Chapter 2 The Beginning of Her Destiny

The night reeked of blood.

Monica’s breath came in short, panicked bursts as she clutched Selena’s tiny hand. The child's fingers trembled in hers. Behind them, the forest pulsed with danger low snarls, padded footfalls, the eerie rustling of unseen predators closing in.

Then, a voice. Smooth. Lethal.

"When will you stop running, Monica?"

Luca stood beneath the moonlight, his golden eyes gleaming like a beast poised to strike. Shadows stretched long behind him, the towering trees seeming to bow in submission.

"I never had anything against you," he murmured, voice silk over steel. "But I don’t want her."

His hand lifted, one finger pointed directly at Selena.

"She was never meant to exist."

Selena flinched, pressing closer to her mother. Monica stepped forward, shielding her daughter with her body, her heart hammering against her ribs.

"She’s just a child," she pleaded.

Luca's smirk was slow, cruel. "No. She is a prophecy. A curse wrapped in flesh. And I will not allow my own blood to destroy the vampire kingdom."

Selena shivered. She didn’t fully understand. But she understood enough.

Luca moved closer, his presence suffocating. "The night she was born, my council demanded her death. They knew what she was… what she would become. I should have listened." His voice dropped to a growl. "She is an abomination."

"No!" Monica’s cry was raw. "She won’t hurt anyone! I’ll make sure of it!"

Luca’s expression darkened, the last traces of amusement fading.

"You still don’t understand, do you?" His voice was quieter now, but far more dangerous. "The problem isn’t whether she stays away. The problem is that she exists at all."

A tremor of dread slithered down Monica’s spine.

"I cannot allow the prophecy to come true," Luca said. "And the only way to stop it… is to stop her."

The wind howled. The trees whispered. The night itself seemed to hold its breath.

Monica dropped to her knees before Selena, cupping the child's face with trembling hands.

"Throw the ring," she whispered. "It will take you to Earth. No matter what happens, you must never speak of this place. Never."

Selena’s lower lip quivered. "But, Mommy"

"Run."

A howl split the night.

Monica turned just as the first vampire lunged.

Luca shifted mid-air, his body warping, features sharpening, his true monstrous form breaking free. His fangs gleamed as he tore toward her.

Selena screamed.

Monica shoved her back. "Go!"

Selena’s fingers fumbled with the ring. Her hands were shaking too hard. But she obeyed. She threw it to the ground.

Silver light erupted, swirling, shifting opening.

Selena looked up just in time.

The vampire.

He crashed into her mother, knocking her to the ground.

A choked, wet gasp.

A final breath.

Blood. There was so much blood.

Selena’s world tilted as Luca’s glowing eyes locked onto her.

The beast lunged.

She fell.

The portal swallowed her whole.

Earth

Selena hit the ground hard.

The air was cold. Different. Not like home. Pebbles dug into her palms as she gasped for breath. Her surroundings blurred the sharp scent of asphalt, the dull hum of city life in the distance.

Then

A deep, rumbling sound.

Bright lights flared in front of her.

A massive black car screeched to a halt just inches from where she sat, frozen on the pavement.

The door swung open.

A man stepped out.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. The sharp cut of his coat flared with each movement, fluid and precise. Even in the dim glow of the streetlights, she could see the unnatural sharpness of his features. But it was his eyes that stole her breath deep blue, laced with silver, glowing like something not quite human.

He crouched in front of her, tilting his head slightly.

"Little one, what are you doing out here?"

Selena sniffled. Her mother’s warning echoed in her head.

Never tell anyone.

She bit her lip, staring at the pavement.

The man exhaled through his nose. "You’re alone, then."

She nodded.

Silence stretched between them. Then—

He sighed. "I don’t like kids," he muttered, almost to himself. "But something tells me you’re not just any kid, are you?"

Selena blinked up at him, unsure of how to answer.

"You can stay with me tonight," he said. "Tomorrow, we’ll figure this out."

She hesitated. Then, slowly, she nodded.

The man stood and held out a hand. She took it, her tiny fingers disappearing inside his much larger grasp.

He led her toward the car, opening the door. She climbed in, peeking up at him as he slid into the driver’s seat.

She sniffled. "Mister… what’s your name?"

A flicker of amusement ghosted across his face.

"Lucifer," he said. "But you can call me Morningstar."