In the wilderness, where the mist kissed the ground and silence ruled the night. A man stood alone,tall and regal. The moonlight barely dared touch him,yet it illuminated enough to reveal the chilling sharpness to his features. His skin pale like the bones of the forgotten,hair dark as midnight oil and eyes that flickered with a crimson glow.
He gave no words , only a cold stare,then vanished like a whisper in the wind.
Kai woke up gasping, his bed sheets tangled around his limbs and drenched in sweat. The same dream again.
He sat up , rubbing his hands over his face .
This nightmare felt deeper like the ghost of something he used to know , always the same man appears in his dreams.
Later that morning , Kai sat at his usual spot in a local diner, stirring his coffee with zero intention of drinking it . His friends, Dean and Kacey sat across from him, half listening as he once again narrated the dream that had haunted him for months.
"I swear, it's not just a dream, it feels too real and the smell of the air , the weight of the silence and the guy's name is always the same ... Lucien." He said.
Dean snorted "Dude, you've got to stop reading those fantasy novels before bed. You're literally dreaming up characters now".
"Right, Kacey added, taking a sip of her caramel latte."vampires ain't even real in the first place Kai , You must as well start writing your own book".
Kai forced a laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes ."Yeah maybe" . He responded.
He knew they wouldn't believe him, they never did and maybe he couldn't blame them because it did sound insane .This weren't just dreams , they were pieces of something bigger like a puzzle fragments buried in time.
Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he could feel grass beneath his feet , smell blood in the air , and taste a name he couldn't forget..... Lucien. It was as if he had lived it before .A past life? A different world? Even he wasn't sure , but the pain was real.
After months of sleepless nights and nightmares that left him shaking, he had reluctantly started therapy. His therapist called them " recurring lucid dreams triggered by stress and imagination." But nothing explained how realistic those dreams were , like phantom memories clawing their way into reality.
Eventually, Kai stopped sharing and telling people about his nightmares...He stopped telling people about the haunting beauty of Lucien's eyes and how his voice echoed like thunder in his dreams. And also about how it always ended with blood, betrayals and the overwhelming sorrow of love lost .
He burried the dreams and focused on his work. Detective life in the city never slowed down, and that helped keep the shadows at bay . Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months....and slowly, the dreams faded. Lucien stopped appearing in his dreams and Kai began to believe he was free.
But far away, in a realm untouched by human hands , the immortal world trembled with judgement. Lucien stood before the vampire high council, his gaze fixed but distant. Cloaked in shadows and dignity, he faced the wrath of those who once trusted him.
" Lucien," one of the council members intoned, voice ancient and cracked like breaking stone. "Your record as a prosecutor has served our kind well.... until you overstepped.
" You dared show yourself to the one who soul is intertwined with yours" another hissed. "The boy who died by your hands in a life long buried." Lucien said nothing, but guilt flickered behind his crimson eyes .
" For this violation, we sentence you to exile into the human world ....You will assume the role of a lawyer and help restore justice in their broken system. But heed our warning, you must never seek him out. Should you cross paths again, that cursed love shall awaken ...and history will repeat it's tragedy.
He lowered his head in silent acceptance " I understand" he answered.
The sentence passed, Lucien stepped out of the shadows and into the realm of the living.
Daylight was not kind to him.
Though not lethal, it clawed at his skin and blurred his vision, forcing him to wear dark shades and keep to shadows. With centuries of elegance and power at his disposal, Lucien made his way into the heart of the city ... Charming landlords, conjuring wealth and seeking shelter.
He eventually found it in the least expected place, an old building nestled in the darkest corner of the city. The apartment was modest but secluded, with a backyard that faded into dense woods . Perfect for a creature of the night, Quiet, isolated and forgotten.
Mrs Linda, the building's owner , was a devout catholic with more crosses in her home than furniture. She smiled politely, her eyes suspicious but cordial...
" Welcome to my humble home, hopefully you will love it here Mr Lawyer. " She said with a broad smile.
" Thank you " Lucien replied already trying to get inside but Mrs Linda wouldn't allow that until she has finished speaking.
"You seem.. descent", she said, watching him with narrowed eyes as she handed over the keys . " But I'll be organizing a tenants meeting soon, You'll need to introduce yourself to the rest". Lucien simply nooded..
But as he reached to take the keys, her crucifix brushed against the back of his hand. Instantly, his skin sizzled, and he clenched his jaw to keep from recoiling. Pain flared , holy and unbearable , but he remained still , offering only a slight smile.
" Thank you " he said through clenched teeth.
His new apartment was dimly lit and smelled of old pinewood, He liked it.
That night, as he stood by the window staring into the backyard forest, memories washed over him . Not just of Kai but of blood, betrayal, and the moment he'd chosen duty over love. A choice that ended with Kai's death in his arms in their past life.
He whispered the name into darkness.
"Kai"... A forbidden name and a love forbidden. But fate , cruel and merciless, didn't care for rules.
Three days later, Lucien stood at the building's common hall, where Mrs Linda had finally gathered the tenants . A few nods , some smiles and idle small talk filled the room. Lucien remained at the edge, cool and composed , until he heard it . A voice familiar, soft yet commanding. He turned slowly, and there he was .. standing near the entrance, holding a file, dressed in casual but with that same seriousness in his eyes.
Kai.... Lucien froze for a second and that single heartbeat, the curse of centuries stirred awake.
Kai's eyes met his , and though his face betrayed no recognition, his soul shivered. Somewhere in the deepest parts in his mind , a whisper enchoed like thunder.
Lucien!...