Phara's grip tightened on the steering wheel as she navigated through the dimly lit streets, the weight of their daring heist heavy on her mind. Anna sat beside her, her eyes fixed on the motionless figures in the back of the van. Theodore, ever vigilant, sat next to Anna, his gaze shifting between the road ahead and the unconscious vampires in the rearview mirror.

“We can't just leave them in the back of the van,” Phara said, her voice laced with concern.

Anna nodded, her mind already working on a plan. “I know. Take a left here and drive down that alleyway.”

Phara followed Anna's directions, the van moving with a sense of purpose as it turned into the narrow passage. They came to a stop near a large metal door, and Anna stepped out, her determination clear. She tapped her knuckles against the door, a signal to the guard that they had arrived. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room beyond. Anna exchanged a few words with the guard, their voices hushed and urgent. Satisfied with the exchange, the guard stepped aside, allowing Anna, Phara, and Theodore to enter.

As they stepped into the room, the scent of alcohol and the low hum of conversation enveloped them. They had entered a bar, seemingly ordinary on the surface, but with an air of secrecy that hung in the air like an invisible cloak. The bartender, a weathered man with a friendly smile, waved at Anna.

“He seems friendly,” Theodore remarked, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.

Anna chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Everyone is friendly when you pay in cash.”

Anna approached the bartender, her voice low but confident. "We stole a van that had unconscious vampires inside of it."

The bartender's expression remained calm, but a flicker of curiosity sparkled in his eyes. He nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. With a gesture, the bartender signaled to his guards, who swiftly exited the bar and retrieved the motionless figures from the van.

The bar patrons glanced up from their drinks, their interest piqued by the sudden activity. Whispers spread throughout the room as the vampires were brought inside, their presence both unsettling and intriguing. Anna learned in closer to the bartender. Anna's voice carried a hint of anticipation as she asked, “Do you still have that apartment available for rent?”

The bartender, engrossed in cleaning a glass, glanced up at Anna, Phara, and Theodore. He nodded slowly and replied, “Sure, it only has one bed.”

Without hesitation, Anna pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to the bartender. A sly smile crept across her face as she said, "This is for the apartment, and to destroy the van outside. Also, can we borrow your car to retrieve our belongings from the hotel?"

The bartender tossed Anna the car keys, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Certainly. And if you find yourselves thirsty later, Will is available in the back,” he added, a wicked grin playing on his lips.

Phara couldn't help but interject with a playful tone, “Are we going to meet this Will, Anna?”

Theodore chimed in, his curiosity piqued. “I must admit, Anna, I would love to see you feed. We've only glimpsed your fangs a few times.”

Anna shook her head in amusement as she headed towards the exit, Phara and Theodore following closely behind. With a swift turn, Anna faced them, her fangs bared, causing Theodore to jump back in surprise. In a bold move, he reached out to touch her fangs, only to feel a slight graze as Anna playfully nipped his finger.

Theodore recoiled, a mix of shock and laughter in his voice. “Anna, was that really necessary?”

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Anna retracted her fangs and let out a hearty laugh. “You wanted to see them, didn't you? Now, let's go and return soon.”

Anna took her place in the driver's seat, Phara in the passenger seat, and Theodore in the back. As the engine roared to life, they set off down the darkened street, heading towards their hotel. She parked the car a few blocks away from the hotel, as she, Phara, and Theodore stepped out of the car.

As Anna, Phara, and Theodore entered the hotel and made their away back to the hotel suite. Phara turned to Theodore with a determined look. “Theodore, you go ahead and check us out of the hotel. Anna and I will start packing up our belongings.”

Theodore, clutching his laptop and equipment possessively, replied with a firm tone. “Just make sure Anna doesn't touch my laptop or any of my precious gear.”

Anna rolled her eyes and smirked at Theodore's protectiveness. “Fine, we won't lay a finger on your precious equipment. Now hurry up and go.”

With a nod, Theodore headed towards the hotel's front desk, leaving Anna and Phara to quickly gather their belongings in their hotel suite. They moved with remarkable efficiency, tossing clothes into suitcases and securing their equipment with practiced ease. Time was of the essence, and they knew they had to act swiftly.

