Rena’s POV

How is she aware? Is this her subtle method of cautioning me?

I pivot, capturing the sight of Carter lingering near the front door, his eyes sparking with contain eagerness. I seize a strip of bacon, devouring it in mere moments without registering the flavor. All the while, my mind races to decipher the mysterious message.

Snatching my leather jacket, I fall into step beside Carter. As we step onto the porch, an inexplicable unease grows within me. And if that voice belongs to Dahlia...

“She knows. Dahlia knows where we’re heading.”

Carter nods. “I figured as much. Those vampire senses of hers seem pretty sharp. But she didn’t stop us, so I take that as a sign she wants us to find answers too.”

His gaze drifts along the desolate morning street. “You sure you’re ready?”

I inhale and nod, sensing no way back.

Rushing down the steps, “Where’s your--”

He points to the sleek black Lexus with maroon leather seats and tinted windows parked at the curb.

Confusion flickers in my thoughts.

Is this elegant car his, or had he stolen it?

It didn’t match his rebellious appearance.

Carter holds the passenger door for me, a courtesy that contrasts with his usual abruptness. A warmth spreads across my blushing cheeks.

Slipping into the car, I find a smile curving my lips when he takes his place behind the wheel, revving the engine, and we take off.

I glance sideways at Carter as he steers the luxurious vehicle through the quiet suburban streets.

Carter flashes me a mischievous grin. “Nervous?”

His crimson eyes gleam with amusement and tempting to lose myself in their depths.

“Should I be?”

His laugh, low and throaty. “Not with me, kitten.”

One hand leaves the gearshift to trace idle patterns along my wrist. My breath catches at his feather-light touch.

As if sensing my gaze, Carter turns to meet my eyes with an intrigue smile. “See something you like?”

My heartbeat quickens at his flirtatious tone. Something about Carter draws me in, though I don’t know what.

On an impulse, I flirt back. “Maybe? You’re full of mysteries. A girl can’t help but be curious.”

Carter chuckles. “Well then, I’d be happy to satisfy your curiosity.”

His hand leaves my wrist and falls to rest on my knee.

I inhale at his electrifying touch, feeling a surge of desire course through my veins. Our eyes remain locked in a passionate stare as his hand travels higher up my thigh. The air becomes thick with mounting tension.

I grip the seat for support. I part my lips to speak, but no words came. It seems Carter has awakened something deep within me, something wild and unfamiliar.

“Relax.” Carter retracts his hand from my thigh. “I promise not to bite... unless you want me to, of course.”

“Maybe… I want you to.”

He shoots me a startling look, then throws back his head - a deep, throaty sound that makes my stomach flutter. His laughter fades, replaced by a smoldering gaze that traces my features with intent.

“We’ll have to see about that later, won’t we?” His hoarse voice tingling my ears as he shifts back on the road.

The magnetic pull between us gripped me with fire and froze me with ice all at once. In that heated moment, I knew - I was in far deeper than I’d ever planned.

The front of Black Rosé is a chaotic spectacle, swath in caution tape, with policemen barring the entrance. A woman, conversing with the officers, slips past the blockade and into the shadows of the establishment.

“I wonder if she owns this place. But the real question is... how do we get past that?” I extend my finger, directing it towards the officers.

What am I doing?

I scold myself, contemplating this half-baked plan—this foray into a crime scene feels close to breaking and entering.

Carter’s laughter, deep, breaks my trouble thoughts. “Oh kitten, have you already forgotten the tricks up our sleeves?”

I inhale, my voice a fierce whisper. “No. I refuse to tap into that... it doesn’t matter to me.”

It is as if I could push away the truth of our existence. As if ignorance could shield me from the realities of the vampire world that seems to claw ever closer.

He reaches for my hand, the connection startling. “Trust me. It’s time you embrace the full extent of our abilities.”

Moving nearer to the officers, Carter twirls me into his embrace. His spontaneous act sent my pulse racing, and I become aware of his arms cinching around me.

My mind races. Why the charade? Why are his arms around me now, in this dance of the damned?

My eyes widen with disbelief. “What the--?”

His lips curl into an impish smirk. “Hey officers, mind if we sneak a peek inside?”

“No, this is restricted access. Haven’t you been watching the news?” The officer retorts.

He feigns innocence. “Oops, my mistake. Damn, you both look beat—go on, grab some coffee. You deserve a break. Let me handle this.”

