The forest was silent after the storm of violence. The cabin lay in ruins, its walls shattered and soaked in moonlight. Lucian pushed himself from the broken floorboards, his body trembling with pain and fury. The air still carried the scent of Kael’s curse, thick and poisonous. He called Isabella’s name, but the forest answered only with echoes.
His chest burned with guilt. He had sworn to protect her, and now she was gone. Every part of him screamed to run after her, but the curse fought him from within, twisting his veins, demanding blood instead of mercy. He clutched his chest, forcing himself to breathe, forcing his body to obey him instead of the curse that wanted to consume everything he loved.
Far from the ruins, Isabella stirred in darkness. The air was cold, damp, and smelled o
