The night weighed heavily as Theo neared Lucian’s estate. Above ground, the stone structures loomed like ancient fortresses, imposing in their silence. The iron gates stood tall, rusted but unyielding, guarding the entrance to something far more sinister below. Beneath the surface stretched Lucian’s true domain—an expansive underground network where the air grew thick, and the shadows seemed to pulse with a life of their own. It was there, in those suffocating depths, that Lucian kept his fledglings close, his power radiating like an ever-present force, inescapable and suffocating.

Theo's boots crunched softly on the gravel as he approached the iron doors. His breath misted in the cold air, and with one sharp knock, the sound reverberated into the stillness around him.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a female vampire with heavy-lidded eyes and dark red hair that came down to her waist.

She leaned languidly against the doorframe, her lips curving into a devilish smirk as her eyes glimmered with mischief. "Theo, what a delicious surprise," she purred, her voice smooth as silk. "It’s been far too long since you graced us with your presence. Lucian’s waiting for you downstairs... but there’s no need to rush." She stepped closer, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the door, her gaze lingering on him with a teasing flicker. "We could always... catch up first," she said, her tone laced with suggestion as she tilted her head slightly, eyes locking onto his.

Theo’s gaze locked with hers for a moment, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "I’ll pass, Celeste," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I’d rather spend an evening in a snake pit. Less chance of getting bitten." He stepped past her, his expression hardening."Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll find my way to Lucian on my own."

Celeste shrugged with a smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Suit yourself," she said, her tone teasing. "Always were a bit of a killjoy."

The grand entryway was cold and hollow, lined with ancient tapestries and illuminated by elegant chandeliers, their crystal prisms casting intricate patterns of light across the stone walls. The air itself seemed to hum with a quiet, unsettling energy—one that never failed to put him on edge.

His footsteps echoed against the polished marble floors as he moved deeper into the estate. High ceilings and arched windows gave the illusion of grandeur above ground, but Theo knew the true heart of Lucian’s domain lay far below. Reaching a narrow staircase carved into the stone, he began his descent into the belly of the estate, where the walls closed in and the temperature dropped further with each step.

The deeper he went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Dim overhead lights illuminated the path, casting unsettling shadows that shifted along the damp stone walls. The sounds of life above faded, leaving only the soft drip of water from unseen cracks and the faint rustling of movement in the darkness.

As he descended further into the underground portion of Lucian’s estate, the scent of damp earth and blood thickened the air. The tunnels branched off into countless directions, a labyrinth of stone corridors leading to various chambers where Lucian’s fledglings roamed and waited. Some, newly turned, lingered at the edges of the passageways, their eyes gleaming in the low light, watching Theo with a mix of hunger and curiosity.

He ignored them, pushing forward, his resolve set. The corridors opened up into a vast underground hall, where stone pillars reached toward the ceiling like jagged teeth. This was Lucian’s domain—cold, vast, and endlessly disorienting. Theo’s steps slowed as he approached the large iron doors that led to Lucian’s private quarters, the familiar dread creeping in as he prepared to face the one who held the leash around his neck.

With a deep breath, Theo placed his hand on the cold iron and pushed the door open, stepping into the heart of Lucian’s dark kingdom.

The room stretched out before him, vast and shadowed, the flickering light from ancient chandeliers casting faint, wavering glows across the dark stone walls. Rich tapestries lined the space, muted reds and blacks with intricate designs that seemed to twist in the dim light. The air was heavy with the scent of old wood and something faintly metallic.

At the center of it all stood Lucian, leaning casually against a large, ornate chair that resembled more of a throne. He wore a tailored black coat, every line of it immaculate, his posture a perfect display of calculated ease. His pale skin seemed to absorb the faint light, making him appear as though he was carved from marble. His hair, dark and swept back, gave his features an even sharper edge—like a blade waiting to be unsheathed.

Lucian’s eyes, cold and piercing, fixed on Theo the moment he entered. His lips curved into the faintest suggestion of a smile, though there was no warmth behind it, only a knowing amusement.

“Ah, Theo,” Lucian greeted, his voice smooth, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. “You’ve been keeping busy, I trust.”

Theo nodded, his gaze steady as he met Lucian’s. “We’re making progress.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow, swirling the wine in his glass. “Progress, you say? I’m intrigued. Tell me, what has the lovely Dr. Carter uncovered?”

Theo took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “She thinks she’s seen the symbols before. We’re looking for a book — Something she remembered from several years ago. Elena believes it has the same markings as the artifact and may shed light on other similar objects .”

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“A book?” Lucian’s interest piqued, and he leaned forward slightly. “How interesting. And do you believe she’s right?”

“I do,” Theo replied, his voice measured. “If we find the book, it might lead us to the next piece of the puzzle.”

