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The very air seemed to hold its breath as Luca Valentine, last of his clan and first of the fated ones, hung suspended between earth and sky. The prince’s light illuminated everything—the ancient forest, the trembling barrier, the kneeling vampires, and three massive wolves staring up at their precious Luca with equal parts awe and protective fury. Luca was a being of pure light in a world of darkness.

And the night trembled before his power.

Chapter 20

WHITLOCK BROTHERS

“He needs to drink all of it,” Lady Helena Blackthorn fussed, hovering over Luca’s bed like a gothic mother hen. “Every last drop. The ancient blood is crucial for his recovery.”

“My dear, I believe he heard you the first dozen times,” Lord Richard Blackthorn Sr. said dryly, though he too hadn’t taken his eyes off Luca since they’d arrived with the precious vial.

Luca sat propped against silk pillows, looking bewildered as he stared at the ornate crystal goblet in his hands. The ancient blood inside gleamed like liquid rubies, its power making the air shimmer.

“Um…” Luca glanced uncertainly at his brothers. “Is it normal for vampire nobles to personally deliver blood?”

“Oh, prince.” Archer grinned from his sprawl in a nearby armchair. “Nothing about you is normal. You’ve got the entire Blackthorn Clan wrapped around your tiny finger. I’m pretty sure Lady Helena would spoon-feed you if you asked.”

“I would not!” Lady Helena protested, then paused. “Unless… would that help, dear?”

Zane pinched the bridge of his nose while Ryker attempted to hide his smile behind a diplomatic cough.

“The ancient blood is responding to him,” Lord Richard murmured, watching the liquid in the goblet swirl with unusual patterns. “I haven’t seen it react this way since…”

“Since the prophecies mentioned in the old texts?” Lady Helena asked eagerly.

“What prophecies?” Luca asked.

“Never mind that,” Zane cut in smoothly before the Blackthorns could start quoting ancient scrolls. “Drink your blood, little bat.”

Luca’s nose scrunched adorably. “But they’re all… staring at me.”

Indeed, beyond the Blackthorn elders, a small crowd of vampire researchers hovered near the door, taking notes and whispering excitedly among themselves.

“Did you see that?” one whispered. “The ancient blood—it’s creating patterns I’ve only seen in Lady Elena’s journals!”

“Write it down, write it down!” another urged. “Lady Helena will want every detail for her research.”

“We most certainly are not staring,” Lady Helena said, while continuing to stare intently. She paused to call over her shoulder, “Alan, dear, are you recording the resonance patterns?”

“Y-yes, my lady,” Alan managed, though his usual poise seemed to desert him entirely when Luca smiled in his direction. He nearly dropped his crystal tablet.

“Think of it as having your own royal blood sommelier service,” Archer suggested, clearly enjoying the show. “Very exclusive. They even dress up in Gothic formal wear for the delivery. Complete with research assistants who’ve apparently forgotten how their legs work.”

“This is our normal attire,” Lord Richard sniffed, adjusting his Victorian cravat while his researchers frantically documented Luca’s every breath.

“Of course it is,” Ryker murmured, his eyes dancing. “Very practical for morning hospital visits and impromptu research sessions.”

Luca giggled, then quickly tried to hide it behind the crystal goblet as he took a sip. The ancient blood’s power made his skin glow faintly, like moonlight through crystal.

“Fascinating,” Lord Richard breathed, leaning closer. “The resonance patterns are exactly as described in the?—”

“I believe,” Zane interrupted firmly, “Luca needs his rest.”

“But the texts clearly state—” Lady Helena began.

“Thank you for the blood delivery,” Ryker said diplomatically, already ushering the reluctant Blackthorns toward the door. “Your dedication to Luca’s care is appreciated.”

“We’ll be back this evening with the next dose,” Lady Helena called over her shoulder. “Remember, dear—every drop!”