Chapter 2 The Unbreakable Thrall

Lucien stood up, his silver eyes locked onto Selene.

She stumbled backward, tears blurring her vision. The fear inside her grew unbearable as he began walking toward her, unhurried and predatory.

“Please,” she cried, backing away. “Please don't hurt me.”

Lucien didn't stop.

Selene turned and bolted into the nearest bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Her heart pounded frantically as she pressed herself against the door, desperately trying to catch her breath.

Seconds later, the door swung open effortlessly.

Lucien stood there, terrifying and monstrous, his eyes fixed on her.

“Look at me.”

His voice wrapped around her mind like invisible chains.

Selene's body froze.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as the command pressed deeper into her thoughts. For one terrifying second, her body began to obey.

Then something inside her pushed back.

The pressure disappeared.

Selene pressed her back against the wall and squeezed her eyes shut, trembling beneath Lucien's overwhelming presence.

Lucien frowned.

Anger flashed across his face as he suddenly grabbed her. His fangs extended, and he moved toward her neck, ready to sink them into her skin.

A burst of golden light exploded between them.

Lucien staggered backward with a pained hiss, covering his eyes.

Selene opened hers and gasped.

A glowing golden band had appeared around her right wrist.

She stared at it in shock. “What...?”

The light pulsed beneath her skin.

Lucien lowered his hand and stared at the golden glow. His expression changed as he felt his strength slowly draining away.

Selene's pulse hammered.

“Ah!” She screamed in terror and immediately ran back into the living room.

The other boys were now completely stunned. They stood frozen, staring at her as though they couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.

Selene didn't waste another second.

Her eyes landed on the access card lying on the table. She rushed toward it and grabbed it with trembling fingers.

She swiped it across the door lock.

The light flashed green and the door clicked open.

Selene sprinted into the hallway, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as panic surged through her.

Behind her, hurried footsteps echoed through the apartment.

“Stop her!”

Lucien's furious roar followed her into the hallway.

Selene ran faster.

Tears blurred her vision, but she forced herself forward. The golden band around her wrist pulsed beneath her skin, growing warmer with every step.

She reached the elevator and repeatedly slammed her hand against the button.

“Come on!”

The seconds felt endless. Then, the elevator doors finally slid open.

Selene stumbled inside and repeatedly hit the close button.

The doors slid shut.

She collapsed against the mirrored wall, her chest rising and falling unevenly as she struggled to catch her breath. Her trembling fingers clutched her blazer while she stared at the descending floor numbers.

Six, five, four.

A shaky breath escaped her.

Suddenly, the elevator jerked violently.

Selene grabbed the railing and the doors slid open.

A blur shot inside.

“Ah!” Selene screamed.

One of the boys from Lucien's apartment stood in front of her.

The doors snapped shut again, and the elevator resumed its descent.

His eyes glowed crimson. Dark veins spread beneath his pale skin, and sharp fangs gleamed as he bared his teeth. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he stared at her like a predator cornering its prey.

“Please!”

Selene backed herself against the wall.

The vampire raised his hand and locked his crimson eyes onto hers. “Stay still.”

The command crashed into her mind.

For a split second, Selene's body stiffened.

Then the warmth returned.

A soft golden glow spread beneath her skin, and the air around her shimmered.

The vampire attacked without hesitation.

His hand flew to his face as though he had touched fire. “No...” he growled.

He lunged again.

The golden light intensified, growing brighter and stronger around Selene.

An invisible force slammed into him and threw him backward against the elevator wall.

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open.

The vampire lost his balance and staggered into the hallway.

Selene fell forward onto the floor outside the elevator. Her palms scraped against the polished marble, but she immediately scrambled to her feet and turned to run.

Then she crashed into someone.

A startled gasp escaped her lips as she stumbled backward and hit the floor again.

Strong hands reached down and caught her. “Hey, are you okay?”

Selene looked up.

