126

126

Sophia’s POV

The darkness of the night surrounded us, thick and silent. Ian and I had fallen asleep in the vampire realm’s castle, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s arms. For once, everything seemed peaceful. The council’s constant pressures, the growing threat of rebellion—it all felt non-existent. In this room, it was just Ian and me.

But peace, I was learning, never lasted.

I stirred awake, not because of a sound, but because of a feeling. Something wasn’t right. My instincts had been sharpening ever since I became a vampire, and right now, they were screaming at me. I sat up slowly, blinking into the darkness, my heart pounding. I glanced over at Ian, still sleeping beside me, his face calm and unbothered.

That’s when I heard it.

A low, guttural growl echoed from just outside the window, followed by the sound of something—or someone—scraping against stone. My breath hitched, and I moved to shake Ian awake when the window shattered.

Glass rained down on us as dark, hulking figures burst into the room. Werewolves. Their yellow eyes glowed with malicious intent, their bodies massive and covered in thick, matted fur. My blood ran cold. They weren’t supposed to be able to enter the castle grounds—especially not this deep inside. But there they were, snarling, teeth bared, ready to attack.

Ian was on his feet in an instant, his eyes glowing red as his vampire instincts kicked in. He moved faster than I could process, his body a blur as he threw himself at the first werewolf. I didn’t even have time to think. I sprang from the bed, adrenaline rushing through me as I tapped into the new powers I still barely understood.

A force surged within me, raw and untamed, and I thrust my hands forward. Power shot from my palms, hitting one of the werewolves square in the chest. It yelped, thrown back against the wall, but it didn’t stay down. They never stayed down. My heart raced as I struggled to keep control, the energy inside me fighting to break free.

“Sophia, stay back!” Ian shouted as he dodged a vicious swipe from another wolf.

“I can help!” I yelled, but even as I said it, fear clawed at my chest. I wasn’t sure if I could control this power long enough to make a difference.

I sent another blast of energy toward a wolf charging me, the force of it knocking it back, but just barely. They were so strong, so relentless. Ian was holding his own, moving with the kind of grace and precision only a vampire king could possess, but there were too many of them.

One of the werewolves lunged at Ian, and though he managed to evade most of the attack, the wolf’s teeth sank into his shoulder. I screamed as Ian grunted in pain, his body jerking from the force of the bite. My vision blurred with rage, and I let the power within me explode.

A wave of pure energy burst from me, sending two of the wolves crashing into the walls with enough force to crack the stone. They whimpered, but again, they didn’t stay down for long. My hands trembled as I struggled to keep the power under control. It felt like it was trying to tear me apart from the inside.

Ian staggered back, clutching his shoulder, blood seeping between his fingers. I ran to him, panic gripping me as I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

“Ian—” I whispered, my voice shaky.

“I’m fine,” he gritted out, though the pain in his eyes told me otherwise. “Sophia, get out of here. Run!”

“No,” I said firmly, turning to face the remaining wolves. “I’m not leaving you.”

Before Ian could respond, another wolf lunged at me, its teeth bared. I reacted instinctively, sending another blast of energy toward it, but this time, the force wasn’t enough. The wolf dodged to the side and came at me again. I braced for the impact, but then, everything went dark.

When I came to consciousness, my head was pounding, and I was no longer in our room. Cold air bit at my skin, and I realized with a jolt that I was outside—somewhere deep in the forest. My wrists were bound with rough, silver chains that burned against my skin, and the metallic scent of blood filled the air. My blood.

I struggled against the chains, but the silver weakened me, sapping my strength. Panic rose in my chest as I realized I was alone. They’d taken me. The werewolves had captured me. But where was Ian? Was he okay? Had they killed him?

I fought harder, the chains digging into my wrists, but it was no use. My powers were useless against silver. A growl from behind me made my blood run cold, and I turned to see one of the werewolves watching me with a sinister grin, its yellow eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“You’ll pay for this,” I hissed, my voice trembling with anger.

The wolf just laughed, a low, rumbling sound that sent chills down my spine. “You’re not in any position to make threats, little vampire.”

Fear twisted in my gut, but I refused to let it show. Ian had to be alive. He had to. And if I had any chance of saving him—or myself—I had to keep it together.

“You’ll regret this,” I said, my voice firmer this time. “Ian will come for me. And when he does, you’ll wish you’d never laid a hand on me.”

The wolf’s grin widened, and it stepped closer, its breath hot against my skin. “Let him try. We’re ready for him.”

I swallowed hard, fighting back the rising panic. Ian had to come for me. He had to. But as the wolf’s claws scraped against the chains binding me, I realized just how dire my situation was.

I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hold on long enough for him to find me.