Chapter 32 Eve-gate
Rain POV
I ran after Rosee, my boots slipping slightly on the tile as I called his name, panic shredding my voice.
“Rosee, wait!” My voice cracked as I followed him into the rain-soaked driveway. “Please talk to me!”
He stopped so abruptly I nearly crashed into his back.
“Talk about what, huh?” he roared.
I froze but I did not back away.
His eyes were bloodshot, veins visible against his temples. His fists clenched and unclenched like he was holding himself back from tearing the world apart. His voice… it wasn’t just anger. It was grief, raw and feral.
Still, I stood my ground.
Noah might not be my child.
But bonds are not always born of blood.
“I know you’re angry,” I said carefully, forcing my voice to stay steady. “But shutting me out won’t bring him back. Please take me with you.”
For a second, I thought he would yell again. Instead, he stared at me long and hard then turned away.
“Get in the car.”
I didn’t argue.
The drive was silent and heavy. The kind that pressed against your chest and made it hard to breathe. Rain battered the windshield as the city lights disappeared, replaced by darkness and winding roads.
After what felt like forever, he stopped.
We were standing before the strangest tree I had ever seen.
It was gigantic and ancient. Its bark shimmered faintly purple under the sunlight. Two long, skeletal branches stretched upward like arms frozen in agony. No leaves. No life.
Yet… it pulsed.
“What is this place?” I whispered.
Rosee didn’t answer.
He stepped forward, pressed his left palm against the trunk, and murmured words I didn’t understand.
The tree groaned. Then it split open.
I gasped as its trunk slowly split down the middle, revealing stone steps spiraling downward into darkness.
My breath caught.
“Don’t fall behind,” he said, already descending.
The underground opened suddenly into a vast, breathtaking library. Endless shelves. Books stacked from floor to ceiling. Floating lanterns cast a warm golden glow and tiny fairies fluttered between the aisles, dusting spines, rearranging tomes.
They were beautiful yet terrifying.
Each had delicate wings and a long, curved scorpion tail dripping faintly with venom.
They stared at me as they passed.
I swallowed hard.
“Aiden,” a deep voice rumbled. “What are you doing here?”
A massive oak table dominated the center of the room. Behind it sat a Lycan beast in human form. Broad shoulders, sharp eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses, power rolling off him like heat.
“I need you to find someone,” Rosee said flatly.
The Lycan scoffed. “We don’t run charity.”
His gaze shifted to me. Slowly. Analytically.
“And who is she?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Rosee snapped. “Let’s get to business. I need to find my son.”
The Lycan stiffened. “Your… son?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to Noah?”
“He was abducted.”
A pause.
“By who?”
Rosee exhaled harshly. “His mother.”
The Lycan leaned back, studying Rosee. Then his eyes flicked to me again, narrowing. “She smells unusual. Not like other creatures.”
I felt exposed and stripped.
“Is it fine for her to be here?” he asked.
“Yes,” Rosee said without hesitation. “I trust her.”
My head snapped toward him.
Trust? My lips curled into a second smile.
The Lycan said nothing more. He opened a massive purple book, its pages glowing faintly, muttering under his breath as he scribbled symbols onto a scroll. He tore it free and slid it across the table.
“Follow the map.”
Rosee studied it, frowning. “This village… it’s a two-day journey. How did Sahra get there so fast?”
“You forget,” the Lycan replied calmly, “Sahra is a witch. She manipulates distance, time and paths. The map is alive, it will guide you.”
Rosee nodded and turned to leave.
“Take the woman,” the Lycan added. “She’ll come in handy.”
Before I could ask what that meant, the staircase vanished and an elevator materialized instead.
Rosee stepped in. I hesitated, but followed.
The descent or ascent, I couldn’t tell. The elevator was violent and too fast. I grabbed Rosee’s jacket to steady myself.
In seconds, we were back outside the tree.
“What was that place?” I asked shakily as we walked to the car.
“Eve-Gate,” he said. “A bridge between realms. It sees all things. Keeps all secrets.”
“Eve-Gate,” I repeated quietly, looking at the gigantic tree.
Three days later, after abandoning the car and climbing a rocky mountain on foot, we finally reached the village.
A wooden sign stood at its entrance:
WELCOME TO PEACEFUL VILLAGE
Rosee scanned the area, his posture tense.
“Stay by my side,” he said.
I clenched my gloved hands, fire humming beneath my skin.
Wait? What's Rosee identify?
I have never thought about that for once. Obviously, he is not a wolf, nor a Liota. I don't think he is a vampire,or is he an hybrid like me?
A man in a wheelchair rolled toward us. Old, but powerfully built.
“Welcome,” he said warmly. “How may I help you?”
“I’m looking for my son,” Rosee said. “I was told he’s here.”
The man frowned. "I don't think your son is here because I know everyone that is entering or leaving this village and I did not see a little boy here."
"How do you know he is a little boy?" I asked the man immediately.
"Madam, with the look in your eyes, it's obvious your lost son is a little boy. You wouldn't be so worried about a grown up. Anyway come follow me. Rest in our village, you can continue looking for him tomorrow. "
He said wheeling himself.
We quietly followed him, taking note of the surroundings. We were ushered into a small room. It had a small bed at the end, a table and chair with a mirror on the wall.
"Our village isn't some big rich village. Please help us manage." The old man said.
"It's fine, it's only for tonight." Rosee replied.
A young woman came, she served food and water then she dropped a bucket of water outside for bathing.
Immediately they left, I settled on the bed.
"How do we find Noah? The old man said he isn't here?" I said I was worried.
"Let's wait and see. I'm going to take my bath first. You stay here." He took off his jacket, then slowly unbutton his shirt.
I know I shouldn't look, I looked at the ceiling, ground, at the walls— anywhere away from him.
He then wrapped a towel round hos waist and went outside.
Now I can breath!
Shortly after, I heard the splashing of water. Thirty minutes later, Rosee was yet to be back and I didn't hear any water splash sound.
I waited for additional ten minutes, before going out.
It's 11 pm so it's so cold and chilly outside. It's dark but thanks to the street lamp I could trace my way. I went to the back the room given to us.
I stepped outside. And then I saw him.
I saw Rosee standing naked, looking at the sky. I hid behind a tree immediately, closing my eyes.
I swallowed hard, he is safe, let's go back.
I turned to leave but curiosity took a hold of me. I looked at him again, this time longer. Feeding my eyes with his perfect sculpture body.
My heart pounded fast and I started sweating despite the cold. I took my fingers to my jYean. Unzipped it and was about playing with my coochie when I noticed something strange about Rosee.
I stretched my eyes to see clearly.
Something moved beneath his skin.
Some symbols and markings spread across his back, glowing faintly.
Then I saw him licking blood.
My stomach dropped.
I turned to flee and slammed straight into him.
“Oh my God!” I screamed, collapsing to the floor.