Elysia barely noticed the blood trailing down her arm as she made her way back to the house. Her mind was a whirlwind, replaying every word Ronan had said. The Sanctum's intentions were clear: she was a threat, and they wouldn't stop until she was eradicated. But the presence of this ancient group of hunters was not the only thing troubling her—Ronan's abilities unsettled her even more. No ordinary vampire hunter could have moved the way he had, wielding weapons that felt like they were crafted to kill her specifically.
As she walked through the door, Lucian and Giselle immediately rose from the couch, their faces tense as they took in her disheveled appearance.
"Elysia, what happened?" Giselle's voice was edged with alarm as she rushed forward, her eyes landing on the wound.
Elysia waved her off, pressing a cloth to her arm. "I ran into someone," she said, her voice steady. "A hunter from a group called The Sanctum. His name is Ronan, and he's made it clear they know what I am—and that they won't rest until I'm gone."
Lucian's eyes darkened. "The Sanctum? I've heard of them," he said slowly. "They're more myth than anything, but the stories aren't pretty. They hunt vampires, especially the rare ones with unusual abilities."
"It's worse than that," Elysia replied, the memory of Ronan's chilling smirk flickering through her mind. "He knew exactly what I was, and he wasn't just trying to warn me. He's a seasoned hunter, and his weapons—his blade—felt different, like it was meant to do more than just injure."
Silence settled over the room, the weight of the situation pressing down on them all. Giselle finally broke the stillness. "Then we'll fight them," she said firmly. "We've faced threats before, but this time, we'll be ready. No matter how ancient or skilled they are, they won't take you from us."
Lucian nodded in agreement, a fierce determination in his gaze. "We're with you, Elysia. Whatever it takes."
Despite the tension, Elysia felt a wave of gratitude and relief. She'd spent so much of her existence fighting alone, but now, she had people she could trust—ones who would face danger alongside her. She allowed herself a brief moment of calm before straightening. "We need to be smart about this. If Ronan's a sign of what's coming, we have to be prepared for everything The Sanctum might throw at us."
Giselle's face lit up with a sudden idea. "I know someone who might help us. If we're dealing with ancient magic, there's a witch not too far from here who's dealt with hunters before. She knows spells, charms—things that could give us an edge."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "A witch? Giselle, we don't even know if she'd be willing to work with us. Witches don't exactly have alliances with vampires."
"True," Giselle admitted, "but if there's anyone who could level the playing field, it's her. And I'd rather risk it than face hunters like Ronan without any extra help."
Elysia considered it. Normally, she would be cautious about involving a witch, but desperate times called for desperate measures. "Let's try. We need every advantage we can get."
They left in the cover of darkness, the streets quiet and empty, the air thick with tension. Elysia's senses were on high alert, every shadow and flicker of movement causing her to stiffen. She hadn't expected to be this unnerved, but the encounter with Ronan had shaken her deeply. She kept her hands clenched, ready for anything, as they wound through narrow alleys and empty roads toward the witch's lair.
They reached a small, ivy-covered cottage on the edge of town, hidden away among thick trees and brambles. The windows glowed dimly, casting an eerie light across the yard. Elysia took a steadying breath, knocking on the door as Giselle and Lucian flanked her on either side.
After a few tense moments, the door creaked open, and a figure appeared in the doorway. She was older than they expected, with silver hair twisted into intricate braids, her eyes sharp and assessing as she looked them over.
"Vampires," she said, a hint of disdain in her voice. "You don't see many of your kind seeking my help."
Giselle stepped forward, her tone respectful. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't important, Maura. We're being hunted by The Sanctum. And we need protection."
The witch's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Elysia wondered if she would shut the door in their faces. But instead, Maura studied them in silence before giving a curt nod. "Come in. But know this: I don't work for free."
As they entered the dimly lit room, Elysia couldn't shake the feeling that they were stepping into something dangerous, a deal that could bring as many risks as rewards. Maura moved around the room with a practiced ease, pulling ingredients from shelves and lighting candles that filled the space with a sharp, herbal scent.
"What exactly are you hoping I can do?" Maura asked, her voice neutral as she set a small cauldron over a flame.
Lucian exchanged a glance with Elysia before speaking. "We need spells—protection charms, weapons, anything that could give us an edge against hunters like Ronan."
Maura's expression didn't change, but her hands stilled for a brief moment. "Ronan, you say?" Her voice was quiet, almost thoughtful. "He's no ordinary hunter. If he's after you, you're in deeper trouble than you realize."
Elysia tensed. "What do you know about him?"
"Enough to know he's relentless, and that he won't stop until he's done what he set out to do," Maura replied. She turned back to her cauldron, stirring the contents as she continued. "He's part of a small, elite group within The Sanctum, and they don't take failure lightly."
"So can you help us?" Giselle asked, her tone impatient.
Maura nodded slowly. "I can offer you protection charms. They won't make you invincible, but they'll give you a fighting chance." She glanced at Elysia. "But for someone like you, there may be a price—a counterbalance to your powers. This won't come easily."
Elysia swallowed, realizing that whatever Maura was preparing would exact a toll. But she met the witch's gaze steadily. "Do it."
Maura began to mutter words in a language Elysia didn't understand, sprinkling powders and herbs into the cauldron. The flames flared, casting eerie shadows around the room. After several long moments, she poured the mixture into small, clear vials, handing one to each of them.
"Drink this," she instructed. "It will protect you from most harm, though it comes at the cost of weakening your powers temporarily. You won't be able to use your full strength while the charm is active."
They each took a vial, the liquid inside swirling with a silvery glow. Elysia hesitated for only a moment before downing the contents. A strange warmth spread through her, dulling her senses slightly, making her feel both protected and vulnerable.
Maura watched them with a look of satisfaction. "Now, be careful. Ronan won't be easy to defeat, but this should give you a chance." She paused, her expression shifting to one of dark amusement. "And if you survive, remember this favor. Witches don't work for free."
As they left the cottage, the protective warmth of the charm settled over them, steadying Elysia's nerves. They had a chance now, a thin line of defense between them and The Sanctum. But as they disappeared into the night, Elysia couldn't shake the feeling that their victory, if it came, would be far from easy.