Unrivaled!!!

—Lucius

The vampire hunter's blade glinted in the blue light of the dying lanterns, but to my eyes, it seemed to move in slow motion.

The sound of Shadowvale's destruction faded into the background, leaving only the hunter, myself, and the palpable tension between us.

"I knew there was something off abouat you," the hunter growled, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Should've trusted my instincts and put a stake through your heart the moment you arrived."

I allowed myself a small, sardonic smile. "And deprive us both of this delightful encounter? That would have been a shame."

Without warning, the hunter lunged forward, his blade arcing towards my throat. To a mortal, his speed would have been impressive. To me, it was laughably slow.

I didn't just step aside; I simply ceased to be where I had been standing. In the blink of an eye, I materialized behind him, my breath ghosting over his neck.