As Anna and Phara loaded their packed belongings onto a cart, ready to make their escape, two men unexpectedly emerged from the elevator down the hallway. Anna's instincts kicked in, and she immediately issued a command to Phara. “Just keep going, Phara!”

Pushing the cart with urgency, Anna and Phara tried to outrun their pursuers. But one of the men pointed towards them, signaling their presence.

“Run, Anna!” Phara's voice echoed with urgency, and they sprinted down the hallways, their pursuers hot on their heels. Anna's heart raced as the sound of footsteps grew closer, but she refused to give up.

Suddenly, one of the men pulled out a tranquilizer gun, aiming to immobilize them. Thinking quickly, Phara used her telekinetic abilities to knock a nearby vase off a hutch, shattering it against the man's head. But to Anna's astonishment, the blow seemed to have little effect on him or his accomplice. The chase continued, and Anna and Phara spotted an elevator just up ahead. They sprinted towards it, desperately pressing the button, praying for a swift escape, the men were closing in, their presence felt like an impending threat.

Just as the men reached the elevator door, a brave stranger stuck his hand inside, preventing them from entering. The elevator doors closed, but not before Anna seized the opportunity to defend Phara. With a sudden surge of strength, she snapped the man's arm, causing him to fall back in pain. The elevator continued its ascent, leaving the man's severed arm trapped inside.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Anna and Phara made a daring escape through the hotel's back exit, still pushing the loaded cart towards the awaiting car. Theodore, ever the dependable driver, sat behind the wheel, his eyes filled with concern.

“What took you so long?” Theodore questioned, his voice laced with worry.

Anna, gasping for breath, replied with a hint of sarcasm. “Oh, you know, just a few more assholes showing up to ruin our day.”

Phara, maintaining her composure, urged Theodore to assist with loading their belongings. “Get out and help us load the stuff, Theodore.”

Without hesitation, Theodore joined them, swiftly helping with the bags and equipment. Once everything was secured, they climbed into the car, a sense of relief washing over them. Theodore skillfully navigated the vehicle away from the hotel, while Phara sat in the passenger seat, keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of pursuit. As Anna glanced out of the rear window, her heart finally began to steady.

***

The two men burst out of the hotel, their eyes widening as they see the sleek black car racing past them. In the backseat, they catch a glimpse of Anna, the elusive vampire they had been hired to capture. Panic sets in as they realize they are running out of time. One of the men, his arm gushing with blood, stumbles towards the waiting van. His colleagues rush to help him, their faces etched with concern and determination. They quickly load him into the back of the van.

As the van roars to life, the wounded man weakly whispers, “Don't lose that car.” His voice is filled with desperation, a plea for their success. The driver nods with grim determination and pushes down on the accelerator, the tires screeching against the asphalt.

The chase begins, adrenaline coursing through their veins. The driver maneuvers through the city streets, the car ahead of them taking sharp turns with alarming speed. The men in the back of the van hold on tightly, their hearts pounding in sync with the rhythm of the chase.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

But as minutes turn into an eternity, the injured man's condition worsens. His face grows pale, his breath shallow. The man beside him pleads, shaking him gently, “Wake up! We need you!” But there is no response. The harsh reality settles in as they recognize the loss of their comrade.

The man moves away from the lifeless body, his eyes filled with sorrow and determination. He watches the driver, their silent communication speaking volumes. They both know they cannot afford to lose sight of that car, not now when their mission hangs in the balance.

The city blurs past them, the van moving with relentless determination. They push the limits, desperately trying to catch up to the car that holds their target. The driver's knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel, his eyes locked on the road ahead.

As the van raced along the streets, the Driver could feel his frustration mounting with every missed turn. The car they were following seemed to have an uncanny ability to evade them, always one step ahead. The Man in the back of the van, pointing frantically at the changing directions, tried his best to assist, but his efforts only irritated the Driver further.

“Shut up and let me drive,” the Driver finally snapped, his irritation evident in his voice. He glanced back at the Man, his eyes filled with annoyance. The Man fell silent, his face reflecting a mix of disappointment and resignation.

Determined to prove his worth, the Driver made a reckless decision. He abruptly turned the van around, his focus solely on catching up with the elusive car. But in his haste, he failed to notice the truck barreling down the road towards them. The collision was inevitable.

