A college student stumbles through a strange fog while in return home and wakes up in a medieval world ruled by immortal vampire lords. Trapped in a time where humans are either prey or servants, she discovers she's the reincarnation of a powerful figure who once led a rebellion against the vampires. As she navigates this brutal new reality, the enigmatic vampire prince offers her protection-but his motives are as dark as the secrets buried in her past.
Arabella Madrigal sat quietly in the tub, the warmth of fresh milk soaking into her skin. Her grandmother hummed softly as she poured lavender oil into the water, the scent filling the room. Arabella had asked about this strange ritual countless times, but the answers were always vague.
"Take care of your skin, Ara," her grandmother said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, but there was a certain weight to her words. "It's going to bloom as beautiful as the crimson red roses..."
Arabella looked up, her dark eyes curious. "Why do you always say that, Grandmama? What's so special about crimson roses?"
Her grandmother paused, her fingers gently brushing Arabella's damp hair. "Roses are a symbol of beauty, strength... and danger," she replied, her tone wistful. "But you'll understand when the time comes."
Arabella frowned. She hated cryptic answers. "Grandmama, that's not fair. You can't keep saying things like that without explaining."
Her grandmother simply smiled, standing up and drying her hands. "The world has its secrets, my dear. And sometimes, we're not ready for the answers."
The next day, Arabella entered her classroom, the chatter of students filling the air. As she made her way to her seat, something on her desk caught her attention-a single crimson red rose, lying atop her notebook.
She stared at it, her brows knitting together. Who would leave this here? Picking up the rose, she inspected it carefully. Its petals were soft and flawless, but there was no note, no explanation.
"Hey, Arabella." Her friend Clara plopped into the seat beside her. "What's that?"
Arabella held up the rose. "I don't know. It was on my desk when I got here."
Clara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Ooooh, secret admirer?"
"Doubt it," Arabella said, tucking the rose into her bag. "Probably someone's idea of a joke."
Before Clara could press further, the professor entered, silencing the room with his commanding presence. The lecture began with the usual discussion of myths and legends, but Arabella found herself tuning out until a particular topic caught her attention.
"Now, let's turn to one of the oldest and most fascinating myths-vampires," the professor said, pacing at the front of the room.
Arabella perked up, her pen tapping against her notebook. Vampires? That was unusual for this class.
"Vampires are said to be immortal beings who feed on human blood to survive. The origins of the myth are murky, but some believe they stem from real individuals whose lives were exaggerated into legends," the professor continued.
A student raised his hand. "Professor, vampires aren't real. They're just stories."
The professor chuckled. "Perhaps. But many myths hold a grain of truth. Who's to say what's real and what isn't?"
Arabella rolled her eyes slightly. She didn't believe in vampires either, but there was something in the professor's voice that made her uneasy.
After class, Arabella lingered behind to help the professor organize books in the lecture hall. It was a routine she'd fallen into over the semester, and she enjoyed the quiet moments after the bustle of the day.
"Thank you for your help, Arabella," the professor said as she handed him a stack of books.
"Of course, Professor," she replied with a polite smile.
By the time she left campus, the sun was setting, casting an amber glow across the city streets. Arabella wrapped her cardigan tighter around her as she began the familiar walk home. The streets were still busy, the sounds of laughter and conversations filling the air.
But as she walked further, the lively noise began to fade. Shops closed, streetlights flickered to life, and the crowds thinned. She glanced over her shoulder, realizing she was now alone. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, but she kept walking, quickening her pace.
The silence was unnerving. Every step echoed in the stillness, and the air grew colder. Arabella tried to shake off her unease, focusing on the rhythm of her footsteps. But then, she saw it.
A thick, swirling fog rolled in ahead of her, blanketing the street like a living thing. It moved unnaturally, curling and twisting as if it had a mind of its own.
Arabella froze, her heart pounding. The fog was unlike anything she'd ever seen. It wasn't just misty-it shimmered faintly, glowing in the dim light.
"What the...?" she whispered, taking a cautious step forward.
As she approached, the fog seemed to pulse, reaching out like ghostly fingers. Arabella's instincts screamed at her to turn back, but something about the fog drew her in.
"Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling. "Is anyone there?"
There was no answer.
The fog grew thicker, enveloping her in its eerie glow. Arabella felt her head spin, the ground shifting beneath her feet. She stumbled, clutching at her chest as a strange energy coursed through her.
A faint whisper echoed around her, chilling her to the bone. "Arabella..."
Her eyes widened. "Who's there? How do you know my name?"
The whisper didn't respond, but the fog tightened around her, pulling her deeper into its embrace. The world blurred, and Arabella felt herself falling-not physically, but as if she were being dragged into another plane of existence.
Her vision darkened, and the last thing she heard was the haunting echo of the whisper. "Welcome..."
When Arabella opened her eyes, everything was different. The familiar city streets were gone, replaced by cobblestone roads and towering Gothic buildings that loomed against a twilight sky. The air was colder here, heavier, and the eerie silence pressed against her ears.
She stumbled forward, her legs shaky as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. "Where... am I?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
The city was like something out of a dream-or a nightmare. The architecture was ornate yet menacing, with spires that seemed to pierce the heavens and shadows that danced in the corners of her vision.
Arabella clutched her arms, her breath visible in the frigid air. A sinking feeling settled in her chest. Wherever she was, it wasn't home.
A sound broke the silence-a low, melodic laugh that sent chills down her spine. Arabella turned, but she saw no one.
"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
The laugh echoed again, followed by footsteps in the distance. Arabella's heart raced as she backed away, her pulse pounding in her ears.
This place was wrong. Everything about it felt off, and she had no idea how she'd gotten here-or how she would escape.
"You will be the downfall of your own bloodline..." Dahlia Lore, born into the Dark Kingdom as a pure-blooded dark wielder, carries a dangerous secret: her magic glows with light instead of darkness. In a kingdom where only dark magic is accepted, her gift makes her a target of fear and suspicion. Branded as a curse and an outsider, Dahlia is desperate to prove her loyalty to her people and earn their acceptance. When the king announces a competition to retrieve the Celestial Book-a powerful artifact hidden in the Celestial Realm-Dahlia sees her chance. The reward? The winner will have any wish granted. Determined to prove herself, Dahlia embarks on the dangerous journey. Along the way, she faces deadly trials, forms unexpected alliances, and uncovers shocking truths about her magic and herself. As she grows closer to the Celestial people, she begins to question where her true loyalty lies. Will Dahlia turn her back on her light to serve the darkness? Or will she risk everything to forge her own path and embrace her true identity? Her decision will shape not only her future but the destiny of both realms. Started: December 18, 2024 © 2024 TheBitterCupid
Scarlett was ready to escape her stifling life with a man who promised her freedom, but everything changed when he took her twin sister, Charlotte, by mistake. What seemed like a chance for a fresh start turns into a nightmare when Scarlett discovers the man is a ruthless pirate captain on a quest for a cursed treasure. Determined to rescue her sister, Scarlett plunges into the dangerous world of pirates, dark secrets, and deadly curses. As the mysteries of the treasure unravel, Scarlett realizes her journey could cost her far more than she ever imagined.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"