Chapter 19
The west wing's corridor stretched before Elana and Lucian like a river of darkness, every step echoing against stone walls carved with centuries-old runes. The Blood Moon's light spilled in from high windows, painting everything crimson and shifting, making even familiar shapes appear alien.
Elana clutched Lucian's sleeve, trying to steady herself. Her body still carried the mark's burn, the residual pulse of the hall's power lingering under her skin. Each step made it throb faintly, a steady rhythm like a heartbeat she couldn't control.
"Stay close," Lucian whispered. "The hall senses fear. And Kade knows exactly how to use it."
"I'm not afraid," Elena said, forcing her voice to be strong, though her chest tightened with every shadow that flickered along the walls.
Lucian's jaw tightened, eyes scanning the corridor. "That doesn't matter. The hall doesn't need you to be afraid—it only needs you to react. Hesitation, doubt… that's all it takes to trap us."
They reached a long stretch where the walls themselves seemed to pulse in time with Elana's heartbeat. Crimson veins spread across the stone, moving like molten rivers. Whispers filled the air, low and sibilant, crawling over her ears and brushing her mind.
"Turn back… weak… bound… sacrifice…"
Elana flinched but forced herself to step forward. She felt Lucian's hand tighten on hers.
"Kade's here," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the whispers. "The Blood Moon strengthened him. He can manipulate the hall's magic now. And he's coming for us."
A sudden shift in the corridor made Elena stumble. A wall that had been smooth a second ago rippled outward, forming a shadowed arch. From within, a pair of glowing crimson eyes appeared.
"Kade," Lucian said through gritted teeth. "He's been waiting."
The archway dissolved into smoke as a figure stepped forward. He looked smaller than Elana remembered—but only until the smoke cleared. His grin stretched impossibly wide, teeth sharper than any human's. His coat swept the floor like a living shadow.
"Ah," Kade said, voice smooth as velvet, "there you are. The little human who refuses to understand her place. And Lucian… always so predictable."
Elana felt the air tighten, as if the hall itself leaned toward Kade, eager for the confrontation.
"I won't let you hurt her," Lucian growled, stepping in front of Elana. His silver eyes flared, a faint aura of light curling around his hands.
Kade's grin widened. "Oh, she's already marked. The hall chose her. And soon… the hall will decide if you survive her."
Elana swallowed hard, feeling the hall's pulse thrumming beneath her feet. Every instinct screamed to run, to hide—but she looked at Lucian. The bond, the fever, the mark—they were in this together.
"Then we fight," she whispered, gripping his hand tighter.
Lucian's gaze softened briefly before hardening again. "Together," he confirmed.
The Blood Moon bathed them in red as the hall's whispers rose into a deafening roar.
And Kade stepped closer.
The trial of the Crimson Corridor had begun.
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