The clash with Kael had left the village in ruins. The fire Aria had unleashed still burned faintly in the charred remains of homes, glowing embers defying the storm. Smoke curled upward into the night sky, mixing with the rain to create a choking mist.
The vampires were regrouping, gathering their wounded, and silently counting the cost. Many had fallen, but the wolves had been driven back—for now.
Aria stood at the center of it all, her chest heaving, flames still flickering across her hands as if unwilling to let her go. She was shaking—not from fear, but from the force of her own power. For the first time, she hadn't held back. For the first time, she had let the fire consume her.
Lucien approached, his crimson blade sheathed but still stained with blood. His usually composed face was lined with tension, his eyes fixed on her.
"You saved us," he said quietly. "But that power… it isn't normal. Even for a hybrid."
Aria clenched her fists, extinguishing the last traces of flame. "I didn't ask for this. It just… happens."
Lucien studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice low. "Control it. Or it will control you."
Before Aria could respond, a shout rang out across the ruins. "Captain! We've found something!"
Both turned to see a group of vampires dragging a prisoner forward—a man in tattered armor, his face battered and bloody. At first, Aria thought he was another werewolf scout, but when the torchlight struck his features, her breath caught.
He wasn't a wolf. He was one of their own. A vampire.
"What is this?" Lucien demanded, striding toward the prisoner.
The man spat blood onto the ground, his eyes wild with defiance. "Traitors… all of you."
Aria's stomach twisted. Something about his voice, about the way he carried himself, set her on edge.
"Explain yourself," Lucien ordered, his tone sharp. "You wear our crest, yet you fight with wolves?"
The prisoner laughed, a hoarse, bitter sound. "Do you really think the High Council cares about you? About this war? No… they've already chosen their side."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered vampires. Aria's heart hammered in her chest. The Council?
"What do you mean?" she pressed, stepping closer. "Speak clearly!"
The prisoner's bloodied lips curled into a cruel smile. "You're fighting a losing war. The Council struck a deal with Kael weeks ago. They promised him territory—your land—in exchange for peace. But then you appeared, Aria Blackwood, with your fire and your cursed blood. You ruined everything."
The words struck like knives. Aria staggered back, her mind spinning. The Council betrayed us?
Lucien's face darkened, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "You're lying."
"Am I?" the prisoner sneered. "Why do you think the wolves knew where to strike? Why do you think they were waiting for her? Someone told them. Someone powerful. Someone you serve without question."
The air grew heavy with unease. The vampires shifted nervously, exchanging glances. If what he said was true, then their leaders had sold them out.
Aria's throat tightened. Betrayal burned worse than fire. She had already lost her pack, lost Kael… and now even the people who had taken her in were tainted with treachery.
Lucien grabbed the prisoner by the collar, dragging him close. His voice was low, deadly. "Give me names."
But the man only laughed again. "You'll see soon enough. When the Council's blade is at your back, you'll know I spoke the truth."
Before Lucien could react, the prisoner bit down hard—too hard. His body convulsed, blood spilling from his mouth. A hidden poison capsule. Within seconds, he was dead.
The vampires recoiled, horror etched on their faces. Lucien let the lifeless body drop to the ground, his jaw tight with fury.
Silence stretched across the ruins, broken only by the patter of rain.
Aria's mind raced. If the Council really betrayed us, then there's no safe place. Nowhere to run. Kael isn't just an enemy—he has allies inside our walls.
Her heart twisted at the thought of Kael. She had felt his anger, his pain, when their eyes met. But now, with betrayal on both sides, she no longer knew who she could trust.
Lucien turned to the gathered survivors, his voice hard as steel. "Listen to me. Whatever the truth is, we cannot falter. The wolves will strike again, and next time, they won't retreat. We stand together, or we fall separately. Do you understand?"
The vampires nodded, but unease lingered in their eyes.
Aria looked at Lucien, at the weight he carried as a leader, and felt the storm inside her building again. Her fire burned hotter than ever, demanding release.
First Kael… now the Council. Everyone is playing games with blood. But I won't be their pawn.
She swore silently, flames sparking at her fingertips once more. I'll uncover
the truth myself. And when I do… I'll burn their lies to ash.
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