91

91

Ian’s POV

The late afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the living room as I walked in, my mind occupied with the usual concerns of the vampire realm and the ongoing issues with the hunters. The house was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the curtains in the breeze coming through the open windows. I spotted Sophia sitting on the couch, looking pensive as she stared out the window.

As I approached, she looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a questioning look. It was clear she had something important to discuss, and I wondered how serious it was.

“Hey,” I said, my tone as casual as I could manage despite the unease I felt. I leaned down and kissed her forehead and then the side of her lips. “Do you have a minute?”

Sophia nodded, her expression serious. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Is now a good time?”

“Of course,” I replied, settling into the armchair opposite her. “What’s on your mind?”

She took a deep breath, her gaze shifting to the floor before meeting mine again. “I want to ask you something about the realm.”

I leaned forward, sensing the gravity in her voice. “Go ahead.”

“I heard from Jenny about what you said—about possibly taking me to the realm if things got worse,” she began, her voice steady but filled with curiosity. “I need to know… is that still a possibility?”

I felt a tight knot form in my stomach at the reminder. “Sophia, I told you before, I only considered it because I was worried about your safety. Right now, as long as you’re safe here and we can manage the threats, I have no intention of taking you there.”

She seemed to process my words, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. “So, you’re saying you won’t take me to the realm unless it’s absolutely necessary?”

“That’s right,” I confirmed, nodding firmly. “My priority is to keep you safe here. The realm is… different. I don’t want to subject you to that unless there’s no other choice.”

Sophia’s brows furrowed slightly, and she shifted in her seat, clearly weighing her next words carefully. “But what if I wanted to go? What if I asked you to take me to the realm?”

The question threw me off balance. I wasn’t expecting her to say that at all. “What do you mean, you want to go?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise. “Why would you want to go there?”

Sophia looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. “I’ve been thinking a lot about it. The realm is a part of your world, Ian. It’s a place I’ve heard so much about, but I’ve never actually seen it. I feel like… maybe I need to understand it better, to see it for myself.”

I stared at her, trying to absorb her words. “Sophia, the realm isn’t a simple place. It’s full of politics, danger, and customs that are foreign to you. It’s not just a place to visit; it’s a whole different way of life.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But I feel like there’s so much I don’t understand about you and your world. Maybe if I saw it for myself, I could make more sense of everything.”

I leaned back, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I understood her curiosity and the desire to connect more deeply with my world. She was one of us so I guessed it was only a matter of time before she started to get curious. On the other, I was deeply concerned about the potential risks. “Sophia, the realm is dangerous. It’s not a tourist destination. Even with my protection, there are risks you can’t anticipate.”

“I get that,” she replied earnestly. “But don’t you think I deserve to understand what I’m a part of? I know it’s dangerous, but isn’t it better to face that danger with knowledge rather than ignorance?”

Her words struck a chord with me. I had always been protective of Sophia, partly out of love and partly out of fear for her well-being. I wanted to shield her from the darker aspects of my world, but now I was faced with her desire to confront it head-on.

“I see your point,” I murmured. “But this isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about safety. The realm is a complex place, with its own politics and power struggles. It’s not just about seeing the sights—it’s about navigating a world where you’re not only unfamiliar but potentially vulnerable.”

Sophia’s eyes met mine with confidence. “I understand the risks. I really do. But I want to make an informed choice. I don’t want to live in fear or uncertainty about what could happen. If I go there, I’d be doing it with my eyes open.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not just about you making an informed choice. It’s also about how others in the realm might perceive you. You’d be stepping into a world where your presence could be viewed with suspicion or hostility.”

“Then I’ll deal with that,” Sophia said firmly. “I’m willing to face those challenges. I want to be a part of this world in a way that’s more than just being here. I want to understand it, even if it’s difficult.”

Her finality was clear, and though I was torn, I could see her desire to connect with my world. I knew I couldn’t simply dismiss her wishes, but I also had to ensure that if she did go, it was under the safest possible circumstances.

“Alright,” I said finally, “if you’re serious about this, we’ll need to make sure everything is in place. We’ll need to plan carefully and prepare for the risks involved. It won’t be a simple visit—it’ll be a significant commitment.”

Sophia nodded, her expression softening with relief and excitement. “Thank you, Ian. I know it’s a lot to ask, and I appreciate you considering it.”

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re safe,” I promised. “But we need to be realistic about what you might face. The realm is not something to be taken lightly.”

“I understand,” Sophia said, her voice steady. “I’m prepared for that.”

We sat in silence for a moment, both of us deep in thought. The prospect of taking Sophia to the realm was daunting, but it was also an opportunity for her to gain the understanding she sought. It was a complex situation and there were so many things that could go wrong.

After a few moments, I broke the silence. “If we’re going to proceed with this, we need to start preparing. There are things you’ll need to know about the realm—its customs, its people. I’ll make sure you’re as prepared as possible.”

Sophia smiled, her eyes bright with excitement. “I’m ready. Let’s do it.”

“We’ll need to discuss this with the others,” I said. “They’ll need to be aware of what’s happening, and we’ll need their support and input.”

“Of course,” Sophia agreed. “I want everyone to be on board with this.”

As we continued our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in Sophia’s courage. She was facing the unknown with a strength that was both inspiring and humbling. It was clear that she was ready to embrace everything about being a vampire and I didn’t mind helping her navigate everything. She needed someone to guide her through it all after all.

The decision to take her to the realm was not one I made lightly, but seeing her so determined made me realize that this was an important step for her, one that would help her find her place in both my world and her own.

“I’ll make the arrangements,” I said, standing up. “We’ll need to be thorough in our preparations. But for now, let’s take it one step at a time.”

Sophia stood up as well, her face radiating a mixture of excitement and anticipation. “Thank you, Ian. I’m looking forward to this, even though I might end up not liking it.”

“I am too,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure you’ll love it. And if you don’t, we’ll face it together.”

As we headed towards the kitchen to discuss the details further, I felt a lot of pride for her. She had barely gotten out of the grasp of the hunters alive, and she was already ready to take another risk. And I couldn’t refuse her. She was bound to visit the realm in one way or the other anyways.