Chapter 13 – The Haunting Road

The Haunting Road

The group rode through the night, the darkened forest swallowing them whole. The path to the northern monastery was treacherous—twisting roads, sharp cliffs, and the ever-present weight of Lucian's presence pressing against Eleanor's mind.

She hadn't spoken since they left the safehouse. Lucian's warning echoed in her head.

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

She gritted her teeth and shook the thought away.

Victor rode beside her, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. "You feel him, don't you?"

Eleanor exhaled. "He knows where we're going."

Maria, a few paces ahead, tightened her grip on her reins. "Then we ride faster."

Zane muttered under his breath. "Great plan, except we're heading straight into the mountains—no cover, no escape."

Gabriel turned in his saddle, his expression calm but firm. "The monastery is old, but its wards are intact. If we reach it before Lucian makes his move, we might stand a chance."

Might.

Eleanor felt the mark on her wrist burn hotter, as if responding to his name. Lucian was getting closer.

And the night had only just begun.

The Forest Turns Against Them

The wind howled through the trees, whispering in a language only Eleanor could understand. Lucian's voice intertwined with the wind, seductive and insistent.

"Come back, Eleanor. This is useless. You know how this ends."

She clenched her fists, refusing to respond.

Then—a scream.

Their horses reared back as something moved in the trees. Shadows slithered along the bark, eyes glinting in the darkness.

"Everyone, move!" Victor yelled, drawing his blade.

Creatures emerged from the shadows—twisted figures, their faces warped with hunger. They weren't human anymore.

Lucian's creations.

Maria fired her pistol, the shot echoing through the trees. One creature fell, but more surged forward.

Gabriel raised a hand. "Hold the line!"

Eleanor didn't hesitate. She reached for her dagger, slashing at the nearest figure. Its skin burned where her blade touched.

Lucian's laughter rang in her ears. "You can fight all you want, little flame. But you're only delaying the inevitable."

Victor fought beside her, his movements precise and ruthless. "Eleanor, we need to break through!"

Zane cursed as a creature grabbed his arm, but Maria shot it down before it could sink its teeth into him. "We're getting surrounded!"

Gabriel raised his voice. "We push forward. To the cliffs!"

Eleanor's heart pounded. If they didn't escape now, they never would.

The Chase to the Cliffs

They broke through the trees, galloping toward the cliffs. The creatures followed, but they were slowing—Lucian's power didn't stretch as strongly here.

The monastery's silhouette rose against the sky, its towering arches barely visible in the fog.

"We're almost there!" Maria shouted.

Then—Eleanor's horse reared violently.

A shadow lunged at her. She barely had time to react before she was torn from the saddle and thrown to the ground.

Pain shot through her as she hit the earth. A clawed hand grabbed her wrist.

Lucian's voice filled her head.

"It's over, Eleanor."

She gasped as the shadowy figure tightened its grip. The mark on her wrist burned brighter.

"No—"

Then a gunshot.

The creature howled and staggered back.

Victor pulled Eleanor up roughly. "Not today."

She barely had time to breathe before they were moving again, racing toward the monastery's gates.

Gabriel reached them first, chanting under his breath. The heavy doors creaked open.

One by one, they crossed the threshold.

Eleanor was the last.

As she stepped inside, she felt it—the weight of Lucian's power snapping back.

For the first time in days, his voice was silent.

The doors slammed shut.

They had made it.

For now.

To Be Continued...