Chapter 1

I was the 40th generation successor of the Vance family, a renowned lineage of powerful vampire hunters.

Yet, I was ambushed by a vampire and almost lost my life.

It was Julian Blackwood who saved me, his vampire blood granting me immortality. He slaughtered his entire vampire clan for me.

And amidst the bloody carnage, he proposed to me.

Our souls resonated, our bond utterly inseparable.

Until a century later, another woman found me, holding the Blackwood family's heirloom ring.

"Julian searched for me for a century. He even slaughtered his entire vampire kin to protect me and avenge me."

"Now that I'm back," the woman lifted her chin haughtily, "you can roll over and disappear."

I tossed the blood-stained ring onto the table, then looked at Julian, his eyes blazing crimson. I tapped the tabletop.

"Julian Blackwood."

"The consequences of betraying me."

"You should know them well."

Blood stained the ring.

It dripped onto the floor, drop by sickening drop.

With each falling bead of blood, there was the sound of Julian Blackwood shattering the heavy wooden table, followed by his chilling voice, towering over me.

"Where is she?"

Julian's eyes were bloodshot, as if he wanted to tear me limb from limb. I wasn't his wife of a hundred years; I was his sworn enemy.

"She's just a mortal."

"Flesh and blood, nothing more."

"Cassandra Vance," Julian picked up a severed finger from the splintered wood, his gaze locked on me, teeth gritted. "Hand her over now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened."

"Otherwise—"

"Otherwise?"

My expression was cool, as I met Julian's furious eyes. "Are you going to slaughter me to celebrate the return of your precious reincarnated lover?"

"Julian Blackwood."

"Have I been too lenient, or has this past century made you forget who truly rules this house?"

I clapped my hands.

"You want your true love back? Of course, you can have her."

A curtain was drawn back. Seraphina Thorne was bound to a sacrificial altar, encircled by dozens of vampires. Mystical seals held them in place. Seraphina cried out in terror, her eyes pleading with Julian. One look, and Julian completely lost control.

"Cassandra Vance!"

Julian's hand shot out, clamping around my throat.

As oxygen was stolen from my lungs, I looked at the man who had sworn to love me for all eternity. Only mockery remained in my gaze. He lifted me, but I still smiled, snapping my fingers.

From an iron cage below.

A chorus of chilling vampire roars erupted. Seraphina writhed and struggled on the altar, her eyes shattered as she looked at Julian, making him tighten his grip on my throat, threatening me.

"Let her go."

"Otherwise," Julian's gaze was murderous, "your entire Vance family will pay the price!"

Julian and I had been together for a century. I helped him rise to his current position of power, only to find I'd nurtured such an ungrateful monster.

My lips curved into a smile. I made a gesture, and the mystical seals instantly dropped. The vampires let out excited roars, rushing towards Seraphina. Julian screamed, "No!" and threw me aside, dashing towards Seraphina, engaging in a furious battle with the vampires.

I watched from the sofa, enjoying the spectacle. Julian, covered in blood, emerged from a pile of bodies, carefully cradling Seraphina. His touch was so gentle, as if she were a priceless treasure.

"It's okay now."

"Seraphina, it's okay."

I watched as the rough cloth covering her was removed. Seraphina let out a wail of sorrow, crying, "Why did you take so long to come!"

She raised her hand, slapping Julian across the face.

"I almost died!"

"She tried to kill me!"

"She did!"

Seraphina pointed a finger, now missing one digit, at me. Her eyes held enough hatred to flay me alive. Julian gently set her down, then scooped her up bridal style. As he passed me, his gaze was icy.

"Cassandra Vance!"

"For one finger!"

"I'll make you pay!"