Chapter 49: The Monster Takes Hold

The battlefield was silent.

Smoke curled from the burned-out wreckage, bodies scattered across the ground. Blood soaked the pavement, mixing with rain and ash.

Shade stood in the center of it all, his fists clenched, his breathing ragged.

And his veins?

They were black.

The hunger inside him pulsed, roared, demanding more.

Selene stood a few feet away, smirking. "Now do you see?"

Shade exhaled, his hands trembling. He felt high—his senses sharpened, his strength amplified. He had never moved like that before. Never killed like that before.

He had crossed a line tonight.

And the worst part?

It felt good.

Jade was staring at him like she didn't recognize him. "Shade… what did you do?"

Shade's pulse pounded. He couldn't answer.

Because he didn't know anymore.

Selene stepped closer, her voice like silk. "This city belongs to us now. And you—" She reached up, brushing his jaw, her touch electric. "You could rule it."

Shade swallowed hard.

Because for the first time?

He wanted to.

Jade's voice was tight. "No."

Shade turned.

Jade's hands were shaking as she pointed her gun at him.

"You don't get to do this."

Shade's chest tightened. "Jade—"

Her voice broke. "I know you. And this? This isn't you."

Selene chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart. He's finally becoming who he was meant to be."

Jade's jaw clenched. "No."

She took a step closer, her gun still raised.

"You're better than this."

Shade exhaled slowly. "I don't think I am."

Jade's grip tightened on the trigger.

"Then I'll stop you."

And that was when Shade realized—

This wasn't just a fight for the city anymore.

This was a fight for his soul.