Page 96 of Red Queen

With a deep, steadying breath, I release my grip, allowing Catarina to crumple to the ground, gasping and clutching her bruised throat.

My gaze meets Alexandru’s once more, and in the depths of his eyes, I see not only love but pride—pride in my ability to reinin the beast that dwells within, to rise above the baser instincts that have felled lesser beings.

I stand over her, a vengeful goddess, my power crackling in the air around me.

“Remember this moment, Catarina,” I say, each word a razor’s edge. “Remember I chose to spare you. And know that if you do not surrender by the next full moon, I will not be so merciful.”

The familiar weight of Alexandru’s hand lands on the small of my back, a steadying presence that anchors me.

A distant clang of metal against stone reverberates through the hall, growing louder with every breath. We share a terse nod, a command to move.

We hasten toward the arched exit, the torchlight guiding our steps through the night.

High above, through the eyelet of the vaulted ceiling, stars wink in the inky sky. Three solitary specks circle—Moros, Erebos, and Nyx, whose haunting calls resemble an ominous portent.

We pass under the archway of the castle, the first light of dawn rising over the hillside. Alexandru reaches out, his hand finding mine, and I squeeze his fingers, finding solace in his touch.

The world outside has changed; the night’s blanket is pulled back to reveal the dawn. We walk in silence toward our steeds, side by side, cloaked in the weariness that follows battle. Yet, there is a feeling of completeness, a chapter closed, allowing for the next to begin.

“Alexandru,” I breathe out his name like a prayer, “we have endured much.”

“Endured and prevailed, my beloved.”

Moros swoops down, its wings brushing against my shoulder before landing gracefully. Erebos and Nyx join, their blackfeathers glistening in the new light, their red eyes watching vigilantly. Theykraa, a triumphant salute to the morning and to survival.

Tonight, we retreat, biding our time and marshaling our forces. I glance back at the castle.

But make no mistake, Catarina—the scales of justice shall be balanced, and you will answer for your crimes against our kind.

For we are not the harbingers of wanton destruction but the guardians of order in a world teetering on the brink of all-out war.

Chapter

Twenty

Alexandru

Istand firm, the weight of impending battle pressing down on me like a physical force. The ruined castle’s courtyard teems with activity. With Dante’s help and influence, he has brought forth recruits from across the realms not seen since the ancient days. Vampires from every realm gather under my command, their diverse visages silhouetted against the reluctant light of predawn. They’re a mosaic of might and dread.

Ivan stands to my right, his face a mask of stoic resolve, while Nicolai and Marianne inspect the troops, their expressions betraying a blend of valor and trepidation.

“General Amanar,” Marianne says, drawing my attention for a moment. “The men are ready.” Her eyes search mine for assurance, finding it in the unwavering confidence I wear as armor.

“Good.” I nod at her efforts.

I survey the amassed forces, each warrior a strength to our cause—the raid on Catarina’s army. This is the moment that will define us all.

Eleanna, resplendent and formidable, steps beside me, her presence amplifying the gravity of this hour.

“Warriors!” My voice rolls over the gathering, commanding silence. “This night, we fight not just for victory but for our future! We face an enemy who thrives on fear and devastation. But we are the conquerors that will uproot all subjugation!”

A surge of murmurs ripples through the crowd. Their energy is palpable. My heart beats with the pulse of an alpha predator—stoic, implacable. I’m the general they look to, the leader who will guide them through the tempest.

“Let your blades thirst for justice, let your hearts beat with the courage of our forebears. We are united, not by blood alone, but by the very soul of our kind! Tonight, we reclaim what is ours, and may the annals of history remember the valor you display!”

Beside me, Eleanna’s gaze sweeps across the sea of faces. “This battle,” she says, “is the dawn of a new era. Stand with us, and rise as the architects of peace and order!”

Their cheers fill the air, a chorus of conviction. We go to the stables and mount our horses, then lead them out and into the courtyard. The vampires assembled nod, bow, or wave at us as we pass by toward the gates.

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