The hut was steeped in darkness, the air stale with dust and old whispers. Long-forgotten symbols etched into the floor pulsed faintly under Elyndra's sandals, glowing red like blood under moonlight.
This was where she and Theron once came to speak with shadows.
Now, it's only her .
She stood at the center of the room, hands clasped behind her back, head tilted slightly.
"How could it happen?" Her voice was sharp, laced with anger. "Theron was powerful. He trained with the High Guard, mastered three blood runes… and yet he died so easily. At the hands of a wolfless Omega?"
From the far corner of the hut, the air shimmered—thick and oily like smoke, but darker than night. The black aura slithered across the floor and rose, forming a tall, shifting figure without a face, only glowing red eyes like dying embers.
A voice emerged—low, cold, ancient.
"Your accomplice underestimated her. That… is not Daria."
Elyndra's brows pulled tight. "What do you mean?"
"Your sister is dead. Someone—or something—has taken her body. An imposter wears her skin."
Her blood ran cold.
"What?"
"She is not who she claims to be. And worse… she is far more dangerous than we imagined."
Elyndra took a shaky step back, her mouth dry. "Then what do you want from me?"
The shadow twisted like smoke in a breeze, curling toward her.
"Get close to her. Gain her trust. Learn what she is… and what power she harbors."
There was a beat of silence before Elyndra whispered, "And what do I get in return?"
The aura's eyes glowed brighter. The room trembled faintly.
"As promised."
A smile curved across Elyndra's lips.
It was slow.
Cold.
And satisfied.
---
BACK AT THE DEADHUT
Aedric cleared his throat, breaking the hush.
"How is a vampire here in Hermose? Weren't vampires extinct? I thought the Lycan Queen burned them all."
Eleanor rose. Candlelight flickered over her face.
"I thought so too. We believed they were gone."
She opened the door and stepped outside. Aedric followed.
The sky was pale—daylight fading faster than usual. A chill drifted over the woods, even though night wasn't here yet.
She glanced upward.
"The only time you can catch a vampire is at sunset. They fear sunlight… unless they're royal. Royal blood makes them stronger. Near impossible to kill."
Aedric stretched, arms brushing fallen leaves darkening along the path.
"You really know a lot about vampires," he said, voice low.
"Not just vampires," Eleanor replied, her tone sharp. "I know every damned creature in this world."
Aedric smiled, shaking his head.
"You keep surprising me, fake Daria."
She scowled.
"Can you just call me Daria instead of fake?"
He raised a finger and shook it.
"No."
Footsteps approached. A tall guard, Gabel, entered with two warriors and another man. Aedric stepped forward quickly.
"Sir Aedric, what are you doing here?" Gabel asked.
Aedric swallowed and glanced at Eleanor. She stayed silent.
"We're here to investigate the recent deaths," he began. "First Theron, then Klem and Bram. We need to find the Beast before it hurts more people."
Gabel's gaze turned to Eleanor. His eyes widened slightly.
"With a wolfless Omega?" he repeated, stunned.
Gabel eyed Eleanor. "A Wolfless Omega?" he asked in disbelief. He then gestured to the newcomer.
"This is Oakley Brook. Five-decade wolf. He'll examine the bodies to catch a scent. That should lead us to the vampire."
Eleanor crossed her arms, frustrated.
"I don't think the killer has a scent."
Oakley looked at Eleanor steadily.
"And why not?"
Before she could answer, Aedric laid his hand on her arm. It was light, measured. A warning.
"Maybe… you're right. But others need to follow up where we can't."
He squeezed her arm.
"Let's go."
They passed Oakley without another word.
Oakley watched Eleanor with ancient eyes. He seemed to sense something… different.
They reached the forest edge. Shadows kissed the trees.
Aedric paused.
Eleanor broke the quiet.
"Why did you stop me from talking back there? I hate it."
Chest rising slowly, he met her eyes.
"Oh, sorry, madam. But if you keep telling everyone what you know—you'll end up dead. Don't trust people too easily."
She stared at him.
"Fine. But how do I trust you? You don't look trustworthy. You look like you have a motive."
He shrugged, stepping forward.
"Yes, fake Daria. Everyone has a motive. Even you. Share mine, I'll share yours."
Suddenly, an alert chimed inside Eleanor's head.
A word echoed:
[Mooncore: Alert, Danger Incoming.]
She froze.
Something hot trailed through the air—like the sky had bent fire and sent it hurtling through trees.
A fireball whistled toward her.
Instinct took over.
She unleashed super-speed. Feet blurred through the underbrush. She dove aside.
Aedric moved too—fast, pulling her behind an old oak.
They pressed together in a tight space. Eleanor's heart pounded. Her breath came in sharp bursts. Her dress snagged on bark.
Aedric's voice slid low and fierce,
"Stay here."
But she shook her head. Lightning hummed around her.
His voice tightened.
"Eyes…" He looked past her.
His irises glowed dark red. Fangs slid into his lips. Claws extended.
She sensed his transformation.
Eleanor whispered,
"I have Stormbite."
She drew it from her mind. Electricity curved outward in the shape of her invisible sword—glowing threads around her palm.
They stood side by side, facing the darkness.
Another fireball crashed behind them, exploding the ground with a shower of sparks and pine dust.
Wood flakes scattered into their hair.
A third fireball came, this time from above. It punched holes through old branches before hitting the ground.
The fire smelled strong.
The forest glowed, oscillating between flame and dark.
Eleanor pressed herself closer to Aedric.
She whispered, eyes locked ahead,
"Let's end this."
The forest held its breath.
And they prepared.