Bloodline of Shadow

Chapter 11: Shadows of Power

The sound of fists colliding with flesh echoed through the secret training room. Ethan, drenched in sweat, breathed heavily as he faced off against Varel, the elder vampire. Their training session had been relentless, each testing the limits of their strength and skill. Ethan knew Varel was no weakling—centuries of experience were on his side—but what surprised him most was how close their power levels were.

I'm matching him, Ethan thought as he blocked another strike, only to launch a counterattack. Varel deflected it with ease, showing his seasoned skill.

After several minutes, both combatants stepped back, acknowledging the end of the session. Ethan felt his muscles burning, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to catch his breath.

"You're strong," Varel said, his voice respectful. "Stronger than any normal vampire, but still... reaching the level of a vampire leader will be difficult."

Ethan nodded, already knowing the truth. Despite his legendary bloodline, the path to becoming a vampire lord was steep. Even Alaric, Ethan mused, as powerful as he is, has only reached the level of a royal vampire. His strength is capped there, but if I want to surpass that, if I want to reach the level of a vampire leader, I'll have to work harder than anyone else.

The weight of that realization settled in his mind. He knew that becoming a vampire leader wasn't something that every vampire—no matter their potential—could achieve. It was a level reserved for only the strongest of bloodlines, those with near-limitless power.

As the training session wound down, Ethan felt an intense pain flare up in his stomach. His body, pushed to its limits, now demanded sustenance. He needed blood.

"I'm done for today," Ethan said, waving Varel away. "I need to rest."

Varel nodded, respecting his master's need for space, and left the room. Ethan collapsed into the main chair, wiping the sweat from his forehead as the pain in his stomach grew more intense. He considered grabbing a blood pouch from his stock, but before he could move, one of his servants entered the room.

"Master," the servant said with a bow, "there is a visitor here to see you."

Ethan groaned inwardly, feeling both frustrated and exhausted. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now. "Who is it?"

The servant shifted nervously. "She says her name is Lila."

Ethan closed his eyes and sighed, frustration bubbling up. Why now? He thought back to the girl from the forest, the one who seemed obsessed with the idea of vampires. She had already become far too familiar with him, and now she was back. Reluctantly, he waved the servant away. "Let her in."

A moment later, Lila entered the room with her usual bright smile. Without hesitation, she ran over and hugged Ethan, much to his annoyance. She seemed oblivious to his discomfort, holding onto him as if they were the closest of friends.

"Ethan!" she exclaimed, "I've been thinking about you since last time. I just had to come and see you."

Ethan sighed. "Lila, I'm really not in the mood—"

She pulled back slightly, her gaze turning to his face. "You look... tired. Do you need blood?" She said it so casually, as if offering her blood was the most normal thing in the world. "If you want, you can bite me again. I won't mind."

Ethan's eyes widened. She's offering herself freely? Before he could even process the thought, his servant reentered the room, this time with another visitor.

Amelia.

Ethan's stomach dropped.

Amelia stood frozen at the door, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. Lila, pressed up against Ethan, offering herself to him, and the clear closeness between them. Her face twisted in a mix of anger, jealousy, and disbelief.