The air in the manor was charged with tension, the violent clash between Dante and the two rogue vampires echoing throughout the grand chamber. Liora's heart raced as she watched, powerless, as Dante fought desperately to hold his ground. His movements were fluid, but the overwhelming number of attackers left him vulnerable. One rogue vampire had his claws deep in Dante's shoulder, forcing him back with a savage growl.
"You're weaker than I thought, Blackwood," the rogue sneered, his eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "You've lost your edge."
Dante gritted his teeth, pushing the rogue off, but the damage had been done. His shoulder pulsed with an unnatural throb, and his grip on his blade faltered for a moment.
Liora's pulse hammered in her throat, panic surging within her. She couldn't stand by and watch any longer. She had to act or risk losing Dante to these enemies. Without thinking, she grabbed the dagger she'd brought with her, feeling its weight in her hand.
With determination, she lunged toward the female vampire, who had been circling her. Her movements were sharp and quick, guided by instinct rather than thought. The female's eyes gleamed as she faced Liora, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
"You really think you can stand up to me?" the vampire hissed.
Liora's blade struck the air as the female vampire dodged with terrifying speed. She twisted, her body pressing against the stone wall as she repositioned herself for another strike. But before she could react, the female vampire moved again, closing the distance between them faster than Liora could comprehend.
"You're out of your league, little human," the vampire growled, her grip seizing Liora's wrist with crushing force.
Liora struggled, but the vampire's strength was overwhelming. Panic surged as the vampire's hand moved to her throat, tightening.
Before Liora could gasp for air, a roar erupted from across the room.
"NO!"
Dante's voice was raw with fury as he closed the distance between them. His form blurred, and in an instant, he collided with the female vampire, sending her crashing into the stone wall with a deafening crash. The impact shattered a vase, sending fragments scattering across the floor.
"Liora!" Dante called out, his voice strained but urgent. "Get the dagger!"
Liora quickly snatched up the weapon again, her breath shallow, chest heaving. The female vampire was recovering, her eyes flashing with malice. She lunged, but Liora was faster. The blade sank deep into the vampire's side, and she screamed in agony, the sound echoing through the chamber.
With one final convulsion, the vampire crumpled to the floor, her body still.
Liora stood over her, gasping, the weight of what had just happened settling over her. She had done it. But Dante was still in danger.
She turned to find him locked in battle with the rogue vampire, his movements slowing, his earlier strength now eroded by the fight. The rogue vampire grinned, confident.
"You can't protect her forever," the rogue spat, his voice dripping with venom. "She'll be mine. And when she is, you'll be nothing but ash."
Dante's lip curled into a sneer. Blood trickled from his lip as he wiped it away, his eyes gleaming with unspoken rage. "Not while I still breathe."
With a roar, Dante surged forward, his fist connecting with the rogue's chest with bone-shattering force. The rogue staggered, but only for a moment before he retaliated. Their fight was brutal, but Dante's fury only grew. He was no longer just defending himself—he was fighting for Liora, fighting to keep her safe.
Each blow Dante delivered seemed to knock the rogue further off balance, until the rogue was staggering and gasping for breath. With one final move, Dante struck him down, sending him hurtling into the far wall. The rogue's body slumped to the ground, unmoving.
Liora's breath caught as she watched the rogue struggle to rise but fail. Dante's expression was hard, his body battered, but he had won. The rogue vampire, defeated, glared one last time before disappearing into the shadows.
Dante turned toward Liora, his gaze softening as he took in her wide-eyed expression. His chest heaved as he struggled to regain composure, his body trembling from the fight.
"You're hurt," Liora said, her voice a whisper as she reached for him. His shoulder still bled, though the wound was already healing, but there was no mistaking the strain in his eyes.
"I'll heal," Dante said quietly, though the pain was evident. His gaze turned distant as he surveyed the room, taking in the damage. The chaos of the fight had left the room shattered—broken furniture, the remnants of a vase, and a silence now hanging over them.
Liora hesitated before asking, "What now?"
Dante turned away, his jaw clenched as he surveyed the broken remnants of the battle. "They will come again," he said darkly. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."
He looked back at her then, his eyes meeting hers, full of unspoken weight. Liora didn't need to ask what the price of protection was. She already knew. It was something both she and Dante would have to pay. A price that would not be easy.