Rena’s POV

Fingers twitching like frail branches in a storm.

I stare down at the foreign sight, while Carter’s words claw deeper into the fabric of my trouble thoughts.

A decade has withered away since my sister vanished, silent and unforgiving, leaving no trace of her once vibrant presence.

But now, hearing that, she has appeared as something—entirely unrecognizable.

Carter’s words contradict everything I knew about her, but the undeniable fate of his friend spoke for itself.

“She was always so kind and caring when we were young. I don’t understand how she could become so cruel.”

Carter frowns, dropping his head. “You mentioned she was taken, right? Perhaps they... they broke her, changed her entirely.”

“But to take a life...”

“Don’t let this snuff out your hope, Rena. What if somewhere, deep inside, the sister you cherish still lingers?”

Raising tear-stain cheeks, I lock onto the earnest blaze within his eyes, a silent beacon amidst my tempest of doubt.

“How can you be so sure? What if someday I lose control, like she did, and-”

He takes my hands in his. “-You think I don’t see the walls you’ve put up and the cracks in them? I’ve seen it—the way your guard softens when Dahlia is with you. The mask slips, just for a moment. Deny it all you want, but your eyes, they betray a profound care for her that words can’t describe.”

“You remind me so much of my sister. She had this uncanny ability... like you, to see right through me.”

I look down at our join hands, taking comfort in Carter’s steadfast warmth. So many years I’ve felt adrift in shadows of my sister’s absence. Yet here, in this quiet moment, a light shines through.

“Dahlia’s kind as well. She’s been so patient with me, even as I struggle to accept being a dhampir.”

Carter’s earnest gaze bores into mine, stripping away the last threads of my composure. His thumb brushes gently over my knuckles, sending a shiver up my spine.

“You don’t need to face this alone, Rena. We’ll hunt down the bastards who orchestrated the cruel fate of your parents. You’re not alone—I swear it on my life.”

I nod mutely, overwhelm by his kindness. After so long living in isolation and fear, his steady presence fills me with a strange sense of calm.

But as the calm settles, a niggling concern prickles at my serenity. “Carter, you said Rachel was searching for a pendant. What’s driving her? Why is that pendant so... crucial?”

Carter frowns in thought. “Honestly, I’m as lost as you are. It ended up in my hands, barely more than happenstance, and when I let slip to Damien, his eyes... hollowed out, like I’d announced the end of the world. All he said was, ‘Keep it safe, guard it with your life’ - that was before I met your sister.”

“Do you still have the pendant?”

“Yeah, I do. Don’t worry, it’s somewhere safe that only I know.”

A thought occurs to me. I reach into my pocket and withdraw the worn photograph I found at the Black Rosé. Carter’s eyes widen as he glimpses at the faded image.

“Rococo’s Diner? This place holds special memories for you, doesn’t it?”

“This was mine and Rachel’s favorite spot as kids. We’d spend hours here every weekend, splitting a massive strawberry milkshake while chatting about everything under the sun. Do you think... perhaps we could find some answers there?” My fingers trace the contours of figures long lost to time.

Carter’s gaze holds mine, the glint of a dare twinkling in his eye. ‘It’s worth a shot,’ he murmurs, his voice a low hum that vibrates through the tension between us. He leans closer, so close his breath is a warm whisper against my ear. ‘By the way,’ he adds, his voice dripping a mischievous moan, “... we’re in Royalvia, kitten.”

“Are you serious? We’re actually in Royalvia?”

A lopsided grin spreading across his face. “I thought you might back out if you had second thoughts. Besides, I wanted to surprise you. Have you ever been here before?”

I shake my head, memories of captivity flickering behind my eyes. “No, Father kept Rachel and me under lock and key. We only ever managed fleeting glimpses of freedom.”

As the painful memories wash over me, the tears came. I’ve kept this anguish bottled up for so long. Carter places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“You’re safe now,” he says softly. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you and your sister.”

His kindness and understanding just make me cry more.

After years of loneliness and fear, his steadfast presence brings me comfort like nothing ever has. I look into his warm eyes, letting his steady gaze soothe my sorrow.

“I’m sorry,” I say between sniffles. “You don’t deserve my tears.”

“Don’t apologize,” Carter says gently. “Let it out. Keeping it all bottled inside will only make the pain worse.”