As the van crashed into the truck, the sound of shattering glass and crunching metal filled the air. The impact was jarring, sending both the Driver and the Man in the back flying forward. The reality of their situation hit them like a tidal wave, washing away their frustrations and replacing them with a sense of impending doom.

Regaining his senses, the Man in the back quickly realized the consequences of their failed pursuit. “You are going to tell Dr. Specker you lost the vampire again,” he muttered, his voice laced with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Without wasting another moment, he flung open the back door of the van, leapt out, and sprinted down the street.

The sound of approaching sirens added urgency to the Driver's actions. He scrambled out of the van, his mind racing as he fought to make sense of the chaos unfolding around them. Following the Man's lead, he darted behind the nearest building, taking shelter from the prying eyes of law enforcement. As they peered from behind their hiding spot, the Driver and the Man watched as cop cars swarmed the now abandoned van. Flashing lights illuminated the surrounding area, casting an eerie glow on the scene. It was clear that their ill-fated chase had not gone unnoticed.

“We can't stay here,” the Man whispered, his voice laced with urgency. “Let's get back.” The Driver nodded, his face etched with determination. They knew they had to retreat, regroup, and come up with a new plan.

With cautious steps, the Driver and the Man ventured out from their hiding spot. They moved swiftly but quietly, blending into the shadows of the street. As they disappeared into the darkness. A few minutes later, the Driver and the Man made their way into the dimly lit underground garage. As they stepped inside, their eyes were met with a scene of success and accomplishment. Their colleagues had been more fortunate in their endeavor, unloading several unconscious vampires from the back of their vans.

Just as they were taking in the sight, a figure emerged from the elevator. It was the Woman walked over to the Driver and the Man, her gaze unwavering, her voice filled with determination.

“Where is the vampire I requested?” she asked, her tone sharp.

The Driver hesitated for a moment before responding, “The car got away.”

The Man added, “And we lost one of our own in the process. He didn't make it...”

A flicker of anger passed over the Woman's face. “I promised that vampire to Dr. Specker, and we need her. I am done accepting failure,” she declared, her voice filled with an icy resolve.

Suddenly, she raised her voice, commanding the attention of everyone present. “This is an example of what will happen if any of you fail Dr. Specker again.”

The men, who had been unloading their vans, froze in their tracks. The Woman swiftly pulled out a gun and, without hesitation, shot the Driver and the Man in the head. Their bodies fell to the ground, blood seeping from their lifeless forms.

Grim silence filled the air as the Woman pointed to the dead bodies, her eyes scanning the faces of her remaining subordinates. “We have no time for excuses,” she bellowed. “Do your job or end up like these two.”

With a sense of finality, the Woman stepped over the bodies and made her way towards the elevator. She glanced back at the scene before her, her voice carrying through the tense air. “Someone burn the bodies,” she ordered, before disappearing into the elevator.

As the Woman ascended, the remaining members of the team exchanged uneasy glances. Fear and a renewed sense of determination hung heavy in the air. They knew, without a doubt, that failure was not an option. In that underground garage, the scent of blood mingled with the weight of responsibility. Shadows danced across the walls, and the echoes of gunshots lingered as a chilling reminder of the consequences that awaited those who dared to fail.

***

As the first rays of sunlight began to paint the sky with hues of orange and pink, Anastasia found herself enveloped in the shadows of her coven's building. The heavy curtains of her apartment blocked out any trace of the day's arrival, allowing her to move with ease through the halls. Making her way to her office, Anastasia felt a familiar sense of purpose wash over her. She had been tirelessly searching for her missing coven members, and tonight was no exception. As she stepped into her office, she was greeted by the presence of a clipboard, left by Blake. The notes from their evening investigation lay neatly arranged, waiting to be reviewed.

Anastasia settled into her chair, the weight of her responsibilities pressing upon her. She glanced at the notes, her eyes meeting each word with a mix of hope and trepidation. With a sense of determination, she turned on her computer and began logging the details meticulously. As she delved into the accounts of the companions of the missing vampires, Anastasia's heart ached. Each word seemed to carry a weight, a longing for their loved ones. She paused at certain passages, feeling the depth of their despair, their desperate plea for answers. The grief was palpable, seeping through the lines of text as though it were her own.

