A blade between Ribs

Chapter 8: A Blade Between Ribs

Selene's hands shook as she flipped through Morgana's grimoire, but she wasn't reading the words.

She was trying to erase the memory of Damien's hands on her body. His fangs teasing her throat. The way she had leaned into his touch instead of burning him alive.

Her magic hummed with something dangerous, something she refused to name.

She needed to get out of this castle.

Before she did something reckless.

A sharp knock at the door broke her thoughts.

Selene turned, already summoning her magic, but when the door swung open, it wasn't Damien.

Isolde.

Selene's fingers curled into fists.

The vampire glided inside, radiating the kind of confidence that came with knowing she had already won.

Selene didn't trust her.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Selene asked coolly.

Isolde's golden eyes flickered to the faint bruise on Selene's throat—the one Damien's grip had left.

A slow smirk curled her lips. "I see our King has been… entertaining himself."

Selene refused to react. "If you have something to say, say it."

Isolde sighed dramatically. "Damien is distracted, witch. And that makes you dangerous."

Selene arched a brow. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

Isolde stepped closer. Too close. "No, darling. It's a warning."

Selene's magic coiled tight, ready to strike.

That was when she heard it.

A second set of footsteps.

The air shifted.

Selene spun just as a blade swung toward her ribs.

Magic flared—just in time.

The dagger collided with an invisible barrier, stopping inches from her skin.

Selene staggered back, fury roaring through her veins.

"You little—"

Isolde lunged again, but Selene was ready.

With a flick of her wrist, flames erupted between them, forcing the vampire to leap back.

But Isolde was smirking.

Selene's stomach twisted.

A trap.

Before she could react, pain exploded through her side.

She gasped, looking down—

A silver dagger buried in her ribs.

A hand gripped the hilt, twisting the blade cruelly.

Selene choked on a scream.

A voice whispered in her ear.

"Don't take it personally, little witch."

A second betrayer.

She tried to summon her magic, but the blade was cursed.

Her power flickered, struggling against the venom sinking into her veins.

Isolde crouched before her, tilting her head.

"Did you really think Damien would choose a witch over his own kind?" she murmured.

Selene's breath shook.

The dagger was yanked from her body, and she collapsed to the floor, blood pooling beneath her.

She barely heard Isolde's next words.

"Put her in the dungeons."

Darkness swallowed her whole.

something she didn't expect it felt like a blow

being in such a vulnerable state

someone as powerful as she is

no one in her kingdom dared to cross paths with her

but there .... she's was nothing...a victim to torture

something she didn't like, a feeling of disgust

even the walls around her shattered with fear and anguish