Celeste Veyre’s heart—or whatever passed for it now—pounded in her chest as she shrieked, flailing against the silver chains that bound her. Every instinct screamed to run, fight, survive, but the spell left her no time for finesse. Celeste’s wide hazel eyes flickered in disbelief. Humans weren’t supposed to be this brave. Or this reckless. Her instincts screamed, Don’t trust them! But another part—a smaller, desperate part—clung to hope. “Don’t—don’t touch me! I can handle it!” Celeste yelled, the chains burning against her wrists. Every second burned like fire on Celeste’s skin, but Daisy’s hands were steady, determined. Somehow, she pulled at the silver chains with strength born from adrenaline and moral conviction, not supernatural speed. “I… I don’t know your name!” Celeste gasped, voice trembling but tinged with awe.Celeste hesitated, eyes darting to the streets where vampires screamed and crumbled under the sunlight spell. But trust? Trust felt like the only option left.“Okay… okay, I trust you,” she whispered. For the first time since being turned, Celeste laughed — weak, hoarse, but genuine. “I think… I like humans like you,” she said, voice trembling with gratitude.