The chains that held me to the tree felt like molten iron, searing into my skin as I fought to break free. My gown was ripped above my knee, and every movement sent waves of agony through my body. I couldn't scream, couldn't use my powers — every attempt was met with excruciating pain. My strength was waning, and the darkness seemed to close in around me.
In front of me stood an older man, cold and unyielding. Stefan stood beside me, his gaze fixed on me, yet distant, as if torn between what he wanted and what was being forced upon him. The man held the legendary Sword of Goujian — the oldest, deadliest sword known to them. "If you want to see your mother again, you must kill her, Stefan."
My heart pounded, and a sharp, cold fear gripped me. My eyes flickered between gold, red, and then
