Bloodlines Legacy Arc 1 Eternal Night

Chapter 18: Between Shadows

Olivia stirred, the fog in her mind slowly lifting as she blinked her eyes open. The familiar sight of her apartment came into focus, but it felt wrong—like she was seeing it through a haze. Her body was heavy, her head throbbing with a dull ache. She struggled to sit up, and that's when she noticed Violet, sitting quietly by the window, watching her with calm intensity.

"What's going on?" Olivia's voice was raspy. "How did I get here?"

Violet offered a small smile, though there was a heaviness behind it. "Good morning. We need to talk. There's something you need to know."

Olivia's heart raced, her mind scrambling to piece together the events of the past few days. She remembered the hotel, Ethan, the strange man, and the lifeless bodies, but everything after that was a blur.

Violet stood, walking over to her, her presence calm yet commanding. "You've had quite a career, Olivia. Graduating from UCLA at 24 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, landing a job at Global Insight News not long after... nearly five years there, covering major stories. It's impressive."

Olivia blinked, confused by the sudden change in topic. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Violet's expression softened, but her tone remained steady. "It has everything to do with why you're in danger now. But before we get into that, I need you to tell me what you remember from the hotel."

Olivia's brow furrowed as she tried to recall the night. "I... I followed that strange man. I don't know why, but something about him drew me in. He went to a hotel, and I followed him. Then I found those bodies. After that... it's all blank."

Violet nodded, sitting on the edge of the couch. "That's understandable. You were drugged afterward, which is why your memory is hazy."

"Drugged?" Olivia's eyes widened. "By who?"

Violet hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Your partner, Ethan, didn't make it. He's gone. And now, the people responsible know that you were involved, which puts you in danger."

Olivia's breath hitched, panic rising in her chest. "What do you mean Ethan's gone? And who's after me? Why did you save me?"

Violet reached out, gently placing a hand on Olivia's arm, her voice calm and reassuring. "I saved you because you were in over your head. You were caught in something much bigger than you realize, but I couldn't let you die. Not like Ethan."

Olivia's mind was spinning. "What am I supposed to do now? What's happening? How do I stay safe?"

Violet squeezed her arm gently, her eyes full of quiet determination. "You need to lay low for a while. I'm working on a plan, but until then, you have to trust me. I won't let anything happen to you."

Olivia's panic slowly subsided under Violet's steady gaze. But fear still gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. "How long?"

"I'll be gone for a couple of weeks," Violet replied softly. "But when I come back, I'll answer all of your questions. I promise you that. For now, you need to trust me and stay safe."

Olivia wanted to ask more, to press Violet for the truth, but the exhaustion was too much. She could see the seriousness in Violet's eyes, the weight of the unspoken truth hanging between them.

Violet stood, walking to the door. "Rest for now. I'll be back soon, and when I return, you'll know everything."

With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Olivia alone with her racing thoughts and the lingering questions that remained unanswered.