Eva stood frozen, staring at the door as another knock echoed through her apartment. A chill ran down her spine. Who would come to her place this late? And why did Leonard look like he was ready to rip someone apart?
Leonard moved without a sound, positioning himself near the door. His body tensed, his sharp gaze locked onto the entrance as though he could see straight through it.
Eva swallowed. "Should I… open it?"
"Step back," Leonard ordered, his voice low. "If it's trouble, I don't want you in the crossfire."
Before Eva could protest, the door creaked open—on its own. A gust of cold air swept into the room, making the lights flicker. Eva's breath hitched.
A woman stood in the doorway. Tall, with flowing silver hair and eyes that shimmered like molten gold. She wore a dark cloak, the fabric appearing to shift like smoke.
Leonard's expression hardened. "Ambrosia."
Eva stiffened. This was the witch queen? The one who started the war?
Ambrosia's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "It's been a long time, hasn't it, Leonard? Or should I say… Vampire Lord?" Her gaze flickered to Eva, her smile widening. "And you must be the one who woke him. How interesting."
Eva clenched her fists, her pulse hammering in her ears. There was something unsettling about the way Ambrosia looked at her, like she was an insect caught in a web.
Leonard took a step forward, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "Say what you came to say and leave, Ambrosia. Or do you want to finish what your kind started?"
Ambrosia chuckled softly. "Always so quick to fight, aren't you? But no, I didn't come here for that." She tilted her head. "I came for her."
Eva's blood turned to ice. "Me?"
"Oh, don't look so surprised," Ambrosia purred. "Didn't you wonder how you managed to wake a slumbering vampire lord? Humans can't do that." Her golden eyes gleamed. "Unless… they're not entirely human."
Eva took a step back, her heart pounding. "What are you talking about?"
Ambrosia's smile deepened. "Tell me, child… have you ever wondered why you feel so drawn to him? Why he looks at you like he's seen a ghost?" Her gaze flickered toward Leonard. "Because he has."
Leonard's jaw clenched. "Enough."
Ambrosia laughed. "You've kept secrets for too long, Leonard. But the past never stays buried." She turned back to Eva, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "You are more than what you think you are, girl. And soon… you'll remember."
With that, she stepped back, vanishing into the shadows like she was never there.
The room fell into silence.
Eva turned to Leonard, her hands shaking. "What did she mean by that?"
Leonard's expression was unreadable, but his next words sent a shiver down her spine.
"It means… you may not be just Eva Sinclair."