FATED BY BLOOD AND FIRE

ill

nd out. Through the darkness, Lucien's voice reaches me with an urgent yet gentle tone as he calls my name. I climb the mossy wall by gripping roo

ing, but I chose to ignore the pain while he drew me near. As he searches my eyes, his chest rises in rapid heaves while I sense his bur

mbling voice, "You must rest." He guides me through the q

ien pauses with his hand on a wooden post before turning to face me with a trembling voice. The warmth in his eyes mak

wooden swords he gives me feel smooth to the touch as I take them into my hands. A surge of warmth travels up my

ints at the wolves and explains basic stances and strikes. I replicate his teaching with accurate gestures, ensuring all

ainst mine. I feel my stomach twist as conflicting feelings of desire and vengeance battle within me. I make myself concentrate on t

mastered. Lucien looks at me quickly with his features becoming more intense because of his alarm. I suppress the inter

ien's voice make training puppies seem like an entirely normal activity. The proximity to him turns my body into a humming machine

nd fondness as he whispers that I possess more strength than he ever realised. My heart jumps inside my

on. The warmth of his breath mixes with regret's tang and a dangerous desire in my senses. My throat becomes dry

owing its worry. I ruffle his fur while deliberately making my voice sound lighter. Lucien's fe

I return the wooden swords to their place, but my fingers remain on Lucien's hand for an extra moment. He

ots beneath the moonlight twist in patterns of hidden truths while he faces me. He asks me to reveal my d

the bark that we made long ago. Lucien observes me with a gaze that reflects both pain and expectation. I force

I feel bold enough to bridge the distance between us. The earth shakes under our feet as a faint growl echoes through

ve returned," he hisses while his voice constricts with terror. The old oak tree stirs its foliage while darkness forms s

our real danger stems not from external packs bu