Chapter 10

Freshly bitten, Evangeline’s wounds seal and the world sharpens into intoxicating clarity. Drawn to Jacks with alarming hunger, she struggles against lengthening fangs and the urge to bite, aware that biting him could make her a vampire.

When Jacks moves to leave, Evangeline’s instincts spike; Chaos appears, explaining that new vampires lack control. His eyes and presence radiate lethal power as he warns her she’s growling and physically restrains her hands when she dents the bars, confirming her strength and volatility under the venom.

Evangeline uses her blood to command the cage to open, but Chaos pins her to the bed, citing Jacks’s request to keep her human. Overheated and desperate for Jacks’s cooling presence, she argues he doesn’t care beyond using her as a key. Chaos insists Jacks doesn’t want this life for her and reveals his own motive: his cursed helm, bound by Valor magic.

Pressed close, Evangeline notices the helm’s glowing Valor script. Chaos admits her blood can’t break it, but a “back door” through the Valory can—tying his goal to Jacks’s. He claims certainty that the Valory can free him, exposing why he and Jacks are aligned.

Jacks returns, furious at the compromising scene. With Evangeline’s hunger peaking and the risk of biting imminent, Chaos orders Jacks to leave unless he’s willing for her to turn. After a tense pause, Jacks storms out, choosing distance to protect Evangeline from transforming.