Jade and Xylon were in the garden, sitting side by side on a large swing beneath the quiet evening sky.
"Do you plan on visiting your family?" Xylon asked softly.
Jade rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.
"I don't know yet…" Jade whispered. "They probably don't remember me anymore. Perhaps I'll just watch over them from afar."
Xylon gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry, babe," he said.
Jade lifted her gaze to him. "Why are you apologizing?" she asked, confusion filling her eyes.
"If you had never become a vampire, you might still be with your family until now," Xylon replied, a trace of guilt in his voice.
Jade smiled faintly and touched his cheek.
"It's not your fault. I chose to become like you. I am the queen now, and as your queen, it is my duty to remain by your side. That is why I chose to become a vampire."
A warm smile appeared on Xylon's face before he leaned in and kissed her lips.
Suddenly, a shower of rose petals fell from the sky. Jade looked upward, her eyes sparkling with delight as the crimson petals danced around them.
"I truly love roses," she said with a bright smile.
Xylon stood up, his eyes filled with affection.
"Then I shall fill this entire place with roses," he declared.
He closed his eyes and focused his power. Jade watched in amazement as countless roses slowly bloomed throughout the garden, transforming it into a breathtaking sea of flowers.
Xylon returned to her side and sat down once more.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Jade nodded excitedly, her happiness impossible to hide.
"They're beautiful. Thank you, babe," she said before wrapping her arms around her husband in a loving embrace.
.
.
At Aznar...
Kan sat quietly in his office, engrossed in a book. He had chosen to remain in Aznar to keep watch over everything happening within the territory.
His attention shifted toward the window when a bat landed on the top of its frame.
He closed his book and walked toward the creature.
"What news do you bring?" he asked.
The bat let out a series of chirps, a language that vampires could understand.
Kan's brows furrowed.
"What did you say? Is that true?" he asked, his voice growing serious.
The bat chirped once again.
Kan slowly nodded, the weight of the message settling upon him.
"I understand. Thank you for bringing this information," he said.
The bat spread its wings and flew away into the darkness.
A shadow crossed Kan's expression.
Something terrible is about to happen…
Once again, they must prepare for what is coming.
.
.
Back at the mansion.
Blake was carefully cleaning a violin he had discovered in one of the mansion's old rooms. The thought of playing it crossed his mind, so he brought it out to the veranda.
The surroundings of the mansion were dark and gloomy. A powerful barrier enveloped the estate, preventing the sunlight from reaching it.
"You're going to play?" a voice asked.
Blake turned and saw Aria walking toward him.
He let out a soft laugh.
"You already read my mind, so why even ask?" he teased.
Aria shook her head.
"It is not my habit to read the thoughts of humans or vampires without their permission," she replied.
Blake merely shrugged.
Aria took a seat beside him.
"It has been a long time since I last heard your music," she said.
"I would love to play whenever I want, but I cannot," Blake answered. "I am a Charmer. For those like me, whose powers are drawn from sound and music, our performances must be limited. We only use our music when we are in danger."
"I understand," Aria said softly. "There are things that we may desperately want to do, yet we cannot, because our choices will affect others."
Blake glanced at her.
"Like the distance between you and him?" he asked.
Aria fell silent for a moment.
"He chose to distance himself because he believes it is the right thing to do," she finally answered.
"But it is still wrong," Blake said firmly. "You are the one who is suffering because of his decision."
"You're right, Blake."
They both turned toward the voice. Xenon was sitting on a nearby chair, calmly sipping his tea.
"We cannot blame Cedrick. It was his choice," Aria said.
"Even if it is hurting you?" Xenon asked. "Even if you are struggling?"
Aria lowered her head.
"How did this conversation end up being about me?" she muttered.
"Because we are not blind to your pain, Aria," Blake replied gently.
Aria stood up and was about to leave, but Xenon reached out and held her hand.
"Talk to him," Xenon said. "Until the two of you face each other and speak honestly, the problem between you will never come to an end."
Aria slowly nodded.
Xenon released her hand, and she walked away.
Blake watched her retreating figure, concern visible in his eyes.
"How much longer will she have to suffer?" he asked quietly.
Xenon took another sip of his tea, his expression unreadable.
"She is strong…" he answered.
.
.
Meanwhile…
Everyone was thrown into panic when Zake's screams echoed throughout the mansion.
Xylon and the others immediately ran toward his room, only to find him in the middle of a violent frenzy.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Zake screamed as he destroyed everything within his reach, furniture and objects crashing to the floor.
"Zake, what's happening?" Lilith asked in alarm.
"I'm hungry! I want blood!" he shouted, stomping the ground in frustration.
"Stephen, do you have any vampire tablets with you?" Xylon asked urgently.
"I only have one left," Stephen replied.
"Then give it to him, quickly," Maddison ordered.
Zake continued to thrash around, unable to calm himself.
"Blood! I want blood!" he screamed again.
Even now, he still could not fully control his thirst for blood.
Without wasting another second, Stephen hurriedly took the tablet from his bag and placed it into Zake's mouth.
Slowly, Zake began to calm down.
Lilith supported him and carefully helped him lie down on the bed.
"Zake's condition is getting worse," Heberlin said with a worried expression.
"He may have learned how to speak properly now, but his craving for blood is still as strong as ever," Blake commented.
After making sure Zake was stable, everyone stepped out of the room.
"What happened?" Jade asked as she approached them.
"Nothing serious," Xylon replied. "Zake just had another outburst."
Jade looked inside the room and saw Zake lying quietly on the bed while Lilith stayed by his side, speaking softly to him.