Hong Joshua accidentally discovered a child with the power of Life Drain. For centuries, prophets had foretold the birth of a vampire capable of draining a person’s life with a mere touch—an entity sought after as a weapon of destruction. The queen of Joshua’s peninsula harbored a deep hatred for humans, fueled by their slaughter of her children and partner. Knowing he had to raise her in secret, Joshua sought to teach her to control her powers and ensure she would never harm anyone.
Dal was not a vampire; she exhibited none of the typical characteristics of one. She was human. The origin of her extraordinary ability remained a mystery, yet Joshua took in the orphan girl and raised her as his daughter. His attempts to uncover her lineage yielded no answers.
No one else knew of her existence; Joshua decided to keep her hidden. He harbored a profound distaste for the vampire world, weary of the queen’s paranoia and the toxic relationships he had developed. With his brothers' help, he went into hiding.
For twenty-six years, no one knew where he was, not even his brothers. During this time, he raised Dal to be a strong, confident young woman, concealing the existence of night creatures from her to protect her innocence. However, as a teenager, Dal grew rebellious and often sneaked out at night.
Dal’s powers manifested when she was fifteen, resulting in the accidental death of her best friend. They were talking normally when a mere touch caused her friend to collapse. An autopsy revealed a brain aneurysm as the cause of death, but Joshua knew the truth and realized he needed to teach Dal to control her powers. Devastated by the loss, Dal sank into a deep depression but eventually overcame it, now honoring her friend’s memory every year.
As Dal’s twenty-sixth birthday approached, members of the queen’s inner circle summoned Joshua, demanding his presence at court. If the queen discovered Dal’s powers, it could spell the end of humanity.
