The world around him crumbled, smoke and fire choking the air. He was back in the vision, standing amidst the ruins of the Montgomery estate. Blood stained the ground in dark, congealed pools.
He turned—and there they were.
Sarah and Damien.
Their bodies were drained, frail, their eyes hollow. They tried to move toward him, but their limbs trembled, barely able to hold themselves up.
"You promised us."
Sarah's voice was weak. It barely reached him over the howling wind.
"You swore you'd protect us…"
Damien lifted his head, his once-defiant blue eyes now empty.
"Why did you do this to us?"
Palmer's breath caught in his throat. He tried to reach for them, but his body wouldn't move. He was frozen, paralyzed as their broken figures collapsed before him.
The world around him cracked apart.
Palmer jolted awake, breathless, his hands shaking. The words wouldn't leave him. The worst part? He had no idea if this was the future or just the orb trying to break him.
"Are you alright?" Sarah's voice was laced with concern.
"He's completely drained," Valen observed, arms crossed. "Used up too much energy recovering from his wounds." He paused, his sharp eyes studying Palmer. Then, a knowing smirk crossed his lips. "I think it's time you tell them. I think they'll understand now."
Palmer exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. He glanced at Valen, then at Damien and Sarah, who looked at him with confusion.
"Tell us what?" Sarah pressed, her brows furrowing.
Palmer straightened slightly, preparing himself. "I'm sure you know the story of how I pledged allegiance to your ancestor. It was a bond sealed with a blood oath—one that binds me to the Montgomery lineage." His voice was steady, but there was an uncharacteristic weight behind it. "Because of that, I can only sustain myself on the blood of your family. One feeding can last me five years, ten if I stretch it."
Damien's eyes widened. "Wait—so you've been starving for 5 years?"
Sarah's expression hardened. "Why would you keep that from us? What would've happened if you died? Who would've looked after us then?"
Palmer hesitated. The dream still lingered in his mind. He had failed them in that vision. But here they were—fierce, stubborn, protective. The realization hit him like a dagger through the heart.
They cared.
They saw him as more than just a servant.
He let out a quiet chuckle. "Well… that's not entirely true as I can't die even in hunger," he replied. His eyes flickered toward Sarah. "But I'll warn you now—it hurts. A lot."
"D-don't think that's enough to scare me," Sarah huffed, gently rolling up her sleeve. "You better become ten times stronger after this, or I swear I'll kill you myself."
Palmer stared at her for a long moment. Then—
He laughed.
A rare, genuine laugh. One filled with something he hadn't felt in centuries.
Warmth.
With a deep breath, his scarlet eyes gleamed, the dark vein-like markings surfacing beneath them. His fangs elongated, glistening under the dim light. He gently took Sarah's wrist, his fingers cool against her skin.
Then, he bit down.
Sarah tensed as sharp fangs pierced her vein, a sharp pain jolting through her arm—but she didn't flinch. She held still, her fingers tightening slightly.
Palmer's entire body reacted instantly.
Power.
Raw, untamed energy flooded his veins, igniting every dormant nerve in his body. His muscles tensed, his mind sharpened, and his senses expanded beyond the walls of the estate. The hunger that had tormented him for a decade was finally, blissfully, satisfied.
His grip tightened ever so slightly, savouring more of her blood before he pulled away, exhaling sharply as the dark markings around his eyes slowly faded.
Valen smirked at the sight, his arms still folded. "I'll leave you three to finish your… bonding moment." He turned on his heel. "I still have unfinished business myself."
With that, Valen strode out of the room, leaving them in the quiet aftermath of the moment.
Palmer's gaze flickered toward Sarah, her wrist still warm in his grasp. He released it carefully, his scarlet eyes meeting hers with something softer than before.
"Thank you," he murmured.
Sarah exhaled, flexing her fingers. "Th-That wasn't as bad as I expected," she admitted, glancing at the faint puncture wounds on her wrist.
Palmer chuckled. "Don't worry. My saliva has healing properties—it'll close up soon."
"Woah… that's kinda cool," she muttered, watching the tiny wounds already beginning to fade.
"Alright, my turn!" Damien grinned, stepping forward.
Sarah shot him a flat look. "Yeah, that'll be a decade later."
Damien scoffed. "Tch. Selfish."
A shared laugh broke through the tension, the lingering weight in the air finally easing.