The highway stretches out endlessly before us, winding through dark, empty roads. The world outside is nothing but shadows, each mile blending into the next. Time feels suspended, trapped in the low hum of the engine and the occasional burst of static from Nikolai's radio. In the silence, my mind churns, restless and heavy.

Everything feels so fragile—like the calm before a storm I can't outrun.

For a while, I sit in the back seat, staring out at the passing blur of trees and highway lights. But the questions bubbling beneath the surface, the ones I've been too afraid to ask, finally push me forward. I can't take the silence anymore. I need answers.

I lean forward, my eyes locking onto Dante's reflection in the rearview mirror. "I need to know what's really going on—everything." I say, my voice firmer than I feel. "No more half-answers. No more secrets."

Dante's eyes flick to mine in the mirror, his jaw tightening. "This isn't the best time—"

"It's the perfect time," I interrupt, my frustration bubbling over. "I've been running for my life, dragged into a war I don't understand, and everyone seems to want something from me. I deserve to know why."

Lila glances at me, sympathy in her eyes, but she stays quiet. Dante lets out a long breath, his knuckles tightening on the steering wheel. For a moment, I think he's going to ignore me, but then he speaks, his voice low and measured.

"There's more to this than you realize, Olivia," he says, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead. "You've been drawn into our world for a reason. It's not just bad luck or coincidence."

I frown, confusion tightening in my chest. "Yeah you've said that. What does that even mean?"

Lila shifts in her seat, turning slightly to face me. "You're connected to our world, Olivia. In ways that most humans aren't. That's why the rogues are after you."

I shake my head, disbelief washing over me. "Connected? How? I didn't even believe any of this existed until a few hours ago."

"There are ancient bloodlines," Dante says, his voice careful. "Humans descended from those who were once tied to our world—through magic, through ritual, or something older. These bloodlines are rare, almost forgotten. But when someone like you is born with that connection, it wakes up."

My heart pounds in my chest. "So you're saying I'm some kind of descendant of vampires?"

Lila shakes her head. "Not vampires, but something tied to the supernatural world. The rogues know that. That's why they're after you."

Dante's gaze hardens in the mirror. "And if they get you, we don't know if they will kill you or turn you. We just know they want you."

A shiver runs through me, cold and sharp. I've been running from them, terrified of being caught. But now… now I realize there's more at stake than just my life. "So what am I supposed to do?" I ask, my voice trembling. "How am I supposed to stop this?"

Nikolai chuckles from the front seat, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he turns to look at me. "It's not about what you do, sweetheart. It's about what we do with you."

"Nikolai," Lila warns, her voice sharp.

He raises his hands, feigning innocence, but his grin doesn't fade. "What?"

I stare at him, the knot of fear in my chest tightening. "You want to use me too."

Dante's gaze meets mine in the mirror, steady but firm. "No. We're protecting you."

"Protecting me," I echo, the bitterness in my voice surprising even me. "But you're still keeping things from me. You're still making decisions about my life—my fate—without telling me the whole truth."

Lila's expression softens. "We're trying to keep you safe, Olivia. But there are things even we don't fully understand. You're not just a target—you're a key. We just don't know to what."

My stomach twists. A key. It sounds so ominous, so final.

"And Selene?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "What does she want with me?"

Dante's face darkens. "Selene is dangerous. She wants you for the same reason the rogues do, I assume. To control whatever power you hold."

"Her agenda is more complicated," Lila adds softly. "She'll use the chaos the rogues create to her advantage, but she wants the same thing in the end: control."

Control. Everyone wants to control me. Everyone wants to use me for something I don't even understand.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. "So what do I do?" I ask again, my voice small. "How do I fight something like this?"

Dante's eyes meet mine in the mirror, his gaze unwavering. "You don't have to fight this, Olivia. We're here to fight for you. But you have to stay out of their hands. Once we're safe, we can figure out the next steps."

But even as he says it, I can feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. I don't want to be a pawn in their war. I don't want to be someone's weapon. But what choice do I have?

I stare out the window at the darkened road, my thoughts spiraling. The idea of becoming a vampire, of giving up my humanity—it's been gnawing at me since the moment I realized what I was up against. And now, with every mile we put between us and Selene, the decision feels more real. More inevitable.

If they get their hands on me, they might intend to turn me. They might use me. But if I choose to become one of them on my own terms, maybe—just maybe—I'll have some control.

The idea makes me feel sick. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it might be the only way out.

I glance at Dante, his face set in stone, his hands gripping the wheel with practiced calm. I imagine he's been a vampire for so long, it's hard to think he was ever human. But there's something in his eyes—something weary, like the weight of centuries pressing down on him.

Lila is different. She's still warm, still compassionate, but I can see the darkness lurking beneath the surface. And Nikolai? He seems to embrace it. He revels in the chaos.

