Chapter 64

My breath hitched as my hammering heart threatened to drown me in panic. I clenched my fists, willing myself to focus. Logic. Rationality. Those were my only allies now.

"Stop the car," I commanded, my voice firm despite the chaos brewing inside me.

"I told you, we don’t have time for this," Hadrian grunted, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.

"You look like you're about to lose consciousness any second. Stop the damn car!" I barked, my tone sharp and unyielding.

"And who’s going to drive, hmm?" he snapped, his frustration palpable.

"I will," I replied, steady and composed.

He snorted, a humorless smirk tugging at his lips. "Do you even have a license?"

"No, but I know how to drive." My confidence didn’t waver.

Hadrian sneered but kept his eyes on the road. He was so accustomed to being in control, so certain of his own abilities, that he couldn’t fathom surrendering even an ounce of authority. I needed a different approach.

"Did you call Gareth? Does he know you’ve found me?" I asked, my voice measured but laced with urgency.

"I called," he admitted reluctantly, "but he didn’t answer."

"What?!" My heart skipped a beat.

Hadrian shrugged, as though Gareth’s silence was a mere inconvenience. But his single-minded focus on reaching the castle made his nonchalance unnerving.

"The person most devoted to you doesn’t pick up, and you think that’s not a big deal?!" My voice rose with disbelief.

"I’ll call him when I need him," he muttered, irritation flickering across his face.

"Call him now," I demanded, the edge in my voice sharper than before.

He shoved his phone at me without a word. I nearly threw it back at him in frustration, his arrogance grating on my nerves. Instead, I took the phone and glanced at the screen. It was 8 PM.

And then I saw it. The date. The full moon.

My stomach tightened, dread creeping up my spine. My hands shook, but I steeled myself and dialed Mr. Larkspur. No answer. Again.

"Something’s wrong at the castle," I said, my voice tight with worry.

Hadrian’s jaw tensed. "Gareth’s the most capable man I know. Whatever’s going on, he can handle it."

"Capable doesn’t mean invincible," I shot back.

He sighed but didn’t respond. Instead, he pressed harder on the gas, the speedometer climbing past 110 miles per hour. His condition was deteriorating, but his stubbornness remained unyielding.

I stepped out of the car, pacing as I tried Gareth’s number again. Still no answer. My frustration boiled over as I scanned Hadrian’s contacts. Aside from Gareth, there were barely any names. Typical.

"I’m getting myself a phone when we get back," I muttered angrily. "And I’ll collect numbers from every maid in that damn castle."

Finally, I found Lucian’s number. Without hesitation, I called him.

"Hadrian?" Lucian answered, surprise evident in his voice.

"Lucian, it’s Thalassa," I said quickly. "I’m with the Lord Protector. We’re about three hundred miles from Monteforte City. Something’s happened. We need your help."

Lucian exhaled sharply. "Figures. There’s been a series of attacks all over the city. Blood banks burned to the ground. And it’s a full moon tonight—vamps are going to go feral trying to sate their bloodlust."

The pieces clicked into place. Gareth’s silence, the chaos in the city—it all made sense. But Hadrian’s worsening condition was more urgent.

"I need your help," I pressed.

"Let me guess," Lucian said dryly. "Hadrian’s in no shape to talk, and you need a solution."

"Exactly," I replied, my patience fraying. "He needs blood, and I can’t—"

"He has you," Lucian interrupted.

"That’s not an option!" I snapped, anger flaring.

After a pause, Lucian sighed. "There’s an estate about ten miles from your location. It should have a fresh blood supply. I’ll send you the address."

"Thank you," I said, relief flooding me. "But how do I get in? Do I need a keycard or something?"

"The gate has a scanner. If you don’t have the key or password, use Hadrian’s blood. That’ll work."

I ended the call, determination replacing my earlier panic. Climbing back into the car, I shook Hadrian’s shoulder gently.

"You need to let me drive," I said firmly. "There’s an estate nearby. I’ll get you blood."

Hadrian’s eyes flickered open, the red hue of his irises sending a chill through me. The full moon’s influence was already taking hold. I stepped back instinctively.

Somehow, he obeyed, shifting to the passenger seat. I slid into the driver’s seat, adjusting it hastily. His coat weighed heavily on my shoulders, and I moved to take it off.

"Don’t," Hadrian rasped, his voice strained.

"Why not?"

"There’s a scratch on your head... wounds on your wrists and feet..." His voice trailed off, his breathing labored. "I can smell every drop of your blood... The only thing keeping me from—" He didn’t finish.

I swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile as I started the engine. "Hold on, Hadrian. I’ll get us there."

Time was slipping away, and so was Hadrian. The only thing I could do now was hope that the estate held enough blood to save him—and stop him from losing himself to the full moon’s curse.