Dario returned from his father's chamber, his body burning with pain and anger. He needed to leave the palace to clear his head.
He walked toward his bookshelves—the door that led to the woods. He removed the blank book, and the hidden door swung open. Just as he was about to step through, the entrance door opened.
He turned, surprised, to see Princess Thana standing there.
"Thana…" he muttered, his eyes widening.
"Prince Dario," she whispered and before he could react, she suddenly hugged him.
Dario froze, then pushed her gently away. What is she trying to do?
"Don't push me away, Prince Dario," she said softly, her voice low and trembling. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Leave, Thana," He muttered, looking away.
"Every time you push me away… it hurts. Please… allow me to be with you," she said, stepping closer.
His gaze fell on her, his amber eyes locking with hers. Something stirred within him. His body grew hot, instincts rising.
"Your eyes… they're red… and I love them," Thana whispered, touching his cheek.
His eyes widened. They instinctively fell to her bare neck. He saw the veins pulsing beneath her skin, the blood flowing—his fangs pressed against his lips, desperate.
"Leave," he muttered, his voice shaking.He turned his face away, struggling to control himself.
Thana sighed, lowering her head. "I will leave, Prince Dario," she whispered. She began to turn but before she could step away, Dario's hands shot around her waist.
She froze, eyes wide and looked up. His eyes were fully red now, his fangs bared.
"Prince Dario…" she whispered in fear.
Before she could react further, Dario sank his fangs into her bare neck.
Her eyes widened in shock and pain."Ahhh!" she screamed, the sound echoing through the chamber.
**"
"When will you be meeting Dario?" Ezekiel asked, making Demetrio sigh.
"I want to wake Arianna first, before anything else," Demetrio said.
"I'd suggest meeting him now," Ezekiel said. "Damoness has already approached him… who knows what she's told him. Dario didn't share the details with me."
Demetrio's gaze darkened. "I'm traveling to the hell basement."
Ezekiel's eyes widened. "The land of the dead?"
"Yes. I will bring the Book of Mormon,"Demetrio replied.
"Why?" Ezekiel asked.
"It holds the answers on how to wake Arianna," Demetrio said.
"You do realize returning from the hell basement isn't simple… it's literally the land of the dead!" Ezekiel hissed, facepalming.
"I don't care. I must wake her,"he muttered, resolute.
Suddenly, a presence made both of them tense. They turned to see Queen Damoness, holding the very book Demetrio sought.
"Looking for this?" she asked, smirking.
"The Book of Mormon," Demetrio muttered.
"What are you doing here, Damoness?" Ezekiel asked, fangs beginning to show.
"Calm down," Demetrio said, keeping Ezekiel in check.
"I came to help," Damoness replied, eyes flicking to the unconscious Arianna in her casket. "This book contains the answers on how to wake her. You won't even need to turn her into a vampire."
Demetrio and Ezekiel exchanged wary glances.
"What do you want in return?" Demetrio asked, voice cold.
"Simple," Damoness said. "Demetrio comes with me to the underworld… Damon just wants a conversation."
Ezekiel laughed incredulously. "Are you insane?"
Demetrio stayed silent for a moment, then said quietly, "I will go with you."
Ezekiel's eyes widened in shock.