Reclaiming Family

AYA

^CAIRO, 1926^

Alexander’s strong hands gently encased my shoulders, guiding me to face the ocean. His sturdy body pressed against mine from behind, anchoring me. I relaxed into his embrace.

We were perched on the edge of the stark white cliffs, the dark sea below rhythmically pounding against the sandy shore. The sharp, salty air filled my lungs, carrying with it a hint of home.

“Do you see that?” His deep voice vibrated against my back. I knew he was looking at the sliver of land across the Mediterranean.

“It’s home,” I murmured.

He nodded, his chin lightly resting on top of my head. “Are you sure you want to go?” His lips grazed my hair in a feather-light kiss.

I tilted my head back to meet his gaze. His icy blue eyes searched mine, filled with uncertainty.

“I’m sure.”

“Aya…” He hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line, struggling to find the right words. The corner of his mouth twitched.

I spun around in his arms, my own wrapping around his neck, and rose onto my tiptoes. I kissed him slowly, intentionally. His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer to his solid form.

I leaned in farther, lost in the rhythm of our heartbeats—his steady and strong, mine erratic and wild. His scent surrounded me, overpowering, intoxicating. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me even closer.

“Aya,” he groaned against my lips, his voice strained. A shiver of anticipation ran down my spine. His tongue traced my bottom lip before he bit down—gently at first, then harder.

I gasped, feeling the sharp sting of skin breaking, and he dove in hungrily, tasting my blood, his tongue dancing with mine.

My knees weakened, my fingers digging into his shoulders for support. He held me steady, one arm wrapped around my waist while the other roamed my body, exploring, caressing, tangling in my hair. He tilted my head back, trailing wet kisses down my throat, each one igniting my skin.

I squirmed in his grasp, the growing desire between my legs pulsing in time with my erratic heartbeat. The firm hardness pressing against my stomach elicited a desperate whimper from my lips.

I knew he was holding back. His grip on my hips tightened, his fingers digging into my flesh. His restraint only fueled my desire—my need. I was on the brink of shattering.

“I’m sure,” I managed to whisper, my voice rough with longing.

He pulled back just enough to study my face, his dark hair falling into his stormy gaze. I pushed confidence toward him, forcing a smile. “I want to see how they are. I want to see them.”

“They will have changed.”

His fingers brushed my cheek, light as a feather. I leaned into his touch, seeking the warmth.

“It’s only been three years,” I murmured.

“Still, humans change fast.” His thumb slowly traced my bottom lip, sending a jolt of desire through me. My heart pounded against my ribs, my breath hitched in my throat. His attention was solely on me, on my reactions, on my every move.

“Aya, you won’t be able to go to them. You can’t help them. You can only watch from afar. I don’t want that to hurt you.”

“It won’t, Alex. I promise.”

His expression darkened. “It will. I know it will. I don’t want you to suffer. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

I smiled, pressing myself against him. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. “I’ll be fine,” I reassured him. “You’ll be right by my side if I need you.”

“Aya, you will have to work hard at controlling your thirst. You’ll be emotional when you see them. Your hunger will rise. I still think we should wait a few more years.”

“No, Alex. We’re here now. I want to go. You’ll stop me if I get too close. Promise me, you won’t let me hurt them.”

I nudged his chin, and he let out a low grunt.

“Fine,” he muttered. “I promise.”

Relief washed over me. I kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Alex.”

He only grunted in response as I turned back toward the sea, my eyes drawn to the distant glow outlining the Nile Delta. The anticipation bubbling inside me was unbearable. I was only a sea away from my family. The thought sent a thrill of both joy and unease coursing through me.

For the past three years, Alexander and I had been on a global adventure—exploring the deepest oceans, climbing the highest peaks, and indulging in the most exquisite meals. But no matter how thrilling the journey, I couldn’t shake off the longing for the family I had left behind.

We had spent years honing my self-control, pushing my limits, and testing my boundaries. Now, I felt ready. I believed I could face them and resist the thirst.

But Alexander didn’t share my confidence.

Throughout our travels, we had steered clear of other vampires. He had educated me about the pureblood society and his royal lineage. But when it came to his past, his family, his secrets—he kept them locked away. I knew his silence was somehow connected to our constant running.

