Azrael’s POV

*****

Beach House, 9:00 PM

"You’re right," his arms rose beside him slowly, gaze narrowing on Luther. "I am no witch. I’m a vampire."

Sound drained from the hallway, leaving a hollow ringing behind. One heartbeat passed. Then another. Still, neither of them spoke.

He knew this would happen. He knew the Vein beast publicly calling him ’Poison of the night’ would have repercussions. It was only surprising that one of the boys confronted him while Celeste’s parents were still present.

All in all, when Luther pushed him to reveal himself—he just did. The same secret he’s kept hidden for centuries.

If it were just a few centuries ago he’d rather strangle the life out of him or burn the entire town down than let anyone find out what he truly was. Than letting them know one more ancient folklore was actually reality.

But here they were.

Once again another proof of how much Celeste has changed him.

"W–What?" Luther stuttered, shaking his head after what felt like eternity. "You said... you’re a what?"

Sigh.

Perhaps this was going to be harder than he first imagined.

"A vampire." He repeated plainly. "A creature of the night. Undying. Designed to get sustenance from blood while utilising abilities that go beyond mere magic."

Luther stared at him like he’d gone insane. "You’re joking."

"I’ve never been more serious, Alpha."

This was admittedly annoying.

If it weren’t for how difficult it would prove to be, he would’ve just taken off his glasses and compelled the young werewolf to forget any of this ever happened.

But he chose to start this path. He might as well finish it.

"Nah." Luther shook his head, chuckling. "Really, bro? Of all the diversions you could cook up... THAT was the best you could do?"

Azrael’s brows furrowed. "I tell no lies. I said—"

"Whatever you say, Dracula." Luther sniggered, rolling his eyes. "And I’m the moon goddess. See how easy it was to say that?"

Azrael’s jaw tightened.

As much as he was an expert in weaponising lies, one thing he absolutely loathed was being seen as a liar when trying to be genuine.

’He won’t believe me?’ he thought to himself, raising a hand to his sunglasses. ’Fine. I guess this will convince him.’

When he touched the edge of his sunglasses, he muttered. "I believe you’ve never stared into my eyes before. Have you?"

Celeste never showed any issues whenever she looked into his eyes. And maybe that’s made him subconsciously undermine the chaos they could actually bring.

Last night when they claimed her simultaneously—he’d taken off his glasses. Which would’ve been a problem if the room hadn’t been dark and all of them occupied with pleasuring their mate.

So—

"Why the heck would I want to do that?" When Luther gave that response it was expected.

Good.

"To believe me," Azrael’s baritone rolled off the walls like a call from death. Even Luther’s features shifted with unease as he continued, "You’ll have to look into my eyes."

Just when he was about to take off the glasses... a voice slipped into his head, his ring glowing faintly.

’Azrael!’

He froze.

That wasn’t the High One—thank the gods. It was...

’Amunira?’ he frowned. ’What is the meaning of this? How—’

’I’m stopping you from making a terrible mistake.’ Her voice was cutting. ’Get into your room. I’ll explain why I’m here.’

"Hello?" Luther waved in front of his face, tone disappointed. "I don’t know how your eyes are supposed to help your case... but it’s fine."

He turned, moving in the other direction. "When you’re ready to actually talk, you know where to find me, dude." Then he glanced over his shoulder. "I’ll be watching you till then."

As Luther turned a corner and disappeared from his sight, Azrael’s fists clenched. He grabbed the room door, ready to step in—

—An odd feeling hit him all of a sudden.

Like he was being watched.

He snapped his neck backwards, eyes sweeping past each room door. Atlas’ door was sealed shut but he could’ve sworn it felt open a second ago.

Or maybe that was just the residue from Amunira’s psychic prying.

"Your explanation," he started the moment he burst into his room, locking the door behind him, "had better be something solid."

Sure enough, there stood the High One’s messenger right beside his balcony door. She wore a black silk abaya, with two slits that revealed skin from her knees down.

Her black hair blew behind her, eyes gleaming with a small glow. "Aww, Azzy." She smirked. "Did I get you upset?"

Enraged, Azrael moved in a blur, appearing in front of her. His hand found her neck, glasses falling off to reveal those coal red orbs that now flashed like the devil’s mirrors.

Amunira gasped but he ignored.

"Did she send you? To spy on me?"

"I–I..." Amunira stuttered, eyes still wide with disbelief. "I watch over all our master’s children. You know that."

He didn’t believe that. "This is different. Why are you here all of a sudden? Right when I was about to—"

Suddenly, a black fog appeared in place of the woman in his grip, leaving him grasping at nothing but air.

"Have you perhaps gone mad?" Her silvery voice echoed behind him. "Is this how you treat that little hybrid you’ve grown fond of? It’s quite uncouth for a so-called gentleman."

Turning to her, he sneered. "Do not test my patience. Tell me why you’re here."

"Please," she adjusted her attire, rubbing her neck like he’d used filth to mar her precious skin. "You summon me anytime you desire and you don’t see me complaining. Now I show up uninvited once and it’s an issue?"

Azrael’s lips thinned.

He could see where this was going.

If he kept talking it was going to be a back-and-forth between the two of them. And hell knows he didn’t have the patience.

"Anyway," Amunira finally cleared her throat. "I came here like thirty minutes ago but kept my distance when I saw the North American Alpha King and Luna Queen. And it wasn’t to spy on you."

Hmph.

Now they were getting somewhere.

"I came here because of the shift, Azrael." Her voice became grim. "In the Vein. The shift that she’s made. That all our brethren and every Vein beast on the planet has felt."

Despite him nearly choking the life out of her seconds ago, she took three daring steps closer. "You must’ve felt it too. And I don’t know why I overheard you trying to reveal yourself to that wolf... but you need to ask yourself one thing."

Tension filled the room.

He didn’t waste a breath. "And what is that?"

Amunira’s chin rose slightly, eyes assessing. "Are you certain you’d want to defy our master in such crucial times?"

"Because the moment you choose HER over us... You won’t just be betraying the High One." Her smile faded. "You’ll be declaring war."