“What’s this?” Aldin’s voice was barely a whisper, laced with fear as he tried to stand, only to realize he couldn’t move. “What’s happening to me? Am I…” His hands scraped at the ropes. “Tied up? Who are you…?”

“Yes, tied up. Quite the detective, aren’t we?” The figure’s voice was mocking, filled with a dark amusement.

“Why am I here?”

“You’re here because you stumbled upon something you shouldn’t have. And you’ll stay put until I figure out exactly what that is.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let me make it simple…” The figure stepped into the dim light, his face a horror to behold. “I’m going to cut you, little by little. Until you’re begging to tell me everything, got it?” His grin was chilling, revealing a knife and teeth that were too sharp, too deadly. His eyes were like voids, his skin a patchwork of gray and black.

“What are you?” Aldin’s voice cracked, his eyes wide with terror.

“How did you see me yesterday?”

“I don’t understand…”

“Answer me!” The knife sank into Aldin’s leg abruptly.

Aldin’s scream was visceral, a sound of pure terror as he felt his blood start to flow.

“Scream all you want. No one can hear you here. This room is protected by magic, beyond the reach of any outside ears.”

The figure left the knife in Aldin’s leg, stepping back into the shadows. Aldin’s mind raced, he looked just like…—it was him, the man from the light-rail, but in his dark, twisted and terrifying true form.

“I… I don’t know. I just saw you.”

“‘Just saw me’? Interesting. Most need magic to reveal my presence. You’re a curious one.” He pulled the knife out slowly, each movement causing Aldin to gasp in pain.

“AAAAAAH! What do you want from me? Let me go!” Aldin’s voice was desperate, his body shaking as he tried to escape the ropes.

“Let you go? Why would I do that? I’ve caught myself a human without any effort and one that comes with no repercussions. You’re not going anywhere.” His laughter was cold and merciless.

“What do you mean?” Aldin’s voice rose in panic.

“Enough! I dislike it when my meals are uncooperative. Now, tell me. How. Did. You. See. Me?” Each word was accompanied by a small cut, a cruel reminder of Aldin’s helplessness.

“I told you already,” Aldin said, his voice strained with pain. “I don’t know anything else.”

“Alright then.” The creature stepped closer, his hands hovering over Aldin’s head. “Pity…” He stabbed the other leg, and Aldin’s screams filled the room once more. “But before I finish this, where’s your protector? The witch?”

“What are you talking about?” Aldin’s words were clipped, each one a struggle against the pain.

“The witch on the train. She’s the reason you escaped me before.”

“What witch? This must be a dream, a nightmare. I should’ve woken up by now.”

“This is no dream,” the vampire said, and with a swift motion, Aldin’s world went dark.

The foul odor of rot and ruin invaded Aldin’s nostrils, a noxious greeting from the darkness he had braved. It was a scent that spoke of endings, of things left to wither away in forgotten corners. Aldin had embraced the notion of vanishing into the void, yet destiny had woven a far more sinister journey for him. His eyelids snapped open, a reflex of the agony that seized him. It was as if he lay upon the blistering heart of the sun, each nerve ending aflame with a torment that defied understanding. A scream tore from the depths of his being, a visceral outcry that seemed to tear the very fabric of silence.

Slowly, mercifully, the inferno within dimmed to a throbbing soreness, a reminder of his brush with annihilation. Then, an odd tranquility followed, a wave of numbness that washed over his form, stripping away layers of pain until he floated in a void of sensation, adrift in the aftermath of his ordeal.

Aldin’s voice emerged as a raspy whisper, the words scraping against his dry throat. “What’s happening?” he croaked, confusion lacing his tone. His fingers brushed against something cold and vilely unclean—the unmistakable texture of a dumpster’s metal. With a pained grunt, he mustered the strength to climb out, only to be greeted by a sharp agony that clawed at his senses, sending him reeling over the side.

His knees gave way, folding like a house of cards as he crumpled to the grimy pavement. Pain surged through him, a tidal wave that threatened to drag him under once more. But it receded just as quickly, leaving him in a trembling heap against the rough brick wall.

