The Ebon Citadel

Lila woke up in a strange bed. For a moment, she thought she was back in her old room. Then she saw the dark red curtains and fancy furniture, and it all came rushing back. The car chase. The magic spell. The house.

She sat up fast, making her head spin. Sunlight streamed through a gap in the heavy curtains. She crossed the room, her feet sinking into the soft carpet, and pulled the curtains all the way open.

The view took her breath away. Miles of dark jungle spread out below her, with mountains in the distance. She was higher up than she'd thought - at least four stories above the ground.

"I see you're finally awake."

Lila spun around. A young woman with bright red hair stood by the door, carrying a tray of food.

"Who are you?" Lila asked.

"I'm Mira. I work here." She set the tray down on a small table. "The Blood King asked me to bring you breakfast and show you around the castle."

Lila's stomach growled, but she crossed her arms. "I'm not hungry."

Mira smiled. "Yes, you are. And you'll need your strength. This place can be... a lot to take in."

Curiosity won out over stubbornness. Lila sat down and took a bite of toast. "Fine. Tell me about this place."

"This is the Ebon Citadel," Mira said. "Home of the Blood King and his court."

"His court? Like kings and queens from past times?"

"Something like that." Mira's smile showed the tips of sharp fangs.

Lila dropped her toast. "You're a vampire too?"

"Half-vampire. My mother was human." Mira picked up the falling toast. "Don't worry, we don't bite guests. Not without permission."

After breakfast, Mira led Lila through the house. The hallways seemed to go on forever, with twisting stairs and rooms filled with treasures. There were paintings older than any Lila had seen in school books, and strange items that glowed with faint light.

"How big is this place?" Lila asked as they walked down a hallway lined with mirrors.

"It changes," Mira said. "The castle has seven floors, one for each vampire clan. And it shifts during the full moon."

"It changes? Like... magic?"

"Exactly like magic." Mira stopped at a big window. "Look there."

Lila peered out and gasped. In a garden below, people were training with swords and bows. Some moved faster than her eyes could follow. Others seemed to disappear and resurface in different spots.

"Those are the younger vampires," Mira explained. "They train every day."

"Are they... drinking blood?" Lila whispered.

"We all do. It's how we live. But most of us take just a little, from willing donors."

Lila's hand went to her neck. "Is that why I'm here? To be a donor?"

Mira's face turned serious. "No. You're here for something much more important."

They continued their tour, passing through a massive library with books stacked to the sky and a room filled with glowing crystals. Finally, they came to a set of huge black doors carved with strange symbols.

"This is the throne room," Mira said. "The Blood King is waiting for you."

Lila's heart beat. "I don't want to see him."

"You don't have a choice." Mira pushed the doors open.

The room beyond was vast, with tall windows and a floor made of black marble. At the far end, on a chair made of dark red stone, sat the Blood King. His red eyes locked on Lila as she walked toward him.

"Leave us," he said to Mira, who bowed and vanished.

Lila stood before him, trying not to shake. "Why am I here?"

"Because you belong here." The Blood King stood and walked down the steps. "Your mother knew that, even if she tried to hide you from me."

"My mother never said anything about vampires or magic."

"She was protecting you." He circled around her. "But she couldn't hide you forever. Not with your blood."

"What's so special about my blood?"

The Blood King smiled, showing sharp fangs. "It's not just blood. It's power. Magic runs in your blood, Lila. Your mother was a witch, descended from the Crimson Witch herself."

Lila thought of the strange spell she'd cast in the car. "That doesn't explain why you brought me here."

"There's a curse," the Blood King said. "An old one, tied to your bloodline and mine. Every generation, a daughter of the Crimson Witch must bind herself to the Blood King to keep the seal strong."

"What seal?"

"The one that keeps darkness from swallowing our world." He took her hand. His touch was cold. "When the blood moon rises, you must become my bride."

Lila yanked her hand away. "No way! I'm not marrying anyone, especially not a vampire!"

The Blood King's eyes darkened. "It's not a choice, Lila. It's fate. Your mother tried to break the pattern by hiding you, but that only made things worse. The seal is failing. Strange things are happening."

As if on cue, the floor shook beneath them. A crack formed in the marble, spreading like a spiderweb.

"See?" The Blood King said. "The darkness is pushing through."

Lila backed away. "I don't believe you."

"Then let me show you." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward a small door hidden behind the chair.

The steps beyond wound down into darkness. They fell for what felt like forever, the air getting colder with each step. Finally, they reached a round chamber with a pool of black water in its middle.

"Look," the Blood King whispered.

Lila looked into the water. At first, she saw only her image. Then the water rippled, and she was looking at herself - but different. Her hair was longer, her eyes glowed red, and she wore strange, old-fashioned clothes.

"That's not me," she whispered.

"It is," the Blood King said. "In another life. You've been reborn seven times, Lila. And each time, you've sacrificed yourself to keep the secret."

The image changed again, showing Lila surrounded by darkness, screaming as black tendrils wrapped around her body.

She stumbled back from the pool. "This is crazy!"

"It's the truth." The Blood King's voice relaxed. "I'm not the monster here, Lila. I'm trying to save you - to break the loop."

Something slithered in the pool, breaking the surface of the water. A black, snake-like thing rose up, its eyes glowing purple.

"Get back!" The Blood King pushed Lila behind him and raised his hand. Red light shot from his hand, striking the creature. It screamed and sank back into the water.

"That," he said sadly, "is what happens when the seal weakens. Things from the other side start breaking through."

Lila's head spun with too many questions. "If there's a curse, how do we break it?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out for centuries." He turned to her, his red eyes shining in the darkness. "But first, we need to tighten the seal. And for that, I need your blood."

Before Lila could reply, a loud crash echoed from above. The whole room shook, dust falling from the ceiling.

"We're under attack," the Blood King hissed. He grabbed Lila's arm. "We need to get back up."

But as they reached the stairs, the ceiling fell. Rocks tumbled down, blocking their way. Through the falling rubble, Lila caught a glimpse of silver hair and ice-blue eyes.

"Darius," the Blood King growled.

"Hello, old friend," said a smooth voice from above. "I see you've found the witch's daughter. How convenient for me."