Lucian’s smile widened, a slow, deliberate curve of his lips. “Very good. You’re proving useful after all, Theo. But tell me—how is our dear professor? I imagine she’s grown quite fond of you.”

Theo’s shoulders stiffened, but he kept his expression neutral. “She trusts me.”

Lucian chuckled softly, taking a sip of his wine before setting the glass down on the mantel. “Trust is a dangerous thing, Theo. Especially when it’s misplaced.”

Theo said nothing, keeping his gaze forward. He knew better than to engage in Lucian’s games. The less he gave, the better.

Lucian studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for something. Then, his voice dropped, softer but with an unmistakable edge. “You’re not getting too attached, are you?”

Theo remained still, he kept his response short, dismissive. “I know my place.”

“Good,” Lucian replied, his tone lightening. “Because we wouldn’t want you to lose focus. Not with so much at stake.”

For a moment, the room fell into an uneasy silence, the crackle of the fire the only sound. Theo felt the weight of Lucian’s gaze on him, probing, searching for any sign of weakness. He had been through this before—Lucian’s subtle tests, his constant reminders of who held the power.

But tonight, something was different. The tension in Theo’s chest tightened, a pressure he couldn’t quite shake. His throat felt dry, his pride wavering under the weight of what he was about to ask.

Theo swallowed hard, the words forming in his mind before he could stop them. “May I see her?”

The question hung in the air, thick and heavy. Lucian’s expression didn’t change, but something cold flickered behind his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, a slow smile creeping onto his face.

“Ah, there it is,” Lucian murmured, his voice almost a whisper. “There is that bleeding heart.”

Theo clenched his fists at his sides, his jaw set.

“I’ve done everything you’ve asked,” Theo said, his voice low, strained. “Let me see her.”

Lucian took a step closer, his gaze locking onto Theo’s with an intensity that made the room feel smaller. “You’ve done well, yes. But do you think that entitles you to anything, Theo? Do you think you’ve earned the right to see her?”

Theo’s chest tightened, but he forced himself to stand firm. “I just want to know she’s safe.”

Lucian’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Safe? She is exactly as safe as I want her to be. And as long as you continue to play your part, she will remain that way.”

Theo’s breath caught in his throat, a knot of anger and helplessness tightening in his chest. He had no leverage here. Lucian had made sure of that.

“You don’t need to worry, Theo,” Lucian continued, his voice almost mockingly soothing. “She’s well taken care of. But don’t forget—her fate is in your hands. Fail me, and she suffers. Succeed, and she may live to see another day.”

Theo’s hands clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to lash out, to tear Lucian apart, but he knew it would be futile. Lucian held all the cards, and Theo was nothing more than a pawn in his game.

“I won’t fail,” Theo said, his voice barely more than a growl.

Lucian chuckled softly, stepping back. “I know you won’t. You’re far too motivated for that.”

Lucian’s eyes lingered on him for a moment, as if savoring the control he held. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he turned back toward his seat. "You know what to do, Theo. Don’t disappoint me."

Without another word, Theo turned and made his way back into the night.

Outside, the cold air hit him, but it did little to ease the weight pressing down on him. His entire body felt heavy, the tension from the encounter with Lucian dragging at his every step. All he wanted was to retreat into the quiet of his home, let the shadows swallow him whole for a while, just to breathe.

But he couldn’t. Not yet.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from the murky depths of his thoughts. He hesitated for a moment before pulling it out. Elena.

He stared at the name on the screen, feeling the pull of exhaustion deep in his bones. He didn’t have the energy to deal with anything else tonight, but something kept him from ignoring the call.

“Elena?” he answered, his voice rougher than he intended.

There was a pause, and then her voice came through—a strange mix of excitement and something else… foreboding?

“Theo, I found it.”

Theo’s pulse quickened despite his fatigue. “Found what?”

“The book. The one my brother had before…,” she trailed off, and there was a flicker of something else in her voice now. “Can you come over? I’ll text you my address.”

Theo closed his eyes briefly, the exhaustion weighing heavier now. He had been hoping for a night of silence, time to process the weight of Lucian's latest reminder. But something about the way she said it, the smallest hint of a plea hidden beneath her words, stirred something in him. She wasn’t just excited—she was anxious.

Theo paused, his thoughts catching on something he couldn’t quite name. He opened his mouth as if to say more, then stopped.

“I’ll be there soon,” he finally said, his voice steady.

He heard her exhale. “Thank you. See you soon.”

The line went dead, and Theo stood there, staring at the phone in his hand. Something about Elena’s voice lingered longer than he expected. He shifted his weight, trying to shake off the thought. Maybe it was just the exhaustion talking, or maybe it was nothing at all.

He pocketed his phone and turned, the shadows swallowing him once more as he headed toward Elena’s apartment. Duty called, and this time, it came with a quiet plea he couldn’t ignore.