Seraphina's heart still raced as she hurried down the corridor toward Lysandra's voice. The warmth of Damian's touch lingered on her skin, and the taste of his kiss remained on her lips. She forced herself to focus on the task at hand, though her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.
Lysandra was waiting in the war room, a map of the surrounding region spread across the long oak table. She looked up sharply as Seraphina entered, her expression a mixture of urgency and concern.
"Selene's forces are on the move," Lysandra said without preamble. "Scouts reported a large group headed toward the eastern perimeter. They'll be here by nightfall."
Seraphina's pulse quickened, her earlier moment of passion replaced by cold determination. "How many?"
"Too many for us to hold off without casualties," Lysandra replied. "She's testing our defenses, trying to find a weakness."
Damian entered the room moments later, his presence steadying Seraphina even as her thoughts raced. He took a place beside her, his arm brushing hers, a subtle reassurance that they were in this together.
"We need to act fast," Damian said, his voice firm. "If Selene gains the upper hand at the eastern perimeter, she'll force us into a corner."
Seraphina nodded, her mind already forming a plan. "We'll send a small, skilled team to intercept them. If we can cut them off before they reach the perimeter, we might be able to drive them back without exposing the stronghold."
Lysandra arched an eyebrow. "A risky move, but it could work. Who do you have in mind?"
Seraphina glanced at Damian, her resolve hardening. "Damian and I will lead the team. We'll take a handful of our best fighters—witches who can move quickly and strike hard."
"No," Lysandra said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You're too important to risk on the front lines, Seraphina. If something happens to you—"
"Something's going to happen to all of us if we don't act," Seraphina cut in. Her voice was calm but firm. "Selene isn't going to stop, and we can't afford to play it safe. This isn't just about defending the stronghold. This is about showing her that we're not afraid to fight back."
Lysandra hesitated, her gaze searching Seraphina's face for any sign of doubt. Finally, she sighed and nodded. "Fine. But promise me you'll be careful. We can't lose you."
Seraphina met Lysandra's gaze, her expression unwavering. "I promise."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Seraphina and Damian led a group of five witches through the dense forest surrounding the stronghold. The air was thick with tension, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the faint hum of magic.
Seraphina kept her senses sharp, her hand never straying far from the shard tucked safely in her belt. She could feel its energy pulsing faintly, a reminder of the power it held—and the danger it posed.
They reached a clearing near the eastern perimeter just as the first signs of Selene's forces appeared. Shadows moved through the trees, their shapes shifting and unnatural. Seraphina's heart pounded as she signaled for the group to stop.
"Stay low," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Wait for my signal."
Damian crouched beside her, his eyes scanning the clearing. "They're closer than I expected," he murmured. "We'll need to hit them hard and fast."
Seraphina nodded, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger. The air crackled with tension, the moment stretching out as they waited for the right time to strike.
Then, without warning, the shadows surged forward, and chaos erupted.
The battle was fierce and fast, magic flying through the air like streaks of lightning. Seraphina fought with everything she had, her movements fluid and precise as she countered spell after spell.
Damian was a whirlwind beside her, his blade flashing in the moonlight as he cut through their enemies with deadly efficiency. The two of them moved in perfect harmony, their connection unspoken but unbreakable.
Amid the chaos, Seraphina felt a surge of power from the shard. It pulsed in her belt, its energy building as though it were reacting to the magic around it. She gritted her teeth, focusing on the battle even as the shard's power tugged at the edges of her mind.
"Seraphina!" Damian's voice cut through the noise, sharp and urgent.
She turned just in time to see a figure rushing toward her—a witch cloaked in darkness, her hands crackling with malevolent energy. Seraphina raised her dagger, channeling her magic into the blade as she prepared to strike.
But before she could move, Damian was there, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The attacker fell, their spell dissipating into the night.
Damian turned to her, his breathing heavy, his eyes blazing with concern. "Are you okay?"
Seraphina nodded, her chest heaving. "I'm fine. Thanks to you."
For a moment, the battle seemed to fade away, the world narrowing to just the two of them. Damian reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek, his touch warm and steady.
"I'll always protect you," he said softly, his voice filled with conviction.
Seraphina felt a rush of emotion, her heart swelling with something she couldn't quite name. But there was no time to dwell on it. The battle wasn't over, and Selene's forces weren't going to wait.
"Let's finish this," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Damian nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "Together."
And with that, they turned back to the fight, their magic and determination burning brighter than ever.