The living room fell into an uneasy silence after Liam’s revelation. The weight of the moment was palpable, the air charged with unspoken questions and lingering disbelief.

Her father was the first to speak, his voice cautious yet steady. “Alright, Liam,” he said, folding his arms. “If you’re back, and this isn’t some dream we’re all having… then tell us what’s going on. The truth, all of it.”

Tessa shot her father a warning glance. “Dad—”

“No,” her father interrupted, his tone firm. “If we’re going to stand by him, we deserve to know what we’re up against.”

Liam hesitated, the shadows in his eyes betraying the weight of the secrets he carried. He ran a hand through his dark hair, his gaze dropping to the floor as if he were searching for the right words.

“It’s not just about me being alive,” Liam finally said. “It’s about what I’ve become. After the accident… I wasn’t supposed to survive. But someone found me. Someone who… turned me into this.” He gestured to himself, his voice heavy with regret. “A vampire.”

Her mother gasped softly, the word hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

“Vampire?” her father repeated, his skepticism warring with the undeniable proof standing before him. “You’re saying those exist?”

“They do,” Liam confirmed, meeting his father’s eyes. “And I’m one of them now. But that’s not the worst of it.” He glanced at Tessa before continuing. “The clan that turned me—they don’t like loose ends. They’re after me because I broke away. And now that I’ve come back to you, that puts all of you in danger, too.”

Her mother paled, clutching the arm of the couch for support. “Danger?” she echoed. “Liam, are you saying these… these vampires will come after us?”

“I’ll do everything I can to keep them away,” Liam promised, his voice fierce. “But they’re relentless. They won’t stop until I’m either back with them—or gone for good.”

Tessa stepped forward, her resolve hardening. “Then we’ll fight them together,” she said firmly, her eyes blazing with determination.

“Tessa,” her father began, his voice laced with worry, “this isn’t something we can fight. We’re just… human.”

“That doesn’t mean we’re helpless,” Tessa argued. She turned to Liam. “You said it yourself. We’re stronger together. If they’re coming, then we need to be ready. We’ve faced impossible odds before, and we’ve always made it through as a family.”

Her mother reached out, placing a hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “Sweetheart,” she said gently, “this isn’t like anything we’ve faced before. This is…” She trailed off, struggling to find the words.

“It’s life or death,” Liam finished for her. “And I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to any of you because of me.”

“That’s not your choice to make,” Tessa said, her voice firm. “We decide as a family, Liam. And I decide that I’m not letting you face this alone.”

Her father sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. “If we’re doing this,” he said finally, “then we need a plan. Something that doesn’t end with us all dead—or worse.”

Liam’s lips twitched into a faint, weary smile. “That’s the tricky part,” he admitted. “The clan isn’t just strong—they’re organized, ruthless. And they don’t fight fair.”

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“Then we’ll have to outsmart them,” Tessa said, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Her mother looked at Liam, her expression softening. “No matter what,” she said quietly, “you’re still my son. And if you say this is real, then I believe you. We’ll figure it out together.”

The weight in Liam’s shoulders seemed to ease slightly, though the tension in his eyes remained. “Thank you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Just then, the front door creaked open. Everyone froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. A moment later, Ryker stepped inside, his expression unreadable but his presence commanding.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “But if you’re planning to take on a vampire clan, you’re going to need more than a plan. You’re going to need me.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

“Who the hell are you?” her father demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.

Ryker’s gaze flicked to Liam and then to Tessa. “I’m the wolf who saved your daughter,” he said simply.

Tessa stepped forward, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over her. “Ryker,” she said softly. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard enough to know you’re in over your heads,” Ryker replied. “The vampires aren’t your only problem. And if you’re serious about staying alive, you’ll need someone who knows how to fight.”

Her father bristled. “And why should we trust you?”

Ryker smirked faintly, his sharp eyes gleaming. “Because I don’t trust vampires either,” he said, nodding toward Liam. “But if protecting her means working with one, I’ll deal with it.”

Liam shot Ryker a glare but didn’t argue.

Tessa looked between them, a spark of hope igniting in her chest despite the odds. They had their differences, their doubts—but for the first time, it felt like they had a chance.

“Then it’s settled,” she said, her voice steady. “We fight together. As a family.”

