Chapter 5 Blood and mistakes

The morning sun filtered through Ava's apartment window, casting golden light across her small bedroom. She stood in front of her mirror, smoothing down the front of her navy blazer for the third time.

First day.

Her reflection stared back at her dark hair pulled into a high bun, minimal makeup, a simple white blouse tucked into black slacks, and her most comfortable flats. Professional. Competent. Ready.

You've got this!.

She grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her heart beating a little faster than usual.

Varex Tower loomed over the city like a monument of glass and steel, gleaming in the morning light. Ava took a deep breath as she stepped through the revolving doors into the pristine lobby.

The receptionist smiled warmly. "Ms. Monroe? Welcome. Head up to the fifteenth floor someone will meet you there."

Ava nodded, her nerves buzzing as the elevator climbed higher and higher.

When the doors opened, she was greeted by a sharply dressed woman with a tablet in hand. "Ms. Monroe, welcome to Varex Group. You'll be working as our head data analyst. Let me show you to your workspace."

Ava followed, trying to take in everything at once the sleek modern design, the quiet hum of productivity, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

But before they reached her desk, a man in a dark suit approached. Tall, professional, his expression unreadable.

"Ms. Monroe," he said quietly. "The CEO would like to see you in his office."

Ava's stomach dropped. "Now?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She glanced at the woman who'd been guiding her, who simply nodded with an encouraging smile. "You'll be fine."

Ava wasn't so sure. She was confused.

Lucian's office was on the top floor, behind a set of imposing double doors. The man knocked once, then pushed them open.

"Ms. Monroe, sir."

"Thank you. That will be all."

The man left, and Ava stepped inside.

The office was massive minimalist but expensive, with dark wood furniture, floor to ceiling windows, and a view that made the city look small. And behind the desk, standing with his back to her, was Lucian Varex.

He turned slowly, his ice blue eyes locking onto hers.

Ava's breath caught.

He was even more striking than she remembered sharp features, tailored black suit, an aura of control and power that seemed to radiate from him like cold fire. But there was something else now, something colder, like he was looking at her not as a person but as a puzzle he was trying to solve.

"Ms. Monroe," he said, his voice smooth and measured. "Please, sit."

Ava crossed the room and sat in the chair across from his desk, folding her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking.

Lucian didn't sit. Instead, he leaned against the edge of his desk, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

"I wanted to speak with you personally," he said after a long pause. "You come highly recommended, but I make it a point to know the people who work closely with my company."

"Of course," Ava said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I appreciate the opportunity."

"Tell me about your family," he said suddenly.

Ava blinked. "My… family?"

"Yes. Your background. Where you're from. Your relatives."

It was an odd question, but Ava answered anyway. "I was in foster care as a child. I was adopted when I was six by a kind woman who raised me. I don't know much about my biological family."

Lucian's gaze didn't waver. "No siblings? No extended relatives?"

"No," Ava said slowly. "Just my adoptive mother."

He was quiet for a long moment, his jaw tight, his eyes distant.

Then, so quietly she almost didn't hear it, he whispered to himself:

"So she is human."

Ava frowned. "I'm sorry?"

Lucian straightened, his expression smoothing into something unreadable. "Nothing. Thank you for your time, Ms. Monroe. You may return to your desk."

Ava stood, confused and slightly unnerved. "Is… everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," he said, already turning away. "Welcome to Varex Group."

She hesitated, then nodded and left.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Lucian pressed a button on his desk phone.

"Yes, sir?" a voice answered.

"Cancel all my engagements," Lucian said quietly. "I'll be leaving early to meet with my mother."

---

The hotel room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of champagne and expensive cigars. A woman lay sprawled across the bed in red lacy lingerie, her body a study in curves and temptation.

The door opened.

Darion Varex stepped inside, a big black coat draped over his shoulders, a fedora tilted low over his eyes, and a dark grin playing on his lips.

"Did you miss me, naughty girl?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

The woman's breath hitched. "Yes, Daddy."

She had long dark hair that spilled across the pillows and striking green-blue eyes that sparkled in the low light. It was always easy to charm them. And once again, he'd scored.

Darion shrugged off his coat, tossing it onto a chair, then slowly began unbuttoning his shirt, his eyes never leaving hers.

He walked to the bed, cupping her face gently, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to look at him.

"You look like you're trembling a little," he murmured, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I need you to look at me."

Her body melted under his gaze, completely at his command.

He tore the lingerie off with reckless ease and leaned in, capturing her mouth in a kiss that made her moan loudly.

He made her beg for him and he liked to be in charge to dominate it was a fun game to him.

Time blurred.

Heat. Skin. Breathless whispers.

And then his eyes flashed crimson.

Darion's fangs sank into her throat.

She gasped, her body arching, but the sound faded quickly as he drank, the warmth of her blood flooding his senses, drowning out everything else.

Until..

Sirens.

Darion froze.

His eyes snapped back to their normal blue. He pulled away, wiping blood from his lips, his heart pounding not from fear, but from annoyance.

"Shit," he muttered.

A knock at the door.

Darion's jaw tightened. "Who is it?" he called out, his voice sharp.

A familiar voice answered, cold and furious.

"Darion, if you don't open this door right now!"

Aria.

Darion's blood ran cold.

He looked down at the woman unconscious, pale, but still breathing.

Then he looked at the door.

"Shit," he whispered again.

He was in really big trouble now.