Opening tension: "The Host of Seraphim" – Dead Can Dance
Emotional unraveling: "I'm on Fire" (cover) – Chromatics
Ending scene: "Experience" – Ludovico Einaudi
---
A Flash of Gold
The candlelight flickered violently—then died.
Lucian's study dimmed into nothing but moonlight and the faint hum of breath between two hearts too loud to silence.
Kyrell stood at the window, his shirt discarded, his silhouette cut in half by shadow.
> "Something's following me," he said quietly.
Lucian turned, watching him.
> "What do you mean?"
Kyrell didn't answer immediately. He raised his hand, staring at the faint lines appearing across his skin—like scars forming in reverse. Marks of a forgotten past, seeping back like rot through silk.
> "Memories," he whispered. "Or maybe ghosts."
Lucian stepped forward, gently touching his arm.
> "You're safe here."
Kyrell's voice hardened.
> "That's the thing. I don't think you are."
---
Elsewhere — The Council's Underground Chamber
Renak placed a single black vial before Mara on the cold stone table.
> "You'll be the blade. This will be the poison."
Mara stared at the liquid—thick and opalescent, swirling like blood beneath ice.
> "What does it do?" she asked.
> "It strips him," Renak said. "Down to whatever monster he's hiding. If Lucian's blood gave him restraint, this will take it away."
Mara swallowed.
> "And then what?"
> "Then you'll kill him."
> "What if I can't?" Her voice cracked.
> "Then he'll kill Lucian."
Renak's hand hovered above hers for a moment—then withdrew.
> "This isn't about love anymore. It's about who survives."
---
Back at the Castle – The Unfolding
Kyrell stood in front of the mirror again. But this time, the broken pieces showed not his reflection—but moments.
Fangs bared under a full moon.
Claws through flesh.
Lucian's bleeding throat.
A scream.
His own.
He stumbled back, grabbing the table, breath ragged.
> "Lucian—what did I do?"
Lucian appeared in the doorway, watching him quietly.
> "You tried to die," he said. "You begged me to make you forget because you didn't want to hurt anyone else. Especially me."
Kyrell turned, voice trembling.
> "And now it's all coming back."
Lucian nodded slowly.
> "I can stop it. Again."
Kyrell shook his head violently.
> "No. If I forget again, I'll lose you this time."
> "You'll lose yourself first," Lucian said softly.
---
Outside the Castle Walls
A dark mist clung to the trees.
Mara watched from a hidden distance as Lucian stood with Kyrell in the courtyard, their silhouettes backlit by pale moonlight. Too close. Too tender.
> "Do it now," Renak whispered beside her. "Before his power seals. Before Lucian turns fully against us."
Mara's fingers trembled around the vial.
But she didn't move.
> "He's… not a monster," she said, more to herself than anyone else.
> "He doesn't have to be," Renak said. "That's why we strike before the storm."
---
The Calm Before the Collapse
Kyrell turned to Lucian.
> "If I lose control—if something inside me awakens fully—you have to promise me something."
Lucian's jaw clenched.
> "I'm not killing you."
> "Then chain me," Kyrell whispered. "Bury me. Whatever it takes. Just don't let me hurt you again."
Lucian cupped his face.
> "You didn't hurt me. You saved me."
And with that, they kissed again—slow, soft, burning with the weight of unspoken futures.
But neither of them noticed the eyes watching from the shadows.
Or the vial slowly being uncorked.