Killian’s POV_
The heavy iron doors groaned as we pushed them open. The air inside the tower was damp and cold, carrying the faint metallic scent of blood and sweat. My senses were on high alert, every sound magnified in the oppressive silence. Mira was here–I could feel it.
Marcus took point, his blade glinting in the faint torchlight. We moved swiftly but cautiously, the guards were scattered, and it wouldn’t be long before they noticed us.
“We’re in their territory now,” Marcus whispered, his eyes darting toward the dark stairwell ahead. “Expect an
ambush.”
I nodded, gripping my dagger tightly. My heart raced with a mix of anticipation and dread. Mira’s faint scent lingered in the air, and Leo growled in my mind, urging me forward.
She is close. We are running out of time.
We turned the corner, and two guards charged at us. Marcus moved like lightning, slashing through the first with practiced precision. I lunged at the second, dodging his strike and plunging my blade into his side. He
crumpled to the ground with a pained grunt.
“Up the stairs!” I commanded, my voice low but firm.
We ascended quickly, the spiral staircase seemingly endless. Every step echoed ominously, my breathing harsh against the silence. The narrow space made it difficult to maneuver, and I knew the higher we went, the more dangerous it would become.
As we neared the top, a shadow moved ahead of me. I barely had time to react before a guard lunged at me with a sword. I twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade. His second swing came faster, grazing my
arm.
The sting of pain only fueled my determination. Leo snarled. Finish him!
I countered, blocking his next attack and delivering a swift punch to his jaw. He stumbled, giving me just enough time to drive my dagger into his chest. He collapsed at my feet, and I stepped over him, blood
pounding in my ears.
“Killian!” Marcus’s voice called from below. “You good?”
“Fine,” I said, though my arm throbbed. “Keep moving!”
Finally, I reached the top floor. The door at the end of the corridor was slightly ajar, a flickering light spilling through the crack. Mira’s scent was stronger now, filled with fear and desperation. My heart clenched as I
pushed the door open. There she was.
Mira was tied to a chair, her wrists bound tightly with rough rope. Her hair was disheveled, her face pale and
streaked with tears. Her eyes widened when she saw me, disbelief and relief warring in her expression.
“Mira,” I breathed, rushing to her side.
She flinched at first, as if she couldn’t believe it was really me. But then her shoulders sagged, and she whispered, “Killian…
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Chapter 49
“I’m here,” I said, cradling her face gently in my hands. Her skin was cold, her eyes full of unshed tears.”
You’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead, a surge of protectiveness overwhelming me. My hands moved quickly, untying the ropes that bound her.
But before I could finish, a chilling voice echoed from behind me.
“Oh, Mira,” Aaron said, his tone dripping with mockery. “So, your lover has come to save you? How touching.
Too bad neither of you will leave here alive.”
I turned, my body tensing. Aaron stood in the doorway, a cruel smile on his face. In his hand, he held a knife,
the blade gleaming wickedly in the torchlight.
“Step away from her,” he ordered, his voice deadly calm.
I positioned myself in front of Mira, shielding her from his view. “You won’t touch her,” I growled.
Aaron laughed, a cold, menacing sound. “And who is going to stop me? You?”
He lunged at me, the knife aimed for my chest. I dodged, his blade slicing through the air inches from my skin. Leo roared in my mind, his anger feeding my strength.
Remember the dagger, he reminded me.
Aaron attacked again, his movements fast and erratic. I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding another strike. My hand closed around the hilt of the silver dagger at my waist.
Aaron sneered. “You’re making this too easy-”
Before he could finish, I plunged the dagger into his chest. The blade sank deep, and his eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he seemed frozen, his mouth opening as if to speak. But no words came.
Aaron stumbled backward, collapsing to the floor with a thud. His lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling, the silver dagger still lodged in his chest.
I turned back to Mira, who was staring at Aaron’s body with a mix of horror and relief. Her lips trembled as she whispered, “He’s… dead?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice firm. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”
I finished untying her and scooped her into my arms. She was so light, so fragile, and my heart ached at the sight of her.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, cradling her close as I carried her down the stairs.
The fight was still raging below, the sounds of clashing steel and growls filling the air. Marcus and the others were holding off Aaron’s guards, giving us a clear path to escape.
Mira was silent the entire time, her face buried against my chest. I tried to reassure her, my voice soft and steady. “You’re safe now, Mira. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
But she didn’t respond. Her silence worried me more than any words could.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we reached the edge of the forest. I slowed, my arms tr the weight of carrying her, though I refused to let her go.
ling from
“Killian,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Put me down.”
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Chapter 49
“No,” I said firmly “You’re hurt. I can carry you
“Please,” she insisted, her tone more forceful “Don’t waste your energy on me. Take care of yourself”
Her words stung, but I obeyed, gently setting her on her feet. She swayed for a moment before steadying
herself.
I studied her face, searching for any sign of injury. “Did he hurt you?” I asked, my voice low
She shook her head. “No. He didn’t have time.”
“Then what happened? Why did he take you?”
Mira hesitated, her eyes darting away. Finally, she said, “He wanted to sacrifice me. There’s a curse the Moon Goddess cursed him, and he thought sacrificing me would break it?
My blood ran cold at her words. “A curse?”
She nodded, her expression haunted. “It was supposed to happen on the next full moon. He thought he could gain his lost powers by killing me.”
I clenched my fists, fury bubbling in my chest. “He’s gone now,” I said. “I swear, no one will ever hurt you
again.”
“Thank you for saving me,” she said quietly, “But I can take care of myself.”
Her words were a dagger to my heart. “Why are you saying that? I’m not your enemy, Mira.”
She turned to me, her eyes blazing. “Why are you doing this, Killian? Shouldn’t you be with Sophia?”
I flinched at her question, guilt and regret crashing over me. “Sophia was working with Aaron,” I admitted.” She helped him… manipulated me into rejecting you, I wasn’t in my right mind, Mira. I was a fool.”
Mira stared at me, disbelief etched across her face. “How do you know this?”
“Sophia confessed,” I said, my voice breaking. “Aaron hurt your parents to get to you. She couldn’t bear the guilt anymore.”
Mira’s expression softened for a moment, but then she turned away, her steps faltering on the uneven
ground.
“Mira, please,” I said, reaching out to steady her.
“Don’t touch me,” she snapped, yanking her arm away.
Her stubbornness only made me admire her more. But then she slipped, her foot catching on a rock. I lunged forward, catching her just as she fell.
“Mira!” I cried, panic flooding my chest.
Her head lolled to the side, blood trickling from a cut on her temple. Her eyes fluttered closed, her breathing
shallow.
“No, no, no,” I muttered, lifting her into my arms once more. My heart pounded as I held her close, her limp form making fear grip me tightly.
“Stay with me,” I begged, my voice trembling. “Please, Mira. Don’t leave me.”
She didn’t respond, her body growing heavier in my arms.
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