Lucia's feet hit the pavement, her shoes scrubbing on the uneven cobblestones as she walked through the narrow streets. The cold night air bit at her exposed skin, but she didn't slow down. She couldn't. Behind her, the distant sound of voices carried through the night—sharp, angry, and getting closer.
The town was a maze of twisting alleys and towering brick walls, their weathered surfaces dripping with ivy and rainwater. Shadows stretched and shifted, turning every corner into a potential hiding spot or trap. Lucia's breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself harder, her heart pounding against her ribs. The pendant around her neck swung wildly, catching faint moonlight as she ran. It was the only thing she had left, the only piece of her mother that Evelyn hadn't taken.
A sudden bark of laughter erupted from somewhere behind her, making her stumble. The voices were closer now. They weren't just searching—they were hunting. She clutched the pendant tightly, as if the smooth metal could somehow shield her from what was coming.
Her mind raced, flashing back to the events of the evening. The grand dining room filled with glittering lights and shallow smiles. Evelyn's cool gaze, sharp as glass, as she raised her glass in a mock toast. Soren's tense expression, the way his hands shook slightly as he poured the wine. And then the bitterness on her tongue, the world tilting violently as she realized too late what they'd done. Poison.
Lucia's stomach churned at the memory, the betrayal cutting deeper than any blade could. Her own family. The people who were supposed to protect her. She'd trusted them, loved them, and they'd cast her aside like she was nothing, but how? How was she still alive after all this.
A low growl echoed from one of the side streets, freezing her in place. Her head whipped around, eyes darting to the source of the sound. Nothing. Just the oppressive darkness, pressing in on all sides. She forced herself to move again, her legs trembling beneath her as she turned down another alley.
The smell hit her first—damp earth, tinged with something metallic. Blood? Her stomach twisted, but she didn't stop. She couldn't afford to. The alley opened into a small courtyard, its center dominated by a crumbling fountain. Water trickled from its mouth, the sound unnervingly loud in the stillness.
She did hesitate, her instincts screaming at her to keep moving, but her legs wouldn't cooperate. Her vision blurred, her body weakening from the poison still coursing through her veins. She stumbled to the edge of the fountain, gripping its cold stone for support. Her breaths came shallow and fast, each one a struggle.
A sharp crack broke the silence, the sound of a boot snapping a twig. Lucia's head shot up, her heart stuttering in her chest. From the shadows, a figure emerged. Tall, broad-shouldered, and cloaked in darkness, his eyes gleamed with a predatory light. He didn't move like the others, didn't shout or call out to her. He didn't need to. The air around him seemed to ripple with power, making the hairs on her arms stand on end.
"Running won't save you," his voice was low, almost a growl, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
Lucia's grip tightened on the edge of the fountain as she straightened, forcing herself to stand tall despite the trembling in her limbs. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice hoarse but steady.
The man stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. "A friend. Or an enemy. That depends on you."
She didn't trust the smirk that tugged at his lips, nor the way his eyes lingered on the pendant around her neck. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her body was too weak to obey. Instead, she lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with defiance.
"Stay back," she warned, though she knew it was a hollow threat. Her strength was waning, and he could see it. He tilted his head, studying her like a predator sizing up wounded prey.
"You're stronger than they think," he said, his tone almost... approving? "But strength alone won't save you."
Before she could respond, the sound of distant shouts broke through the tension. The hunters were closing in. The man's expression hardened, his smirk fading. He extended a hand toward her, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach flip.
"Come with me," he said. "If you want to live."
Lucia hesitated, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't know this man, and didn't trust him. But the alternative was certain death at the hands of the hunters. With a shaky breath, she reached out, her fingers brushing against his. His grip was firm and warm, steadying her as the world tilted again.
"Good choice," he murmured, pulling her close as the shadows seemed to shift around them.
Lucia's feet barely kept up with the stranger as he led her through the dense forest. Each step was a battle against the uneven ground, her bare soles scraping against roots and jagged rocks. Her lungs burned with every ragged breath, the cold night air biting at her skin. Behind them, the shouts of the hunters were growing louder, the snap of branches signaling they were closing in.
"Faster," the man urged, his grip firm as he pulled her along. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a warning that sent a shiver down her spine.
She wanted to ask who he was, why he was helping her, but there was no time. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as her instincts screamed to run, to survive. The forest seemed alive around them—twigs cracking, leaves rustling as if the trees themselves held their breath.
Suddenly, he stopped, his hand shooting up in a silent command. Lucia nearly crashed into him, her breath catching in her throat. He crouched low, scanning the shadows that stretched endlessly before them.
"What's wrong?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He didn't respond immediately. Instead, his head tilted slightly, listening. Then, without turning to her, he murmured, "We're not alone."
Her stomach twisted at his words. She followed his gaze, her eyes straining against the darkness. For a moment, the only sound was the pounding of her own heartbeat.
Then she heard it—a low, guttural growl that made her blood run cold. It came from somewhere ahead, too close for comfort. Her fingers dug into the bark of a nearby tree as her body froze in place. Two glowing eyes appeared in the shadows, unblinking and predatory.
The man stepped forward, his stance shifting as though he was readying himself for a fight. His calm composure was unnerving, but it was better than the terror clawing at her chest.
"What... what is that?" she stammered, unable to tear her gaze from the eyes that seemed to inch closer.
He glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "Something they sent to make sure you don't leave this forest alive."
Before she could process his words, the creature lunged from the shadows, its massive form blotting out the sliver of moonlight above.