A boy around her age stood above her, his dark brown hair brushing against his forehead and his warm amber eyes filled with concern. He wore Ravenwood's black uniform and looked strangely composed despite the chaos around them.

Selene opened her mouth to speak.

Footsteps thundered behind her. “Hey!”

The furious shout echoed through the hallway.

Selene's blood ran cold.

The vampire from the elevator stalked toward them, still in his vampire form.

The boy in front of Selene frowned. Confusion flashed across his face before his amber eyes narrowed in recognition.

“Kael?”

Kael Viremont, Lucien Draven's closest friend, stepped forward.

His crimson eyes locked onto Selene.

“Move, Cassian.”

Selene scrambled behind Cassian instinctively, her fingers clutching the back of his blazer.

Cassian Thorn looked completely confused as he glanced between her and Kael. “What's going on?”

“Get out of my way,” Kael snapped.

Before Cassian could respond, another voice cut through the hallway.

“Get out of his way now!”

Selene's heart sank.

Lucien walked toward them with the others at his side, his silver eyes burning with fury.

Cassian's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. His gaze moved from Lucien to Kael, then to Selene trembling behind him.

He exhaled quietly and immediately took a step aside.

Before he could walk away, Selene grabbed the back of his uniform even tighter. “Please help me.” Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.

Cassian looked over his shoulder at her.

Her wide hazel eyes were filled with pure terror.

He looked back at Lucien, then at Selene.

“Okay,” he said slowly. “What…”

She’s my thrall,” Lucien cut in, his voice hardening with anger. “Now get out of the way!”

An invisible force slammed into Cassian, throwing him across the hallway.

His back collided with the wall.

Selene gasped.

For a split second, everyone froze.

Cassian pushed himself up on one elbow, shock flashing across his face as he stared at Lucien.

Lucien didn't spare him another glance.

“Handle Cassian.”

His silver eyes remained fixed on Selene.

The others immediately moved toward Cassian.

Panic crashed through Selene. She turned and ran.

Lucien vanished.

One second he was behind her.

The next, he stood directly in front of her, blocking her path.

Selene stumbled to a halt, her pulse hammering in her ears.

His silver eyes locked onto hers. “What are you?” he asked, his voice low and unsteady.

He stepped closer and reached for her.

The golden light exploded around Selene.

A radiant shield wrapped itself around her body, bathing the hallway in warm light.

Lucien's hand collided with the invisible barrier.

A sharp jolt shot through him, forcing him back a step.

His brows furrowed. For the first time in years, uncertainty crossed his face.

Selene looked down at the glowing band around her wrist.

Her fear was momentarily eclipsed by confusion.

What was happening to her?

She was trying to escape from him, yet something inside her kept appearing whenever she was in danger. She didn't understand what it was or why it was protecting her.

Lucien lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Gasps echoed through the hallway.

Students had gathered near the Vampire Wing, some scholarship students waiting to be assigned and others vampires returning to their apartments.

Everyone stared in shock.

Selene remained frozen inside the glowing shield.

The others hurried to Lucien's side.

Kael dropped to one knee beside him while the remaining boys stared at Selene in stunned disbelief.

At the end of the hallway, Cassian slowly pushed himself away from the wall.

His amber eyes fixed on Selene.

He had never seen anyone overpower Lucien Draven.

“Who is she?” he murmured to himself.

“Arrest her.” Lucien's voice cut through the silence.

The command snapped everyone back to reality.

Two academy supervisors rushed forward and grabbed Selene's arms.

She didn't resist.

She simply stared at the glowing band around her wrist, still trying to understand what was happening. At first, she had thought everything that happened upstairs was nothing more than fear playing tricks on her.

Now she knew better. Something was inside her and she can't explain.

Lucien rose to his feet, his jaw tightening as he stared at her.

Then he turned and walked away.

Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.

“Did you see that?”

“She overpowered Lucien Draven.”

“She’s not human.”

“That’s impossible.”

Selene lowered her eyes to the glowing band around her wrist one last time.