I could sense his discomfort. I reached out and gently squeezed his hand.

“I trust you,” I whispered softly.

He let out a sigh, planting a lingering kiss on my head. “Let’s go,” he murmured, a wry smile playing on his lips as he pulled me close.

With a grin, I stepped forward, my bare feet brushing the cliff’s edge. Below us, the waves crashed against the rocks, spraying a cool mist on my skin. The scent of the sea mingled with the storm brewing overhead.

Alexander hummed lowly beside me. Then, without a second thought, we jumped.

The icy water engulfed us, pulling us into its depths. I allowed myself to sink for a moment, the darkness enveloping me like silk. Then, I propelled forward, following him through the waves, my mind buzzing with anticipation, my eyes captivated by the ultraviolet hues dancing in the water around us.

We swam in silence, the salt sticking to our skin, the steady rhythm of the current guiding us toward the shore.

Later, we emerged from the river, stepping onto the soft mud. I brushed my wet hair from my eyes and took a deep breath, the cool air stinging my lungs.

Alexander found us a place to rest for the day. I watched as he made a makeshift bed from the long reeds outside. It was a small, thoughtful act, one he had done many times before. Sleeping on dirt wasn’t uncomfortable for a vampire, but a part of me still craved the comfort of a bed.

He knew that. And I loved him even more for it.

As dusk fell, Alexander was already scanning the horizon, his face tense. He seemed restless. Without a word, he reached for me, his grip firm on my wrist as he led me up the bank and into the tall, lush grass.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling his anxiety.

“Nothing,” he replied gruffly, but his sharp eyes scanning the landscape told a different story. “I thought I smelled someone, but the scent is faint. Must be months old.”

He forced a small smile. “Don’t worry about me, little bird. You should be focusing on your thirst,” he reminded me, nodding toward the crocodile lurking in the shallows, its reptilian eyes fixed on us.

I made a face. “I don’t like crocodiles.”

“No one does.” He grinned. “But I need you full of blood, and he has plenty to offer.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, and Alexander chuckled before approaching the beast. The crocodile, sensing movement, lunged from the water with surprising speed, its ivory teeth gleaming in the moonlight.

But Alexander was quicker. He dodged and jumped onto its back, his movements smooth, precise. The reptile thrashed wildly, mud and water flying everywhere, but Alexander had already wrapped his arms around its thick neck.

With a brutal twist, the beast collapsed into the mud, its body convulsing as blood gushed from its torn throat. The scent hit me like a punch.

I walked forward, my thirst intensifying into a painful craving. My fingers trembled as I bent down to the gushing wound.

The first taste of hot, rich blood sent a shiver through me. It scorched down my throat, fierce and intoxicating, quelling the gnawing hunger that had been tormenting me for days.

Alexander watched me with amusement. “Not the most refined meal, I know.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. The hunger overpowered everything else. I drank deeply, greedily, until my stomach was full, and my body vibrated with newfound energy.

When I finally pulled away, breathless and smeared with crocodile blood, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Perfect,” Alexander whispered, pulling me close, his lips meeting mine. The metallic taste of blood was still present, dark and intoxicating.

I could only manage a grunt in response, which made him laugh out loud.

We moved silently through the night, heading toward the small town nearby. The streets were buzzing with human activity—markets closing, restaurants opening, the air heavy with the aroma of spices and roasting meat.

My senses were heightened. The rhythm of their heartbeats echoed in my ears, enticing, calling out to me.

We took clothes from the lines outside the houses. I wrapped a scarf around my head, pulling it across my face, breathing in the lingering smell of soap and sun-dried fabric.

The familiarity of it stirred something within me. I looked at Alexander and gave him a small smile. He squeezed my hand in response.

“I’m sorry, Aya,” he whispered.

I tensed up. “Alex…”

He shook his head, his smile tinged with sadness. “The worst thing I ever did was what I did to you.”

He cleared his throat, his fingers tightening around mine. “If I could change the past, I would. I would have left you alone.”

“Alex, I’m here with you now. And I love you. I don’t want that life. I want this one.”

“I forced this life on you.”