Could I live like them? Could I survive that kind of life?

The idea terrifies me. But it's becoming harder to ignore.

The road ahead is dark, the night closing in around us as the SUV hums along the highway. Everything I've learned so far is swirling in my mind—a connection to their world, being hunted because of it, and now… this. I'm some sort of tool, a pawn in a game I didn't even know I was playing.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I shrink a little in my seat, the weight of it all pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. They've told me enough to make sense of why I'm a target, but not enough to make me feel in control. And now, the worst part is that I have to consider the one thing I never thought I'd even entertain.

Becoming a vampire.

I can't stop thinking about it. The idea is horrifying—turning into one of them, losing my humanity, my life. But with Selene, the rogues, and everyone else fighting to use me for their own purposes, I'm starting to realize that my options are limited. If they get their hands on me, they'll turn me into something dangerous—into something I have no control over.

But what if I took that choice into my own hands?

I stare out the window at the blur of trees and highway lights, my mind racing. Could I really do it? Could I give up my humanity of my own free will instead of being forced into it?

The idea makes me feel sick. Becoming a vampire would mean letting go of everything I've ever known—my life, my friends, my career. It would mean becoming something else, something darker. And yet… if I let them turn me, I wouldn't just lose my humanity. I'd lose myself. I'd become their tool, their weapon, and I wouldn't be able to stop it.

Better them, than the rogues. They have been kind enough.

At least if I chose to become one of them on my own terms, I might have some measure of control.

I glance at Dante in the driver's seat. Could I live like them? Could I embrace the darkness that comes with immortality?

What would I become?

I shake my head, trying to push the thought away, but it clings to me, refusing to let go. What if becoming a vampire isn't the end of everything? What if it's just the next step? I'd be stronger, faster. I wouldn't have to rely on them to protect me—I could protect myself.

I could fight back.

The idea is both terrifying and tempting. If I become one of them on my own terms, I'd be able to stand against the rogues, against Selene. I wouldn't be a victim anymore.

But at what cost?

I close my eyes, trying to steady my thoughts, but I can't help imagining what it would feel like—letting go of my human life, giving in to the power that comes with being one of them. Would I lose myself entirely? Would I become like the rogues, driven by hunger and violence? Or could I keep the part of me that's still human, the part of me that wants to fight for something better?

I don't know. And that's what scares me the most.

As the car speeds through the night, I can feel Lila's gaze on me. She hasn't said anything, but I can tell she knows what I'm thinking. Maybe she's been through this before—this moment of questioning, of wondering whether to hold on to the fragile thread of humanity or to let go and embrace something else.

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Lila's voice is soft, barely audible over the hum of the engine.

I knew what she meant immediately. I open my eyes and meet her gaze. There's no judgment in her expression, only understanding. "You knew?"

She nods. "I could tell. It's only natural, considering everything you've been through. But it's not a decision to take lightly, Olivia."

"I know," I whisper, my throat tight. "But if I don't make that decision, someone else will."

"That's true," she admits, her voice filled with quiet sorrow. "But becoming one of us... it's not just about survival. It changes you. In ways you can't predict. It's more than just the physical transformation."

I swallow hard, my mind spinning. "I don't want to become like them," I say, my voice trembling. "Like the rogues. Or Selene."

"You wouldn't," Dante says from the front, his voice calm but firm. "You're not like them. But you have to understand, Olivia—becoming a vampire doesn't mean you'll lose your humanity, but it does mean giving up the life you have now. You'll be stepping into a new world, one that's darker, more dangerous."

"You'll be different," Lila adds softly. "But not lost."

"Could I still be me?" I ask, the question slipping out before I can stop it. It feels ridiculous to even ask, but it's the one thing I need to know.

Dante glances at me in the rearview mirror, his eyes serious. "That's up to you."

Nikolai chuckles softly. "It's freedom, Olivia. No more limitations, no more fear of death. You can live forever if you want. Do whatever you want."

I sit there, my heart pounding, trying to make sense of it all. On the one hand, it sounds like power, control. On the other, it sounds like losing everything I've ever known. And the scariest part is, I'm actually considering it.

But am I ready to give up my humanity to save myself?

Or would that just mean becoming a different kind of victim?

As the night stretches on, the road blurring into the darkness, I realize that I'm closer to making this decision than I ever thought I'd be.

And once I make it, there's no going back.

The weight of the decision hangs over me, heavier than ever. The road outside the window blurs into nothingness as we speed through the night, but inside the car, everything feels sharp—too sharp. Every thought, every fear, every possibility is clawing at me, demanding to be answered.

I've always been the one asking questions, hunting down answers, seeking out the truth no matter how dark or dangerous it might be. But now, for the first time, I'm the one who has to decide. And the truth I'm hunting? It's about myself.

