The fire crackled low in the massive hearth, throwing long shadows against the stone walls of the old manor. It was one of their oldest meeting places — safe, hidden from prying human eyes.
Lucian sat back in his chair, a heavy glass of dark wine untouched in his hand. Across from him, Thamir lounged with the casual grace of someone who had lived long enough to fear nothing, his deep brown skin catching the firelight, his dark eyes thoughtful. Jensen sat closer to the hearth, his pale skin nearly glowing in the dim light, blue eyes sharp and watchful.
"You've been quiet, brother," Thamir said, voice smooth as silk, though there was a hard edge beneath it. "Speak. We didn't come all this way just to admire your brooding."
Lucian's jaw tensed. For a moment he said nothing, wrestling with the words inside him. Then, finally, he set the glass down and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.
"I met someone," he said simply.
Jensen arched an eyebrow. "Another feeder?"
"No," Lucian said sharply. "Not just that. It started that way... but it's different now."
Thamir's eyes gleamed with interest. "Tell us."
Lucian exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair.
"His name is Daniel. I found him — or maybe he found me — a few months ago. He was attacked... and I..." His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "I gave him my blood."
There was a beat of heavy silence.
"You fed him your blood?" Jensen asked, incredulous. "Lucian, that's—"
"I know what it is," Lucian interrupted, voice rough. "I know what it means."
Thamir leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Continue."
"I saved him. I didn't think about it — I just acted. And after that..." Lucian shook his head slowly. "I couldn't stay away. I started feeding from him. And yes, I kept giving him my blood too. Just a little. Enough to heal him, to keep him strong."
"And?" Jensen pressed.
Lucian's mouth twisted into something between a smile and a grimace. "At first, it was the blood. His blood is... unlike anything I've ever tasted. Potent. Addictive. It called to something primal in me. But the more time I spent with him, the more I realized it wasn't just the blood."
He looked up, his eyes darker than the firelit room.
"I care for him. Deeply. I—" he broke off, swallowing hard. "I think I love him."
The admission hung in the air like smoke.
Thamir let out a low whistle, sitting back. "It's been a long time since I've heard you say that word."
"I never have," Lucian said softly. "Not like this."
Jensen studied him, frowning. "And the boy? Does he know what he's gotten himself into?"
Lucian shook his head. "Not fully. He doesn't know how dangerous it could be for him if he stepped deeper into our world. Sure, he has guessed that it can be dangerous, but he doesn't know how dangerous."
Thamir's eyes narrowed. "You didn't tell him?"
"I couldn't," Lucian said, voice cracking. "Daniel deserves a chance at a normal life. A human life. Not this... this cursed existence we live. So, I have tried to keep him as far away from it as possible."
"And yet you've already tied him to you, whether you meant to or not," Jensen said quietly.
Lucian flinched.
Thamir steepled his fingers under his chin, regarding Lucian carefully. "You're feeling possessive."
Lucian gave a low, bitter laugh. "More than I ever thought possible. I want to shield him from everything. From the world. From myself."
"And Jeremiah?" Jensen asked, his voice hardening. "You told us he somehow stumbled upon Daniel. Whether intentional or unintentional … that is still a mystery even for you."
Lucian's face darkened. "He attacked Daniel. Tried to feed from him. If I hadn't gotten there in time—" He broke off, hands clenching into fists. "He suspects something. He knows Daniel matters to me, even if he doesn't understand why."
"You'll have to deal with him," Thamir said, his voice calm. "Officially. He crossed a line."
Lucian nodded. "I will. Jeremiah's broken more laws than just this. The Council won't protect him. I'll bring him before the Elders — or end it myself if I must."
"You speak as if it's already decided," Jensen said dryly.
"It is," Lucian said simply.
Thamir leaned back, eyes thoughtful. "And what about Daniel? Do you plan to mark him?"
Lucian's throat tightened.
"No," he said. "I won't do that to him. Bonded mates... it rarely ends well. You know that."
Jensen frowned. "Allisa and I—"
"You and Allisa are the exception," Lucian said. "You know most bonds end in madness. Despair. Death."
"And yet here you are," Thamir murmured. "Acting like a fool in love."
Lucian smiled humorlessly. "I can't help it. He matters to me. More than anything ever has."
There was another silence, longer this time, broken only by the crackle of the fire.
"So," Thamir said finally. "What's your plan?"
Lucian stood slowly, crossing to the window. Outside, the night stretched endless and silent, the stars cold and far away.
"I'm going to end it," he said, his voice hollow. "I'll cut ties with him. Let him live his life. I'll watch from the shadows, keep him safe... but from a distance. Forever."
Thamir snorted. "You've always been intense. I remember when you loved — truly loved — it was complete. No hesitation. No middle ground."
Lucian's lips curved in a sad, distant smile.
"This is different," he whispered. "I've never loved like this before. When he's gone... when he ages and dies..." He swallowed hard. "I will enter the Eternal Slumber."
Jensen stiffened. "Lucian—"
"It's not a decision I make lightly," Lucian said. "I'm tired, Jensen. Of all of it. Daniel is the last light I'll ever have. When it's gone..." His voice broke. "There will be nothing left for me here."
Jensen rose, crossing to him. "You should tell him," he said. "Talk to him. Let him choose."
Lucian shook his head fiercely. "No. I won't risk his life. The bonding ritual could kill him. Even with the blood I've given him, it's still dangerous. I won't gamble with his life."
"You're gambling with his heart instead," Thamir said, rising to join them.
Lucian's chest twisted painfully.
"I know," he whispered. "And I hate myself for it."
The fire crackled behind them, filling the silence with its low, mournful music.
Thamir clapped a hand on Lucian's shoulder, firm and steady. "Think carefully, old friend. Don't make decisions for him. You may regret it more than anything."
Lucian didn't move, staring out into the endless night.
"I'll think about it," he said, though his heart already knew the answer.
He would walk away.
Because he loved Daniel too much to drag him into the darkness.
Even if it tore him apart.