The wind howled as the forest opened before them, bathed in silver light from the rising full moon. Liora's breath caught in her throat as she stumbled behind Killian, her hand firmly clutching his. The trees around them rustled, but it wasn't just the wind. Something was watching.
They had fled the ruins just in time, before the last echo of her spell had torn open the earth. Whatever had been sealed there for centuries had stirred. Liora didn't know what it was—but her blood had gone cold the moment she heard it whisper her name.
Killian stopped, his muscles taut beneath his shirt. "We're being followed."
Liora nodded. She felt it too—like shadows crawling over her skin, reaching for the curse woven into her soul. "It's not human."
His golden eyes met hers. "We need to make it to the lake. The water there is enchanted. It might buy us time."
They moved faster, darting through twisted roots and silver-lit paths until they broke through the treeline. The lake shimmered under the moonlight, its surface glowing with faint runes only Liora could see. Her mother's spells. Her legacy.
Killian pulled her into the clearing, his grip tightening. "Stay close."
The air changed.
A chill swept over them as the shadows thickened. From the forest behind, a low, guttural growl echoed—a sound that was not quite beast and not quite man. Liora turned sharply, her pulse hammering.
From the darkness, a figure emerged.
It wasn't a wolf. Not fully. It was a creature of nightmares, tall and twisted, its body shrouded in mist, with glowing red eyes fixed on her.
Killian stepped in front of her. "Wraithborn. It followed us from the ruins."
Liora's lips parted in horror. Wraithborn were ancient. Dark creatures bred from corrupted magic and bloodlust. They were said to devour magic-born witches to gain power.
"It wants me," she whispered.
Killian's claws extended as his alpha aura flared. "Then it'll have to go through me first."
But Liora wasn't about to be helpless.
She stepped forward, her palms glowing with light. The spell markings on her skin ignited like flames. "No. It wants cursed magic? It's about to choke on it."
The Wraithborn lunged.
Killian tackled it mid-air, the force of his alpha shift shattering the silence as his wolf form emerged, massive and silver. The two beings collided in a blur of fur and shadow.
Liora chanted, her voice rising with power. Runes circled her as she summoned the lake's enchantments. The waters trembled, and a beam of light shot upward, forming a protective circle.
"Killian! Bring it into the circle!"
He growled in understanding, his wolf form slamming the creature toward her. The Wraithborn shrieked as it touched the boundary. Smoke hissed off its skin.
But it didn't stop.
It pushed forward, screaming Liora's name with a voice that sounded like a thousand broken souls.
Pain exploded behind her eyes. The curse—her curse—was reacting.
"Liora!" Killian's voice was rough as he partially shifted back, bleeding and breathless. "Don't let it break the shield!"
Tears streamed down her face as she screamed the final spell. "Exsolvo damnatis!"
The circle flared.
Light engulfed the creature in a fiery column. It shrieked and twisted, its form cracking like glass.
And then—
Silence.
The light faded.
The Wraithborn was gone. Only ash remained, scattered at her feet.
Liora collapsed, falling to her knees, drained. Her vision blurred, but Killian was there, pulling her into his arms.
"I've got you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I've got you."
She clung to him, shaking.
"It called my name. It knew me."
Killian held her tighter. "That thing... it was connected to the curse, wasn't it?"
She nodded. "And that means more will come."
They sat by the lake in silence for what felt like forever. The moon cast its pale light across the water, and Killian gently stroked her hair.
"What if I become like that, Killian? What if the curse consumes me?"
He turned her chin up to look at him. His eyes were fierce. "Then I'll fight the whole damn darkness to bring you back."
She stared into his eyes. That was the thing about Killian—he didn't make empty promises. He meant every word. And somehow, that made her believe in a future she never thought she'd have.
Liora leaned forward, her lips brushing his.
It wasn't just a kiss.
It was a vow. A spark in the dark.
His lips parted against hers, deepening the kiss, his fingers tangling in her hair. Their magic flared between them, not destructive—but warm, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
When they finally pulled away, breathless, Killian rested his forehead against hers. "Whatever's coming next... we face it together."
She nodded. "Together."
But in the forest, far beyond their reach, a second pair of glowing eyes opened.
Watching.
Waiting.
And the real battle was only beginning...