Deep within the ethereal realm of the Fae, where the skies shimmered with hues of lavender and gold, and trees glowed with an inner light, Morgana stood before her gathered kin. The ancient sanctuary hummed with energy, its crystalline spires catching the ever-changing light of their realm.

The Fae and fairies stood in silence, their faces a mixture of awe and apprehension. Morgana’s presence always commanded reverence, but tonight, there was a heaviness in the air. A storm was brewing, and every soul present could feel it.

Morgana stepped forward, her radiant gown flowing as though caught in a celestial breeze. Her voice, both soft and powerful, carried through the space.

“My children,” she began, her eyes scanning the crowd. “We stand at the brink of a war none of us sought, but one we cannot avoid. Darkness stirs in the mortal realm—an ancient force that threatens not just their world but ours as well.”

The murmurs started, whispers weaving through the crowd like ripples in a pond. Morgana raised her hand, and silence fell once more.

“You’ve felt it, haven’t you?” she continued, her gaze piercing. “The shift in the balance. The Angel of Death walks among the mortals, claiming lives as he always has. But now, he hunts one who is no longer his to take.”

A ripple of unease passed through the gathered Fae.

“She is one of us,” Morgana declared, her voice resolute. “Tessa Hale. A human no more, her light has been awakened. She was touched by fate, her mortal life altered in ways even I could not have foreseen. And because of that, she is a beacon—a threat to those who thrive in darkness.”

“She is Fae?” a bold voice called out from the crowd, disbelief clear.

“Yes,” Morgana affirmed. “Though she was not born of us, she now carries our light. The accident that nearly claimed her life brought her to the threshold, and the wolf who intervened unknowingly bound her to our kind. She is as much one of us as any here.”

The revelation sent a wave of astonished murmurs through the sanctuary.

“And because of her light,” Morgana continued, her voice rising, “she is being hunted. The Angel of Death will not rest until she is extinguished, and he is not the only one. A vampire clan—ruthless and vengeful—seeks her family. She cannot face this alone. The Hale family cannot stand against this darkness without us.”

The Fae and fairies shifted uneasily, some glancing at one another with uncertainty. One of the elder Fae, her silver hair gleaming like moonlight, stepped forward. “Goddess,” she said cautiously, “to intervene in mortal affairs risks exposing our kind. Why should we involve ourselves in a battle that is not ours?”

Morgana’s eyes flashed with a fierce light. “Because the moment Tessa became one of us, her battles became ours,” she said firmly. “She is young, untrained, and unaware of the true extent of her power. But if we leave her to face this alone, we risk more than her life. If the Angel of Death succeeds, he could disrupt the balance of all realms.”

The elder Fae hesitated, but Morgana pressed on. “We are not merely protecting her. We are protecting ourselves. And more than that… we are protecting the light. Her light. The very essence of what we are.”

The murmurs gave way to silence, the weight of Morgana’s words settling over the crowd. Slowly, heads began to nod, expressions shifting from doubt to determination.

Morgana stepped back, her eyes sweeping over her people with pride. “Prepare yourselves,” she said. “The Hale family will fight alongside us, but they are mortal. We must be their shield, their strength. Together, we will stand against the darkness and show the Angel of Death that even he cannot snuff out the light.”

A cheer erupted, the sound reverberating through the sanctuary like a wave of energy. The Fae and fairies began to scatter, their preparations already underway.

As Morgana watched her kin ready themselves for war, she whispered to herself, “Hold on, Tessa. You are not alone.”

A Dream of Light

Tessa found herself in a dream, standing in a meadow bathed in golden light. The air hummed with a melody she didn’t recognize but somehow felt familiar. Before her stood a woman with radiant silver hair and eyes like the dawn, her presence both comforting and commanding.

“Tessa Hale,” the woman spoke, her voice like the ringing of a distant bell. “I am Morgana, the Goddess of Light. You are no longer just human. The accident that nearly claimed you awakened the light within you. You are now one of us—one of the People of Light.”

Tessa stared, words failing her.

“The darkness hunts you,” Morgana continued, stepping closer. “But you are not alone. My kin and I will stand with you. The war is upon us, and we will fight by your side. But you must find me, Tessa. Seek me where the veil between realms is thin. We must prepare together.”

The dream began to fade, the meadow dissolving into blinding light. Morgana’s voice echoed as Tessa’s vision blurred.

“The war is here, child. Find me, and together, we will protect the light.”

Tessa woke with a start, her heart racing, Morgana’s words burning in her mind.