Gritting his teeth, Aldin used the wall as his anchor, pulling himself upright with shaky arms. He stumbled toward the dimly lit street, each step a battle against the dizziness that clouded his vision. As he emerged, stumbling onto the sidewalk, a silhouette materialized before him—a figure shrouded in mystery, her features a blur against the backdrop of the city’s nocturnal glow.

“Rough night?” she asked.

“You could say that.” he managed to say, his voice still raw.

As his vision cleared, he recognized her—the woman with raven hair and eyes that glowed an unnatural green, the one from near his apartment.

“You?”

“Me. You look like you’re in one piece,” she said, eyeing him.

“What do you want?”

“I’m here to help, let’s say. There are those interested in you.”

“Who?”

“You’ll find out if you come with me.”

He shrugged her off. “No thanks,” he said, his voice stronger now. He started to walk away, feeling steadier.

“Aldin, I’d rather not force you, but you will come with me.”

“How do you know my name? Nevermind, I don’t want to know anyway,” he said, continuing to walk away.

“Aren’t you curious about your nightmares?”

He stopped. “How…? Nope, don’t want to know.”

He turned to leave and walked into an invisible barrier.

“What is this?” he demanded.

“A barrier. I can’t let you leave, Aldin.”

“A barrier…” he sighed. “Will you leave me alone if I go with you?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Aldin thought for a moment. Maybe this would end the weirdness. “Alright, where are we going?”

“Just hold still,” she said, a smile in her voice.

She closed her eyes, brought her hands together, and when they opened, they glowed red.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Lanu,” she said, her voice changed.

Suddenly, they were in front of a house that seemed to have sprung from the pages of a gothic novel. The structure loomed, its dark purple walls tinged with the last light of dusk, giving it an almost ethereal glow. The cobalt blue trim highlighted the intricate woodwork that adorned the eaves and windows, each detail meticulously crafted to cast eerie shadows that danced in the flickering light of the streetlamps.

The small set of stairs leading up to the porch was stained with a dark blackish brown, worn in places where countless visitors had tread. The porch itself was a stage set for tales of the arcane, with its balustrades carved into twisted figures that seemed to writhe in the night air. The heavy, ornate door stood ajar, inviting yet foreboding, a portal to a realm that whispered of secrets and sorcery.

“This is our coven. It’s a safe place for those with unique magic. And yes, we teleported. It’s a bit unsettling at first. Let’s go inside,” she said, leading the way.

“Coven? You mean this is…”

“A real coven, yes.”

“Wait, you haven’t told me your name yet.”

“Ah, right. The name’s Luna Crescent,” she said with a casual flip of her hair. “Nice to finally chat. Shall we head in?”

They ascended the steps and crossed the threshold into a realm where the mundane rules of the outside world no longer applied. The silence of the exterior was a stark contrast to the symphony of enchantment that greeted them. The air was alive with the laughter of children, each one engaged in acts of wonder. A young boy, with a mere flick of his wrist, sent a whirlwind of colors spiraling through the room, while a girl, her eyes closed in concentration, levitated toys around her in a graceful ballet.

The house itself was an architectural spell, its interior expanding beyond the possible dimensions of its exterior. Majestic pillars stood like ancient wizards guarding the path to a grand staircase that coiled upwards, leading to realms unseen, with doors that promised adventures untold.

“It’s quite the spectacle, isn’t it?” Luna’s voice was tinged with pride.

“It’s enormous,” he breathed out, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and a touch of trepidation.

“My mother’s study is this way,” Luna guided him, her steps seeming to barely touch the ground.

“Why all the kids?” he inquired, his gaze following a pair of twins who were conjuring a shimmering orb between them.

“They’re the ones my mom’s taken in. Some from rough homes, others straight off the streets. They were outcasts, misunderstood by those who were supposed to look after them. A few were even locked away in asylums. Mom brought them here, gave them a place where they could be safe and learn to harness their gifts.”

