Rena

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 troubled thoughts.

Eight years have 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 death 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 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 joint hands, taking comfort in Carter’s steadfast warmth. So many years I’ve felt adrift in the 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 death of your parents. I swear on my life.”

I nod mutely, overwhelmed 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 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 our favorite place when we were young. We begged mom to take us while dad was away. We would split massive strawberry milkshakes while chatting about everything under the sun. Do you think... Perhaps we will find answers there?” My fingers trace the contours of the diner, long lost to time.

“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 delicate moan, “... we’re in Royalva, kitten.”

“Are you serious? How can such a beautiful place be in Royalva?”

A lopsided grin spread across his face. “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 washed 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 even 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 a hint of raw need that sends 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 he leans closer. His warm breath brushed my lips. His eyes silently ask permission, and I answer by closing the distance and pressing my lips to his.

He pulls me closer, and I, instinctively, melt into him.

As he claims dominance over me, heat spreads lower with every second his body presses against mine. My breath hitches as Carter’s hand glides up my thigh. The space between my pussy becomes wet.

His fingers tighten around me, digging deep into my skin, as though he’s reluctant to let me go. The sensation makes my pulse race, and I clutch at his shirt, needing something to steady myself.

I feel like he wants to devour me. And I dare say... I might just let him.

As our kiss ends, both of us panting for breath.

Carter rests his forehead against mine, his eyes remaining closed. “Rena, is this 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’s 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.

From the corner of my eye, I catch Carter’s gaze lingering on the horizon. His forehead furrows, lips pursing and relaxing in a silent dance with his thoughts, his fingers drumming an erratic rhythm against the steering wheel.

His jaw sets in a hard line, the muscle jumping with tension—I can almost hear it crack. The weight of his silent worry presses down, and I long to unravel the knot of his distress.

Steeling my courage, I reach for his hand where it rests upon the gearshift. “Carter?”

At the sound of my voice, he startles like a skittish hound. His wild eyes dart my way as if remembering I’m there, then quickly return to scanning the streets ahead.

I give his hand a gentle squeeze. “Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

He sighs, long and heavy. “I have a feeling this is a trap.”

“A trap? What makes you think that?”

A muscle in his jaw ticks. “It’s too convenient. The clues leading you directly to Rococo’s? Someone wants you there, and I doubt for pleasant reasons.”

I sigh and lean back in my seat, pondering his words. “You may be right to worry. How about we march into Rococo’s and see what they have to say?”

Carter shoots me a sidelong glance. “Is that really wise, kitten? We do not know what they’re capable of.”

“Maybe not. But hiding in fear will solve nothing.” I take his hand again and meet his eyes. “I’m not afraid. Not with you by my side.”

A faint smile tugs at his lips. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse?” He lifts my hand and brushes a tender kiss across my knuckles. “But promise me you’ll let me do the talking and stay close.”

Warmth blossoms in my chest at his gentle affection. As we turn down a snowy lane, lights emerge in the distance.