Chapter 182: Vampire Luna

I whirled around instantly, my heart hammering against my ribs as my eyes locked onto the tall figure stepping out from the shadows.

It was him again—the mystery man who kept popping up out of nowhere, claiming to be my long-lost brother. A smooth, arrogant smile curled his lips as he sauntered toward me across the cracked stone floor, his dark eyes sparkling with quiet amusement.

"No one is allowed to sit on that chair, sister," he warned softly, tilting his head toward the massive black seat behind me. "That is our father's throne, and touching it is strictly forbidden."

A defiant, bitter laugh burst from my chest. Instead of stepping back, I shoved off the ground, threw a swift somersault through the air, and landed right on the wide velvet cushion of the dragon throne. I leaned back into the massive backrest, crossed my legs lazily over the armrest, and rested my chin on my hand as I looked down at him.

"Go tell that useless father of ours to show his face right now," I challenged, my voice dripping with pure venom. "I dare him to come and pull me off it himself."

My brother threw his head back and let out a sharp, mocking laugh that echoed down the high ceilings. "You really are an idiot, aren't you? You are stuck inside a deep trance right now, girl. Father can't show up here... this little illusion is taking place strictly inside your own mind. It's just between you and me."

My jaw set tight, and I glared straight into his eyes. "You and I have absolutely nothing in common."

"On the contrary, sister," he smirked, stepping closer until he was standing right at the base of the throne steps, "we have everything in common. In fact, we are practically two sides of the very same coin."

"How on earth am I supposed to believe a single word coming out of your mouth?" I snapped, my voice rising in anger. "You popped up out of nowhere, spun a bunch of wild stories, and lied directly to my face!"

I slammed my fist against the armrest, my eyes flashing dark. "I don't know who you really are, so get the fuck out of my head!"

A mocking chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head slowly. "Says the girl who just passed out on a dirty floor. I'm guessing you got yourself into a pretty pathetic situation to faint like that. Tell me... who did you slaughter this time? Or better yet, who almost beat you to death?"

"You!" I spat out, leaning forward as burning rage boiled over in my blood. "You are the bastard who almost got me killed! You handed me those fake pills claiming they would help, but they only made my bloodlust ten times worse! You tricked me!"

He raised his hands in mock innocence, his dark eyebrows lifting with an amused glint. "I never lied to you for a single second, sister. I clearly laid out all the warnings, precautions, and dangerous side effects before handing them over. You were the one who begged for them anyway. So tell me... whose fault is it really?"

"It is entirely your fault!" I shouted, my chest heaving with fury. "You refuse to give me a straight answer about anything! You just speak in cryptic riddles, keep me completely in the dark, and act like everything is a game!"

"Because you don't need to know the full picture," he replied smoothly, a dark, wicked grin spreading across his face. "At least, not yet. Right now, you are just a stubborn, reckless child. If I told you every single secret right away, it would completely ruin all the fun, wouldn't it?"

A cold realization hit me, and my eyes narrowed into sharp slits as I pieced his words together. "I know exactly what you and father are plotting. He tried to steal my powers the very day I was born, and that's the only reason you're stalking me now! You want my hybrid blood for yourselves! That's what this entire web of lies has been about from the start!"

His grin widened, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "If all I wanted was your power, little sister, I would have ripped it out of your chest a long time ago."

I slowly stood up on the throne, my muscles coiling like a strike-ready snake as I locked my gaze onto his face. "You better pray to whatever gods you worship that I don't survive this cage... because the second I get out, I am coming for both you and father. And I will slaughter you both with my bare hands."

He lowered his brows, a mischievous, dangerous smirk spreading across his face as he spread his arms wide. "Why don't you try right now?"

Driven by pure, unhinged fury, I launched myself off the high throne, diving straight at his throat with my claws bared.

GASSP!

My eyes snapped open, and I sat bolted upright in the pitch-black room, my lungs screaming

for air as I woke up.