Twilight

7 - Vampires

The world swam in a nauseating sea of red and black. Pain, a constant throbbing ache, pulsed through every fiber of Lashanie's being. Each ragged breath sent a fresh wave of agony through her, making her wince even to blink.

Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, she was vaguely aware of movement above her. A figure loomed into view, its form blurry and indistinct in the weak moonlight filtering through the dense canopy overhead.

A voice, young and surprisingly calm, cut through the ringing in her ears. "Hey," it said, the tone gentle despite the urgency in its words. "Don't try to move. You're hurt."

Hurt. The word resonated somewhere deep within her muddled mind. Yes, she was hurt. Badly. The memory of tearing claws and searing pain flashed through her, a stark reminder of the nightmare she'd just endured.

Lashanie tried to speak, to ask who this person was, but her throat felt raw and scraped. Only a dry rasp escaped her lips.

The figure leaned closer, its voice a soft murmur in her ear. "It's okay," it soothed. "You're gonna be alright. I'm here now."

Lashanie strained to see her savior. All she could discern through the blurry haze was pale skin, almost luminous in the darkness. It was a young man, that much she could tell. His voice, though calm, held a tremor of concern.

A flicker of fear, a primal instinct, sent a jolt through her. Was this another monster? Another predator drawn to her weakened state?

But the young man's next words dispelled the fear, replacing it with a flicker of hope. "Don't worry," he whispered, his voice gentle. "We'll get you out of here. Just hang on, alright?"

His words, sincere and filled with a genuine desire to help, washed over her like a soothing wave. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance. A chance she wouldn't have to face the horrors of this night alone.

As darkness threatened to claim her once again, a single thought flickered in Lashanie's fading mind: "Who... who are you?"

Lashanie's question hung in the air, unanswered. The world dissolved into a swirling vortex of pain and darkness. The last thing she registered was a sensation of being lifted, cradled gently in strong arms.

Varian, his face grim beneath the cloak of moonlight, adjusted his hold on Lashanie's limp form. The sight of her, bloodied and battered, ignited a spark of anger deep within him. He wouldn't let the beast claim another victim, not on his watch.

With a silent snarl, he navigated the treacherous forest floor, his inhuman speed blurring the scenery into a kaleidoscope of greens and browns. The distance back to his mansion seemed to shrink under his powerful strides.

High atop a hidden peak, shrouded in perpetual twilight, stood a crumbling testament to a bygone era – Varian's home. Unlike the decaying grandeur of the Cobb Estate, this mansion held an air of brooding mystery, its broken gargoyles and overgrown facade hinting at a long-forgotten past.

Rapunzel, alerted by Varian's telepathic call, awaited him on the mansion's grand balcony. Her golden hair, a cascade of moonlight, shimmered in the night air. Concern etched lines on her usually playful face as she took in the sight of her brother cradling the unconscious girl.

"Varian," she exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency. "What happened?"

Without a word, Varian carefully transferred Lashanie to a nearby chaise longue. Her ragged breaths were the only proof she was still alive. Rapunzel, kneeling beside her, her touch cool and soothing, examined Lashanie's wounds with a practiced eye.

"Werewolf attack," Varian muttered, his voice a low growl. "Nasty business. Though, I must say, she put up a fight for a human."

Rapunzel didn't reply, her focus solely on the injured girl. She cleaned the wounds with a practiced hand, murmuring words that sounded more like an ancient incantation than a simple healing spell. A faint blue light emanated from her fingertips, working its magic on Lashanie's torn flesh.