A Trail of Shadows

The wind howled through the trees as Selene and Lucian ran. The ruins of the old temple faded behind them, swallowed by the night. Every instinct in Selene's body screamed at her to stop, to turn back, to do something—but she knew that would be suicide.

Morgana was gone.

And now, they had to make sure her sacrifice wasn't in vain.

Selene's heart pounded as she pushed herself faster, dodging low-hanging branches and uneven terrain. The forest was a tangled maze of shadows, but she could feel Lucian beside her, matching her stride.

They didn't speak. They didn't need to.

Their bond hummed between them, an unspoken awareness that guided their movements.

After what felt like an eternity, Lucian finally slowed, coming to a stop near a rocky outcrop. He turned to her, silver eyes gleaming in the darkness.

"We should be safe here for now," he said, his voice low.

Selene bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. "For now," she repeated.

Lucian's expression darkened. "Morgana knew what she was doing."

Selene let out a bitter laugh. "You sound so sure of that."

Lucian didn't answer.

Because the truth was—neither of them knew what Morgana's true plan was.

Selene swallowed hard. "We should keep moving."

Lucian nodded but hesitated. "Before we do… I need to know something."

Selene straightened, watching him warily. "What?"

His gaze searched hers, intense and unrelenting. "Do you regret it?"

Her throat went dry. "Regret what?"

Lucian exhaled. "Us. The bond. Running away."

Selene's pulse quickened. It was a simple question, but it carried so much weight.

She thought of everything—the moment she turned her back on the Order, the night she and Lucian had fled together, the way her heart had betrayed her the first time she looked at him not as a vampire, but as something else.

Something more.

Selene bit her lip, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I don't regret saving you."

Lucian's expression didn't change. "That's not what I asked."

Selene clenched her fists. "You want the truth?"

Lucian nodded.

She took a deep breath. "I don't know what I feel. I don't know what's real anymore. But I do know this—" she stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper, "—whatever this is between us, it's changing me."

Lucian swallowed, his jaw tightening.

Selene shook her head. "I've spent my whole life hating vampires. Killing them. Now, I'm bound to one." Her voice wavered, raw with emotion. "So tell me, Lucian—should I regret it?"

Lucian's breath hitched. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then—

"No."

Selene's heart stilled.

Lucian's voice was quiet but firm. "Because I don't regret it either."

The weight of his words settled between them, heavy and unshakable.

Before Selene could respond, a rustling noise broke the silence.

Both of them froze.

Lucian's hand was on his dagger in an instant. Selene reached for her own weapon, her senses sharpening.

The shadows shifted.

Then—a figure stepped into the moonlight.

Selene's breath caught.

It was a hunter.

And not just any hunter.

"Darius," she whispered.

The man before her was tall and lean, his armor marked with the sigil of the Order. His gaze locked onto hers, cold and unwavering.

Lucian tensed beside her. "A friend of yours?"

Selene's stomach twisted. "Not exactly."

Darius tilted his head. "So it's true." His voice was laced with quiet disappointment. "You betrayed the Order."

Selene's grip on her dagger tightened. "I made a choice."

Darius stepped closer. "A choice to side with a vampire?" His gaze flicked to Lucian, his expression unreadable. "The same creatures you swore to destroy?"

Selene stood her ground. "Things aren't as simple as the Order wants us to believe."

Darius's lips curled into a faint smirk. "That's what they all say. Right before they fall."

Lucian shifted slightly, positioning himself protectively in front of Selene. "You don't want to do this, hunter."

Darius arched a brow. "And why is that?"

Lucian's silver eyes glowed. "Because if you make me choose between letting you live and protecting her…" His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "You won't like my decision."

The tension crackled like a storm about to break.

Darius's smirk faded. "You think you can protect her from what's coming?"

Selene narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Darius exhaled, his expression dark. "The Elders aren't the only ones hunting you. The Order knows what you've done, Selene. And they've sent their best after you."

Selene's blood ran cold.

"No," she breathed. "They wouldn't."

Darius met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "They already have."

A chill ran down her spine.

She had spent years fighting alongside the Order, earning their trust, proving her loyalty. And now, they wanted her dead?

Lucian's voice was a low growl. "Then let them come."

Darius let out a quiet chuckle. "You have no idea what you're up against."

Selene clenched her jaw. "Then tell us."

Darius hesitated. For the first time, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

Then, finally, he said, "The Order isn't what you think it is."

Selene's breath caught.

Lucian stiffened. "Explain."

Darius exhaled slowly. "The Elders want your bond because they fear it." His gaze hardened. "But the Order? They want it because they created it."

Selene's entire world tilted.

She took a step back. "No. That's—that's impossible."

Darius didn't look away. "Is it?"

Lucian's voice was cold. "You're saying the Order planned this?"

Darius nodded. "They've been experimenting for years, trying to create the perfect weapon. A hunter who could wield both human and vampire power. But every attempt failed."

Selene's stomach twisted. "Until me."

Darius's silence was answer enough.

Selene's hands trembled.

Her whole life… everything she had been told, everything she had fought for… was a lie?

Lucian reached for her, his grip steady on her arm. "Selene—"

She yanked away. "I need to think."

Lucian's expression darkened. "We don't have time for that."

Selene met his gaze, something fierce burning in her chest.

"We make time."

Darius watched them carefully. "You have one chance to run before they find you. After that, there's no turning back."

Selene straightened. "I made my choice the moment I left the Order."

Darius exhaled. "Then you better be ready."

Selene swallowed hard.

Because the truth was—she wasn't sure she ever would be.

End of Chapter Eleven.