A few hours go by in silence, everyone lost in their own thoughts. The road stretches endlessly ahead, as if we're caught in a liminal space between the past I'm leaving behind and the uncertain future ahead. There's a strange comfort in the hum of the car engine, the rhythmic blur of the world outside the window, but the conversation we just had lingers like a shadow I can't shake.

I'm not just thinking about becoming a vampire anymore. I'm seriously considering it.

The idea doesn't feel as impossible as it did a few hours ago. It doesn't feel like some horrifying, distant option. It feels real now, close, and that thought settles deep in my chest, a mix of fear and control that I didn't expect.

Dante's right. Lila's right. Nikolai's right. If I don't decide soon, someone else will. But choosing this, embracing it, means accepting that I'll never be the person I was again.

As we continue down the empty highway, I find myself glancing at each of them, trying to see who they are beneath the layers of darkness and centuries of existence. Could I become like them? Would I lose everything that makes me me?

Dante's steady focus on the road is as unshakable as ever. He's a leader, a protector, but he's also weighed down by centuries of responsibility. Lila, with her quiet compassion, is proof that immortality doesn't strip away kindness or empathy, but I wonder how much she's lost over the years. And Nikolai—chaotic, carefree Nikolai—he's the one who revels in it, but even he has scars buried beneath the smirks and sarcastic comments.

What kind of vampire would I be? Would I be someone who fights to protect what's left of my humanity, or would I lose myself in the power, like the rogues or Selene?

"Still thinking about it, aren't you?" Nikolai says, breaking the silence. He's looking at me over his shoulder, that familiar smirk playing on his lips.

I can't help but sigh. "Do you ever stop watching people?"

"Nope," he replies easily, shrugging. "It's one of the perks of being me."

"Don't listen to him," Lila says gently, her hand brushing my arm in a comforting gesture. "This is your choice, Olivia. Don't let anyone pressure you into it."

I give her a small, grateful smile, but the truth is, I do feel pressured—not by them, at least. It's the weight of the situation that's forcing my hand. "It doesn't feel like my choice," I say softly.

"I think you're overthinking it," Nikolai chimes in, leaning back casually. "It's pretty simple, really. You either stay human and let them come for you—or you join us and turn the tables."

"Nikolai," Dante warns, his voice low, but Nikolai waves him off.

"What? I'm just laying out the options."

I roll my eyes, but there's a truth in what he's saying. It really does come down to survival. That's what this choice has always been about.

"How long did you think about it?" I ask, surprising myself. The question is directed at all of them, though I'm not sure who will answer.

Dante's hands tighten on the steering wheel, but it's Lila who speaks first. "I didn't think about it for long. I didn't have much of a choice… I was dying. Becoming a vampire was the only way to survive."

I blink, taken aback by the raw honesty in her words. "I'm sorry," I whisper.

Lila shakes her head, her expression soft. "Don't be. I've had a long time to accept it. And I've found ways to hold on to who I am. But it wasn't easy, especially at first."

I look at her, really look at her, and I can see the depth of what she's saying. Becoming a vampire didn't erase her humanity, but it changed everything about how she exists in the world. I wonder if I'd have that kind of strength.

"And you, Dante?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

He's silent for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I chose it," he says finally, his voice low. "I had the time to think about it. I didn't take it lightly, but in the end, I knew it was the only way to protect the people I cared about."

That hits harder than I expect. Dante made the choice to become a vampire not just for himself, but for others. He saw it as a responsibility.

"And now?" I ask, my voice quieter. "Do you regret it?"

Dante glances at me in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. "There are things I've lost, things I can never get back. But I made my choice, and I've accepted what comes with it."

So yes, then..

I let his words settle over me, wondering if I could do the same. Would I regret giving up my humanity, no matter the reasons? Would I be able to accept the consequences?

Before I can ask more, Nikolai laughs, shaking his head. "I didn't think about it at all," he says, grinning. "I just jumped in headfirst. No regrets. I figured if I was going to live forever, I might as well enjoy it."

I can't help but smile at his answer, though it's hard to imagine being that carefree. "Of course you did."

