Chapter 14: Shadows on the Horizon

The candle flickered in the dimly lit room, its weak glow barely pushing back the darkness. Seraphine sat against the wooden wall, her dagger resting on her lap, the cold metal pressing against her palm. She had spent the night awake, listening to the distant echoes of the city horse hooves clattering against cobblestone, hushed whispers of merchants closing their shops, the occasional cry of a drunkard stumbling through the streets.

The world outside continued as if nothing had changed.

But Seraphine had changed.

She could feel it the shift deep within her. The markings on her arm still tingled, as if something within them was stirring, waiting for her to call upon it.

The Hollow One had claimed something from her, yet in return, she had gained something else. What that was, she did not fully understand.

Not yet.

A sharp knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts.

Seraphine's hand moved instinctively to the dagger as she silently rose from her seat. Her footsteps were soundless as she approached the door, pressing her ear against the wood.

"Seraphine," a familiar voice whispered. "It's me."

Valen.

She exhaled and unlatched the door. He stepped inside quickly, closing it behind him. His eyes immediately scanned the room before settling on her.

"We need to go," he said, his voice low.

Seraphine narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Valen pulled back his hood, revealing his usually composed face marred by tension. "The Inquisition has moved faster than expected. They've locked down the city's exits."

Seraphine stiffened. "So they know I'm here."

Valen nodded grimly. "And they're hunting."

A flicker of something dark passed through Seraphine's mind. The old Seraphine the girl who had once been afraid might have panicked.

But she was not that girl anymore.

"Then we'll have to be smarter," she said.

Valen studied her. "You sound different."

Seraphine turned away, reaching for her cloak. "I am different."

The streets were quieter than usual.

It was a false silence one laced with tension. Every shadow felt heavier, every alleyway a potential ambush. The Inquisition was out there, hiding in the unseen corners of the city, waiting for her to slip up.

Seraphine and Valen moved carefully, weaving through backstreets and side paths, avoiding open spaces.

As they turned a corner, Valen suddenly stopped, holding up a hand.

Seraphine immediately pressed herself against the wall, her breath steady, her fingers wrapped tightly around the dagger's hilt.

Footsteps.

Slow. Measured.

The sound of armored boots against stone.

Seraphine dared a glance around the corner.

Three figures in silver-plated armor walked in formation, their capes embroidered with the sigil of the Inquisition a burning sun surrounded by chains. Their weapons were drawn, glinting under the faint torchlight.

"They're searching," Valen murmured.

Seraphine exhaled through her nose. "Then we keep moving."

But just as they turned, another presence flickered at the edge of her senses.

A sharp, pulling sensation.

Like something unseen had suddenly turned its gaze toward her.

Seraphine barely had time to react before a figure dropped from the rooftops, landing soundlessly in their path.

A woman stood before them.

Tall, clad in dark leather armor, her silver hair flowing behind her like strands of moonlight. Her eyes cold and piercing locked onto Seraphine with eerie precision.

Valen cursed under his breath.

"Inquisitor Anissa."

Seraphine's grip tightened on her dagger.

She knew that name.

Anissa was not just an ordinary Inquisitor. She was one of the First Blades an elite hunter trained specifically to track and eliminate those who defied the divine order.

And right now, her entire focus was on Seraphine.

"I've been looking for you," Anissa said, her voice smooth, almost amused.

Seraphine met her gaze without flinching. "Then you wasted your time."

Anissa tilted her head. "Did I?"

Without warning, she moved.

A blur of motion.

Seraphine barely dodged as a thin, silver blade slashed through the air where she had been standing. She twisted away, landing in a crouch, her dagger raised defensively.

Valen lunged forward, his own weapon flashing, but Anissa was faster.

She pivoted smoothly, avoiding his strike, and with a precise kick to his chest, sent him crashing against the wall.

Seraphine had no time to check if he was alright.

Anissa was already advancing again.

Seraphine gritted her teeth. She could feel the power burning beneath her skin, the remnants of the Hollow One's influence thrumming through her veins.

She had never used it before.

But now she might have no choice.

Anissa struck again.

Seraphine ducked, her instincts sharper than they had ever been. She felt the blade whistle past her cheek, missing by mere inches.

Faster.

Stronger.

She moved differently now fluid, precise. It was as if her body was adapting on its own, reacting before she could think.

Anissa noticed.

Her eyes flickered with something like curiosity. "Interesting."

Seraphine didn't answer.

Instead, she took a deep breath

and let the power come.

The markings on her arm flared to life, dark tendrils of energy weaving through her skin. The air around her shivered.

Anissa hesitated. Just for a moment.

Seraphine struck.

She moved faster than she ever had before, her dagger slicing through the space between them. Anissa barely had time to deflect, her movements losing their previous grace.

Seraphine pressed forward.

The power surged through her unfamiliar, but intoxicating.

Anissa's face was no longer amused. It was unreadable.

Then just as suddenly as the fight had begun Anissa stepped back.

Seraphine didn't chase her. She held her stance, waiting.

Anissa studied her for a long moment. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"This is going to be fun," she murmured.

Then, before Seraphine could react Anissa was gone.

Vanished into the shadows.

Seraphine exhaled sharply, her pulse still hammering in her ears.

Valen groaned from where he had fallen. "Remind me never to fight her again."

Seraphine didn't respond.

She stared down at her own hands, at the markings that still pulsed faintly.

She had used them.

And for a moment just a moment she had felt unstoppable.

But the Hollow One's gifts always came with a price.

And Seraphine had yet to learn what hers would be.