Sanguine Rose

Chapter 16

As Emmanuel entered Damian's office, he couldn't help but notice the absence of his enigmatic friend. "Is Damian still not here?" he questioned, his voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration. Lucas, who had taken on the responsibility of managing Damian's affairs, looked up from his laptop with a somber expression. "No, he has yet to make an appearance," Lucas replied, his voice laced with a hint of weariness, as he continued to toil away.

Emmanuel's gaze wandered around the room, his mind filled with thoughts of the loyalty Lucas had shown to Damian over the years. "You have been a steadfast blood child to Damian, Lucas," Emmanuel began, his voice tinged with a sense of admiration. "You have tirelessly attended to his business, carrying out his every command without question. But I wonder, how far are you truly willing to go for him?"

Lucas paused for a moment, his eyes meeting Emmanuel's in a rare display of vulnerability. "I would give him back the life he bestowed upon me, Mr. Emmanuel," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of longing. With a resolute nod, he returned his attention to the laptop, his fingers dancing across the keys.

Emmanuel took a seat on a plush sofa, his fingers tracing the rim of a wine glass filled not with the crimson nectar of grapes, but with the life-giving elixir of blood. He brought the glass to his lips, savoring the taste as the rich liquid flowed through his veins. "I pray that the day never comes when such sacrifices must be made," he whispered, his words carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken fears.

Curiosity sparked within Lucas as he regarded Emmanuel, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "And what of you, Mr. Emmanuel? How far would you go in the name of friendship for Mr. Guevara?" he inquired, his eyes searching for a glimpse into the depths of Emmanuel's soul.

Emmanuel met Lucas's gaze, his eyes flickering with a mixture of determination and unwavering loyalty. "I would traverse the darkest corners of existence, facing the demons that reside within, if it meant protecting Damian," he declared, his voice resonating with an unwavering resolve.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted, as if the very air crackled with an otherworldly energy. "Emmanuel, Lucas! He has sought out Lystrana! He went to see Lystrana!" Damian's voice echoed through the room, his sudden appearance leaving both Emmanuel and Lucas startled.

"Lucas, can you research about the Blood Moon of Resurgence? How many days until the blood moon appears?" Damian asked.

Lucas swiftly turned to his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "Three days from now, Mr. Guevara" he informed, his voice laced with a sense of urgency.

In the midst of this unfolding drama, the shadows deepened, and the stakes grew higher. The fate of their intertwined destinies hung precariously in the balance, as they embarked on a journey that would test their loyalties, push the boundaries of sacrifice, and unravel the secrets hidden within the blood-stained tapestry of their lives.

☬۝☬

Giovanni's eyes glinted with a malevolent gleam as he sat upon his ornate throne, surrounded by an air of darkness that seemed to seep into his very being. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, dancing to the rhythm of his wicked thoughts.

"I want her," he hissed, his voice a chilling whisper that echoed through the chamber. "I have discovered the perfect vessel for my beloved Isolde." A twisted smile curled upon his lips, revealing the depths of his sinister intentions.

His mind played out the scene of his dark desires, envisioning the transformation of the woman he had once taken from the world. The memory of her demise fueled his wicked fascination, and now, fate had presented him with an opportunity too perfect to ignore.