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Either meet with me or your pretty girl will get hurt.

The threat repeats itself within my mind over and over again as I walk on the steps of my home. The first person who called wanted to meet with me at my home and I'm not sure why. If a dangerous person wants to meet with me on my property then they must be sure of their power. Which person would think they have more power than I do?

How foolish could a person be to think that?

My hand rests on the doorknob and I take my time turning it. As it opens, the darkness of my house bleeds out into the light. I take my time before walking in. As I take that first step inside, I know that someone's in here.

How is that possible? I created a lock system that only opens once my blood has been inserted into it. Unless they have my blood, there's no way they're getting inside. I haven't gotten in any fights recently so how would they have gotten my blood?

I continue taking my time walking inside and my eyes shift between red and brown. My vision glitches between seeing what's before me and what the regular eye can't see. I turn the corner and walk into the kitchen then I hear a whoosh.

My eyes fully shift to red and I turn around instantly. I run into the living room, where I heard the sound. I stop as I see a person in a long, black coat with their back turned to me.

Anger bubbles within me. If this is the person who called me minutes ago and threatened Adara, he's going to be dreadfully sorry. "For you to break into my home is either a powerful move or a stupid one. Care to tell me which it is?" I say and the figure turns to face me.

A man who seems to be in his mid-twenties stares back at me with a content smile. The kind of smile one has when one gets what one wants. His slicked-back light brown hair contrasts his dark clothing. "Thank you for coming, Prince Nikolai. I have to say, your home is quite...different from the castle. Not too shabby indeed." He walks around the living room as if he owns it.

"What do you want and who are you?" I ask as I slowly take out a knife from its holster in my back pocket.

He turns back to me and sighs. I take this as my chance and I chuck it at him. The knife would've gone through his head but he catches it. For the first time since I'm here, I'm shocked. My mouth hangs open and he snickers as he twirls the knife in his hand.

"You're a vampire," I say.

He nods, "You seem surprised at that. Why?"

I shake my head, still trying to grasp this, "Over the phone, the way you spoke I'd assume for you to be the president. But you're a vampire going after your kind."

He looks at me and his eyes twinkle, "You are smart, your highness. Humans go after each other, they're of the same kind. It's no different for me." He places the knife down on the table.

I watch his every move, "Well, as the president, what is your final plan? What do you plan to do?"

He takes up a cup from the rack and sniffs it. He smiles as if remembering something. "Would you believe me if I said that majority of this is all for a girl?" He laughs.

I remain serious, "No."

His head snaps to mine in an instant, "Most of it is. Initially, I started this to prove to everyone that you're bad but then it morphed into me dreaming of killing you at night because of her." He runs his thumb over the cup.

My brows crease. He doesn't seem that hinged I'd be tempted to say that the hinges aren't on the door anymore. This is the person in charge? It's a man desperate for a girl? Pathetic.

"What'd she do? Break up with you?" I ask, crossing my arms.

He nods, "I loved her, and she left me. I treated her the best I could and she left. I've texted her but she hasn't responded to any of them. I wonder if she knows that I'm madly in love with her. That I'd kill for her?" He's no longer looking at me but at the cup in his hands.

What is so fascinating about my cup?

"Sounds like you made a wonderful boyfriend," I say, and I cringe a little. This is truly all I was worrying over. This crazy man?

"And you wonder why I hate you so much. Tell me, what is she like? Is she nicer? What about in bed? I'm sure she is amazing." He smirks.

For a split second, I'm confused then I understand. My confusion morphs into anger and I immediately push him against the wall. He doesn't try to resist. That crazy smile of his becomes wider.

"Don't speak of her!" I shout.

He and Adara...dated? He's in his twenties and she's...she's sixteen for heaven's sake. This disgusting, terrible, pedophilic, piece of—

"What? Sad I had her first? Don't worry, nothing sexual happened, she's still pure. However, being the prude that she is, I doubt you'll get any either."

With that, I push him into the wall and it breaks. He grimaces but doesn't falter. His head snaps to the side as I punch him. "I swear if you talk about her again—"

"What? You'll kill me? I'm a vampire, I cannot be killed." He laughs wickedly, with his hands open on either side of him as if to show his power.

How long were they together and how long was she being abused? Just when I think I know everything about that girl, a million more secrets unfold. Was she ever going to tell me? Has she told anyone? If she hasn't that's a terrible secret to carry. I've experienced abuse and it isn't something that's easily healed. Especially not when you're alone.

"I will kill you." I spit out through gritted teeth.

His laughter continues as if to taunt me. "Sure, sure, anyway, after this lovely visit with you, I shall go visit her. Who knows? Maybe she'll realize the error of her ways and come right back into my arms."

"You're disgusting. And stupid if you think that I'll allow you to go near her." I say, getting ready to fight him.

He reaches into his coat pocket and takes out his black gloves. Taking his time putting them on, his smile fades. "You missed wielding your weapon, prince. I, however, won't miss." He smirks.

My brows crease. What weapon? He isn't wielding any—BANG. A single bullet goes through my head. My eyes bulge and all thought stops. I fall to my knees and then onto my back. At first, I feel no pain but it slowly comes.

The criminal above me places his hands behind his back, "See you later, Nikolai. In the meantime, I have a girl to charm."

Everything goes black.