The cathedral quakes as the altar swells like a living heart, black fire beating in rhythm with Dahlia's body. She jerks forward with a cry, her chest splitting with lightless veins. A tether of shadowfire erupts from beneath her skin, lashing out and sinking into the altar's burning core.
Her scream shreds the silence. The tether pulls taut, dragging her toward the flame.
Damon roars and tears the Scar wide, the black brand across his chest flaring until his flesh splits. He slams his palm against the stone floor. Fire bleeds from him in waves, scorching runes into the cathedral itself. Every heartbeat costs him blood, every breath ash, but he holds. His Scar burns like a chain hooking Dahlia back from the altar's pull.
