Chapter 6
449words
Lucy looked up and froze, momentarily stunned by the otherworldly beauty of the woman before her.
"Can I... help you?" Lucy managed, her voice smaller than intended.
"Are you Lucy Wright?" Lilith examined her with glacial disdain.
Lucy nodded, her heart hammering. "Yes. And you are?"
"Lilith de la Cour. Adrian's... family," Lilith replied with arctic precision. "I've come to discuss Adrian."
At Adrian's name, Lucy's breath caught in her throat.
"Please, sit down," Lucy gestured to a table, fighting to keep her voice steady. "What about Adrian?"
Lilith settled into the chair with inhuman grace, making no attempt to mask the hostility in her gaze. "I want you to end your relationship with Adrian."
"Excuse me?" Lucy stared, dumbfounded.
"You heard me," Lilith continued. "Adrian is vampire nobility, soon to become a Duke. You're a mere human. The gulf between you is insurmountable."
Lucy paled, but her voice remained steady. "This is between Adrian and me. It's not your concern."
"Not my concern?" Lilith's laugh was like breaking glass. "He is Dracul. His choices reflect on our entire bloodline. And do you truly believe your 'love' can endure? You'll wither and die while he remains unchanged. You'll become nothing but a painful memory."
Lucy fell silent, the cruel truth of Lilith's words sinking in.
"I know your thoughts," Lilith continued. "You refuse Transformation, and frankly, I don't want you joining our ranks either. Adrian is exceptional. You are... not."
"Enough!" Lucy finally snapped. "You've made your point."
Lilith rose smoothly. "If you truly care for him, consider his future. With you, he faces only misery and degradation."
"I won't leave him," Lucy declared, her chin lifting. "Not unless he tells me himself that he no longer wants me."
Something deadly flashed in Lilith's eyes. "Then you leave us no choice but to take... alternative measures."
"Are you threatening me?" Despite her fear, Lucy stood her ground.
"Consider this your final warning," Lilith said, her voice soft but menacing. "Think carefully, human. Your decision endangers not only yourself but everyone in this establishment and anyone else you hold dear."
With that, she turned and swept out of the restaurant, leaving Lucy standing alone, her face ashen.
That night, sleep eluded Lucy. She lay awake, thoughts racing between Adrian, their impossible future, and Lilith's chilling threats, her heart heavy with anguish and uncertainty.
Perhaps Lilith was right. Perhaps she should let Adrian go, allow him to return to his world. But could she bear to lose him?