But Anastasia knew she had to remain focused. She had dedicated herself to this cause, to finding her fellow vampires and bringing them back to safety. The weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders, urging her to push forward despite the exhaustion that threatened to consume her. Minutes turned into hours as she read and typed, her fingers dancing across the keyboard with precision. The room grew darker, the city outside awakening to a new day. Yet Anastasia remained steadfast, her determination unyielding. She knew she should rest, replenish her strength, but the urgency of her mission fueled her forward.

Anastasia sat in her office, engrossed in her work, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she typed away. Oblivious to the world around her, she didn't even notice when the door to her office creaked open. It was Delilah who had quietly entered the room.

Delilah approached Anastasia, her steps soft and deliberate. As she reached Anastasia's side, her eyes fell upon a black and white photograph on the desk. It was a picture of Anastasia, Elize, and Anna, taken during their trip to Paris, France.

Gently, Delilah placed her hand on Anastasia's back, offering a soothing rub. She spoke in a soft, loving tone. “Come back to bed, my love. You are working tirelessly, and you need your rest.”

Anastasia finally tore her gaze away from the screen and noticed Delilah standing beside her. She smiled, grateful for the interruption. “That photo was taken after Elize and were just friends. She invited me and Anna to Paris, and it was one of the most memorable trips we've had.”

Delilah's voice held a tinge of admiration as she looked at Elize's image. “She was truly beautiful.”

Anastasia, though slightly annoyed that Delilah spoke as if Elize was no longer alive, chose not to argue. She didn't want to reopen old wounds or dampen the moment of tranquility. Instead, she tucked the photo away, acknowledging Delilah's observation. “You're right, my love. Let's go back to bed.”

Taking Delilah's hand in hers, Anastasia led her out of the office. They walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the hallway as they made their way to the elevator. The ride up was filled with a comfortable silence. Upon reaching the door to their apartment, Delilah leaned in and pressed a tender kiss on Anastasia's lips. It was a kiss filled with love, and a desire for deeper connection.

As Anastasia lay in bed beside Delilah, she tried to quiet her mind and drift into sleep. But like a relentless tide, memories flooded her thoughts, washing away any chance of peace. She couldn't recall the words spoken by her fellow missing vampires' loved ones, the pleas for their safe return. The weight of their absence pressed upon her, mingling with the bittersweet remembrance of her own past.

And then, as if summoned by her yearning, the memories of her 200-year marriage to Eliza surged forth. Eliza, her first love, the one who had left her to explore the vast wonders of the world. Anastasia's heart ached as she recalled the moment Eliza had bid her farewell, promising to return someday. But that day never came, and Anastasia was left to carry the weight of their unfinished story.

In her dreams, it felt as though time had folded in on itself. She could still taste the sweetness of their kisses, the warmth of their bodies entwined beneath the starlit sky of old England. Every touch, every caress, was etched in her memory as though it had happened only yesterday. The intensity of their passion had been unmatched, their love a force that defied the constraints of mortality.

But as Anastasia's eyes fluttered open, the guilt washed over her like a cold wave. Here she lay, beside Delilah, her wife, her present. And yet, her mind had wandered to a love long past, resurrecting emotions she thought were long buried. She looked at Delilah, her heart heavy with remorse for betraying their sacred bond, even if it was only in her thoughts.

Delilah stirred beside her, sensing the turmoil within Anastasia. She reached out, her touch gentle and understanding. “Anastasia, my love,” she whispered, her voice a soothing melody. "You don't have to carry the weight of coven’s issues alone. I am here for you, to share your joys and sorrows, your triumphs and heartaches.”

Anastasia looked into Delilah's eyes, the depth of her love reflected in their depths. In that moment, she realized that while her memories of Eliza were precious, they were but echoes of a different time. Delilah was her present and her future, a beacon of love and understanding. She vowed to honor their bond, to cherish the love they had built together. With a sigh, Anastasia let go of the lingering tendrils of the past and nestled closer to Delilah. As their bodies entwined beneath the covers, a sense of peace washed over her, she closed her eyes, finally able to surrender to the embrace of sleep, knowing that she was exactly where she belonged or so she thought.