EKON: BLOOD TIES

Chapter 7

Back in Dave's apartment, the atmosphere was thick with a mixture of relief and unspoken tension. The rain pattered softly against the windows, creating a soothing backdrop as Claire and Dave settled onto the worn-out couch. Claire let out a heavy sigh, grateful to be out of immediate danger, but her mind raced with questions that begged for answers.

"Okay," Claire began, her brow furrowed in curiosity. "I need to know what happened back there. How did you suddenly gain super strength like that?"

Dave leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered how to explain. "It's... complicated," he said slowly. "You know about Lucian, right? My uncle? The werewolf?"

Claire nodded, recalling the stories her family had told her about Lucian Casteliano, the enigmatic figure who had been both a protector and a fierce warrior. "Yeah, I remember. But what does that have to do with you?"

"Lucian was my father's brother," Dave explained, his voice steady yet laden with the weight of his heritage. "That makes me a descendant of his bloodline. When I turned eighteen, I started to notice changes in myself—heightened senses, strength beyond what I thought was normal. I tried to suppress it, but the truth is, I'm a half-breed werewolf."

Claire's eyes widened in surprise. "So, that's why you were able to hold your own against that guy in the alley. But why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to complicate things," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "But my uncle sent me to keep an eye on you. I was tasked with making sure you're safe, especially with everything that's been happening in the city."

"Why would Lucian send you?" Claire asked, her mind racing as she processed the information. "What does he know about all this?"

"He's been monitoring the rise of crime and supernatural activity in New York," Dave explained. "He felt that your life was at risk, especially with Salazar in the picture. When I started feeling those connections to my lineage, it all made sense. My uncle thought it was time for me to step in."

Claire rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of it all. "So, you've been watching me this whole time?"

"Not in a creepy way, I promise!" Dave chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "I was just making sure you were okay, keeping tabs on you from a distance. I never expected to get pulled into the chaos like this."

Claire's heart softened at the admission, but there was still a lingering frustration. "You should have told me sooner, Dave. I could have used your help."

"I know," he admitted, his tone earnest. "But I didn't want to put you in danger. I thought I could handle things on my own."

"Clearly," Claire remarked, crossing her arms with a teasing smile. "You ended up getting stabbed."

Dave chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair point. But now that we're in this together, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We're stronger as a team."

Claire met his gaze, feeling a rush of gratitude mixed with determination. "You're right. We need to figure out what Salazar is planning and stop him before it's too late."

Dave nodded, his expression serious. "And we'll need to dig deeper into the supernatural elements involved. The murders are just the tip of the iceberg."

The rain continued to patter outside, but within the safety of Dave's apartment, a new alliance was forming—one built on shared experiences, secrets unveiled, and a promise to protect each other.

"So, what's our next move?" Claire asked, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Dave smiled, the fire of resolve lighting up his eyes. "We start by gathering intel on Salazar and his operations. We'll need to find out who else is involved and how deep this goes."