Chapter 9
The shadow detached itself from the tree line with a slow, deliberate grace. Elara's breath caught in her throat as the figure stepped into the moonlight. It was a man—tall, wrapped in a dark coat that seemed to drink in the light around him. His eyes glowed faintly crimson, like dying embers waiting to flare.
Lucien moved in front of Elara instantly, his stance sharp, defensive.
"Stay behind me," he murmured.
The newcomer smiled, revealing teeth that were far too sharp to be human. "Lucien," he drawled, voice smooth as smoke. "You run well. But you knew I would find you eventually."
Elara felt Lucien tense.
"Kade," he answered coldly. "You shouldn't be here."
"Oh, but I should." Kade stepped forward, each footfall echoing faintly against the stone ground. "You broke formation. You disobeyed your oath. And now…" His gaze slid toward Elara. "…you've complicated things further."
Elara felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Kade inhaled deeply, as if savoring the air. "Human scent," he murmured. "Warm. Frightened. Curious. You let her get close to you?"
Lucien didn't answer, but his silence was enough.
Kade chuckled darkly. "How sentimental. I almost forgot what that felt like."
Elara found her voice. "Stay away from me."
Kade tilted his head, intrigued. "Bold. But you don't understand, girl. Lucien's choices bind you now. His oath touches everything around him."
"That's exactly why you won't touch her," Lucien snapped. A faint glow flickered around his hands—moonlit energy swirling like mist.
Kade's smile widened. "So you finally learned to fight back."
In the next instant, he moved—faster than Elara could track. Lucien shoved her aside as Kade lunged, claws slicing through the air. The impact sent both vampires crashing into the courtyard stones.
Elara scrambled back, heart hammering. Sparks burst where their blows collided. Lucien's breath was ragged as he blocked another strike. Kade fought with a cruel ease, his movements precise, practiced.
"You're weaker than before," Kade taunted. "That human girl is softening you."
Lucien snarled, pushing forward with sudden force. "I'm not yours to control."
Kade kicked him back, sending him sliding across the stones toward Elara. He stopped just inches from her, blood trailing down his jaw.
"Elara," Lucien rasped, "run. Now."
But she couldn't—not when he was bleeding, not when he had shielded her from every attack.
Kade stepped toward them, amused. "You protect her like she matters. But humans always break. And when she does, you will shatter with her."
Elara's fear hardened into something fierce. She stood, surprising even herself. "You don't get to decide that."
Kade blinked, momentarily thrown off.
Then he laughed—a cold, delighted sound.
"Oh, this one is interesting."
His eyes flashed brighter.
"Elara," he said softly, "I think I'll take you after all."
Lucien surged up with a roar—but Kade vanished in a blur, retreating into the darkness of the courtyard, his voice echoing:
"This isn't over."
The night swallowed him whole.
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