Page 65 of Red Queen

“Die, you turncoats!” Nicolai shouts. The insult’s flung from his lips as he engages a lieutenant of Catarina’s guard. They trade blows with a ferocity born of centuries-long feuds, the clangor of their struggle a confirmation of the hatred between our houses.

I stand my ground as another wave of enemies surges forth. Blood coats my hands, a visceral reminder of the price of this war.

“These fuckers shall pay dearly for every inch they take,” Nicolai growls beside me, his eyes ablaze with the same unyielding spirit that torches my own resolve.

“Damn right,” I say, the power within me surging.

The battle rages on, an endless torrent of violence that knows no respite. Catarina’s forces are relentless, but we will not yield. Not now. Not ever.

“Come forth, Catarina!” I bellow into the fray, my voice carrying over the battlefield. “Face me, you coward!”

At my challenge, she emerges from the throng of her minions, the talisman hanging around her neck pulsing with a sinister light. Instability gleams in her eyes—an instability that has consumed her utterly, driving her to usurp what’s rightfully mine.

“Eleanna,” she hisses, her tone dripping with venomous delight. “How eager you are to die.”

“The reaper would never dare claim me before I rip out your deceitful heart,” I say.

We circle each other, two vampires locked in a turbulent waltz, as we search for an opening. The air crackles with the tension between us, heavy with the promise of bloodshed.

“Your arrogance will be your undoing!” Catarina’s words are empty against my resolve.

“Your delusion has already undone you.”

I lunge, fangs bared, sword aimed at her blackened soul. But she’s far too quick, the damned talisman granting her enhanced unnatural speed. She sidesteps, and I taste nothing but bitter air.

“Pathetic,” she sneers, launching a counterattack that I barely have time to parry.

Alexandru appears at my side, his silver eyes blazing with fury.

“Keep her busy!” I gasp, panting and gathering my strength.

With every close encounter, the cold kiss of steel is narrowly avoided as each fighter parries with desperate actions.

“Go fuck yourself, Alexandru!” Catarina spits, engaging him with a whirlwind of strikes.

His movements are a blur of supernatural power. “Happy to oblige after I’ve dealt with you, bitch.”

I watch them fighting, using the brief respite to focus my wrath. Alexandru fights with a relentless determination, each impact of his sword sends shivers down my spine, as he fells enemies left and right.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Alexandru growls, dodging a vicious thrust.

“Let’s see how you fare without your head!” Catarina’s laughter is a grotesque sound within the symphony of violence.

The snow is smeared in gore and casualties, the ground a macabre shade of red. With every heartbeat, I swear I will see Catarina fall. This castle will be reclaimed, and her life will be the price of her betrayal.

Then, in fleeting moment, Catarina’s sword, ablaze with the power of her talisman, meets Alexandru’s with a force that resonates through the battlefield. She feints, and he takes the bait, his defense momentarily lowered. With a triumphant howl, she delivers a savage blow, and I can only watch in horror as Alexandru is sent hurtling across the snow-covered ground. He lands with a sickening crunch, his body folding upon itself.

“Alexandru!” My voice is a feral scream, tearing from my throat.

I’m moving before I realize it, rage fueling my limbs. I tighten my grip around the hilt of my sword, the familiar weight a foreshadowing of vengeance.

“Come on then, you harpy!” Catarina’s eyes are wild, her scowl dark as she beckons me with a crooked finger.

“Harpy? I’ll show you true brutality!”

We meet head-on with the force of two blizzards converging. Her talisman glows with magical malice across the snow. I swing with all the strength centuries have granted me, but Catarina sidesteps away, her laughter a mocking chime.

“Is this the best the Sagori queen can muster?” she taunts, her blade swinging dangerously close to my flesh.

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