CHAPTER 2: The calm before the storm

Eloise's pov

The war room reeked of burning wax and aged parchment. Maps stretched across the wooden table, filled with scrawled-out battle formations and markings in deep red ink-the path of blood yet to be spilled.

Eloise stood at the head of the table, her emerald eyes scanning every inch of the map. Every detail had to be perfect.

"We strike first," General Rowan declared, tapping a gloved finger on the border that separated their lands from the vampires'. "Swift and merciless. If we hesitate, they'll overpower us."

Eloise's grip tightened on the dagger at her hip. "Attacking first means risking casualties."

The older witch narrowed his eyes. "You're not getting soft, are you?"

Her jaw clenched. "I would rather tear out my own heart than feel sympathy for a vampire."

A murmur of approval rippled through the room.

Still, something about this felt... wrong.

Her fingers hovered over the sigils carved into the map-arcane symbols meant to bind, destroy, and corrupt. They had spent weeks forging spells powerful enough to shatter the undead.

Powerful enough to end them all.

Lillian's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "And what if they have magic of their own?"

"They do," Eloise admitted. "But vampires rely on their bodies, not spells. Their strengths are physical-speed, endurance, brute force. We fight with magic. That gives us an advantage."

Rowan crossed his arms. "Then let's discuss the real issue-Selene."

The room fell silent.

Eloise felt something cold settle in her chest.

Selene Noctis.

A legend among vampires. A warrior who fought without hesitation, without mercy. The last surviving heir of the Noctis bloodline.

And the most dangerous creature Eloise had ever heard of.

"She's just one vampire," she said, masking her unease.

Rowan scoffed. "One vampire who has killed more witches than any of us combined."

Lillian hesitated. "What if we set a trap for her?"

Eloise considered it. If they could isolate Selene, weaken her, kill her-

Then victory would be theirs.

She exhaled sharply. "Fine. We lure her out. But she dies by my hands."

Because if there was one thing Eloise was certain of, it was this-she wanted Selene dead more than anything in the world.

---

Selene's pov

Blood dripped from Selene's knuckles, pooling at her feet. The vampire before her lay motionless, his throat torn open.

A weakling. Not worth the breath he had wasted.

"Disgusting," she muttered, wiping her hand against her cloak.

A chuckle echoed from the darkened chamber. "You're in quite the mood tonight."

Lucian stepped into the candlelight, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

Selene rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

"I thought you might be interested in our strategy meeting."

Selene sighed. "We don't need a strategy. We slaughter them. That's it."

Lucian smirked. "Ah, ever the poet."

She didn't bother responding.

They walked into the council chamber, where the elders of the vampire clan stood around an obsidian table. Ancient beings with hollowed faces and cruel eyes.

"Selene." One of them inclined his head. "You've been unusually silent about the coming war."

She leaned against the stone pillar, arms crossed. "Because it's a waste of time."

Murmurs spread through the room.

Lucian grinned. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. This is about vengeance, isn't it?"

Selene's expression didn't change, but something dark stirred within her.

Her family's screams haunted her. The smell of their burning flesh. The sound of her mother's last breath.

She had spent years silencing the memories, but they clung to her like shadows.

"Of course, it's about vengeance," she said coldly. "And I'll kill every last witch myself."

An elder spoke, voice rasping with age. "Then you'll be pleased to know we have a plan."

He traced a long claw over the map. "We let them make the first move. The witches are arrogant, too reliant on their magic. If we bait them into thinking they have the advantage..."

"...They'll walk straight into our hands," Lucian finished.

Selene smirked. "Then let's give them something to fear."

Because if war was coming, she would make sure it ended with rivers of blood.