19. Claudia

19

CLAUDIA

B lood sprays across my face as Saturus' hand plunges into the general's chest. The demon hunter's eyes bulge, his mouth agape in a silent scream. Then Saturus yanks his arm back, ripping out a still-beating heart.

"No!" I cry as my demon lover's body crumples.

I rush to catch him, his weight nearly toppling me. His blood-soaked chest heaves against mine. The metallic scent of gore fills my nostrils, mixing with the acrid smell of sweat and fear that permeates the basement.

"Saturus," I whisper, voice trembling.

He coughs, dark blood bubbling from his lips. "I'm fine," he rasps, but his pale skin and labored breathing tell a different story. His normally vibrant eyes are dulled with pain, and I can feel his body trembling against mine.

My heart pounds. This can't be happening. Not now. Not when I've finally found someone who understands me, who awakened this delicious darkness inside me. The thought of losing him sends a wave of panic through my body, making my hands shake as I try to support him.

"Your sister," Saturus mumbles, gesturing weakly toward Narina.

I glance at my sibling. She's conscious but somewhat dazed. Her clothes are torn, and bruises mar her skin. The sight of her fills me with a mixture of relief and rage.

"We need to go," Saturus continues. "Revenge... later. I'll destroy this place. Kill them all."

His words ignite a fire in my veins. Yes, they'll pay. Every last one of these bastards who dared harm what's mine. I can almost taste the vengeance on my tongue, sweet and intoxicating.

But first, we need to escape.

I nod, supporting Saturus as we move towards Narina. His words echo in my mind. A hundred years? What did he mean?

"Saturus, what did you mean about waiting for me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He grimaces, then meets my eyes. "A contract, made long ago. Your ancestor... summoned me. I was promised his first female descendant. You, Claudia."

The revelation stuns me. All this time, I was meant for him? A hundred years of waiting, of destiny weaving its threads to bring us together. The weight of it settles on my shoulders, both terrifying and exhilarating.

I lean in, pressing my lips softly against his. The taste of blood lingers, but I don't care. This demon, this being of darkness and desire, was always meant to be mine. The kiss deepens, a promise of what's to come, of the eternity that stretches before us.

A soft sob breaks our moment. Narina approaches us, her legs shaky but her eyes clear. Tears stream down her face as she looks at us, a mixture of fear and gratitude in her expression.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice hoarse. "Both of you. But the others... all the other girls... they're dead."

My heart clenches. I reach out, pulling my sister into a tight embrace. "It's going to be okay, Narina. We're here now. You're safe."

She clings to me, her body trembling. I stroke her hair, murmuring soothing words. Saturus watches us, his expression unreadable. There's a softness in his eyes that I've never seen before, a hint of understanding.

"We need to leave," he says softly. "The party continues above. No one knows what's happened here."

I nod, helping Narina stand. We make our way out of the basement, leaving behind the carnage and horror. The stairs creak under our weight, each step a reminder of how close we are to freedom.

Upstairs, the sounds of revelry continue, oblivious to the bloodshed below. Music and laughter filter through the walls, very different from the nightmare we've just escaped. My skin crawls at the thought of the revelers, dancing and drinking while girls suffered and died beneath their feet.

We stumble out of the mansion, the sounds of revelry fading behind us. My arms ache from supporting both Saturus and Narina, but I refuse to let either go. The cool night air hits my face, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the basement. It carries the scent of flowers and distant rain, a reminder of the world beyond this hell.

Saturus straightens, his wounds already healing. He turns to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Claudia, I have a surprise for you."

Before I can respond, a deafening boom shakes the ground. I whirl around, jaw dropping as the dark elf mansion erupts in flames. The explosion lights up the night sky, debris raining down around us. Screams pierce the air, but they're quickly swallowed by the roar of the inferno.

The heat of the blaze washes over us, and I can smell the acrid scent of burning wood and flesh. The crackling of the fire is punctuated by the sound of shattering glass and crumbling stone.

My heart races, a mix of shock and exhilaration coursing through my veins. I turn to Saturus, who's grinning like a child who's just pulled off the ultimate prank.

"You... you did this?" I whisper, awe coloring my voice.

He nods, pulling me close. "Consider it a gift, my dear. No one who hurt you or your sister will survive this night."

I should feel horrified. Guilty. But all I feel is a savage satisfaction. They deserved this. All of them. The darkness inside me purrs with contentment, reveling in the destruction.

Saturus leans in, his breath hot against my ear. "I'll meet you in the glacies. It's my present for you."

"The glacies?" I ask, curiosity piqued.

"My realm is now your realm," he explains, a hint of pride in his voice. "A world of ice and shadow, where desires run wild and unchecked. It's where we truly belong, Claudia. Where you can embrace your new nature fully."

The promise in his words sends a shiver down my spine. A world where I can be free, where I don't have to hide who I am or what I want. It sounds like paradise.

Before I can process his words further, he captures my lips in a searing kiss. I melt into him, tasting blood and smoke and something uniquely Saturus. When we break apart, I'm breathless.

"Go," he murmurs. "Take your sister somewhere safe. I'll come for you soon."

I nod, unable to form words. With one last lingering look, Saturus disappears into the shadows. I turn to Narina, who's staring at the burning mansion with wide eyes.

"Come on," I say, tugging her arm gently. "We need to go."

As we stumble away from the chaos, I can't help but look back one last time. The mansion is now fully engulfed, a beacon of destruction in the night. Flames lick at the sky, consuming everything in their path. The screams have died down, replaced by the relentless roar of the fire.

A smile tugs at my lips. This is just the beginning. The start of a new life, a new me. With Saturus by my side and the promise of the glacies ahead, I feel invincible.

I tighten my grip on Narina's hand and lead her into the darkness. Whatever comes next, I'm ready for it. The old Claudia died in that basement. What emerged is something new, something powerful.

And I can't wait to see what I'll become.