Lisa had barely slept. She stayed close to Liam, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that the ritual had shifted more than she'd intended. But as the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, she pushed down her fears. They had no choice but to keep moving forward, even as the shadows deepened around them.
Liam's sleep had been fitful, but he finally stirred, blinking as if waking from a nightmare. His eyes searched the room, landing on Lisa with a mixture of relief and disorientation. She offered him a gentle smile, hoping to ease his mind, though a knot of worry twisted in her stomach.
But as he reached out to her, something in his expression changed—his gaze darkened, his posture stiffened. Lisa felt her blood run cold.
Liam? she asked cautiously, searching his eyes for any sign of recognition.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the voice that came out wasn't his. It was low, venomous, a chilling whisper that sent shivers through her spine.
You meddled with forces you don't understand, child.
Lisa took a step back, her heart hammering. This was no longer Liam. She was staring into the eyes of the necromancer.
The necromancer's presence was suffocating, a shadow overtaking Liam's form, twisting his expression into something sinister and unfamiliar. Lisa gritted her teeth, forcing herself to hold his gaze, even as fear clawed at her throat.
Get out of him, she demanded, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
The necromancer laughed, a hollow sound that echoed unnaturally. You thought a simple ritual could sever my hold? Foolish. You've only given me more strength.
Lisa's heart sank. She'd suspected the ritual could backfire, but hearing the confirmation from his own mouth was worse than any fear she'd imagined.
Let him go, she said through clenched teeth. "You don't need him—leave him alone!
The necromancer leaned closer, his voice a chilling whisper. He's mine, bound by blood and sacrifice. You cannot separate us.
Desperation flared in her chest, but she kept her expression steely. I'll find a way. I won't let you have him.
The necromancer's expression shifted, Liam's features twisted in a cruel mockery of a smile. Such bold words. But you know nothing of what's coming. Release him, sever your connection, or I will bring ruin to everything you hold dear.
Lisa's eyes narrowed. You're lying. You can't return on your own.
A dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes, and Liam's voice, distorted and filled with malice, hissed, Are you willing to bet the lives of everyone in this town on that?
Her blood turned to ice as he continued, You've meddled enough, Lisa. Keep your distance, let him go… or suffer the consequences. His words lingered in the air, thick and oppressive, the weight of his threat pressing down on her like a dark, suffocating cloud.
Why Liam? She demanded, her voice almost a plea. What do you gain by hurting him?
For a moment, a flicker of emotion passed across his face—whether it was Liam breaking through or the necromancer toying with her, she couldn't tell.
It's too late for him, the necromancer hissed. Release him, sever your bond, or I will make you watch as he falls deeper into darkness." He leaned closer, his voice a venomous whisper. Do you really want to condemn him to that?
Lisa felt her breath catch, the enormity of his words crashing over her. She had fought so hard to protect Liam, but now… was she the one putting him in danger?
The necromancer's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as though sensing her hesitation. Good girl, he murmured mockingly, his voice dripping with malice. Perhaps there's hope for you yet.
The words snapped Lisa out of her daze. She took a step back, squaring her shoulders, her resolve hardening. I don't take orders from you.
A flash of anger distorted Liam's face, and for a second, she saw the necromancer's rage burning through. But then, as quickly as he'd appeared, the darkness slipped away, leaving Liam slumped forward, breathing heavily, his eyes wide with confusion.
Lisa? he whispered, his voice barely audible, his body trembling. What… what happened?
She rushed to him, her hands cradling his face, relief flooding her as she saw his familiar eyes staring back at her, though they were clouded with fear and confusion.
Are you okay? She asked, her voice shaking.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, as if trying to center himself. I… I don't know. I remember feeling trapped, like something was pulling me… Then it was like someone else was… I don't know. Speaking through me?
She nodded, unable to hide the pain in her eyes. It was the necromancer. He… he warned me to let you go. He's trying to break us apart, to stop us from fighting him.
Liam's hand tightened around hers, his gaze unwavering. We won't let him win, Lisa. I won't lose to him.
His words bolstered her, but the necromancer's threat still lingered in her mind. Sever your bond, or watch him fall.
She'd been willing to risk herself, but risking Liam was a different matter. Was she leading him into a battle he couldn't survive?
But as she looked at him—his determination, his resolve—she knew she couldn't abandon him. Not now.
I'll protect you, she whispered fiercely. "No matter what it takes."
He smiled faintly, a glimmer of warmth in the midst of the darkness. "And I'll protect you."
They stayed like that, hand in hand, an unspoken promise lingering between them, even as the shadows loomed closer.
But as the first rays of morning crept through the window, Lisa knew their fight was only just beginning. And this time, the stakes were higher than ever.