Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 105: The Vampiric Lineage

Kieran’s golden hair gleams in the fading light as we walk back through the maze, the leaves of the rose hedges casting dappled shadows over his rakish face. The sunlight catches on his lip ring, making it glint, and he grins at me, his hazel eyes gleaming with an unsettling light.

“Well now, lass,” he says, his voice tinged with a Scottish lilt, “I see you’ve been busy. Venturing into other realms, meeting angels, even turning into a Blood Wraith. You’ve been quite the little adventurer.”

I give a small, wry smile. “It’s been a strange journey, I reply, the weight of the sword hanging heavily at my hip, its emerald gleaming beneath the crimson scabbard.

Kieran’s grin widens, his eyes narrowing in a mischievous glint. “Aye, that it has. But ye’ve done more than just traipse through fiery worlds and ancient castles. Ye’ve found Verde’s sword, haven’t ye?“.

His eyes flicker over the sword sheathed at my waist. I’d hoped he wouldn’t recognise it, with the scabbard I crafted from my blood concealing it – but I guess I was wrong.

Great, now I feel bad. Have I unwittingly stolen a family heirloom?

As if reading my mind, Kieran just chuckles.

“No worries lass, you’re welcome to carry that old rusty sword around the grounds with ye,” he says. “But I’m afraid I can’t let ye take it away. The Earth gem embedded in the sunrd’s hilt is what keeps this place so lush and alive, even in the dead of winter”

“Why is the sword here, but not the angel?” I ask, not sure that even he will know the answer.

“Well, that forest growe where you found the sword, just outside the castle that was always the resting place of Verde, under that tree,” he explains. “The same way that the Fire Angel Fontaine sleeps on a pyre of eternal flames deep in the heart of a volcano Verde had slept in a bed of moss and wildflowers in a meadow in the heart of a forest, under that ancient oak tree, since the dawn of time. Then one day centuries ago she just vanished. My family stayed here, awaiting her return. We still wait”

*You still haven’t explained the link between the guardian angels and the vampire clans,” I point out.

Kieran nods, his hazel eyes locking onto mine, the amusement in his gaze giving way to a seriousness that sends a shiver down my spine. “The relationship between the angels and us clans goes deeper than a mere covenant, lass. It’s a bloodline connection. Our lineages are intertwined, bound by a genetic bond.”

I blink, his words sinking in, their implications twisting in my gut. “A bloodline connection? I murmur, the weight of his revelation pressing down on

“Aye,” Kieran says, nodding, his expression solemn. “The initial vampires who formed each clan were direct descendants of the angel, created through divine infusion of their essence. This connection gave us powers aligned with our respective angel, allowed us to control the portals and guard our realms”

My gaze drifts to the statue of Verde in the clearing, its serene smile seeming to mock me. “So the angels are like family to each clan?”

“More than family,” Kieran says, his voice tinged with an edge of bitterness. They’re our protectors, our guides. Their slumber or absence impacts deeply, disrupts our powers, and leaves our realm vulnerable to outside threats.”

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Bonu

07:53

I nod, the realization dawning on me, the missing pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. “So that’s why the Earth realm is so porous,” I say, my brow furrowing. “Why the Fontaine and Vasilier clans have set up operations here.”

“Aye,” Kieran replies, his tone tinged with a touch of cynicism. “The Earth realm has become a free–for–all since Verde vanished, the borders unguarded. And the imbalance threatens more than just this realm–it could unravel all realms, disrupt the balance between them.”

I bite my Ep, my mind flickering back to the Vasiliev family’s multinational conglomerate, Evergreen Legacy Consortium, their eco–innovation efforts designed to preserve not just the planet Earth, but the entire Earth realm. “They’re trying to protect it, aren’t they?‘ I say, the pieces falling into place. “All of the vampire clans are trying to preserve this realm.”

Kieran’s e

narrow, his lips curving into a wry smile. “Aye, that they are. But it’s not enough. Not without Verde.”

I turn back to him, my heart sinking. “That’s why I’m here, it was the condition that Fontaine had for helping me return home,” I say, my voice steady. “She tasked me with finding Verde, to restore balance to this realm.”

Chapter 105 The Vampne Lineage

Kieran muises an eyebrow, his lips quirking into an amused smile. “Is that so, lass?”

I nod feeling a pang of uncertainty in my chest. Fontaine, the Fire Angel, entrusted me with this task,” I explain, my voice tinged with desperation… Binadhane and Pyra came with me to find Verde, to help restore balance to the realms.”

Kieran’s grin widens, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling light. “And what about Aleksandr Vasiliev, eh?” he asks, his tone teasing. “Isn’t he your reason to wanting to come back here?

The mention of Aleksandr’s name sends a jolt through me, my pulse quickening. Of course I wanted to return to him,” I say, my voice soft. “That’s what

still want. To be honest, I wish I could just leave the heroic stuff to Pyra and Bloodbane. I didn’t want to be involved in this all “bringing balance to

reulmir stuff. They’re heroes. They’re warriors… I’m just-”

“en stronger than we know, Kieran says gently, stepping closer and reaching a hand up to run his fingers through my hair, grasping the streak of

imon amongst the gold through his fingers.

His touch sends a sudden jolt of pleasure and anticipation through me, and I step back, averting my gaze so Kieran won’t see me blushing.

1 might be crong, but I didn’t want any of this responsibility,” I admit. “I’m no hero. All I want is to be with Aleksandr.”

Hieman enths, his line tasting vote a smirk. “What’s so great about that stuck up old storm cloud anyway?“” be says, his volor tinged with mockery.“1

DO IZLAGOn a smile on his Erce.

Ulee a blusa creeping in my checks, the thought of Aleksandr’s stem expression flashing in my mind. “He’s m more than that,” I say, my voice tinged

Kieran’s gran wouls. This thright hazel eyes gleaming with mischief. “We, sure he is,” he says, his tone flirty. “But what if I said you could do better, lass? I mean, lock at me churning, handsome, witty, funny, disgustingly wealthy, with a taste for fun and adventure. Plus, Aleksandr was what–thirty five years old when he was turned, which was seven hundred or so years ago? I was in my twenty third year, and I was turned over a thousand years ago. So I have the youth mi bilty of a twenty year old, with the wisdom and experience of a thousand year old. Best of both worlds Quite the package, eh? How can you sure no to quit, IITES”

1. feel my face flush even den, the worth spreading through my cheeks as I fight the urge to giggle at his silly flirtatious joking. “Stop, Kieran….

Before I can say mure, Klerant

tem un light up, his expression shifting into one of amused excitement. “Ah, excellent,” he says, a grin spreading across his face. Speak of die devill Your pasumner has arrived“:

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