Blood and Desire

shadows of the past

Lena sat on a weathered bench in the small park across from the bus stop, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and defiance. Seraphina and Alaric stood before her, their expressions serious but kind.

"We know this is a lot to take in," Seraphina began, her voice soft and reassuring. "But you need to understand that you're in danger. The Valtors are after you."

Lena frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Valtors? What are you talking about? Who are you people, really?"

Alaric stepped forward, his gaze steady. "My name is Alaric, and this is Seraphina. We're... different. Vampires, to be precise."

Lena scoffed, shaking her head. "Vampires? This has to be some kind of joke. Do you seriously expect me to believe that?"

Seraphina's expression remained calm. "I understand how hard this is to believe, but it's the truth. The Valtors are a powerful vampire family, and they believe you're connected to them in some way. You resemble someone I once knew, someone very important to the Valtors."

Lena's eyes narrowed. "And who was that?"

"Her name was Isabelle," Seraphina continued, her voice tinged with emotion. "She was... she meant a lot to me. And you look exactly like her."

Lena's skepticism deepened. "So, what? You think I'm some kind of reincarnation or something? This is insane."

Alaric sighed. "We don't know what your connection to Isabelle is, but the Valtors are convinced you're important. That's why we need to keep you safe."

Lena stood up, her body tense. "I don't need your protection. I don't even know you. For all I know, you could be the ones putting me in danger."

Seraphina took a step back, sensing Lena's distress. "We're not here to harm you, Lena. We want to help. But you have to trust us."

Lena shook her head, backing away. "I don't trust you. I don't trust any of this."

Seraphina watched as Lena turned and walked away, her heart sinking. "We can't force her," she said quietly to Alaric. "But we can keep an eye on her. Make sure she stays safe."

Alaric nodded. "I'll follow her from a distance. You go back to the sanctuary and prepare. We'll need a plan."

As Lena made her way home, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder several times, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. When she

finally reached her house, she let out a sigh of relief. Her mother and older sister were still at work, and the house was quiet.

Lena's home was modest but cozy, filled with photos and mementos of her family. Her father had passed away when she was young, leaving her mother to raise her and her sister alone. Despite the loss, they had built a close-knit family, supporting each other through thick and thin.

She went to her room, closing the door behind her. She needed time to think, to process everything that had happened. The idea of vampires, ancient families, and a mysterious connection to someone from the past was overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Seraphina kept a close watch from a nearby rooftop, her eyes trained on Lena's house. She could sense Alaric's presence nearby, ensuring that Lena was safe. As the night wore on, Seraphina's thoughts turned to the Valtors and the danger they posed. She couldn't let them get to Lena, no matter what.

A knock on the door startled Lena out of her thoughts. She hesitated, then slowly walked to the door, peering through the peephole. A young man in a pizza delivery uniform stood on the other side, holding a box.