The Hunter’s Shadow

Chapter 9: The Hunter's Shadow

Celestine's mind raced as the weight of Draven's revelation settled in her chest like cold iron. The last heir of the Eclipse Bloodline. The words echoed, unshakable. But before she could fully process them, Lucien's grip tightened around her wrist.

"We need to move." His voice was low, urgent. "Now."

Draven arched an amused brow. "Afraid already, wolf?"

Lucien ignored him, his focus solely on Celestine. "There's a safe passage through the northern ridge. If we leave now, we can stay ahead of the hunters."

Celestine hesitated. "Hunters?"

Draven sighed dramatically. "Ah, yes. I suppose you haven't been properly introduced." His smirk vanished, his expression darkening. "The Order of Obsidian is coming, little star. And they don't believe in mercy."

A cold dread coiled in Celestine's stomach. She had heard whispers of the Order—ruthless assassins trained to eliminate supernatural threats. If they were after her now, there would be no running. Only survival.

A sharp whistle cut through the night air. Lucien stiffened. "Too late."

The first arrow struck the doorframe, barely missing Celestine's shoulder.

Lucien pulled her behind him as Draven's eyes gleamed, his fangs flashing in the dim light. "Well, I do love a good welcome party."

The door exploded inward.

Figures in dark armor flooded in, their blades glinting under the eclipsed moonlight. Lucien moved first, shifting mid-motion into his massive wolf form, claws tearing through the nearest attacker. Draven danced between them like a phantom, his strikes precise, elegant, deadly.

Celestine barely had time to react before a hunter lunged at her. She ducked, barely avoiding the dagger meant for her throat. Instinct took over—her hand shot up, and before she could think, the sigil on her wrist flared.

A pulse of energy erupted from her skin, sending the hunter flying backward with a strangled cry.

Silence followed.

Draven's gaze flickered to her, something dangerous sparking behind his crimson eyes. "Well, well."

Lucien's wolf form towered over the fallen hunters, his growl vibrating through the room. He shifted back, his eyes locked onto Celestine. "We need to go. Now."

But Celestine barely heard him.

Because for the first time, she felt it—the power inside her wasn't just awakening. It was calling to something. Something dark. Something ancient.

And she wasn't sure she could control it.

Chapter 10: The Price of Power

The world around Celestine was a blur of movement and chaos.

Lucien had grabbed her wrist, pulling her through the shattered doorway before she could process what had just happened. Her skin still tingled from the raw energy that had exploded from within her, but there was no time to stop. No time to understand.

Draven was a shadow beside them, his movements fluid as he cut down anyone who dared to stand in their path. The scent of iron filled the air, mixing with the cold night wind as they sprinted into the depths of the forest.

Celestine's breath came in ragged gasps. "Where—where are we going?"

Lucien's grip didn't loosen. "Somewhere safe."

Draven let out a dark chuckle behind them. "That's assuming such a place exists."

A sharp pain shot through Celestine's wrist, forcing her to stumble. The sigil was burning again, pulsing with an eerie glow. Her knees buckled, and Lucien cursed, catching her before she collapsed.

Draven's crimson eyes flickered to her wrist. "It's reacting faster than I expected."

Celestine gritted her teeth, trying to steady her breathing. "What… is happening to me?"

Lucien looked at Draven, his expression dark. "Tell her."

Draven crouched beside her, his voice quieter than before. "You used your power without control. And power, little star, always demands a price."

Celestine shuddered. The heat beneath her skin was unbearable now, twisting like something alive, something waiting to be set free.

Lucien's voice was low, steady. "We need to find someone who can help her before it consumes her."

Draven tilted his head, a smirk playing at his lips. "Or before it awakens what's been buried."

Celestine swallowed hard, dread curling in her stomach. Because deep down, she knew—whatever had just begun inside her, it wasn't something she could stop.

And she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Chapter 11: The Unseen Chains

Celestine's breath was still ragged as they reached the outskirts of the ruined chapel hidden deep within the forest. The air smelled of damp stone and aged magic, a lingering presence of something long forgotten.

Lucien released her wrist, his gaze sharp as he surveyed their surroundings. "We don't have much time. They'll be tracking us."

Draven leaned against a broken column, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "Let them come. I could use the entertainment."

Celestine shot him a glare. "This isn't a game."

Draven chuckled. "Oh, but everything is a game, little star. You just haven't learned the rules yet."

Lucien exhaled, turning to Celestine. "How are you feeling?"

She hesitated. The fire beneath her skin had dulled, but it still pulsed faintly, a reminder that something inside her had changed. "I don't know. It's like… something is trying to wake up."

Draven's gaze darkened. "And when it does, you won't be the same."

Celestine swallowed hard. "What does that mean?"

Lucien shot Draven a warning look. "Not now."

Draven simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "You can delay the truth all you want, but it will find her eventually."

Celestine's fists clenched. "Then stop talking in riddles and tell me."

A sudden gust of wind howled through the chapel ruins, snuffing out what little light the torches provided. Shadows twisted, stretching unnaturally as a deep voice echoed through the chamber.

"You have something that belongs to us."

Lucien's body went rigid, his hand already reaching for his weapon. Draven, however, simply smiled. "Ah, it seems the hounds of the Order have finally caught up."

From the darkness, figures emerged, clad in obsidian armor, their eyes void of warmth.

The Order of Obsidian had arrived.

And this time, there would be no running.