Kael’s heart pounded in his chest as he carried Bella through the war-torn compound. Every step felt like a battle, every second like a war of its own. His mind raced with thoughts of revenge, but all that mattered in this moment was getting Bella to safety. The sight of her broken body in his arms was enough to ignite the fury burning inside him. She couldn’t die. Not like this. He would make sure of it.
Behind him, Misery and Lira followed closely, their steps quick and purposeful as they kept watch for any sign of Esmera’s remaining forces. The air was thick with tension, and Kael could feel it—Esmera was still out there, waiting for her next move.
Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows, and Kael’s instincts flared. He froze, his body tense as his hand instinctively reached for his blade. But it was too late.
A wicked laugh echoed through the air, and Kael’s blood ran cold. Esmera emerged from the darkness, her eyes gleaming with malice. She was alone, but her presence alone was enough to send a shiver down Kael’s spine.
“Well, well,” Esmera said, her voice dripping with venom. “I didn’t think you’d make it this far, Kael. But I suppose even the mighty can fall.”
Kael’s grip tightened on Bella, his eyes burning with rage. He had been expecting this. He had known Esmera wouldn’t let him escape without a fight, but seeing her now, so smug and self-assured, only made his anger flare hotter.
“Leave her alone, Esmera,” Kael growled, his voice low and dangerous. “This is between you and me.”
Esmera’s lips curled into a cruel smile as she stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Bella’s fragile form. “Oh, Kael, you’re so predictable. You’re not even capable of understanding the depth of the pain I’ve caused you, are you? You think this is over? No. It’s only just begun.”
With a sudden, vicious move, Esmera lunged at Kael, her hands glowing with dark magic. Kael barely had time to react as her power slammed into him, knocking him back and sending a wave of pain through his chest. He grunted, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud. His vision blurred as he struggled to rise, but Esmera was already on him, her magic tightening around his neck.
“Look at you, Kael,” Esmera taunted, her fingers tightening like iron. “All this power, all this strength, and it still isn’t enough to save her. It never will be.”
Kael gasped for air, his mind hazy with fury and pain. He knew he had to fight back—he had to save Bella. But Esmera’s magic was suffocating him, and for a brief moment, doubt crept in. What if he couldn’t protect her? What if it was too late?
A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, and Kael’s heart skipped a beat. Bella was coughing, her body trembling violently. She was barely conscious, but the sound of her distress sent Kael’s heart into overdrive.
Esmera’s smile widened. “Do you hear that, Kael? She’s suffering. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”
With a growl of pure rage, Kael summoned every ounce of strength left in him. He reached for the hilt of his sword, slashing it through the air, breaking free of Esmera’s grasp. She staggered back, surprised by his strength, but her smug expression didn’t falter.
“You will never win, Kael,” Esmera hissed, raising her hand to strike again.
But just as she launched her next attack, a blur of motion appeared from the side. Ardyn, the one person Kael trusted more than anyone, lunged at Esmera with a blade of his own, forcing her to defend herself.
Kael seized the opportunity, charging at one of Esmera’s allies who had been lying in wait, prepared to strike. In a blur of motion, Kael’s sword connected with the man’s throat, and in one swift motion, he took him down. The man collapsed to the ground, blood staining the dirt beneath him.
Esmera screamed in fury, retreating a few steps, her eyes dark with hatred. “This isn’t over, Kael. I will return, and when I do, I will destroy everything you love. You’ll never be able to protect her. Not when I’m through.”
With that, Esmera disappeared into the shadows, her dark magic lingering in the air long after she had gone. Kael didn’t care. He didn’t have time to chase her.
He turned his attention back to Bella, his heart hammering in his chest. Her body was still in his arms, but now, there was something wrong.
Her breath came in shallow, labored gasps, and blood stained her lips. Kael’s mind screamed in panic, and he lifted her up, cradling her against him, ignoring the blood that coated his hands as he pressed them to her chest.
“Bella… Bella, stay with me,” Kael pleaded, his voice breaking. His entire world had come to a halt as he watched her struggling to breathe, her body trembling uncontrollably. He could feel her life slipping away through their bond, and it threatened to crush him.
“Please…” Kael’s voice was raw with emotion. “Don’t leave me. I can’t lose you.”