"Bloodline of Shadows"

Ethan led the four vampires through a hidden passage beneath his villa, arriving at a secret room he had ordered to be constructed. The room was reinforced with bulletproof walls and soundproof insulation, designed specifically for his training. The heavy steel door shut behind them with a soft hiss, sealing them inside. Ethan strode toward the large chair in the center and sat down, motioning for the others to sit.

“This room is secure,” Ethan said calmly, his voice firm. “Now, tell me everything about your family.”

The elder vampire, still cautious, nodded respectfully. He gestured toward his family before speaking. "My name is Varel. This is my wife, Selene, and our twin sons, Kalem and Kael. We were once servants in the 8th vampire family, a powerful lineage. For over 100 years, we served as loyal followers—simple, normal vampires. As you know, normal vampires can live up to 200 years, sometimes 300 if they are strong."

Varel’s voice carried a trace of bitterness as he continued. "Despite our loyalty, we were never given any significant role. To them, we were nothing. No matter how hard we trained, no matter how loyal we were, we lacked the talent to rise above our station. Eventually, after years of service, the senior members of the 8th family decided we were no longer needed. As a gesture of goodwill for our service record, they allowed us to leave."

Selene spoke next, her voice soft but weary. "We married after leaving the 8th family, moving to a small city far from the vampire kingdoms. We've lived as a normal family for the last 30 years, blending in with humans. We followed all of the Council's rules, informing them of our location and activities."

Varel sighed heavily. "But then Kalem lost control. The hunger overwhelmed him, and... well, the bear was killed. We were trying to clean up the mess when you found us. We made a mistake. We know that if the Council finds out, they’ll have no mercy. They could destroy our family for breaking the rules."

He hesitated for a moment, then added cautiously, "Master, may I ask... from which family do you come? Each of the ten families guards their bloodline and name with great secrecy."

Ethan’s expression remained unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, eyes cold. “There’s no need for you to know my family,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "All you need to understand is that my bloodline is higher than yours. That's all you need to know."

Varel bowed his head quickly, understanding that the subject was closed.

“Follow me,” Ethan ordered, “and I will protect you from the Council. You’ll be under my rule now, and in return, you will serve me. I’ll give you what you need—blood, training, and protection—but you’ll be loyal to me, and me alone.”

The family nodded, accepting their new position without hesitation. Even Kalem and Kael, who had initially been brash and eager to fight, seemed subdued. They could feel the power radiating from Ethan, and they knew their best chance of survival was by aligning with him.

The Next Day at School

The following day, Ethan returned to Westwood Academy as usual, but this time he wasn’t alone. Kalem and Kael, the twin vampires, now had admission to the school, thanks to Ethan’s influence. Although only 13, they looked older than their years, their vampire blood giving them the appearance of boys closer to 16 or 17. Ethan had made sure they were placed in a different class from his, but their presence was enough to draw attention.

Before they parted for class, Ethan gave them a firm instruction. "Remember, here, I’m just Ethan. No one should know who I really am. You only call me 'Master' when we’re alone. Understood?"

The twins nodded eagerly, both fascinated and respectful of Ethan’s command. "Understood, Ethan," Kael replied with a mischievous grin.

Kalem, the more serious of the two, added, "We won’t slip up."

The day started off as usual, with Ethan settling into the routine of classes. But Amelia, still observing him from afar, noticed something different. There were now two boys hanging around Ethan—boys she had never seen before. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched them interact during breaks. She couldn’t help but wonder who they were and what connection they had to him.

At lunch, things took an unexpected turn.

Amelia was seated at her usual table, preparing to approach Ethan and finally break the ice. She had decided that if she wanted to uncover his secrets, she needed to become his friend first. But before she could make her move, something—or rather, someone—got in her way.

Lila, the girl from the forest, appeared out of nowhere. The same girl Ethan had saved that night. She walked right up to Ethan, her face lighting up with a bright smile, and before Amelia could react, Lila hugged him.

Amelia felt a strange surge of jealousy rise in her chest. What is she doing? she thought, trying to maintain her composure. She couldn’t understand why she was feeling this way—after all, she barely knew Ethan. But the sight of him talking to someone else, especially another girl, irritated her.

Lila, oblivious to Amelia’s watchful eyes, laughed and chatted with Ethan like they had known each other for years. Ethan, on the other hand, looked slightly uncomfortable but didn’t push her away.

Amelia’s frustration grew as she watched the scene unfold. "Why does he seem so different around her?" she muttered under her breath.

Just then, Kalem and Kael joined Ethan and Lila, making the group even larger. The twins were lively and full of energy, their playful banter filling the space around them. Amelia hadn’t seen these boys before, and she couldn’t figure out their connection to Ethan. They seemed close, almost like brothers.

Amelia’s patience snapped. She wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines any longer.

She stood up and marched over to Ethan’s table, her steps confident. She didn’t know exactly what she was going to say, but she couldn’t stand the idea of being left out.

As she reached the table, everyone went quiet, sensing her presence. Ethan looked up, slightly surprised, but said nothing.

Amelia flashed a smile that was a little too sweet. "Mind if I join you?" Without waiting for an answer, she sat down next to Ethan, making sure she was close enough to the group.

Lila, clearly noticing the shift in mood, looked between Amelia and Ethan with a curious expression. Kalem, ever the playful one, leaned in toward Amelia with a mischievous grin. "I haven’t seen you around before. You must be someone important."

Kael nudged his brother. "She’s probably here to keep an eye on Ethan."

Amelia raised an eyebrow at the twins but didn’t lose her composure. "You could say that," she replied smoothly. "I like to know who I’m spending my time with."

Ethan, sensing the tension, kept quiet for a moment before giving a subtle nod. "This is Amelia," he introduced. "She’s… from my class."

Amelia smirked. "And who are your new friends?" she asked, her eyes flicking toward the twins.

The twins grinned in unison. "We’re just new here," Kalem said. "Nothing too special."

The lunch table quickly descended into a mix of awkward exchanges and playful remarks from the twins. Amelia, for her part, stayed sharp, trying to assess the situation. She was determined to figure out Ethan’s secrets, and while the conversation flowed with forced politeness, beneath the surface, she was already planning her next move.

Later That Evening...

After the long day at school, Ethan returned home, where Varel and Selene were waiting for him in the secret training room. The air was heavy with anticipation as Ethan removed his jacket, preparing for the next phase of his training.

"Let’s begin," Ethan said, his voice steady. The elders stood ready, knowing they had much to teach him, but also sensing that Ethan’s power far exceeded their own.

As the training commenced, Ethan focused on honing his combat skills, absorbing everything Varel could teach him. Though the elder vampire was not as powerful as the noble bloodlines, his experience in battle was invaluable. Ethan knew that mastering these techniques was key to his rise as a leader—and having this family under his command was only the beginning.