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He moved then, too fast. One moment he stood by Zaros’ broken body, the next he was in front of me, inches away.

I didn’t flinch. I couldn’t show weakness.

“You reek of desperation,” he murmured, eyes boring into mine. “And love.” He spat the word like it disgusted him. “A weakness. One that will cost you everything.”

I refused to let him see the way his words hit me. Refused to let him know that all I could think about was Annika. Was she safe? Did she make it out?

Aurelius leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper meant for me alone.

“I will find her,” he said. “And when I do, you’ll watch her bleed.”

Rage flared, white-hot and blinding. My hand shot out before I could think, grabbing the dagger at my side and driving it toward his chest.

But he caught my wrist. Effortless. Like I was nothing.

He squeezed, and pain shot up my arm. I gritted my teeth, refusing to cry out.

“You have fire,” Aurelius said, amused. “Good. It will make breaking you more enjoyable.”

He shoved me back, and I staggered, barely keeping my footing.

The shifters circled closer, sensing blood.

I forced myself to stay upright. I glanced at the townspeople, then back at the monster.

“You don’t need them. They’re just pawns. They’re nothing to you. Let them go, and I’ll stay. You want me, right? Just let them walk free.”

Aurelius’ lips curled into a cruel smile, and his eyes flashed with a dark amusement. “Let them go?” His voice was low, mocking. “You really think I’m here for your townspeople, vampire prince? No, you’re wrong. They’re a means to an end. And you? You’re my prize. The one I’ve been waiting for. You, with your bloodline, your defiance… you’re exactly what I need to rule.”

My stomach twisted, my fists clenching. “I’m not your prize. And I’m not afraid of you.”

Aurelius chuckled darkly, stepping closer, his presence suffocating. “Afraid? Oh, I know you’re afraid. I can smell it. You’ve been fighting this, fighting me, for so long. But there’s nothing you can do now. Not when I have everything I need.” He gestured to the shifters, his followers, and then toward the people who trembled in the corners of the crypt.

He took another step forward, his face inches from mine. “You should have known, Lucas. You’ve always been a part of this. You’ve always been mine.”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay composed. “I’m not yours. I’ll never be yours.”

Aurelius’ eyes flashed, his lips curling in an almost predatory smile. “That’s what they all say. And yet, here you are, surrounded by the very people who will suffer because of you. Because of your stubbornness. Your love.” He sneered at the word. “You think I care about any of them? I care about power, Lucas. I care about what’s mine. And you—” He stepped closer, his gaze hard and final. “You will be mine.”

I refused to back down, my mind racing, trying to figure out how to turn this around, but nothing in that moment seemed to make sense. His hold on everything, on me, on my town, on Annika was suffocating. And yet, something inside me still refused to break. Something told me that if I kept fighting, kept pushing, there had to be a way to stop him.

“You’re wrong,” I muttered through clenched teeth. “I’ll stop you. I’ll stop everything you want.”

Aurelius tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “You will try, Lucas. In fact, I will give you a chance to prove yourself right now. Let’s see if you’re truly as strong as you think you are.”

I barely had time to register his words before he was on me, his speed unnerving, almost supernatural. I threw a punch, my fist aiming for his jaw, but he dodged it effortlessly, a twisted smirk playing on his lips.

“You’re slow,” he taunted, and before I could react, his hand shot out, grabbing my arm and twisting it behind my back with an ease that sent a jolt of pain up my spine.

I gritted my teeth, trying to fight through the agony. “I’m not done yet.”

Aurelius chuckled darkly, the sound vibrating through my bones. He released my arm with a flick, pushing me away. I staggered back, trying to regain my footing, but he was already moving again, too fast for my eyes to track. It was like he knew my every move before I even thought of making it. I swung again, desperate to land a blow, but he sidestepped with a speed that left me swinging at air.

“How predictable,” he sneered. “You’re just like all the others, Lucas. You think you can win this fight with willpower alone. But power isn’t about strength. It’s about control. Something you will never have.”

I growled, feeling the frustration build in my chest. Each move I made, he anticipated, dodging with supernatural ease. Iwas so slow compared to him, my instincts sluggish, my reflexes nothing compared to his. My muscles screamed for relief, my heart racing as I tried to think of something, anything, to get ahead of him.

I lunged again, trying a different angle, but Aurelius was already behind me. His arm wrapped around my neck in a tight grip, choking off my breath. I could feel his power coursing through him, so much stronger than mine. He was toying with me, enjoying the struggle.