Chapter 10: The Battle for Blackwood
286 Words
Blackwood had become a battlefield.
The church bells rang wildly as people fled into their homes. The sky above the town glowed an unnatural crimson, and shadows moved through the streets with terrifying speed.
Lucien's army had arrived.
The Guardian circled overhead, its enormous wings stirring the clouds as Devin, Nina and the remaining members of the Crimson Court raced toward the town square.
"We protected the people first," Devin ordered.
The vampires beside him nodded.
For the first time in centuries, vampires fought not against humans—but for them.
Nina watched as Devin disappeared into the chaos, rescuing families trapped beneath fallen buildings and shielding children from rouge vampires.
He was everything Lucien could never be.
A true king.
Queen Seraphina led Nina beneath Blackwood's oldest church, where a hidden sanctuary had remained untouched for centuries.
At its center stood the restored Moon Crystal, glowing brighter than ever before.
"The crystal has chosen you," Seraphina said softly.
"It wont obey me."
"It doesn't need to."
"It remembers your family."
As Nina stepped forward, the Blood Moon Mark on her collarbone shimmered with silver light.
Visions flooded her mind.
She saw Evelyn.
She saw generations of Hawthorne women secretly protecting Blackwood.
She saw Devin standing in the rain over Evelyn's grave more than a hundred years ago, placing a single white rose on the headstone every year...never missing one anniversary.
Tears streamed down Nina's face.
"He never stopped loving her."
Seraphina smiled gently.
"But love does not diminish when we lose someone."
"It grows."
"And the love he carries for you is entirely your own."
The crystal floated into Nina's hands.
It felt warm.
Alive.
As though it had been waiting for her all along.
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