Chapter 8: First Blood
Aarav moved faster than he thought possible. One second, the hunter was taking aim—the next, Aarav was upon him, knocking the crossbow from his grip. The weapon clattered to the floor as the hunter stumbled back, shock flashing across his scarred face.
But there was no time for hesitation.
The hunger inside Aarav roared, his body thrumming with raw power. He struck, grabbing the hunter by the collar and slamming him against the stone pillar with unnatural strength.
The man gasped, struggling, but Aarav could hear it—his racing heartbeat, the blood pumping through his veins. The scent was intoxicating.
Aarav's fangs ached.
Take it, the voice inside him urged. End him. Feed.
For a moment, he almost obeyed.
But then—
A sharp, searing pain exploded through his side.
Aarav howled, staggering backward as silver burned into his flesh. The hunter had driven a dagger into his ribs, his face contorted in defiance.
"Monsters like you always hesitate," the man snarled. "And that's why we win."
Aarav collapsed to one knee, his vision blurring. The silver—it was spreading through his veins, weakening him.
Seraphina and Selene were still locked in combat with the other hunters, too far to reach him in time. The scarred man wrenched the blade from Aarav's side, raising it for a killing blow.
"Not today," a voice hissed—Selene.
In an instant, she was behind the hunter, her claws raking across his back. The man cried out, stumbling forward, and Selene grabbed Aarav before he could hit the ground.
"Get up," she snapped, her crimson eyes wild. "We're not losing you tonight."
Aarav groaned, the burning pain threatening to pull him under. But something else stirred beneath it—rage.
His vision darkened. The hunter turned to face him again, but this time, Aarav didn't hesitate.
With a guttural growl, he lunged. His hand shot forward, catching the hunter's wrist before the blade could strike again. The man's strength was nothing compared to the force surging through Aarav now.
A wicked grin spread across Aarav's face. "You were saying?"
Then, with one brutal twist, he snapped the hunter's wrist.
The man screamed, dropping his weapon. Aarav knocked him to the ground and, before he could think, sank his fangs into the hunter's throat.
Warmth flooded his senses. Power surged through him. The hunger—relentless, insatiable—was finally fed.
For the first time since this nightmare began, Aarav felt whole.
When he finally pulled away, the hunter lay motionless, his once-burning eyes now lifeless.
Aarav stumbled back, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He wiped his mouth, staring at the blood on his fingers.
He had crossed the line.
He had fed.
Selene's voice was soft, almost proud. "Welcome to the night, Kairos."
Seraphina, standing over the body of the second fallen hunter, turned toward the last remaining intruder. The woman, realizing she was outmatched, bolted for the door.
She paused just long enough to send Aarav a final, hate-filled glare. "This isn't over, abomination. The Order will never stop hunting you."
Then she disappeared into the night.
Silence settled over the mansion.
Aarav's breath came in ragged gasps. His body trembled, the last traces of silver burning away from his wound.
He had survived.
But he wasn't sure he was the same person anymore.
To be continued…