The Hunter Arrives

The explosion sent a shockwave through the warehouse, rattling the walls and throwing dust into the air. Evelyn's arms instinctively tightened around Luca as Julian spun, his gun raised toward the open doorway.

Silhouetted against the bright floodlights outside, a tall figure stepped forward. The air around him seemed to ripple with an unnatural energy. He was dressed in a long black coat, his face obscured by shadows. But Evelyn could feel it—the raw power radiating from him, pressing against her skin like a heavy weight.

Julian's grip on his gun tightened. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure took another step, boots echoing on the concrete. Then, in a low, almost amused voice, he answered.

"The one who's been waiting for this moment."

Rayna cursed under her breath. "It's him."

Evelyn's pulse spiked. "Who?"

Rayna's expression was grim. "The Hunter."

Julian didn't hesitate. He fired.

The bullet shot forward, but just as it was about to hit, the air around The Hunter distorted. The bullet slowed—then stopped midair, hovering for a brief second before dropping harmlessly to the ground.

Julian swore. "What the—"

The Hunter finally stepped fully into the light. His features were sharp, his eyes like molten silver. "I expected more from you," he mused, looking directly at Julian. "But I suppose you were never my real target."

His gaze shifted—to Luca.

Evelyn's breath caught. She could feel Luca trembling against her, his fevered body barely able to move. But his eyes, hazy with pain, were locked onto The Hunter.

"You…" Luca whispered.

The Hunter smiled—a cold, predatory thing. "You're stronger than I expected."

Rayna didn't wait for more conversation. She lunged forward, her knife flashing in the dim light. But before she could reach him, The Hunter flicked his wrist. A pulse of invisible energy sent her flying backward, crashing into a stack of crates.

Julian fired again, emptying his clip, but the bullets never touched their target. Each one stopped, hovered, then clattered to the floor.

The Hunter sighed. "Pathetic."

Then he raised his hand—and the room erupted with darkness.

A shadowy force burst outward, swallowing the light, plunging everything into chaos. Evelyn felt herself yanked backward, Luca's weight pulling her down. She hit the ground hard, her ears ringing.

"Evelyn!" Julian's voice was distant, muffled.

She tried to move, tried to reach Luca, but the darkness was thick, suffocating.

Then—whispers. Low, curling voices slithering through the air.

Give him to us.

He belongs to the void.

A cold hand brushed against her cheek. Evelyn jerked away, heart pounding. "No—stay away from him!"

A cruel chuckle echoed in the darkness.

Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the shadows vanished.

Evelyn gasped, blinking against the sudden return of light. She scrambled up—only to see The Hunter standing over Luca, his hand inches from Luca's chest.

"No!"

She lunged, but something slammed into her—an invisible wall holding her back. She could only watch in horror as The Hunter's fingers brushed against Luca's skin.

A sharp jolt of power exploded outward.

Luca's body arched, his eyes wide—then, all at once, the fever vanished. His breathing steadied. The pain in his face disappeared.

The Hunter stepped back, satisfaction gleaming in his silver eyes. "Now," he murmured, "the real game begins."

Then—he was gone.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Julian rushed to Evelyn's side, helping her up. Rayna groaned from where she lay on the floor, shaking off the impact.

And Luca…

Luca slowly sat up.

His hands clenched into fists. His body no longer weak, no longer trembling. His eyes, once dull with fever, now glowed faintly—silver, like The Hunter's.

Evelyn felt her stomach drop.

"Luca…?"

He turned to her.

And for the first time since she met him—

She wasn't sure if it was really him anymore.

—

Next Chapter: The Awakening

What did The Hunter do to Luca? Why did he let them live? And what will happen next?