The morning light broke over the Blackwood estate like a fragile promise—soft, golden, and fleeting. Aria stood at the window of their chamber, watching as dawn pushed away the remnants of night.
Lucien lay asleep behind her, his breathing steady, his face finally at peace.
But peace, she knew, would not last long.
Emerson's warning echoed in her mind:
> "This was only the first trial. The demon will try to reclaim him."
She tightened her grip on the windowsill.
The war wasn't over. It had only just begun.
---
A Whisper in the Dark
Down in the forest surrounding the estate, something stirred.
A wind blew, sharp and cold, rustling the branches. In the hollow of a forgotten tree, a shadow slipped through the bark like smoke. Eyes opened—red, glinting. Watching.
Waiting.
A voice hissed through the leaves, too low for human ears.
"He thinks he won."
Another whisper answered.
"He only woke me up."
---
The Ties That Remain
Lucien sat on the edge of the bed, pulling a dark shirt over his shoulders. He looked stronger than yesterday, less haunted. But as he glanced in the mirror, he paused.
A flicker of red glowed in his eyes—so faint it could've been a trick of the light.
He blinked. It vanished.
Aria appeared behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Sleep okay?"
"I did, actually," he replied. "First peaceful sleep in years."
She smiled, but her worry peeked through. "You sure you're okay?"
Lucien turned, taking her hand. "No. But I'm better. Because of you."
They embraced, drawing strength from one another, unaware that the very curse they believed weakened was now changing—becoming something new.
---
A Stranger in the Garden
Later that afternoon, Aria wandered the garden alone. Flowers bloomed along the path—roses, violets, and obsidian lilies unique to the Blackwood lineage. Their petals shimmered under sunlight, beautiful and unnatural.
She paused near the old wishing fountain, staring into the rippling water.
"Thinking of running away?"
The voice startled her.
She turned to see a woman—tall, pale, dressed in a dark emerald cloak. Her hair was white as moonlight, and her eyes… ancient.
"Who are you?" Aria asked cautiously.
"A friend. Or perhaps a warning."
Aria stepped back. "You're not human, are you?"
The woman smiled. "Not anymore."
Aria felt cold dread slide down her spine.
"I come from the other side of the seal," the woman said. "Where the cursed blood was first spilled. Where your lover's ancestor made his pact."
"You're part of the demon world?"
"No. I'm what's left of those who resisted it. But I bring news: the demon is not gone. You may have weakened its hold… but you also awakened its fury."
Aria clenched her fists. "What does it want now?"
The woman's eyes darkened. "You."
---
Secrets in the Library
Emerson stood in the hidden library beneath the estate, poring over books older than civilization. He traced the runes on a page with trembling fingers.
"The demon's mark evolves," he muttered. "If it can't claim the host… it will seek the heart."
He looked up.
"Aria."
He shoved the book into a satchel and ran.
---
The Shadow Strike
Night fell too quickly.
Lucien and Aria were dining in the east wing when the windows shattered—glass rained down, followed by a gust of wind so strong it extinguished every candle in the room.
Lucien stood, eyes glowing faintly. "Get behind me."
A shriek tore through the dark as the shadow poured in—black mist with claws, fangs, and screaming rage. It wasn't the demon itself, but something born of it—its servant.
Lucien threw up a shield of fire, his power flaring to life.
"Come on, then," he growled. "Let's finish this."
The creature lunged.
Flames erupted, colliding with shadow.
But this time, the darkness twisted midair, bypassed Lucien, and hurtled toward Aria.
She screamed as the shadow wrapped around her like chains, dragging her backward.
Lucien turned just in time to see her vanish into the wall of black.
---
The Abyss Beckons
Aria opened her eyes to find herself suspended in a world of smoke and whispers. Shadows danced like serpents, and voices echoed in her mind.
> "You are his weakness."
"His light."
"If we break you… we break him."
She fought to move, to scream, but she was bound by invisible forces.
A shape emerged from the mist—a figure cloaked in darkness, wearing Lucien's face.
But the eyes were wrong.
They glowed crimson.
"You're not him," she whispered.
"No," it said. "I'm what he could become. And you, little mortal, are the only thing holding him back."
It leaned closer, its breath cold as death.
"So I'll enjoy watching you burn."
---
Into the Veil
Back in the estate, Emerson arrived to find Lucien on his knees, his hands bloody and the wall scorched black.
"She's gone," Lucien whispered. "It took her."
Emerson dropped beside him. "We can get her back."
"I don't even know where she is."
"I do."
Lucien's eyes snapped up.
Emerson pulled the rune-stamped book from his satchel. "The veil. The space between this world and the demon's domain. That's where she's being kept."
Lucien surged to his feet. "Then open it."
Emerson hesitated. "Crossing into the veil is suicide. Time doesn't work the same there. And once you go in… you may never return."
"I don't care," Lucien said coldly. "I'm going."
---
A Dangerous Portal
They prepared the ritual in the same chamber as before, drawing sigils in blood and ash.
Lucien stood in the center, shirtless, his skin marked with glowing runes.
"Once this portal opens," Emerson warned, "you'll have one chance to find her. If you take too long… the demon might consume you both."
Lucien nodded.
Flames swirled. Wind screamed.
The portal opened—a vortex of shadow and fire.
Lucien stepped into it without hesitation.