"That's the spirit!" he says, winking at me. "Besides, once you're one of us, you'll have all the time in the world to figure it out."

"All the time in the world," I repeat softly, the weight of immortality pressing down on me.

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The thought of living forever is daunting. Time stretches infinitely, and with it comes the possibility of endless change—change I can't even begin to comprehend. But it also comes with power, with the ability to fight back and protect myself.

Maybe… just maybe… that power isn't something to fear.

Maybe it's something I could use.

"I don't know what I'll decide yet," I say finally, looking at all of them. "But I'll make the choice for me, not because someone else is forcing it on me."

Lila nods, her smile gentle. "That's all anyone can ask."

Dante doesn't say anything, but there's something in his expression—a flicker of approval, maybe?—that makes me feel like I'm on the right track.

Nikolai, on the other hand, grins wide. "You'll come around, Olivia. They always do."

I roll my eyes but can't help the small laugh that escapes me. "You're impossible."

"Impossibly charming, yes," he says with a wink.

For the first time since we left the city, I feel a little lighter. The weight of the decision is still there, but it doesn't feel as suffocating. It's mine to make, and I won't let anyone else take that from me. Not Selene, not the rogues.

And when the time comes, I'll be ready to face whatever comes next—on my terms.

The night stretches on, and the car continues down the highway, the road ahead uncertain, but for the first time, I feel a small glimmer of hope.

The miles slip by in silence, the weight of the night pressing in from all sides. It's been hours since the last town blurred by, and now the landscape is nothing but darkness and the faint outline of distant trees. My thoughts, though a little clearer after the conversation, are still a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and half-formed decisions.

What's unsettling is how comfortable I've started to feel in their presence—in this strange, dangerous world I never wanted to be part of. Part of me wonders if that's the pull, the connection to them, working its way deeper into my mind. Or maybe it's because, for the first time since this all started, I don't feel completely powerless.

I don't feel safe yet, but there's a calm resolve building inside me. Whether I choose to embrace this life or not, it's my decision. The power lies with me now. I'm not just a helpless human caught in the crossfire. I'm something more.

But the road ahead still holds so many unknowns. I shift in my seat, staring out the window at the endless dark, when Dante's voice breaks the quiet.

"We'll stop soon," he says, his voice cutting through the low hum of the engine. "There's a place a few hours from here where we can lay low, regroup."

"A few hours?" I ask, glancing at him. "How far out are we going?"

"As far as we need to," Dante replies, his tone final. "We can't risk staying close to the city, not with Selene on our trail. She has contacts everywhere."

Nikolai stretches in his seat, clearly growing bored with the steady drive. "Selene's not going to give up just because we put some miles between us. We all know that."

Dante's eyes flicker in the rearview mirror. "We need time to figure out our next move. We can't do that while we're running."

I swallow hard, the weight of his words settling over me. Selene isn't just a threat—they know her well enough to be afraid of her. That alone makes my stomach twist in knots.

"What's her deal, anyway?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. "You said she's part of some ancient faction. What does that mean exactly?"

Lila turns to me, her face serious. "Selene is from a very old vampire lineage, one that believes in keeping strict control over both humans and vampires. They believe in order—at any cost. Power, control, manipulation... it's all part of their doctrine."

"And you're not part of that?" I ask.

Lila shakes her head. "No. We follow a different path. Our coven believes in maintaining balance, in protecting the secrecy of our existence without harming humans unnecessarily. Selene's faction sees that as weakness."

"They want dominance," Dante says quietly. "They believe vampires should rule, not hide. If they could have their way, they'd openly control the human world."

I sit back, processing that. The idea of vampires openly ruling over humans is horrifying, but more than that, it's clear that Selene isn't just a rogue element. She's part of something much bigger, something with a far-reaching influence.

"And she wants me because… of my connection to your world?" I ask, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

"She wants you because you're powerful," Dante says, his gaze steady. "Whether you realize it or not, you have the potential to tip the scales in this war. If Selene gets you on her side—or worse, controls you—she'll have an advantage we can't afford to let her have."

