Page 20 of The Darkness Within

Blade looks around at his brothers, the weight of their words settling heavily on him. They all know the risks, have seen firsthand what happened to demons who lost themselves to their powers. Without a mate, without that stabilizing force, they are vulnerable to the seductive pull of the darkness, a pull that could strip them of their souls.

Scar clears his throat, his gaze distant as he recalls the few stories, they’d heard of mates bringing demons back from thebrink. “When a demon finds his mate, it’s like discovering a beacon in a storm. The mate’s light pulls him back, keeps him from falling too far. The connection isn’t just emotional—it’s something deeper, something that binds their souls together. It’s a lifeline, and without it… well, we’ve seen what happens.”

Reed sighs, his expression sombre. “It’s not just about love. It’s about survival. A mate brings balance, something to cling to when everything else fades. Rake didn’t have that, and he lost himself. He gave in to the darkness, let it consume him until there was nothing left but a twisted shell of what he used to be.”

The men fall silent, each of them grappling with the reality of their situation. They all know that the darkness can strike at any time, that one wrong move can tip them over the edge. And while Blade had Rayne, the others had no such safeguard. They are warriors, bound to protect, but they also know the cost of wielding their powers unchecked.

Blade says, his voice steady but filled with a quiet resolve. “Rayne gives me something to fight for beyond duty. She’s the reason I can step back from the edge, the reason I haven’t lost myself. But I can’t ignore the risks you all are taking. I know you’ve got protocols in place, but this fight… it’s going to test every one of us.”

Gage glances around, his expression calculated as he outlines the measures they had put in place. “We’ve set up a containment spell—one that binds us together so that if one of us falls too far, the others can pull him back. It’s a safeguard,but it’s not foolproof. It takes immense strength to resist the pull when you’re already lost in it.”

Scar adds, “We’ve also got signals. If one of us starts slipping, we’re trained to recognize it and back off, give ourselves time to recover. But in a fight like this, where we’re all going to be pushed to our limits, that might not be enough.”

Talon crosses his arms, his face set with a grim determination. “We’re going to need to rely on each other more than ever. If one of us goes down, the others have to be ready to step in. No one fights alone. That’s the only way we make it out of this.”

Reed’s voice is quiet, but the conviction in his words is clear. “It’s risky, but it’s all we’ve got. We go in together, we come out together. And if anyone starts to fall… well, we fight to bring him back. No one gets left behind.”

Blade looks at each of them, a fierce pride welling up in his chest. He knows the risks they are taking, knows that they are all willing to face the darkness if it means protecting Rayne and putting an end to Rake. But he also knows that, unlike them, he had a safety net, a tether that held him firm even in the darkest moments.

They are all willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, to put their very souls on the line. And that is a testament to the strength of their bond, a bond that goes beyond mere brotherhood, forged in the fires of countless battles and tempered by loyalty and love.

Blade meets their gazes, his voice steady as he talks. “We all know what’s at stake. But remember this: no matter how deep you go, there’s always a way back. We’ve trained for this, we’ve prepared for it, and we’ve got each other’s backs. But if any of you find yourselves slipping… know that I’ll be there to pull you back, just like you’d do for me.”

Scar gives him a nod, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “We’re not losing anyone else to this fight, Blade. Not like Dom, or Rake. This time, we’re bringing every one of us home.”

The others murmur their agreement, the tension in the room shifts to a determined resolve. They know the dangers, but they also know that together, they are stronger than any darkness. With their safety nets in place and their bonds unbreakable, they will face whatever comes with everything they have.

As Rayne returns, the men fall silent, their expressions softening as they welcome her back. She looks around, sensing the change in the room but unaware of the depths of the conversation she had missed. Blade reaches out, taking her hand, drawing strength from her presence as he prepares to fight next to his brothers in battle.

BLADE 11

Rayne is standing by the door, watching as the men suite up, their faces set with determination. She can feel the tension in the air, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them all. But beneath the worry, there is something else—an unbreakable bond, a quiet strength that binds them together.

Blade steps forward, his eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze. He takes her hand, pulling her close. “This is it, Rayne. We’re going to end this tonight.”

She smiles, squeezing his hand. “I know you will. You’re ready for this. All of you are.” She looks around at the others, her gaze filled with determination. “I just want you all to remember that you’re not alone. You have each other, and you have people waiting for you to come back. I believe in every one of you.”

Talon gives her a crooked grin, trying to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, Rayne. We’ve got this. Rake won’t know what hit him.”

Scar steps forward, his expression serious. “We’re going to put an end to this, Rayne. For all of us. And we’ll come back.”

Gage and Soren grunt in response, their faces mirroring the fierce resolve that fills the room. They all know the risks, know that this battle will push them to the edge. But they are ready, and with Rayne’s words echoing in their minds, they felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Blade leans down, pressing a kiss to Rayne’s forehead. “We’ll be back soon. Stay safe, and trust us to handle this.”

She sighs with a nod, a tear slipping down her cheek as she watches them go, her heart aching with a mixture of pride and fear. She believes in them, knows that they will fight with everything they have. And as they disappear into the shadows, she whispers a silent prayer for their safe return.

The Elite move through the night like shadows, their steps silent as they approach the ruined estate that Rake has made his lair. The building looms before them, dark and foreboding, its crumbling walls a testament to the darkness that resides within. Blade signals for the others to take their positions, each man slipping into place with practiced precision.

Scar takes point, his body cloaked in shadows as he moves through the outer defences, disabling alarms and taking out guards before they can raise the alarm. Reed is a blur of motion, his speed carrying him through the enemy ranks, leaving chaos in his wake. Talon holds his hands out, flames sparking to life as he sets fire to the barriers blocking their path, his face illuminated by the fierce glow of his power.

Gage and Soren work in tandem, their powers intertwining as Gage bends reality around them, making them invisible to their enemies, while Soren conjures illusions that lead Rake’s guards astray. Blade watches them, pride swelling in his chest as he sees the seamless way they move together, each one a vital part of the whole.

As they enter the main hall, Rake appears at the far end of the room, his form shrouded in darkness, his eyes gleaming with malice. He lets out a low, mocking laugh as he surveys them. “So, the Elite have finally come to face me. I’ve been waiting for this.”

The battle began in earnest, each of the Elite launching into action with a coordinated attack. Rake moves with a twisted grace, dodging their strikes and countering with waves of dark energy that fills the room with an oppressive weight. Blade can feel the darkness pressing down on him, but he stays focused, keeping his mindanchored to Rayne, her light guiding him through the shadows.

But as the fight intensified, Blade senses a shift. He turns just in time to see Scar stumble, a look of horror crossing his face as he falls to his knees. The shadows around him begin to thicken, swirling around his body like a living thing, pulling him down into their depths. Blade can see the struggle in his eyes, the way Scar is fighting to hold on, but the darkness is relentless, dragging him closer to the edge.

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