“This is all so… extraordinary. It’s like walking through a dream. I keep thinking I’ll wake up any moment,” he said, his voice a whisper of awe.

“But this is as real as it gets,” Luna assured him, her hand on the door to the study, which swung open as if by its own volition.

Stepping into the study was like entering the heart of magic itself. One wall was a living mosaic of plants, each leaf and petal pulsating with an inner light, interspersed with bottles filled with potions that glowed and bubbled with life. Shelves were laden with ancient books and artifacts, each one humming with the echo of spells long cast. Dominating the room was a painting of a crescent moon, its silver glow bathing the room in a light that seemed to transcend the physical world, casting the large oak desk in an otherworldly luminescence.

“Welcome,” said the woman with a striking presence, her silver hair catching the light like threads of a moonbeam.

“Uh, hi,” Aldin responded, taken aback.

“My name is Melissa Crescent. I’ve been expecting you. Your coming was predicted, though not the exact time.”

“Predicted?” Aldin echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Melissa shot Luna a sharp look. “You didn’t explain anything to him?”

“You told me to bring him here, that’s all. You didn’t say anything about revealing his supposed destiny.”

Aldin’s patience was thinning. “Can we just get to the point? Why am I here?”

“To assist you on your path,” Melissa answered calmly.

“What path? If you’re so eager to help, why the dramatics with your daughter?”

“Did she force you?” Melissa’s eyes narrowed at Luna. “You were supposed to persuade him, Luna. Remember, your strength doesn’t make you invincible. He could have easily ended you.”

“Me? I’m not…” Aldin started to protest but stopped short as Melissa raised her hand.

“You are, and you’ll understand in time. Even now, you have more power than you realize,” Melissa cut in.

Aldin was growing increasingly frustrated. “What are you talking about?”

“Have you started seeing things recently? Things that weren’t visible before?”

“How do you know about that?” Aldin demanded.

Melissa pointed to an old leather-bound book on her desk. “This book belongs to the leader of each coven. It records the name of the chosen sorcerer. Your name appeared when you were born, then again two days ago. You’ve been granted the sight to see beyond the veil. That’s unusual considering you should have had it your entire life. However, it is a well-known fact that this is the sorcerers’ first power. Knowing your parents, they never told you any of this.”

“My parents?” Aldin’s voice was laced with disbelief.

“They didn’t tell you. Irresponsible,” Melissa sighed shaking her head. “Your mother was a powerful witch, your father too. They were taken from us too soon. I advised them on how to seal your power to keep you safe.”

“So, my parents were magic users? And they hid this from me?”

“They did it to protect you from dark forces that crave intense magic. They consume it to gain power. Your parents wanted you safe until you could defend yourself. Have you ever done something… impossible?”

Aldin paused, the memory of the previous night flashing before his eyes.

Melissa was about to speak when Luna interjected, “There’s a problem.”

“What now?” Melissa asked sharply.

“When I found him, he was disoriented, pale as a ghost. He crawled out of a dumpster.”

“That explains the smell,” Melissa said, waving her hand in front of her face. “What happened, Aldin?”

“I ordered room service. Something in my food knocked me out. When I woke up, I was tied to a chair and being interrogated by a guy I saw on the light rail. He…” Aldin trailed off, touching the new scars on his neck. “I was dead. How am I alive?”

“A sorcerer can’t be killed by normal means. Your power is immense, Aldin. It seems you’ve come back to life. Whoever this man is, he’s after your power.”

“He wanted to know how I saw him. Now I have this weird scar…”

Luna stepped forward and examined his neck. “Vampire,” she confirmed with a nod.

“He must’ve taken some of your blood but not enough to finish you,” Melissa said, her expression grim. “We need to find him. He can’t be left to roam free. And you, Aldin, you’ve got to get a handle on your powers.”

“Drained? By a vampire? This is… a lot.” Aldin’s voice faded as a sharp pain shot through his head, his body shaking violently. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the floor, out cold.

“Nice going, Mom,” Luna snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“How was I supposed to know he’d pass out? Should I have sugarcoated it?” Melissa shot back.

