Chapter 35 Arrival
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Ella sat rigidly in the car beside Dorian. Despite her instincts urging her to remain calm, a cold dread prickled down her spine. She was in enemy territory now—a city that thrived under the cover of night, the very heart of vampire power. Everything about it was alien to her, from the scent of the air to the quiet, lethal tension that seemed to cling to every surface.
Through the tinted window, she caught glimpses of Devil’s City as they drove. Tall, dark buildings rose like jagged shadows against the twilight sky, their sleek, blackened glass reflecting the faint light that remained. The architecture was both beautiful and foreboding, a blend of ancient stone and sharp, modern angles that mirrored the ruthlessness of the inhabitants.
But it was the people that unnerved her most. Vampires lined the streets, their eyes following her as if they could sense her difference, her very scent marking her as—an intruder. She saw a few of them bare their fangs, subtle but intentional, their red orbs flashing with malice as the car passed by. Ella shivered, glad for the shield the vehicle provided, yet knowing that the safety was only temporary.
“You’re staring,” Dorian’s voice cut through the silence, cold and impassive.
She turned away from the window, meeting his icy gaze with guarded defiance. “Your city is... not what I expected.”
Dorian’s lips curled into a smirk, though it held no warmth. “Did you expect a den of monsters? Dark alleyways? I suppose that’s how your kind sees us.”
The disdain in his voice was unmistakable, and it grated against her nerves. “No, I just... I didn’t realize it would be so... organized.”
“Contrary to what you wolves might think, we’re not savages.” His tone was dismissive, his eyes back on the road as if she were nothing more than an irritating speck in his master’s kingdom. “Though it doesn’t matter what you expected. Soon enough, you’ll realize that expectations mean very little here.”
A tense silence followed, punctuated only by the steady hum of the engine. Ella’s heart raced, a mixture of fear and defiance swirling within her. Every part of her felt caged, stripped of control, a prisoner both of her situation and her own mistakes.
A mistake that has led her captive. She should have known better, the dangerous people are the ones who mostly appear nice–unsuspicious. She had let her guard down and allowed a human take advantage of her weak moment.
“Lila, when are you going to wake up?, I need you more than ever now”.
Dorian’s voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to reality. “We’re here.”
Ella blinked, looking out through the windshield to see a towering structure ahead. The palace loomed like a dark silhouette against the bright sky, an architectural masterpiece that seemed both modern and ancient at the same time. Its walls were made of dark stone that shimmered faintly under the light, and its spires reached toward the heavens as if attempting to touch the sky itself.
The building was enormous, its sheer size enough to make Ella feel small and insignificant. She swallowed hard, anxiety creeping up her spine.
Before she could fully process her thoughts, Dorian yanked open her door. His hand was on her arm, pulling her out of the vehicle with a roughness that told her exactly how little he thought of her.
“Get out,” he snapped, his grip unyielding. She stumbled slightly as he forced her forward, his expression hard and unsympathetic. It wasn’t a look of hatred, necessarily—more the cold, calculated distaste of someone following orders without personal investment.
Ella forced herself to stay calm, to ignore the eyes on her. The vampires nearby sneered as she passed, their fangs glinting under the low light, expressions hungry and malicious, their eyes narrowing as they caught her scent—a wolf among vampires. She kept her gaze straight ahead, willing her breathing to remain steady. The only thing worse than being surrounded by vampires was giving them the satisfaction of seeing her fear.
The air around her felt heavier as they approached the entrance, and Ella instinctively tensed, bracing herself for whatever might lie ahead. Standing guard at the massive double doors were two vampires, both tall and imposing. Their black suits and icy stares only added to the sense of foreboding in the air. They were handsome, their sharp features striking against their pale skin, but none of them had the effortless allure that Dorian possessed.
Dorian’s beauty was undeniable—his dark hair fell in soft waves around his face, and his icy blue eyes seemed to pierce right through her, though they never betrayed anything. His tall frame was lean and strong, the way he carried himself exuding confidence and power. His presence alone commanded respect.
Dorian led her forward, pausing before the vast double doors of the palace, which loomed like a stone fortress against the dusky sky. Every inch of the building exuded a dark, oppressive power, and as the last rays of sun disappeared entirely, she felt as though she were walking into a trap she would never escape.
Dorian’s grip on her arm tightened briefly as if in warning. “Let’s get one thing straight, wolf,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “You are here at my master's command, and his patience is not infinite. So don’t think you’ll find any kindness in these walls.”
She swallowed, feeling the familiar surge of anger she’d fought to suppress. But there was no point in lashing out, no point in trying to fight the iron grip of circumstance. Instead, she straightened, letting her chin rise a fraction. “I never expected kindness from vampires,” she replied softly, her voice steady despite the tension coiling within her.
He scoffed, releasing her arm with a shove that sent her stumbling forward, directly toward the doors. “Good. Then maybe you’re smart enough to survive for a while.”
The heavy doors creaked open, and the inside of the palace loomed before her, just as intimidating as its exterior. She hesitated, glancing back at Dorian, who offered her nothing more than a cold glare. Steeling herself, she stepped inside, feeling the weight of her choices pressing down with every step.
The corridor led them deeper into the palace until they reached a thick, ornate door. Dorian stopped there, calling out to the person inside.
My lord, the healer has arrived.”
“Healer?” Ella's mind raced, confusion swirling within her. Is that why they brought me here? Do they need her help?
The response was immediate, a voice cold as ice and layered with authority. “Bring her in.”
Dorian didn’t look at her as he pushed the door open and nodded for her to enter. “It's time”.
Ella took a slow, unsteady breath, summoning her resolve as she walked forward, crossing the threshold into the dimly lit study.
The room was filled with rich, dark wood furniture—bookshelves lined the walls, each shelf meticulously organized, and paintings depicting battles and ancient histories adorned the walls. The lighting was soft, casting a warm glow over the entire space.
At the far end of the room stood a figure, his back to them, his broad shoulders outlined by the faint light from the single window that let in the last sliver of the twilight outside. His posture was commanding, exuding a power so intense that it filled every corner of the room. She couldn’t look away, captivated by the sheer force of his presence.
Ella’s breath caught in her throat, a chill running down her spine. She could feel the power radiating from him, almost as if it were an invisible force pressing against her.
“Leave us,” came the cold voice again, making her shiver.
Dorian nodded and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Ella stood frozen for a moment, her pulse quickening. She couldn’t take her eyes off the figure before her, the overwhelming aura of authority making it hard to breathe. Her thoughts raced as she struggled to steady herself.
As the figure slowly turned toward her, Ella’s heart skipped a beat. The little light from the window illuminated his face, and she gasped, her breath catching in her throat. The man who faced her was nothing like she had imagined—his features were chiseled, his jawline sharp, his eyes glowing a deep, unsettling red.
And the power that emanated from him? It was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was as if he controlled the very air around them, bending it to his will.
Who is this man? she thought, unable to suppress the shiver that ran down her spine.
The moment their eyes locked, Ella knew that everything had just changed.