The wind howled through the dense forest as Dante and Selena raced through the shadows, the distant howl of hounds on their trail. The Council wouldn't stop. Not until she was captured… or dead.
Selena's lungs burned, her legs trembling beneath her. Branches scratched at her arms, mud soaked the hem of Dante's shirt she still wore, but she didn't slow. Not with the heat of his grip on her wrist guiding her forward, not with the sound of the beast within him growling low in warning.
"Faster," Dante barked, glancing behind them. His eyes glowed faintly, even in the dark. "We're close."
"Close to what?" she gasped.
"Sanctuary."
They broke through the trees and into a clearing. Before them stood an ancient chapel, half in ruins, vines crawling up its crumbling stone walls. It pulsed with old magic—darker than anything Selena had ever felt.
"This is your idea of safe?" she asked, breathless.
"For now."
Dante shoved open the rotting doors, ushered her inside, and slammed them shut. Candles flickered to life on their own, casting long, dancing shadows across the chapel walls. At the center stood an altar, cracked and scorched. The air smelled of ash and forgotten prayers.
Selena collapsed onto a wooden pew, her body aching. "Why are they hunting me? I'm just… a girl."
Dante's jaw tightened. "You're not just anything. The bond between us awakened something inside you. Power. Magic."
She shook her head. "That's not possible."
He crouched before her, his fingers brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "You've felt it, haven't you? The way your senses sharpened. The dreams that aren't dreams."
She looked away. She had. But admitting it made it real.
"Who are the Council?" she asked.
"Ancient beings. Not quite human. Not quite gods. They enforce the laws of the old world. And they fear what you and I have become."
"So they want to kill me?"
"Or control you," Dante said. "Which might be worse."
She stared at him. "Why me? Why not someone else?"
"Because fate is cruel."
He stood and turned toward the altar. "This place was once sacred. A temple to the old gods. It's protected by wards even the Council won't breach easily."
Selena stood too, crossing her arms. "And what now? We hide forever?"
"No," he said. "We fight."
She scoffed. "With what army?"
"With me."
Her laugh was bitter. "One cursed beast against a council of immortals. Great odds."
Dante's eyes flared. "I wasn't always alone. I had a family. A brother."
"Where is he?"
"Dead. Because of the Council."
Silence stretched between them.
"I won't let them take you," he said finally. "Even if it means unleashing the monster they fear most."
She moved closer, her voice soft. "And what if I become a monster too?"
He looked at her, truly looked. "Then we'll be monsters together."
The words sent a shiver down her spine. Not of fear—but of something darker. Deeper.
She touched his hand. "I'm scared."
He nodded. "So am I."
Suddenly, the candles blew out.
Selena froze. "What was that?"
Dante's voice was a low growl. "They've found us."
The chapel doors exploded inward.
Figures cloaked in shadows entered, weapons glowing with silver light.
Dante shoved Selena behind him. "Stay close."
One of the attackers stepped forward. His voice was ancient, hollow. "Give us the girl, Valerio. Spare yourself."
Dante's fangs bared. "Over my dead body."
"So be it."
Chaos erupted.
Dante transformed mid-leap, claws slashing, teeth ripping. Selena screamed, ducking behind the altar as magic tore through the air.
She watched, helpless, as he fought like a demon. But even he was outnumbered.
One of the cloaked men slipped behind him—sword raised.
"No!" she screamed.
The man froze.
His eyes turned to her—then widened in horror.
Magic surged from her, wild and untamed. The air cracked, the earth trembled.
The man dropped his sword and fled.
The others hesitated.
Dante stood panting, bloodied but alive. He looked at Selena with awe.
"You awakened," he said.
She fell to her knees, trembling. "What did I do?"
He approached slowly, kneeling beside her. "You called to the power inside you. It answered."
"I didn't mean to."
"It doesn't matter," he said. "Now they'll fear you. As they should."
She looked up at him, a spark of determination in her eyes. "Then teach me. Teach me how to fight."
He smiled, something dark and proud. "With pleasure."
In the distance, the Council regrouped.
But inside the ruined chapel, a new fire had been lit.
A queen was awakening.
And the world would burn before they took her.
Together, bound by blood and vengeance, they prepared for war.