“You could’ve broken it to him gently. He didn’t need the whole truth dumped on him at once.”

“And baby him? He needs to face this new reality if he’s going to control his magic.”

“We’re not sorcerers. How are we supposed to guide him?”

“The longer he stays in the dark, the stronger that vampire gets. We’ll teach him what we know. His power is vast, but the basics of magic are the same. If he doesn’t catch on, I’ll call the council. We can’t let a power-hungry vampire run wild in the city.”

“Alright,” Luna conceded, storming out and slamming the door behind her.

Melissa sighed, approached Aldin, and whispered a spell. His eyes flew open.

“I blacked out, didn’t I?” Aldin gasped.

“Yes.”

“I don’t get it. There was this intense pain, and then you were here.”

“That’s your magic trying to break through the barrier in your mind. Hold on.” Melissa raised a finger for silence. “Evan? Could you come here, please?”

She helped Aldin to his feet and went back to her desk. A man with a punk look entered his eyes widening at Aldin. “You!” he exclaimed.

“What are you doing here?” Aldin retorted.

“Me? What about you…”

“Have you two met before?” Melissa interjected. “Evan, just call me Melissa, please.”

“Yes, Miss… Melissa.”

“Now, what’s this all about?”

“We bumped into each other the other day. He wasn’t watching the light.”

“I see. Regardless, Evan, take Aldin to the showers. He’ll need fresh clothes. A shower will give you some time to think, right?” Melissa said.

“I suppose. But I’m going back to my hotel afterward.”

“Take your time. We’ll talk before you leave.”

“Why should I stick around?”

“Because I can help you unlock your power.”

“And if I don’t want that?”

“Whether you want it or not, they’ll keep coming after you. Your power is awakening, and it won’t stay sealed forever. The headaches will increase in occurrences and intensity as your power fluxes and tries to break free. Think about it.”

“Fine, I’ll consider it.”

“Come on,” Evan said, leading Aldin away. “Why are you really here?” he asked as they walked down the hall.

“Melissa’s convinced I’m some kind of sorcerer,” Aldin said, his voice tinged with a mix of skepticism and unease. “She’s dead set on teaching me to use these powers I’m supposed to have.”

“That’s just how it is at Evermore. They’re all about that stuff. And Melissa, she’s top-notch at it,” Evan replied, as if he was talking about something as mundane as the weather.

“So why question it?” Aldin asked, his words heavy with sarcasm.

“Because, genius, she’s training me too. Showers are through those doors,” Evan pointed carelessly toward the double doors. “You’ll find towels on the shelf inside, to your right. Careful though, the water’s pretty hot.”

“Got it, thanks.”

“Sure,” Evan said, his voice trailing off as he walked away.

The shower felt good, even if it was almost too hot to handle. As the water poured down, Aldin’s thoughts were in turmoil. The thought of a vampire draining his blood was unsettling. Was he really a sorcerer? Seeing people’s true forms, wielding magic—was it all real? Why had his parents kept this hidden from him? Why hadn’t they prepared him to deal with this world? And how was he going to get rid of these relentless headaches? With more questions than he could answer, he decided he’d have to talk to Melissa later.

After the shower, Aldin was even more confused. There were clothes laid out for him, fitting perfectly. Looking in the mirror, he noticed his eyes had changed—they were now speckled with bright purple, a sharp departure from their usual deep green.

“What’s going on with me?” he muttered to himself. Panic started to creep in; his breathing quickened. He gripped the edge of the sink, closing his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. Then there was a loud snap, and when he opened his eyes…

He was no longer at Evermore. He was back in the kitchen of the house he grew up in, a place he hadn’t seen since his parents died. It was dark, and the air was thick with dust.

Panic hit him again, his head spinning, his vision starting to blur. He coughed from the dust, trying to regain his composure. Suddenly, he felt like he was falling into a dark abyss, the emptiness of space engulfing him. And then he hit the ground hard, but he wasn’t in the kitchen—he was in his mother’s study. And standing there, behind the desk, was his mother.