Chapter 9: The Weight of the Blood
Aarav sat in the mansion's grand hall, staring at the flickering candlelight. His hands were still stained with blood. His first kill.
He had tasted it. Given in. And worst of all… he had liked it.
Seraphina and Selene sat across from him, watching in silence. There was no pity in their eyes—only understanding.
"You're struggling," Seraphina finally said. "That's normal."
Aarav exhaled sharply. "Normal? I killed someone."
"He was going to kill you," Selene countered. "You did what had to be done."
Aarav ran a shaky hand through his hair. "That's the problem. It felt right. It shouldn't have."
Selene smirked. "That's the hunger. It's in you now. Fighting it will only make things worse."
Seraphina leaned forward. "You need to accept what you are, Kairos. Or it will consume you."
Aarav flinched at the name.
"That's not my name," he muttered.
"It was once," Seraphina said gently. "And it will be again."
Aarav's jaw tightened. "And if I don't want it?"
Selene chuckled darkly. "Then you'll die."
Aarav's stomach twisted. Deep down, he knew she wasn't lying. The hunger—the transformation—it wouldn't stop. He was standing at the edge of a cliff, and there was no turning back.
But was he ready to fall?
Before he could answer, a knock echoed through the mansion.
Three slow, deliberate knocks.
Aarav stiffened.
Selene's expression darkened. "That's not possible. No one should be able to approach this house unnoticed."
Seraphina rose from her seat, her crimson eyes flashing. "Stay behind us."
Aarav stood as the sisters moved toward the entrance. The air grew heavy, thick with something unnatural.
Selene placed a hand on the door and paused. "Who's there?"
A deep, velvety voice answered from the other side.
"An old friend."
The doors swung open on their own, revealing a figure standing in the moonlight.
Tall. Cloaked in black. Eyes like burning embers.
Aarav's breath caught in his throat.
He knew this man.
From his visions. From the throne. From the other life.
The figure smiled, revealing glistening fangs.
"Hello, Kairos."
To be continued…