Whispers in the Sunlight

The next morning, Evelyn woke early, the image of Lucien’s glowing eyes still burned behind her lids. She sat up in bed, sunlight pouring through the curtains, trying to convince herself it had all been a strange dream.

But her boots were still muddy.

And her notebook still had his name written in shaky handwriting.

She dressed quickly, stuffing snacks, a bottle of water, and a small mirror into her backpack. Something about the library—about Lucien—called to her, like an unfinished sentence waiting for its end. This time, she wasn’t just curious. She wanted to help.

Her grandfather stood in the kitchen, flipping through an old newspaper. “You going out again so early?” he asked.

“Just for a walk,” she said, avoiding his eyes.

He hummed, unconvinced. “Stay away from that building.”

“I know,” she lied.

The journey to the library was quieter this time. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden specks across her path. Birds chirped overhead, unaware that just beyond the trees lay a place where time had stopped.

She slipped through the rusted gate again, careful not to make a sound. Inside, the air was different—still cold, but lighter somehow, like the shadows were resting.

Lucien looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

“You came back,” he said.

“I said I would,” she replied, stepping closer. “You told me to come while the sun touched the walls.”

He nodded toward the narrow rays of light falling through the broken roof. “They don’t like sunlight. It keeps them quiet… for a while.”

Evelyn sat across from him, legs crossed, hands folded on her lap. “Tell me everything.”

Lucien studied her. “That’s a dangerous request.”

“I’m not afraid,” she said, though her heartbeat quickened.

He smiled faintly. “Long ago, this library was a sanctuary for the gifted—sorcerers, alchemists, guardians of magic. I was one of them… until I changed.”

“You became a vampire?”

“Yes. But it wasn’t a curse. Not at first. I chose it… for power. To protect something important.”

“Protect what?”

He hesitated. “A secret. One buried deep in this library. One that others would kill to control.”

“And the Watchers?” she asked.

“They were created to guard the secret. When I changed, they turned on me. One of my closest friends betrayed me, bound me here, and left the Watchers to ensure I never escaped.”

Evelyn’s eyes darkened. “That’s cruel.”

“It was fear. And fear becomes cruelty far too easily.”

She reached into her bag and pulled out the mirror. “Can you see your reflection?”

Lucien raised a brow but leaned forward. The glass shimmered. His face appeared, though faintly, like smoke clinging to the surface.

“I exist between realms,” he said. “Not fully alive. Not fully gone.”

A sudden creak echoed from above. Dust rained down from the rafters.

Lucien tensed. “They’re stirring.”

Evelyn stood. “Then I’ll go. But tomorrow—can I bring something? Maybe find something to break the curse?”

Lucien looked at her, eyes unreadable. “You can try. But be careful. The more you know, the closer they’ll watch you.”

She nodded, stepping backward.

As she left, the runes pulsed faintly under her feet.

And somewhere deep below, something ancient whispered her name.