The thought of being used like that sends a shiver down my spine. I picture Selene's cold, predatory smile and the way her eyes seemed to see right through me, as though she was already calculating how to break me.

I grit my teeth. "Then I won't let her."

Dante glances at me in the mirror, his expression unreadable. "That's easier said than done, Olivia. You're not trained for this. And even if you were, Selene is powerful. She's been alive for centuries. She knows how to manipulate people, how to get what she wants."

"She won't stop coming after you," Lila adds, her voice full of quiet warning. "She'll wait for the perfect moment, and when she strikes, she'll try to make you feel like you don't have a choice."

"She always gets what she wants," Nikolai chimes in with a grin, though there's an edge of bitterness in his voice. "But it makes things more fun when someone tries to fight back."

I sigh, leaning my head back against the seat. "So I'm just supposed to keep running? Hiding, waiting for her to show up again?"

"We're are hiding," Dante says firmly. "but we are also regrouping. Strategizing. many things can be true at once.."

"And when do we stop regrouping?" I press, frustration bubbling up. "When do we actually do something about her?"

"When we're ready," Dante replies, his voice calm but with a steely undertone. "Rushing into a fight with Selene would be suicide."

I bite back a retort, knowing he's right, but the frustration still gnaws at me. I don't want to be on the defensive anymore. I'm tired of running, tired of waiting for the next attack.

But what am I supposed to do? I'm still human, still figuring out this world, and Selene has centuries of power and influence behind her. How do I fight against that?

The thought circles back to the one thing I've been avoiding. If I were a vampire, if I embraced this world fully, I wouldn't be so vulnerable. I wouldn't have to rely on them to protect me. I could be the one fighting back.

But is that what I want? Or is it just what I need to survive?

I don't know the answer yet, but I can feel the decision creeping closer. The longer I stay with them, the more I realize that this isn't a question I can run from forever.

We drive in silence for a while longer, the tension in the car thick, but I can feel a shift in the air—like we're all waiting for something. Some sign, some next step.

Eventually, the bright lights of a roadside motel come into view, casting a dim glow against the night sky. It's not much—just a cheap, run-down place off the highway—but to my surprise, it feels like a beacon. The thought of stopping, of not having to be on constant alert, is a relief I didn't realize I needed.

"There," Dante says, nodding toward the motel. "We'll stay here for the night."

Nikolai groans dramatically. "Really? This dump?"

"It's off the grid," Dante replies, his voice firm. "We'll be safe."

Lila glances at me, offering a small, comforting smile. "It's not much, but it'll give us a chance to rest. We've been driving for hours."

I nod, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. "Yeah… rest sounds good."

We pull into the parking lot, the tires crunching over the gravel as we come to a stop. The neon sign above the motel flickers weakly, casting strange shadows across the cracked pavement. It's not exactly inviting, but right now, it's a safe harbor.

Dante turns off the engine, and for a moment, we all sit there in silence, the tension from the drive still clinging to the air. Then, with a sigh, Nikolai is the first to move, throwing open his door and stretching as if this was just a routine pit stop.

"Alright, let's get checked in," he says, already heading for the lobby. "I'll take care of it. Don't want any of you looking suspicious."

Lila laughs softly, shaking her head. "As if you're not the most suspicious-looking of all of us."

"Hey, charm works wonders," Nikolai calls over his shoulder, flashing us a grin before disappearing inside.

Dante opens his door next, motioning for me to follow. "We won't stay long. Just long enough to rest and figure out our next steps."

I nod, stepping out of the car, the cool night air hitting me like a wave. I take a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of calm for the first time in what feels like days. It's temporary, I know, but for now, it's enough.

Lila stands beside me, her presence steady and reassuring. "We'll get through this, Olivia. One step at a time."

I offer her a small smile. "I hope you're right."

Dante, already scanning the surroundings, turns to us. "Let's get inside. We can't afford to let our guard down, even here."

We follow him inside, the weight of the night still hanging over us, but for the first time since this all started, I feel a flicker of hope. It's fragile, tentative, but it's there.

For now, we're safe. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find the strength to make my decision in time.