He opens his arms in a silent offering of solace. I nod, accepting his comfort, and fold into his embrace. Carter’s arms wrap firmly around me, and I allow myself to fall against his sturdy frame. His warmth envelops me, chasing away the haunting chill of old wounds. Here, in this moment, I feel shielded—safe in ways I’d long since forgotten.

We stand like that for some time, my sobs slowing to quiet hitches of breath. At last, I retreat just enough to peer up at Carter through watery lashes. One of his hands lingers on my back while the other rests against my wet cheek.

“Rena,” he murmurs, an edge of warning threading his husky voice, “I might lose all semblance of self-control if you don’t stop looking at me with those eyes.” His words carry an undercurrent of raw need that sent a thrill dancing down my spine.

A playful smirk curls on my lips. “Oh, you find that troubling?” I tease, leaning closer, my voice a breathy whisper. “Perhaps I might just permit you the sweet torture of a kiss.”

His gaze burns into mine as his head dips lower, his warm breath ghosting against my lips. Every fiber of my being thrums with anticipation, yet within his eyes shimmers a question, seeking permission. In response, I bridge the tiny gap between us and press my lips to his.

Heat ignites within my chest at the tender caress. Carter’s hands find their way to my waist, pulling me closer still as our kiss deepens. Lost in the heat, my senses are overwhelmed by Carter’s tender embrace. Though we’ve just met, being with him feels strangely comforting, as if our souls recognized each other long ago.

As our kiss comes to its natural end, Carter rests his forehead against mine, his eyes remaining closed. “Rena, is this another one of your delightful assaults on my heart?”

A warm glow ignites in my chest, that familiar spark of mischief mixed with an achingly deep sense of compassion I thought I’d lost to the past.

Carter offers me a tender smile and steps back, though his hands remain on my waist.

“Come, let head to Rococo’s and see if it sparks any memories or clues.”

Carter’s warm hand envelops mine as we walk towards his car, parked near the frozen lake. Our boots crunch in the snow, the only sounds amidst nature’s winter slumber.

As we near the vehicle, Carter tugs me gently to face him. His beautiful eyes gleam with concern. “How are you feeling?”

I offer a small smile. “Better now, thanks to you.” And I mean it. His steady presence has brought me more comfort than I could have imagined.

Carter grins warmly and opens the passenger door for me. As I settle inside, the car interior encompasses me in a cozy warmth contrasting the winter cold outside. Carter slides into the driver’s seat and starts the engine with a rumble.

We pull away from the lake and head into town, snow-dusted streets glowing golden in the lamplight.

Ava hangs up the phone with a sigh. Another potential lead in this case. She grabs her jacket and loads her pistols before heading out to Black Rosé.

When she arrives, the owner, Maria, is waiting nervously by the door. “Officer Blake, thanks for coming so quickly. Please, come in.”

Ava follows her inside. “Tell me what happened. You said someone matching the suspect’s description was here?”

Maria nods rapidly. “Yes, a woman came in the afternoon. Pale skin, long white hair, and the reddest eyes I’ve ever seen. She had a companion who asked a lot of questions, looking to help. But she acted strangely when she saw that photo.”

“Can you describe how she acted?” asks Ava.

Maria thought for a moment. “It was subtle, but she seemed... unsettled. Her eyes widened slightly, and her companion rushed away, as if to comfort her.”

Ava pulls out the photo from her file. “Is this the woman you saw?”

Maria nods. “Yes, that’s her. Tall and pale, though her hair differs from the photo.”

Ava studies the photo intently. “Do you know where they went after leaving here?”

“Yeah, I overheard them mention Rococo’s Diner just before they thanked me and rushed out the door.”

Ava strides out of the bar, Maria’s information swirling in her mind. As she approaches her vehicle, she pulls out her phone.

“Jensen, it’s Ava. I’ve got a lead - get to Rococo’s Diner asap. And bring your bullets. I think we may have our woman.”

“Do you require her breathing when we met her?” His voice reverberates with a chilling calmness that contrasts with the weight of his question. Ava pauses, weighing her words.

“We need her alive, Jensen. I have more questions that need answering.”

A tense silence lingers in the air. Finally, Jensen speaks. “You know as well as I that my methods are... direct. But for you, I will bring her in breathing.”

Jensen hangs up, and Ava got into her car, heading for Rococo’s Diner. As she drives, her mind races. The twins’ legend, as far as she knew, just was a myth, but now everything is pointing to one of them being alive and involved in the recent attacks. Ava’s mind races, unsure of what to expect when confronting creatures from the legend.