The door closes behind us with a heavy thud, sealing me inside their world. I look around the room, trying to piece together what I've just stepped into. It's dark, with only a few candles and a low-burning fireplace providing light, casting everything in warm, flickering shadows. The old wooden beams above, the scent of aged leather and books—it feels timeless, like a space untouched by the city outside.

"This place is… different," I say, my voice echoing slightly in the vast, dim space. I'm stalling. The truth is, I'm terrified, and I don't know what's coming next.

"It's home," Lila says softly. There's a warmth in her voice that catches me off guard, and I almost forget for a second that she's a vampire.

Dante moves deeper into the room, taking off his coat and throwing it over a chair. He's more at ease here, like he's shedding a layer of tension that I hadn't noticed before. I watch him, wary, trying to figure out what his angle is in all this. They talk about protecting me, but I'm not naive. They want something. People always do.

Nikolai strolls in last, closing the door behind him with a playful smirk still dancing on his lips. "Welcome to the lion's den," he says, his voice teasing, but there's an edge to it that keeps me on high alert. "Make yourself comfortable, Olivia. You might be here for a while."

I don't respond. Instead, I keep my eyes on all three of them, trying to assess the situation. "Okay, I'm here," I say, folding my arms over my chest. "Now what? You said you'd explain what's going on, so start explaining."

Dante turns to face me, his expression unreadable. "What do you want to know?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "How about everything? Why are vampires killing people? And why the hell am I suddenly in the middle of this?"

Dante's gaze hardens, and for a moment, I think he's going to brush me off again, but then Lila steps forward, her voice gentle. "It's complicated, Olivia. The rogues don't follow the rules. They've broken away from our coven, and now they're trying to create chaos. They feed recklessly, without regard for human life."

"So what, you're the vampire police?" I ask, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my tone. "You go around cleaning up after them?"

"In a way, yes," Dante says. His voice is calm, but there's an underlying frustration. "We maintain order. Without it, there would be war, chaos. Humans would find out about us, and we'd be hunted."

"So this is about protecting your secret?" I ask, my anger rising. "You're not trying to stop them because it's wrong. You're trying to stop them because it threatens you."

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Lila flinches at my accusations, but she doesn't deny it. Nikolai, on the other hand, chuckles softly. "You catch on quick. But don't forget, it's your life on the line too, darling. The rogues know who you are now. They know you've been digging. They think you're a threat, they won't hesitate to kill you, or worse."

Worse?

A cold dread seeps into my bones, and I force myself to meet Nikolai's gaze. "Why me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just one journalist. I know there are others trying to figure this out too. Are you helping them as well?"

"They aren't after anyone else. You're more dangerous than you realize," Dante says quietly. "You've been asking questions. Questions that could lead to answers the rogues don't want uncovered." Dante and Lila exchange a look. "We don't trust easily," Dante finally says. "But if you stay with us, if you learn what's really happening, you might be able to help."

"Help?" I repeat, incredulous. "You think I can help you?"

"You can help us stop them," Lila says, her voice urgent. "You've already seen too much, and you're smart. You've been piecing things together. I believe if you work with us, we can end this before more people get hurt."

"And what if I say no?" I ask, my chest tightening at the thought of being dragged even deeper into their world.

Nikolai pushes off the wall, stepping closer, his eyes glinting mischievously. "You can try to run, but they'll find you. And you won't like what happens when they do."

Dante cuts in, his voice low and serious. "We don't want to force you into this, Olivia. But the truth is, you're in danger no matter what. The only difference is, with us, you have a fighting chance."

My heart pounds in my chest, and I realize the weight of the choice I have to make. Stay with them and throw myself into a world I don't understand, or try to go back to my old life, knowing that someone—or something—could be waiting for me around every corner.

Die now or die in a little bit? Good choices.

"I need to think," I say, my voice cracking.

"You can have tonight," Lila says softly, her hand lightly brushing against my arm again, a gesture that feels oddly comforting despite the circumstances. "Stay here, get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."

I nod, but my mind is racing.

Rest? How the hell am I supposed to rest when everything I've ever known has just been shattered?

They lead me to a small room at the back of the building, a space that's surprisingly cozy. There's a bed, a desk, and a window that looks out onto the rainy streets below. As I stand there, staring out at the city, I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me.

I'm trapped.

I can't go back, not now. And I can't escape what's coming, whatever it is.

The floor creaks behind me, and I turn to see Nikolai leaning against the frame, watching me with that ever-present grin. "You know," he says casually, "you might surprise yourself. This world has a way of changing people."

I narrow my eyes at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugs, stepping into the room. "Just that you don't strike me as the type to back down. You're stronger than you think. And whether you like it or not, this world? It's yours now too."

I sit on the edge of the bed, my legs trembling beneath me. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"No one ever does," he says softly, and for the first time, his tone isn't mocking. There's something genuine in his voice, something that almost sounds like regret. "But now that you're in it, you have to figure out where you stand."

With that, he leaves, closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I lie back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind racing. I've always prided myself on being brave, on chasing the truth no matter the cost. But now that I've found it, I don't know if I'm ready to face it.

Because the truth isn't just a story anymore.

It's my life.