The Wolf's Cage

Eden

My blood boiled as Luna's words echoed in my mind. Disgusting? How dare they speak of Hazel like that? My fists clenched tight, nails digging into my palms. I had no time for this, Hazel was moments away from execution, and I wasn't about to waste a second.

Sonya stood ahead of me, arms folded, a smug smirk tugging at her lips. "You're not going anywhere, Eden."

Luna, the older of the two, took a step forward, her sharp gaze locking onto me. She was different from Sonya more experienced…more calculated. I knew if I hesitated even a moment, I'd lose my chance to reach Hazel.

I exhaled sharply. 'I don't have time for this.'

I lunged first, aiming for Sonya. She wasn't expecting it. My shoulder slammed into her torso, sending her stumbling back. Before I could press my attack, Luna's fist came hurtling toward my face. I twisted just in time, but her knuckles still grazed my cheek, leaving behind a burning sting.

Sonya recovered fast. "You're going to regret doing that."

She pulled a dagger from her waist, infused it with wind and swung. I barely sidestepped, but the blade nicked my arm. Blood dripped onto the wooden floor. No time to worry about that. I had to try and end this quickly.

Luna moved in again. This time, I met her head-on. I caught her wrist mid-swing, twisting it hard. She grunted, forced to drop her weapon, and I drove my foot into her stomach, sending her crashing into the wooden table behind her. Glass and bottles shattered as she hit the ground. 'She must have elemental Fortsia.' I thought to myself as I took a moment to asses everything.

Sonya rushed forward, but I was faster. I swept her legs out from under her, knocking her flat on her back. Without wasting a second, I grabbed a wooden chair and smashed it against the door, blocking their exit. It wouldn't hold them for long, but I only needed a head start.

Luna groaned, trying to push herself up. "You really think you can escape, you damn vampire loving piece of shit!?"

I ignored her comment and sprinted to the open window and jumped.

Pain shot through my legs as I hit the damp earth below, but I forced myself up and ran.

Sonya

I sucked in a sharp breath, pressing my hand against my ribs. Damn. That hurt.

"That little…" I shoved the broken table away, wood scraping against the floor.

Luna was already on her feet, glaring at the now-broken window. "He's going to the square."

I wiped my lip, smearing blood across my hand. "We can still stop him."

She turned to the blocked door, then back at me. "Forget it. We go around."

A grin spread across my face. "Oh, I love a good chase."

We sprinted out the back entrance, weaving through the alleyways. Eden had a head start, but I knew these streets better than he did. If we cut through the old merchant's road, we could beat him to the execution platform.

Luna's expression hardened as she ran beside me. "If he reaches the Vampire…"

"I know," I snapped. "We take him down before that happens."

At least, that's what I told myself.

Luna

By the time we reached the square, Eden was already shoving his way through the crowd.

The executioner's blade gleamed under the sunlight, raised high above the wretched Vampire's head trembling form. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. This was it.

Sonya cursed under her breath. "Damn it, he's fast."

And then he moved.

Eden cut through the guards like they were nothing. His strikes were fast, efficient and filled with anger far too practiced for a boy his age. Was he self-taught? No who trained him like this?

The executioner swung his blade, but Eden intercepted it. The force sent him stumbling, but he recovered quickly. With one final movement, he drove his dagger into the executioner's side.

Screams erupted. The crowd scattered.

Sonya and I stood frozen. This was spiraling out of control.

"We need to stop this," I muttered.

Sonya hesitated. "Maybe…"

I turned to her, frowning. "Maybe what?"

She bit her lip. "Maybe we should let him take her."

I blinked. "Are you insane?"

She looked at me, and for once, there was no trace of her usual arrogance. "Look at him, Luna. He's not doing this just for fun. He cares about her."

I turned back to Eden, watching as he broke Hazel's chains. The way he looked at her… there was something raw in his expression. Something I didn't understand.

Before I could say anything else, he already carried her and they ran off.

Hazel

The cold metal around my wrists vanished, but I barely felt it. My body was too weak, my mind too hazy. But that warmth… I knew that warmth.

"Eden," I whispered with a weak voice.

He held me close, his arms wrapped around me protectively. I could hear his heart pounding against his ribs. His breath was uneven, but his grip was steady.

I had thought I was going to die. I had already accepted it. But then, like always, he was there.

"Eden…"

"Always," he murmured.

I wanted to cry, but I had no tears left. Instead, I let my head rest against his chest as he carried me away from the nightmare.

I didn't know what would happen next.

But for now, I was safe. And that was enough.

End of Chapter