I wake from the nightmare that haunts me, a constant shadow in my mind. Slowly, I rise from the couch, my heart pounding in my chest. As I make my way to the stairs, I hear Rose scream from upstairs. Panic surges through me. Please, don't let anything happen to her.
I race down the hall to the bedroom door, but it won't budge. "Please!" Her screams tear through me. "Leave me alone!" Her voice cracks in terror.
"Rose, I'm coming!" I kick the door with all my strength. Wood splinters, the door groaning in protest. "Hang on, Rose!"
With one final blow, the door breaks open, and I freeze. A massive shadow figure looms over her. Fury blazes inside me. "Get away from my mate, or I'll burn you alive!" My voice shakes the house as my anger spills over.
The figure turns, its soulless eyes locking onto mine. "We'll meet again, Alex," it sneers, its voice cold and hollow, before dissipating into a cloud of black smoke.
I rush to Rose's side. She's shaking uncontrollably, lost in shock. "Little bird, it's me. Please, look at me." Her wide, terrified eyes meet mine, and she collapses into my arms.
"Please... don't leave me," she whispers, her voice laced with fear.
"I won't. I'm never leaving you again," I promise, lifting her gently into my arms. I carry her to the bed, tucking her in before stepping back to sit in the chair in the corner. But then I hear her voice—soft, fragile.
"Alex, can you hold me? So I can sleep... with peace of mind?"
"Of course, love," I reply, my voice thick with emotion. I climb into the bed beside her, pulling her into my arms. Her head rests on my arm, and soon her breathing steadies, signaling that she's asleep.
But my mind races. What was that? Could it have been the vampire? It sounded like him, but I didn't know vampires could turn into smoke. Interesting. I'll need to find a witch who knows more about them. But where? Most witches deal in dark magic, and that's not something I'm comfortable with.
I stare at Rose, watching her peaceful slumber. She looks so beautiful, so perfect. No wonder she was named Rose. A smile tugs at my lips, but it quickly fades as my mind drifts back to the nightmare. What if something happens to her? What if I can't protect her like I promised?
The weight of the past presses on me. I miss my family. I miss my sister the most—wish she were here to guide me, to tell me what to do. But maybe... maybe this is all my fault. Maybe it's because I'm the next in line. I need answers, and I need them fast.
I close my eyes, but sleep doesn't come easily. The sense of being watched lingers, and soon, I'm falling into another nightmare—visions of my lost family, of friends who may be gone forever. It's a fight to the end, or die trying. I have no other choose.