’t you?” he said, knocking on the door. “The person inside can help you more than I can.”

Before Elara could ask anything else, the door swung open.

A woman stood in the doorway—tall, with wavy dark hair cascading down her back. Her emerald-green eyes locked onto Elara with an intensity that made the girl instinctively take a step back.

"So, this is her?" The woman’s voice was soft yet sharp.

Lucien nodded. “Adeline, this is Elara.”

Elara eyed the woman warily. There was something unsettling about Adeline—not in a threatening way, but in the way that made her feel exposed, as if the woman could see right through her.

Adeline offered a small, knowing smile and stepped aside. “Come in. We have a lot to talk about.”

As soon as Elara stepped inside, she was greeted by the faint scent of wood and spices mixed with something unfamiliar. The house’s interior was simple, yet lined with shelves filled with old books and antiques that didn’t belong in a modern home.

Lucien motioned for her to sit, and she hesitantly lowered herself onto the sofa while Adeline poured tea into a dark porcelain cup.

"So," Adeline began, her gaze sharp yet curious. “You must have a lot of questions.”

Elara nodded, clasping her hands together. “Lucien said you could explain more about… my blood.”

Adeline placed the cup on the table. “That’s right. And I’m sure you’ve also been wondering why Lucien can walk in the sunlight while others of his kind can’t, haven’t you?”

Elara stiffened. “How did you—”

Adeline smiled knowingly. “Because that question always comes up. You’re not the first to be curious about Lucien. But you are the only one who carries the answer in your own blood.”

Elara’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Adeline exchanged a glance with Lucien before turning back to Elara. “Before I answer your questions, there’s something you need to know.”

She leaned back, crossing her legs gracefully.

"Elara, you’re not just an ordinary human."

Elara’s world seemed to pause. “What?”

Adeline’s smile was faint but knowing. “And that’s exactly why they want you.”

Elara’s heart pounded faster, but before she could demand an explanation, the sound of shattering glass echoed from outside the window.

Lucien was on his feet instantly, his eyes sharp like a predator sensing danger.

Adeline let out a quiet sigh. “It seems we’ve run out of time faster than I expected.” She turned to Elara, her expression serious.

"They’ve found you."

The sound of shattering glass made Elara flinch. Her heart pounded as she snapped her head toward the large window in the living room.

Lucien was already standing rigid, his eyes sharp—like a wolf sensing danger. Adeline, who had seemed calm just moments ago, slowly set down her teacup and let out a deep sigh.

"They found us faster than I expected," she murmured.

Elara swallowed hard. "Who—who are ‘they’?"

Lucien didn’t answer. In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet. "We need to get out of here."

"Go where?!" She yanked her hand back, her breathing erratic. "I don’t even know what’s happening!"

Before Lucien could respond, a rustling noise came from outside. Shadows flickered beyond the curtain—vague figures, but clearly not human.

Adeline rose from her seat, her emerald-green eyes gleaming in the dim light. "If you want to stay alive, Elara, listen to Lucien."

Elara held her breath, her body going rigid as the window suddenly shattered, sending shards of glass scattering across the floor. Cold night air rushed in, carrying a scent that sent a chill down her spine.

Then, from the darkness outside, someone stepped in.

A man with long black hair and eyes that burned red like embers. His lips curled into a faint smile that made Elara’s skin crawl.

"Lucien." His voice was deep and dangerously smooth. "You really have been hiding something precious, haven’t you?"

Elara felt Lucien’s grip on her arm tighten.

"Gabriel," Lucien whispered, his voice ice-cold.

Elara didn’t need to ask who he was. The way Lucien looked at him—with barely restrained hatred—told her everything she needed to know.

This wasn’t just a threat.

This was an old enemy.

Gabriel stepped further into the room, his movements slow and deliberate, radiating an aura of danger. "I could smell her blood from miles away," he said, his gaze flicking toward Elara. "The blood every clan has been searching for. And you really thought you could hide her, Lucien?"

Adeline moved forward, placing herself beside Elara. "You’re overconfident if you think you can just take her," she said, her voice low but firm.

Gabriel chuckled softly and lifted his hand. At his silent command, more figures emerged from the darkness, slipping into the room. Their glowing red eyes gleamed hungrily, their smiles sharp and predatory.

Elara’s entire body went rigid.

She knew she was no match for them.

Even Lucien and Adeline, despite their composed expressions, now stood in a defensive stance.

Gabriel took another step forward—and in an instant, he vanished.

Only to reappear right in front of Elara.

He was too fast.

Before she could react, his hand shot out, reaching toward her face—

But in a blur of movement, Lucien yanked her back and slashed the air in front of them with something silver.

A dagger.

Gabriel retreated just as fast, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the weapon in Lucien’s hand. "Still clinging to your old toys?" he mocked.

Lucien didn’t respond. He simply stood his ground, his stance firm, eyes calculating.

Adeline spared Elara a quick glance before speaking urgently. "We can’t win this fight. We need to get out of here."

Gabriel smirked, as if reading their strategy. "You can’t run forever," he said. "Sooner or later, her blood will belong to us."

Elara felt her body go numb, but before she could process his words, Lucien grabbed her arm again, harder this time.

"Run. Now!"