Lila's words echo in my mind. It's not just about survival. It changes you. I've seen enough to know that's true. I've watched Dante, Nikolai, and Lila enough to understand that becoming a vampire isn't just about physical transformation. It's about stepping into something darker, something that never really lets you go.

But the alternative is worse—being hunted, manipulated, used as a tool in someone else's war. And Selene's face keeps flashing through my mind, that cold, predatory smile that said she already knew how this would end.

I press my palms against my thighs, trying to steady the tremble in my hands. I need to make this decision before someone else makes it for me.

"What's stopping you?" Nikolai's voice cuts through my thoughts, casual, but his eyes are sharp, like he's reading my thoughts. "You know it's the only way you'll really be safe, don't you?"

"Nikolai, stop trying to scare her." Lila warns.

I glance at him, his grin as irritating as ever, but there's something more in his gaze—something that almost feels like genuine understanding. "I don't want to lose myself," I admit, my voice quieter than I intend. "I don't want to wake up and realize I'm not the person I was."

"That's understandable," Lila says softly, her hand resting on mine again. "I can't imagine you letting that darkness take over. You're strong. You can choose how much of yourself you keep."

"Can I?" I ask, my voice wavering. "Or does it just... change you whether you like it or not?"

Lila's eyes soften, and she doesn't answer right away. "There's always change," she says after a moment. "But that's true even if you stay human. You've already changed, Olivia. You're already different than the person you were before you knew any of this existed."

I think about her words. She's right. The Olivia who started investigating mysterious deaths wasn't the same person sitting in this car now, running from rogues and ancient vampires.

My world was already shattered, my sense of self already upended. So what am I really holding on to?

Dante's voice breaks the silence, firm but calm. "If you choose to become one of us, you won't lose everything. It's not like that. But it will be different. You'll feel things differently, see things differently. There's a power in it, yes, but there's also a responsibility."

I glance at him, not really surprised by the weight in his words. Dante, so controlled, so careful. There's a burden he carries with his immortality, and I can see it in the way his hands grip the steering wheel, in the way his eyes remain locked on the road ahead.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it," Dante continues. "It's not an easy life. And once you make that choice, there's no going back."

That's the part that terrifies me. There's no going back. I won't just be choosing a different path—I'll be choosing to leave behind everything I've ever known, everything I thought I was.

But if I don't choose, someone else will. And I'll lose more than just my life. I'll lose the freedom to decide for myself.

Nikolai shifts in his seat, turning around to face me fully, his smug grin replaced by something more serious. "Look, I get it. You're scared. You should be. You want control, but you need to understand something, Olivia: they're not going to stop coming for you. Not Selene, not the rogues, not anyone. You're too important now. And you can either wait for them to force this on you... or you can take the control and do it on your own terms."

His words hit harder than I expect. Nikolai, of all people, is the one who seems to get it—the fear, the uncertainty, the desire for control in a situation where everything feels out of my hands.

"I don't want to be forced into anything," I say, my voice steadier now. "But I don't know if I can just… choose this."

Lila leans forward, her eyes gentle but serious. "You don't have to make the choice right now. But if you do... we'll be there to help you. You won't be alone."

Nikolai spoke, still turned around in his seat, his gaze intense. "But if you wait too long, the choice will be made for you. Selene, the rogues—they won't give you the luxury of time."

I close my eyes, letting the weight of their words settle over me. Everything they've said is true. I'm not just running from danger anymore—I'm running from a choice. And if I don't make that choice soon, someone else will.

Could I really do it? Could I choose to become one of them, to embrace this darkness, this power? The thought of it makes my heart race with fear and something else—something closer to possibility.

What would it be like to have that power, that freedom? To no longer be afraid of what's coming, but to face it head-on?

I don't know if I'm ready to lose my humanity. But I do know I'm not ready to lose my life. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that if I do become a vampire, at least it would be my choice. I wouldn't be a tool for someone else's war. I could fight back on my own terms.

If I'm going to survive this, maybe I need to stop running.

"I'll think about it," I say finally, my voice quiet but resolute.

Nikolai raises an eyebrow, his grin returning. "Good. You'll come around, sweetheart. Trust me."

Lila shoots Nikolai a hard glare then smiles softly, her hand still resting on mine. "Whatever you decide, we'll stand by you."

Dante doesn't say anything, but there's a flicker of disapproval in his eyes when he meets mine in the rearview mirror.

As the night stretches on, and the road continues to blur into darkness, I feel a strange sense of calm settle over me. The fear is still there, but so is something else—a sense of control, of agency. I don't have all the answers yet, but for the first time, I feel like the decision is mine to make.

And when the time comes, I'll be ready to make it. On my terms.

For now, though, I'll keep moving forward. Because whatever's waiting for me—whether it's Selene, the rogues, or the truth about my connection to this world—I know one thing for sure:

I won't let them take my choices away from me.

Not anymore.