PRIME APEX

Dracule sat in silence, his expression unreadable. Was he deep in thought, or simply holding his emotions close? I couldn't tell.

"How is this possible?" Xander demanded, his frustration palpable.

Vlad appeared equally disturbed. Even he was shaken by the simple mention of the Prime Apex.

"The Prime Apex is supposed to be invincible—immune to harm, untouchable by even the slightest scratch. And yet, one of my own managed to wound her, however slight the damage," Vlad said, his voice laced with doubt.

"That shouldn't be possible. She can't be the one."

Dracule's gaze shifted, first to me, then to Vlad, and finally to Xander. His piercing stare carried an unsettling depth, as if he saw more than he let on.

"You've both done well to protect her," he said at last, his tone calm but firm.

"But," he continued, his voice dipping into something almost reverent, "though she carries the potential, she is not yet a full Prime Apex. Right now, she is still human. You see, the Prime Apex bloodline does not pass down like an ordinary inheritance. It chooses its next leader only once every thousand years."

He paused, allowing his words to settle. The silence in the room was thick, suffocating.

Then, with an air of finality, he added,

"That is all I am allowed to tell you."

Xander's frown deepened.

"What do you mean?"

I stayed silent, confused. The words they used—"Prime Apex," "Heir," "Bloodline"—didn't make sense, yet they seemed to shape my entire fate.

Vlad, however, was watching Dracule intently, his gaze sharp, calculating—as if he were trying to pierce through the Grand Vampire's mind.

And then, Dracule's eyes darkened. His head snapped toward Vlad.

"Do not ever do that!" he barked.

Vlad didn't even flinch.

"Since you refuse to explain everything properly, I'm afraid I have no choice but to read your mind."

Dracule's fury was instant, tangible.

"Have some respect!" he seethed.

Xander immediately stepped forward, his posture tense.

"Please forgive us," he said smoothly, attempting to diffuse the situation.

Dracule's anger lingered in the air, thick as smoke. Without thinking, I crossed the space to Vlad.

My hand found his, my fingers brushing over his knuckles in a quiet gesture of reassurance.

"Steady," I murmured, my voice flat, neutral.

I had no idea why I did it. It was illogical. Instinctual.

To my astonishment, the tension in Vlad's body eased. His shoulders relaxed, and after a slow inhale, he spoke.

"My mistake, I apologize," he said, his voice measured.

"Please, accept my apology."

Xander turned to me, then to Vlad.

Something flickered in his gaze—curiosity, perhaps?

Before anyone could respond, a woman entered the room. Her presence was commanding yet serene, her movements as fluid as drifting smoke.

She appeared middle-aged, with an air of quiet wisdom. Without hesitation, she approached Dracule and whispered something in his ear. Almost instantly, his temper cooled.

"My name is Agatha," she announced. "Dracule's partner—for life."

Her sharp gaze swept over us, assessing.

"I overheard your conversation. But you must understand, mind-reading is forbidden here. Only the Grand Vampire is permitted such power."

"We truly apologize," I said quickly.

Dracule gave a slow nod.

Then, in a voice as final as the closing of a book, he said,

"Since the bloodline runs through you, there is only one path to becoming the Prime Apex. You must fall… and rise again."

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Reborn, like a phoenix," he added.

Xander's expression darkened.

"You mean… she has to die first?"

"Not entirely," Dracule corrected.

"She does not have to die, but she must endure transformation. And to do that—"

He stood, his presence looming.

"—she must be marked by five different immortals."

The air in the room grew heavy.

"A human immortal of the earth," he began. "A thousand-year-old vampire. An Alpha werewolf. The longest undead soul. And one of the nature spirits."

My stomach dropped.

"What?" My voice wavered.

"How are we supposed to find them, let alone get marked by them?"

This was impossible.

Xander took a step closer.

"I know it sounds overwhelming," he said. "But it's possible. Trust me."

"Trust us," Vlad added, his voice unwavering.

My breath hitched. Marked? By five immortals?

Then, without warning, Vlad stepped toward me. His presence was imposing yet strangely reassuring. His next words sent a chill through me.

"I am a thousand-year-old vampire," he murmured.

"You won't have to search far."

His words echoed in my mind, the weight of them pressing down on my chest. My pulse pounded in my ears.

Dracule's gaze was unreadable, but there was something in his expression—a knowing glint, as if he had seen this exact moment before.

Xander hesitated before he looked at Dracule.

"If Vlad is the first," Xander said, his voice tight, "that still leaves four more."

Agatha stepped forward, calm yet firm. "Finding them will not be easy. Some may not wish to be found."

"And even if they are," Vlad added, "earning their mark is another battle entirely. Each immortal has their own conditions—tests, challenges, perhaps even a price to pay. And.... some form of sacrifice."

I swallowed hard.

"What does it even mean to be marked?"

Dracule folded his hands in front of him.

"It is a recognition. A binding. Their essence, in some form, must be placed upon you. It is not always visible, but it will change you."

Xander's jaw tightened.

"And once she receives all five marks?"

"Then she will no longer be fully human."

Silence fell over the room.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

"If I don't do this… then what?"

Dracule's expression darkened.

"Then you will not survive."

A cold chill ran through me.

Xander clenched his fists, but when he spoke, his voice was controlled.

"Then we start now."

He turned to Vlad.

"If you're the first, how do we do this?"

Vlad studied me, his crimson eyes unreadable.

"There is a ritual," he said at last.

"A blood exchange. It will hurt a little, but it's worth it."

I hesitated.

"And what happens to me?"

Vlad smirked faintly and leaned in, his voice just for me.

"You'll feel it," he murmured.

"The moment I taste your blood, your body will recognize the shift. And once it does, the path forward will become clearer. I promise… it won't hurt too much."

I took a slow breath and met Vlad's gaze.

"Then let's begin."

But before anything could happen, Dracule's voice cut through the air.

"But," he warned, "Vladimir, remember—Prime Apex blood is tempting. Her blood will make you twice as strong. Too much of it will kill you."

For the first time, I saw something unfamiliar flicker across Vlad's face.

Fear.