Chapter 12 – The Edge of the Abyss

The Edge of the Abyss

The morning light did little to chase away the shadows that had settled over Eleanor's mind. Lucian's words haunted her.

"You're already mine, Eleanor. You just don't know it yet."

She clenched her jaw as she wrapped her wrist, hiding the faint burning mark left behind by his touch.

No.

She refused to let him claim her.

As she stepped into the main room of the safehouse, the others were already awake. Maria was sharpening a blade, her expression unreadable. Victor was standing near the window, scanning the street. Zane leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"You look like hell," Zane muttered, eyeing Eleanor.

"Thanks," she shot back.

Maria looked up. "Something happened last night."

Eleanor hesitated. "Lucian came to me."

Victor stiffened. Zane cursed under his breath.

Maria's grip tightened on the dagger. "And?"

Eleanor exhaled. "He… marked me."

Silence.

Father Gabriel, who had just entered the room, froze. His gaze snapped to her. "Show me."

Eleanor hesitated before slowly unwrapping the bandage. The crescent-shaped mark on her wrist still smoldered faintly, as if alive.

Gabriel inhaled sharply. "That's not just a mark."

Eleanor frowned. "Then what is it?"

Gabriel's face was grim. "A tether."

The room felt colder.

Zane narrowed his eyes. "What the hell does that mean?"

Gabriel closed his book, his expression dark. "Lucian has forged a connection with Eleanor. He can sense her. Influence her."

Eleanor's stomach twisted.

Maria swore. "So he can control her?"

Gabriel hesitated. "Not yet. But the bond will grow. The more she interacts with him, the stronger it becomes."

Victor's voice was low. "Then we sever it."

Gabriel sighed. "It's not that simple. This is ancient magic. If we try to break it recklessly, it could…" He shook his head. "It could destroy her."

Eleanor met his gaze. "Then what do we do?"

Gabriel's voice was firm. "We find another way. Before it's too late."

A Desperate Plan

The safehouse fell into tense silence.

Zane was the first to speak. "If he can sense her, then he knows we're here."

Maria nodded. "We need to move."

Victor frowned. "And go where? Lucian's reach is everywhere."

Gabriel tapped the book in his hands. "Not everywhere."

Eleanor leaned in. "What do you mean?"

Gabriel exhaled. "There is a place. An old monastery in the northern cliffs. It's been abandoned for decades, but…" He hesitated. "It was built on sacred ground. Lucian's power might be weaker there."

Maria nodded. "Then that's where we go."

Victor hesitated. "It's a risk."

Eleanor clenched her fists. "So is staying here."

Zane exhaled sharply. "Then we leave at nightfall."

Eleanor turned to Gabriel. "And once we're there?"

Gabriel's gaze was steady. "We figure out how to break the tether. Before Lucian takes you for good."

Lucian's Warning

That night, as the group prepared to leave, Eleanor stepped outside, the cold air biting against her skin.

She knew he was there. Watching.

"You're running," Lucian's voice came from the darkness.

Eleanor turned, her pulse quickening. "I'm leaving."

Lucian emerged from the shadows, golden eyes gleaming. "There's nowhere you can go that I won't find you."

Eleanor lifted her chin. "We'll see."

Lucian studied her, then smiled. "You feel it, don't you?"

She swallowed hard. "Feel what?"

He took a step closer. "The bond between us. The pull."

Eleanor hated that he was right.

Lucian tilted his head. "Do you really think a crumbling monastery will save you?"

Eleanor's breath caught.

How did he know?

Lucian smirked. "You belong to me, Eleanor. And soon, you'll stop fighting it."

Eleanor's voice was sharp. "I will never be yours."

Lucian's expression darkened. "We'll see."

And then he was gone.

Leaving Eleanor with the terrifying realization that no matter where she ran…

Lucian would always find her.

To Be Continued…