“It’s okay now, Alexander. I’m not scared of this world. I’m free with you.” My voice softened. “I miss them, of course. But I can only thank you for this new life. This endless life by your side.”

His lips brushed against my forehead. “What did I do right to deserve you?” he whispered.

I grinned, nudging him playfully. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m a handful. And now you’re stuck with me.”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

We continued through the town, then the next, the landscape changing as we neared Cairo. The moment the humid air enveloped me, the moment the distant hum of the city reached my ears, I felt my heart beat once.

Alexander noticed. His grip on my hand tightened. I knew he could feel my excitement, the barely contained anticipation vibrating beneath my skin.

It made him nervous. He didn’t want me to lose control. Again.

The shadows of the great pyramids stretched across the horizon. For the first time in my life, I truly admired them—the precision of their carvings, the sheer power in their towering forms.

But my gaze was already shifting elsewhere. The scent of my past hit me like a tidal wave, and my steps faltered.

Around the corner, nestled between bustling streets, stood a small spice shop. My mother’s shop.

The familiarity of it nearly brought me to my knees.

My uncle stood outside, laughing with his friends. My mother worked at her station, grinding spices in a large stone mortar, her hands moving with practiced ease.

Inside, I could hear them—my sisters. Little Femi, Bahiti, Dalila, and Heba. Their voices had changed, matured. Heba would be ready to marry soon. I peered through the dim light and caught a glimpse of her, laughing at one of Bahiti’s jokes.

My body moved on its own, pulling away from Alexander, drawn by the smell of home, of warmth, of a life I had lost.

“Mama,” I breathed, my legs already moving, my instincts screaming for me to run to them.

“No!” Alexander’s voice was a sharp hiss.

In an instant, he was in front of me, a blur of robes and movement as he pushed me back into the shadows. His hands clamped down on my shoulders, his grip bruising.

I snarled, struggling against him. “Let me go!”

“You cannot go to them, Aya,” he growled, his fingers digging deeper into my skin.

“I want to see them!” My voice was frantic, my throat tightening with unshed tears.

“Aya, look at me.” He grabbed my face, forcing my gaze to his. His eyes burned crimson, raw with intensity.

I fumed, trembling against him. My mother’s voice drifted through the warm night air, scolding my sisters.

“I can go in, Alex,” I pleaded. “I’m in control.”

“No, you’re not.” His voice was steel. “I told you, Aya. You were only meant to see them. You cannot talk to them.”

I wrenched at his grip, but he didn’t budge.

“That’s my family,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“I’m your family now.” His tone softened. “It’s just the two of us.” He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a bloody tear. “Just the two of us,” he breathed.

I gulped, my head bobbing in a hesitant nod. Yet, their aroma was still potent in my nostrils. Their pulsating heartbeats still beckoned me.

Alexander’s hold on me remained unyielding. In fact, the more I squirmed, the firmer his grasp became.

“We shouldn’t have come here,” he whispered. “We need to get out. Immediately.”

“No,” I whimpered in protest, but his influence was already seeping into me. His authority, his supremacy. My body was a traitor, the fight seeping out of my limbs.

He rarely used his power against me—only when he perceived danger.

Tears, as red as blood, trickled down my cheeks as I allowed him to lead me away, each step more painful than the last, distancing me from my family.

Suddenly, he halted. He cursed, spinning around abruptly. I crashed into his back, barely managing to keep my balance.

“What’s wrong?” I managed to ask through my tear-filled haze.

Alexander’s silver-blue eyes darted across the desert, scrutinizing the shadows. His entire form was rigid—on high alert.

“Aya, I need you to listen to me,” he hissed. “I need you to trust me.”

A shiver coursed down my spine. “What?”

“Stay here,” he commanded, pushing me behind the reeds. “Wait for me to return.”

I squinted at him. “I’m not a fucking kid, Alex.”

“You’re not in control of yourself right now,” he retorted.

Then his face softened. “I’m sorry, Aya. I had to get you away from there.” He briefly cradled my face, planting a swift kiss on my lips. “Stay here.”

And then he disappeared.

But the scent of my family still hung in the air, and my hunger had never been more intense.