Chapter 60 Chapter 60

Chapter 60 Chapter 60

The next night fell without warning.
No rain. No wind. Only a pitch black sky closing over the city like the eyelid of a giant.
I stood before the small mirror in our room, fixing my hair, putting on the same dark jacket. My face looked pale. Not from exhaustion. But from instinct.
Someone was looking for me.
The image of a tall figure with golden eyes had haunted my thoughts since the man in the hat spoke.
I drew a slow breath.
"Big sister," Dahlia’s voice came from the bed. "Are you going to that place again?"
I turned. "Yes."
"If… if the person searching for you comes here?"
I walked over and sat beside her. "He will not find this place."
Dahlia looked doubtful. "Are you sure?"
I wanted to answer yes. But the word felt fragile on my tongue.
"I will always come back," I said instead. "Lock the door. Do not open it for anyone."
Dahlia clutched the hem of my jacket. "Do not leave me."
I held her hand. "I will not."
But as I stepped out of the room, I knew.
If Alaric had truly caught my trail, no door in this world would be strong enough to keep him out.
The underground corridor of Raven’s place was busier than usual that night. Louder. Wilder. The thick scent of blood and alcohol burned my throat.
Raven stood in the center of the room, her expression serious.
"You came quickly," she said when she saw me.
"Is there a problem?"
Raven glanced toward the iron door. "Someone asked about you this afternoon. A noble vampire. I could feel ancient blood in him."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
So it was true.
He had arrived.
"What did you tell him," I asked.
"I said I did not know you. But your trace lingers here, Ely. You come often. You restrain your power, but it is still noticeable."
I looked at Raven. "I do not want to involve you."
Raven gave a crooked smile. "Too late. This place protects those who work for it. Whoever is searching for you will have to pass through me first."
I fell silent. For the first time since running away, someone was protecting me without asking for anything in return.
"Thank you," I said softly.
Raven gave a small nod. "Work first tonight. We will talk later."
Hour by hour passed. I did my duties. Watching. Guarding. Calming vampires who lost control. Guiding humans out with memories veiled in mist.
But tonight was different. Every footstep made me tense. Every door opening made me turn.
And then it happened.
The iron door opened.
Silence spread like poison.
All eyes turned.
A tall figure entered slowly. Neat black suit. Dark hair combed back. Golden eyes I could never forget.
Alaric.
No professor’s disguise. No false identity. He came as his true self. The ruler of Crimsonveil. The Sire of Bloodfang.
His steps were calm. Unhurried. As if he were entering his own house.
Raven stood straight, blocking his path.
"This place does not accept nobles without invitation."
Alaric glanced at Raven. "I did not come to ruin your business."
"Then why are you here?"
"I came to take back what is mine."
My chest hardened.
Raven let out a short laugh. "Here, no one belongs to anyone. Everyone chooses for themselves."
Alaric’s gaze moved slowly, piercing through the crowd, until it stopped directly on me.
Gold met ash.
The world seemed to stop turning.
"Elysian," his voice was low. Not loud. Yet enough to make my bones tremble.
I stepped forward, though every instinct told me to run.
"I am not yours," I said.
Several vampires around us held their breath. The humans did not understand, but they felt the tension like electricity in the air.
Alaric approached. There was no threat on his face. No anger. Only an unshakable certainty.
"You are tired," he said gently. "You work at night, endure hunger by day. You protect your sister alone. This is not a life worthy of a princess of Crimsonveil."
I smiled coldly. "Better than being a wife waiting for death."
Raven cut in. "No personal battles in my place. If you want to talk, do it outside."
Alaric gave a small nod. "Of course."
He looked at me. "Come, Elysian. Let us speak. Without blood. Without force."
I looked at Raven. She gave a subtle sign. The choice was mine.
I took a breath.
"Fine," I said. "But after that, you leave."
Alaric tilted his head. "We will see."
We stood in the back alley. Streetlights cast pale reflections on his face.
"You followed me," I said.
"I am protecting you," he replied.
"I do not need your protection."
"You do," he said calmly. "This city will consume you slowly. One night you will lose control. Your sister will be hurt. And then you will lose yourself."
I stepped closer. "Better that I break by my own choice than live bound to you."
His golden eyes softened. "I do not wish to bind you with chains. I wish to walk beside you."
I let out a quiet laugh. "Pretty words from a ruler whose wives all died."
For the first time, a shadow of pain crossed his eyes.
"They died because of my blood curse. A curse that is weakening now. Because of you."
I stiffened. "Do not use destiny as an excuse."
"It is not an excuse," he whispered. "It is fact. Your blood stabilizes my curse. That is why you were promised. That is why you are alive. That is why I will not let you perish in a slum alley."
I turned my face away. "I am not a solution to your problem."
"You are not a solution," he said. "You are the answer."
I looked at him again, this time with anger.
"I choose my own life."
Alaric stared at me for a long moment. Then he stepped back.
"Fine," he said. "I will not drag you home tonight."
I narrowed my eyes. "What is the condition."
"One," he said. "I will remain in this city. Watching from afar. If you or your sister are in danger, I will come. You cannot forbid me from protecting Crimsonveil blood."
I clenched my fists.
"Do as you wish," I said coldly. "Just do not appear before me again."
Alaric gave a small smile. "We will meet again, Elysian. Fate is too stubborn to end here."
I turned and walked away without looking back.
Yet I could feel his gaze on my back, like an eternal shadow.
When I opened the door to our room, Dahlia stood immediately.
"Big sister, I felt ancient blood earlier. That was…"
I nodded. "Him."
Dahlia’s face turned pale. "He found us."
"Not yet. And he will not take us tonight."
Dahlia bit her lip. "I am afraid."
I held her. "So am I. But we are still free."
We sat on the bed. Dahlia leaned on my shoulder.
"Big sister," she whispered. "Can fate truly not be fought."
I looked at the dull wall. Then at the window. Then at the world I had chosen with my own will.
"Fate is only strong if we believe in it," I answered. "I will not believe."
Night changed into day. Day changed into night.
I kept working. Dahlia kept learning how to live as a human.
But since that night, I felt his presence in the city. Sometimes, a tall shadow at the end of a street as I walked home. Sometimes, a cold air that did not come from the wind when I closed our door.
He did not touch me.
He did not force me.
But he existed.
And that was far more frightening.