I swallowed hard, my body frozen as I stared at him. The weight of the situation crashed over me like a wave. Hadrian wasn’t just offering a few drops of blood—he was risking so much more. My survival was in his hands, but if anyone found out what he had done, it could cost him his life. I had no doubt that Caspian would keep the secret. He had no reason not to. But the real danger lay in ensuring no one else ever discovered the truth.

“I... I won’t tell anyone. I swear I’ll ...