CRIMSON MOON

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER 9: BLOOD OATH 1

(Damian’s POV)

The moment Selene spoke that single, damning word—Deal—I knew we had just stepped into something we might not escape.

The Hollow Queen’s smile was slow, sharp, like the blade of a dagger slipping between ribs. "Good," she murmured. "Then we have an accord."

Selene straightened, gripping the dagger tightly. Her face was unreadable, but I knew her well enough to see the tension in her shoulders, the weight of the decision settling into her bones.

The Queen turned, gesturing toward one of her guards. "Prepare the pact."

A thick parchment was brought forward, lined with shimmering gold ink.

A blood contract.

The moment Selene signed it, there would be no turning back. No loopholes. No escape.

"Selene," I said lowly, stepping closer. "Think about this."

Her eyes flicked to me, something unspoken passing between us.

She was thinking about it. She already had.

"I can’t risk losing the Moonstone, Damian," she said, voice steady. "Not if it’s the only thing that can break your curse."

I clenched my jaw. "And what happens when this deal costs you something worse?"

She didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t know.

The Hollow Queen watched our exchange with amusement. "Such devotion," she mused. "Isn’t it beautiful?"

I ignored her. Focused on Selene.

"Let’s find another way," I pressed. "We always do."

Selene exhaled slowly. Then, without another word, she took the dagger and dragged it across her palm.

A thin line of red.

She pressed her bleeding hand against the parchment, sealing the deal.

Magic shuddered through the air.

The contract vanished in a burst of golden fire.

And it was done.

The Hollow Queen smirked. "Lovely." She gestured to one of her attendants. "Give them the location of the Moonstone."

A hooded figure stepped forward, whispering something in Selene’s ear. Her expression didn’t change, but I saw the flicker of something in her eyes.

Recognition.

Alarm.

When the figure stepped away, I moved to her side. "What is it?"

She hesitated, then exhaled. "The Moonstone isn’t in Ravenshade anymore. It was taken to the Ruined Keep."

My stomach dropped.

The Ruined Keep. A place no one in their right mind ventured.

A place that ate people whole.

The Hollow Queen smiled knowingly. "I’d hurry if I were you. You’re not the only ones after it."

Selene nodded stiffly, then turned on her heel. I followed, resisting the urge to grab her, to shake some damn sense into her.

As soon as we were out of the Hollow, I grabbed her wrist. "Selene—"

"I know," she muttered.

"You just signed a deal with the Hollow Queen."

"I know."

"Do you?" I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my frustration from boiling over. "Because this doesn’t just affect you, Selene. That contract—whatever she’s planning—it’s going to come back to bite us."

Her eyes softened, just for a second. "I did it for you."

I shook my head. "I don’t want you risking yourself for me."

"Then stop giving me reasons to."

Silence.

We stood there, the undercity buzzing around us, and I realized something.

She wasn’t just doing this for me.

She was doing this because it was the only way to win.

And Selene Vaughn didn’t know how to lose.

I swallowed, then finally nodded. "Fine. We find the Moonstone."

"And then," she said, voice hardening, "we kill Devereaux."

Her words shouldn’t have sent a thrill down my spine.

But they did.