**EPISODE 16 — *"THE NIGHT SHE ALMOST LOST HIM"*
The sun had barely dipped below the mountains when the first scream ripped through the silent forest.
Isha jerked up from the old wooden bench outside Lucian's house, her heart slamming against her ribs. She wasn't alone — she had forced Lucian to take a rest after three days of searching for the remaining Shadowborn symbols. He had reluctantly agreed, sitting with his head leaning back, eyes closed, finally looking peaceful.
But that scream destroyed everything.
Lucian's eyes snapped open instantly — glowing crimson.
Not hungry.
Not furious.
**Alert. Protecting.**
"Isha," he whispered, already moving her behind him, "stay close."
Another scream. Closer. Terrifyingly close.
Isha grabbed his wrist. "Lucian— what is that?"
"A wraith," he said, voice dropping to that lethal calm that always made her chest tighten. "A creature Kael resurrects with forbidden blood magic. It shouldn't be this far north."
His jaw tightened.
"He's coming for you."
Before she could process the fear, Lucian wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back into the house. His speed was almost a blur.
"Lucian, wait—"
"No." He pushed her gently behind him. "I will not let anything touch you."
Something slammed into the door with a shriek so sharp Isha covered her ears.
Lucian growled — the sound primal, protective, terrifyingly beautiful.
He turned to her, cupping her cheek. "Listen. Do not move from here."
His forehead touched hers.
"I'll end it quickly."
Her breath caught. "Please be careful."
For a second, his eyes softened.
"I don't know how to be careful when it comes to you."
He kissed her forehead — slow, lingering, full of emotion he hadn't admitted yet.
And then he was gone.
The door burst open the moment he stepped outside. The wraith—tall, skeletal, dripping black mist—lunged.
"LUCIAN!" Isha screamed.
He spun, catching the creature mid-air, slamming it into the ground with strength that didn't look possible. They clashed, claws against steel-hard flesh, fangs flashing, magic sparking.
The wraith hissed, "She will be taken—she belongs to the darkness—"
Lucian roared and tore the creature away from him, throwing it several meters into the trees.
"She belongs to **no one**," he snarled.
Isha ran to the doorway, her heart ripping apart. She wanted to move, to help, to do something — anything. But the fear of distracting him held her frozen.
The wraith lunged again, surprisingly fast, slicing across Lucian's side. Blood bloomed instantly.
Isha gasped.
It felt like the world stopped.
"L-LUCIA—"
But he didn't fall.
He didn't stumble.
Instead, seeing her terrified expression ignited something dark inside him.
His eyes burned bright red.
His fangs descended fully.
The air around him trembled with raw power.
In a blur of speed, Lucian grabbed the wraith and sank his fangs into its throat — extracting the corrupted essence he needed to weaken it.
The wraith shrieked and disintegrated into ashes.
Silence.
Only Lucian's ragged breathing remained.
He stumbled slightly.
Isha rushed to him.
"Lucian!" She grabbed his face, her hands trembling. "You're hurt—your side—oh god—"
He winced but still held her wrists gently. "I'm fine."
"You're **bleeding**!"
He tried to give a reassuring smile.
Failed miserably.
He was too pale.
"Isha…" he whispered softly, "don't cry."
Tears she didn't notice streamed down her cheeks.
"You idiot," she choked. "You always throw yourself in danger—"
"For you," he said simply.
"As long as you breathe, I will protect you."
Her heart clenched.
Her knees almost gave out.
She pressed her forehead to his chest. "Stop saying things like that… you can't just— just risk yourself like this—"
His fingers threaded into her hair, tilting her face up.
"I would die a thousand times for you."
Her breath hitched.
"Lucian…"
He leaned closer.
His thumb brushed her lip.
Her heart pounded.
He wasn't thinking.
He wasn't holding back.
The fear of losing him had broken something inside her — and in him.
Their lips were inches apart—
Until Lucian tensed.
Hard.
"Isha… move back."
His voice was low. Strained. Dangerous.
Her heartbeat spiked. "What's happening?"
He held his side tightly. "Blood loss. Adrenaline fading." His pupils were dilating. "My control… slipping."
She stepped back — but he caught her hand.
"No. Don't run."
His voice trembled, torn.
"I don't want to hurt you. Just… stay where I can see you."
He was fighting his own hunger — fighting to stay sane.
Isha slowly cupped his cheek again.
He leaned into her touch, eyes fluttering shut for a second, like he was absorbing her warmth.
"You won't hurt me," she whispered.
"You don't know that," he whispered back.
"Not when I crave your blood more than anything I've ever tasted."
Her breath shook — fear and something deeper mixing.
But she stepped closer anyway.
"Then take from me."
Lucian's eyes flew open — horrified.
"NO!"
His voice cracked.
"Isha, I will never — NEVER — drink from you unless your life depends on it!"
His hands shook violently as he pushed her gently away.
But then his knees buckled.
She caught him helplessly. "Lucian—!"
He sagged against her, breathing hard.
His head rested against her shoulder.
"You're risking too much," she whispered, tears falling again.
His voice was barely audible.
"You're worth every risk."
She held him tightly, her fingers stroking through his hair, whispering comfort as his breathing steadied.
And for the first time…
Lucian fell asleep
**in her arms.**
The night was silent again.
But Isha knew this was only the beginning.
Whatever was coming next…
would be worse.
And their bond —
stronger than ever.
---
**EPISODE 16 COMPLETE**