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“Fine. But if anything happens to you—”

“I know,” he cut me off, a half-smile flickering at the corners of his mouth. “You’ll kill me. You’ve said that a hundred times already.”

I couldn’t help the slight smirk that tugged at my lips. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Callum’s smile faded just as quickly as it appeared. He knew the stakes, and we both knew that a fight like the one we were about to face would leave scars deeper than any physical wound.

“I’m serious, Lucas,” Callum said, his expression hardening. “Don’t go rushing in without thinking. This isn’t just about Annika anymore. We’re fighting something far bigger than we can handle on our own.”

I met his gaze again, my thoughts swirling, and then the weight of his words settled deep in my chest. Bigger than we can handle.

I exhaled slowly, my mind made up. “I know. But I’m not letting her go. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.”

Quickly, we saddled the horses in silence. As we started on our way, even the animals were restless, sensing the tension in the air. Callum moved with his usual efficiency, but his eyes kept drifting back to me. I could feel his gaze, but I didn’t meet it. My thoughts were too consumed by what lay ahead. They were too consumed by Annika and the damnable feeling that every step forward was one I might not come back from.

It was madness. I knew that well. But fear of losing her, of never holding her in my arms again, was far worse than any uncertainty the path before us could bring.

“We’ll find her,” Callum said, finally breaking the silence, as if reading my thoughts.

I nodded, though I didn’t share the same confidence. There was no guarantee. We were heading straight into enemy territory, into a camp filled with shifters and rogue vampires—both bloodthirsty and unpredictable. And with each mile we covered, I felt the pull of the darkness waiting for me in that place. I couldn’t let fear get in the way, but I wouldn’t let myself forget the danger. Not for one second.

“Let’s move,” I said after we dismounted our horses.

I met Callum’s gaze, and for a brief moment, we understood each other. This wasn’t just about Annika anymore. It was about us. About survival. About what we were willing to sacrifice for those we cared about.

We pressed on, the camp growing nearer. I could see the flickering of the firelight through the trees, the shadows of figures moving around the perimeter. I held my breath, trying to remain as quiet as possible. Every step felt too loud, every breath too noticeable.

As we drew closer, a feeling twisted my gut. It was a deep sense of wrongness that I couldn’t shake. I glanced at Callum,and I could see it in his eyes too. This wasn’t just a rescue mission anymore. This was something else. Something far more dangerous.

And there was no turning back.

Chapter Nine

Annika

The walls of my cell felt smaller tonight. The shadows stretched long and sharp, curling in the corners like they were alive, waiting. I paced the cramped space, my legs aching, but the movement kept my panic at bay… barely.

Then I heard it. The noise.

Distant shouts. Metal clanging. The unmistakable sound of a fight. My heart slammed against my ribs.

I pressed myself against the bars, straining to see down the corridor, but the angle was wrong. I couldn’t make out anything beyond the dim torchlight flickering against the stone.

“Come on,” I whispered, a desperate plea to no one.

Lucas.

The sound of hurried footsteps jerked me back, and then Kael appeared. Hooded, breathless. He shoved the door open and slipped inside, closing it behind him with a sharp click.

“Kael!” Relief and panic tangled in my voice. “What’s happening? What was that noise?”

He didn’t answer right away. He ripped back the hood, revealing his tense expression. His jaw was tight, eyes sharp and furious.

“I think Lucas is here,” he said, voice low but brimming with anger.

My breath caught. “What?”

“I didn’t tell him, Annika.” He stepped closer, his voice almost a growl. “I told him to stay put. Told him to wait for the right moment, but he didn’t listen.”