Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) (Completed)

1 ~ The Call

Ellie's car interior is a warm sanctuary from the relentless rain outside. The rhythmic swish of the windshield wipers creates a soothing backdrop as she steers onto the slick road. The scent of rain-soaked earth and wet leaves fills the air, blending with the faint aroma of coffee from the thermos in the cup holder.

"I saw your messages. Did you even get enough sleep?" Ellie's voice cuts through the gentle hum of the engine. Her eyes flick to me, filled with concern, even as she navigates the busy morning traffic. Vampires, of course, can stay up all night and go days without sleep, but my human body feels the strain of a restless night.

"I dreamt of my past life." My voice is barely a whisper, lost in the noise of rain pelting the car roof.

After a brief silence, she asks, "Are you going to tell me?"

"I died young." The weight of my words hangs heavy in the air between us, like the thick fog outside.

"How young?" She glances at me again, her curiosity tinged with worry.

"Nineteen. I was murdered." She knows what this means—it will repeat unless we find a way to prevent it. Her gasp is audible, a sharp intake of breath that breaks the tension.

Suddenly, she slams on the brakes, causing my head to lurch forward. "We can change it! You just turned nineteen, so we have over eleven months to stop it. Who murdered you?" Her determination is palpable, her eyes wide with resolve.

"There are cars coming, Ellie," I warn, glancing over my shoulder at the approaching headlights. The sudden stop has drawn impatient honks from the drivers behind us.

"We'll figure something out." She shifts the car back into gear, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. "The King has returned and will visit City Hall today. We need to hurry to avoid the crowd waiting for him."

I roll my eyes. No one knows what he looks like, at least not those who haven't seen him yet. "Why has he come back?" Everyone knows he was gone for three hundred years.

She parks and turns off the engine, the rain now a steady drumming on the roof. "He's here to claim the throne."

I step out of the car, the rain immediately soaking through my shoes and chilling me to the bone. "Looks like you were right about the crowd." The sea of people outside City Hall is a chaotic mix of umbrellas and raincoats, their murmurs a dull roar.

The security guard signals us to use the side door, helping us avoid the throngs outside. Inside, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood greets me, a comforting contrast to the tumult outside.

I sit aimlessly at my desk, haunted by the agonizing dream I had the night before about the man who murdered me over three hundred years ago by piercing my heart with a sword. I loved him, and as I looked at him in disbelief, tears filled my eyes before my body gave out and I breathed my last... heartbroken.

I bend down to pick up a book that fell from the pile I just placed on the trolley, unaware of the tear rolling down my cheek. The scent of aged paper and ink surrounds me, a familiar comfort. I vow never to love another man again, as the one I cherished in my past life killed me without remorse. Angrily, I set the book on the small pile and head to the counter where Ellie will sign them out for someone working upstairs.

Ellie scans the barcodes just as the desk phone rings. "Yes, sir. I'll arrange that," she replies before hanging up. "You need to take it to the Governor's office."

"Me? Can't Sam do it?" I ask, hoping to avoid the task.

"Sam's not here yet."

Sam is never late, so something must have happened. He's a vampire and one of our friends."I'll call him and find out." She hands me the small pile of books. "Now go."

The Governor is a strict yet fair man, magically gifted and seemingly in his late fifties. He graduated at the top of his class and knew the previous King personally. Those with magic are immortal but age slowly after reaching a hundred. I rush through a door toward the elevators, hearing Ellie behind me just before the door closes. "He doesn't like to wait." The Governor is punctual.
The corridor to the Governor's office is eerily quiet, which is unusual. Everyone seems busy, a strange sight since it's typically a time for coffee and casual discussions. The silence is almost oppressive, the faint hum of the overhead lights the only sound.

I find the Governor's secretary, Ruth, at her desk. Always friendly, she says, "You can go in," pointing to the slightly open door.

"I must go in? I thought the Governor preferred books left with you."

"The Governor is away on business." She stands and whispers, "King Elijah requested those."I glance at the door just as we hear a voice from inside, "I'm waiting." That voice sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before? My legs move on their own, and suddenly I'm facing King Elijah—the man who murdered me in my previous life.

He looks even more handsome now, dressed in a modern, expensive suit. His hazel eyes show surprise for a moment. I feel myself blush as he rises and removes his jacket. He's truly an impressive specimen—man or whatever. I've never been interested in dating anyone in this life, and I still am not. Is it just me, or has the temperature risen?

He tilts his head and asks, "Have we met before?" He looks tired, which is odd for a vampire who can go days without sleep. The desk is a mess, files scattered everywhere.

I shake my head, lying to him. He won't remember me—I look different now, while he seems unchanged. My hands tremble, causing a small pile of books to slip from my grasp. He steps forward to help, and as we reach for the same book, I pull back at the electric jolt. He suddenly stands and says sternly, "You can leave now."

I leave, shaken as if a ghost from my past has emerged from my dreams into my life.