Story 738: The Embrace

The battlefield below was a sea of flickering torches, marching boots, and hushed prayers. The Silver Order and Crimson Pact had come with steel, fire, and faith—tools they believed would end the reign of the Pale Widow.

Fools.

Selene Nocturna stood at the shattered window of The Rotting Cathedral, watching with amusement as the mortals prepared their assault. They had no idea they had already lost.

Behind her, the shadows stirred. Kruger hadn’t left.

"You didn’t run." Selene’s voice was silk and smoke, curling between them.

Kruger’s grip tightened around his silver blade. He had watched her for years, hunted her across dead cities and rotting fields, yet here he stood—close enough to smell the blood on her lips.

"I should kill you." His voice was low, as if saying it too loudly might shatter his resolve.

Selene turned to face him, the moonlight catching the golden glow of her eyes, the dark stain on her mouth.

"Then why don’t you?"