Page 53 of Claimed By Midnight

"Wait—"

The workshop door crashes open again, this time splintering off its hinges as Uriel storms in. His massive wings spread wide, blocking the exit, and his golden eyes blaze with fury. The perfect features of his face twist into something dark and deadly.

V spins, his hands already crackling with blue energy. "Step aside."

"You dare break into my home?" Uriel's voice drops to a dangerous growl.

V hurls a bolt of magic, but Uriel's already moving. He drops and rolls, coming up with a blade in each hand. The magic blast leaves a smoking hole in the wall behind him.

My sister's grip tightens. "Athena, run!"

But I wrench away from her, stumbling back. "No, you don't understand?—"

"What are you doing?" Astrid's green-gold eyes widen in confusion.

V and Uriel clash in a blur of steel and magic. V's spells light up the workshop in brilliant flashes, but Uriel moves like liquid death between them, his blades singing through the air. He may not use magic often, but centuries of combat experience show in every precise movement, enhanced by his weapons that sing with his magic.

"Stop!" I grab for the nearest weapon - one of the shortswords I'd just finished cleaning. "V, don't hurt him!"

Astrid's face contorts in rage. "V, get him away from her!"

"No!" I dash toward the fighting, my heart pounding. I pray all my training with Raven amounts to something. "V, please! I'm not being held captive!"

The confusion in Astrid's scream tears at my heart. "What are you talking about? Athena, get back here!"

But I keep moving toward Uriel, toward the deadly dance of demon and blade, praying I can stop this before someone gets hurt. Before my sister's rescue attempt ruins everything.

I plant my feet between them, arms spread wide. My hands shake but my voice rings clear through the workshop. "Stop this right now!"

V's magic crackles inches from my face, casting an electric blue glow across my skin. The air feels charged, making my hair stand on end. Behind me, I hear Uriel's sharp intake of breath.

"Get out of the way, little demon." His voice holds none of its usual teasing warmth. But I hear the concern in his voice.

I shake my head. "I won't let either of you hurt each other. I choose to be here." I don't add that I was kidnapped because it feels irrelevant now.

"Choose?" Astrid's voice cracks. "What do you mean choose?"

"I mean I'm staying here because I want to. Not because anyone's holding me prisoner." The words tumble out faster now. "I've been helping in the workshop, learning about weapons and?—"

A blast of magic sizzles past my ear. V's eyes shift from gray to a crimson. "Step aside."

Strong hands grab my waist and suddenly I'm airborne. Uriel tosses me behind him like I weigh nothing, his massive wings creating a barrier between me and the others.

He whirls on me, golden eyes blazing. "Don't you ever throw yourself into a fight again." His perfect features contort with rage, but there's fear there too - raw and unexpected. "You could have been killed."

"I won't let them hurt you," I say, chin lifted.

His laugh is harsh. "Little demon, I don't need your protection."

"Well, you have it anyway." I step around his wing, facing my sister again. "Astrid, please. Let me explain."

But before I can say more, Uriel's arm bands around my waist, pulling me flush against his side. Away from another crackling bolt of magic. His wings arch higher, defensive. Protective.

The gesture says more than words ever could.

"I've found something here." My hands tremble, but my voice stays steady. "Friends. Freedom. A place where I can actually be myself."

"Freedom?" Astrid darts forward, gripping V's arm. He pauses, looking down at her. "What are you talking about? You were safe with us."

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