The black invitation card felt heavier than it should have.
It rested in my hand like a loaded weapon.
Silent.
Elegant.
Deadly.
The crimson wax seal still pulsed faintly with warmth, as if the blood inside it recognised me.
A crown.
Ten circles.
The same symbol from the ritual.
The same symbol from the night I died.
Or perhaps—
the night I was reborn.
The living room remained quiet after Valentina Draven left.
No one rushed to speak.
No one pretended normal still existed.
Because it didn't.
Not anymore.
Mother finally broke the silence first.
"Dinner."
Everyone looked at her.
She crossed her arms.
Calm.
Firm.
The true ruler of this house.
"If the world is ending tomorrow, then everyone is eating tonight."
For a moment—
Even Father looked like he knew resistance was pointless.
Kavya pointed dramatically.
"This is why Mom is the final boss."
Riya nodded seriously.
"Absolutely."
Even Liliana smiled.
Seraphina almost did.
And somehow, just like that, the house breathed again.
Interesting.
War outside.
Warmth inside.
I was beginning to understand why people protected homes like this.
Because peace was fragile.
And precious.
Dinner was strangely normal.
Too normal.
Mother served food as if nothing supernatural had happened.
Ananya kept asking practical questions.
Kavya kept trying to guess which vampire wife would cause the most drama.
Riya kept staring at Seraphina like she was trying to figure out if she blinked like a normal person.
Liliana, surprisingly, handled it beautifully.
She smiled.
Answered politely.
And somehow manipulated the entire table into liking her within ten minutes.
Dangerous woman.
Seraphina, on the other hand, sat like a queen forced into a school festival.
Elegant.
Silent.
Deadly.
Kavya whispered loudly to me,
"She's definitely the type to kill someone for touching her coffee."
Seraphina, without looking up, replied,
"Only if they deserve it."
Kavya nearly dropped her spoon.
I almost laughed again.
Almost.
Father remained mostly silent.
Watching.
Thinking.
Planning.
The hunter never truly rested.
After dinner, he finally placed his cup down.
"We leave tomorrow evening."
The room stilled again.
Back to reality.
He looked at me.
"The Blood Council does not care about emotion."
"Only strength."
"Only control."
I nodded.
Makes sense.
Same in my old world.
Different monsters.
Same rules.
Father stood and motioned for me to follow.
"Outside."
Training.
Good.
We stepped into the backyard.
The night air was cooler now.
The moon hung low.
Silver light touched the old trees near the wall.
For a moment, it felt peaceful.
Then Father tossed something toward me.
I caught it instinctively.
The silver dagger from earlier.
Balanced.
Sharp.
Familiar.
Father stood across from me.
Hands in pockets.
Relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"Show me."
I raised a brow.
"Show you what?"
He smiled faintly.
"What kind of monster did I raise?"
Interesting.
I liked that answer.
I stepped forward.
No warning.
Fast.
Knife angled low.
Direct strike.
Father moved with terrifying ease.
One step.
Turn.
My blade missed.
His hand tapped my wrist.
Sharp pain.
Lesson.
I pivoted immediately and attacked again.
Higher this time.
Faster.
He blocked with two fingers against my forearm and shifted my balance like it was nothing.
I stepped back.
He didn't chase.
Just watched.
Calm.
Analysing.
Again.
This time I used shadow step.
The gift from Seraphina's bond.
I vanished from his direct line of sight and moved behind him.
Fast.
Silent.
Precise.
My blade stopped one inch from his throat.
Victory—
No.
Cold steel touched my ribs.
His other dagger.
Already there.
I smiled.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Father spoke quietly.
"Power is dangerous."
His voice was calm.
"But confidence kills faster than silver."
He stepped away.
I lowered the blade.
Respect.
Earned.
Not given.
Good.
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then asked—
"Who are you?"
The question hit differently this time.
Not an accusation.
Truth.
I could lie.
Pretend.
Continue as if I were only Aarav.
But this man deserved honesty.
So I answered.
Quietly.
"I died once."
His expression didn't change.
Interesting.
Maybe he had expected worse.
"I remember another life."
I looked at the moon.
"Blood. Missions. Death."
"Not this world."
His voice was steady.
"An old soul."
I nodded.
He exhaled slowly.
Then—
"That explains your eyes."
I blinked.
"My eyes?"
Father's faint smile returned.
"Children who survive pain too early…"
He looked at me carefully.
"…always have old eyes."
For the first time in a long time—
I had no response.
Because somehow—
That simple sentence felt heavier than every supernatural secret tonight.
Then footsteps approached.
Liliana.
Of course.
She leaned casually against the back door.
Golden eyes were amused.
"Emotional father-son training under moonlight?"
She smiled.
"How romantic."
Father sighed.
"She's your problem now."
Liliana laughed.
"Unfortunate for him."
Seraphina appeared behind her.
Straight to business.
"The second bond."
Ah.
Back to danger.
She looked at me.
"Before the Council, Liliana's bloodline should resonate."
Liliana crossed her arms.
"House Celestine's dominion blood will protect your authority."
Translation—
more power.
Necessary.
Useful.
And politically explosive.
Father nodded once.
"She's right."
Of course, he agreed.
Wonderful.
Liliana stepped closer.
Her golden eyes locked onto mine.
Playful.
Dangerous.
"You refused me on the rooftop."
She smiled slowly.
"Will you refuse again, my king?"
The moonlight touched her silver hair like liquid light.
Beautiful.
Manipulative.
Powerful.
A woman born to rule.
And she wanted to see if I would kneel.
I stepped closer.
Close enough to hear her heartbeat shift.
Just slightly.
Good.
I leant near her ear.
And whispered—
"I told you before."
My voice was low.
Cold.
"I don't belong to your house."
Her breath caught.
Then I smiled.
"But tonight…"
I touched the glowing mark on my neck.
"…we can negotiate."
For the first time—
Liliana looked genuinely surprised.
Then she smiled.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Perfect.
Tomorrow was the Blood Council.
Tonight—
The second bond would begin.
And the game was only getting better.