Under his subtle command, the officers seem to fall under a spell, nodding as if in a daze. They wander off, their sense of duty forgotten.

I turn to him, my voice full of astonishment, “How did you--?”

He flashes a knowing smile. “Ah, look at you, intrigued. These are mere parlor tricks you should know. You have a lot to learn, but we’ll get to that later.”

I press, needing to understand, “what did you do to them?”

He leans against the doorway. “Being Dhampirs comes with perks—compelling humans is one, along with our keen hearing. Funny how you thought you could keep your plan a secret from Dahlia. No worries, I’ll cover our tracks.”

My lips twists into a half-smile, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, my senses are tingling.”

“You’re adorable in your naivety. There’s so much potential in you, just waiting to be tapped into.”

I scowl, my words biting. “Spare me the lecture. Who says I’m interested?”

His grin widens. “It’s the fierce spark dancing in your eyes.” His gaze locks onto mine, compelling in its intensity. “You may resist, but your dhampir nature is an inescapable aspect of who you are.”

My eyebrow arches. “Oh, so you’re my life coach now?”

He let out a soft laugh, his eyes still holding mine. “Perhaps I am,” he admits. “Why don’t you let me show you the world through my eyes?”

Carter drifts from my side, his form dissolving into the bar’s inky shadows.

Why am I like this?

There’s an aura about him that stirs unfamiliar emotions, prompting me to question my very existence. Vampires, notorious as predators of the night, cast terror over humanity.

Yet, here I am, I’m the embodiment of humans’ darkest fears, a bitter truth that clings to me as closely as my shadow.

I follow Carter into the depths of Black Rosé. The dim lights flickering above, illuminating the chaos—shattered bottles and glass covered every surface, garbled words scrawled across the walls.

A woman sweeping broken pieces into a dustpan, her surly expression softening as she glances up. “Can I help you two?”

Carter flashes a charming smile. “We want to offer our help. I’m Carter, this is Rena. We couldn’t help noticing the disturbance.”

“No leads yet from the police. I’m assuming it’s some drunken idiots.” Her brow furrows as Carter locks eyes with her.

“Perhaps we can take another look around. What else can you tell us about that night?” His velvety voice seems to relax her.

“It was strange... they scribbled some kind of message, but it made no sense.” Her gaze becomes distant. “Now that I think about it, they seemed focused. As if looking for something...”

I search the area while Carter questions the owner.

Phrases like “Find me, Rena.” and “The truth will come out!” jump out. Tucked under an overturned table, a photo caught my eye.

The echoes of my sister’s laughter haunting me, as now as they were back then, when we shared a single sundae crowned with two glistening cherries.

“Careful,” she nudged with a sparkle of mischief in her deep blue eyes, “laugh any harder and you’ll snort cherry juice!” Her laughter, a melodic harmony to my own, filled the surrounding air.

Now, as I clutch the photo, my hands tremble, struggling to contain a storm of memories within the fragile form.

“Carter, come see this.” I hand him the photo, taken inside the tiny diner. “I remember this place... it’s Rococo’s.”

He nods. “Thank you, ma’am. We’ll take our leave now.” His stare lingers on her a moment longer before releasing its hold.

Outside, the thrumming life of the city envelopes us. I turn to Carter with a storm of emotions in my chest. “Royalvia... It’s been a ghost in my life since my sister vanished. Do you believe it could lead us to her?”

He laces his fingers with mine, pulling me close. “We won’t know until we try, right? But first, I want to show you something—it might help with the story I’m about to tell.”

His infectious optimism buoys my spirits as we settle into his car and speed off towards his destination in mind.

As Carter drive us away from the bustling city streets, the sun dipping below the distant skyline in a dazzling display of orange and pink.

“Not much farther.”

The streetlights casting a glow on his sharp features that left me wondering what secrets lay beneath.

“Where we’re going?”

Carter chuckles, a low melodic sound. “You don’t want to spoil the surprise, do you?”

I try to push aside the anxiety within me. “I’m not fond of surprises.”

“You’ll like this one, I promise.” His smile turning sly. “Unless you’d rather I turn back now?”

“Don’t you dare.” I try to scowl in feign annoyance but fail, the corners of my mouth turning up into a smile against my will.

His playful affection easing the constant ache in my heart.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a delicate sense of lightness cascades through me, a warm, soothing pleasure overtaking the lingering shadows of pain.