Page 398 of Evil Hearts

Elena’s heart raced, but she refused to let her fear show. “Cassandra’s blood may flow through your veins, but it doesn’t make you invincible.” She glanced at the gargoyle guardians, their stony expressions unchanged. “The curse can be broken, and when it is, you’ll have nowhere to hide.”

Lucien’s laughter filled the chamber, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Elena’s spine. “You foolish girl, you think you can break the curse?” He spread his arms wide, a mocking gesture of invitation. “By all means, try. But know this, I too bear Cassandra’s blood, and as such, your precious protectors cannot harm me.”

She reached into her pocket, her fingers closing around the small knife she always carried. With a swift motion, she drew the blade across her palm, wincing as blood welled from the cut. “You may have Cassandra’s blood,” she said, her voice steady despite the pain, “but I have it too so let’s see if adding mine to theirs changes anything.”

Lucien’s eyes widened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “What are you doing?” He demanded, his tone laced with a hint of fear.

Elena Held out her hand, the crimson droplets glistening in the dim light. “I offer my blood to the guardians, a sacrifice born of love and trust.” She locked eyes with Aldric, a silent plea for understanding. “With this, I break the hold of Cassandra’s curse, and grant them the power to fight against her dark legacy.”

As the words left her lips, the chamber began to tremble, an ancient magic stirring to life. The gargoyle guardians shifted, their stone forms cracking and crumbling away to reveal the fierce warriors within. Elena’s heart soared as she saw the determination in their eyes, the unbreakable bond between them and Aldric shining through.

Lucien stumbled back, his face contorted with rage and disbelief. “No!” He bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “This cannot be!”

But it was too late. The guardians surged forward, their strength renewed by Elena’s sacrifice. They descended upon Lucien and his minions, a whirlwind of claws and wings andfury. The battle had begun, and the fate of the city hung in the balance.

Aldric watched, his heart in his throat, as Elena drew a dagger across her palm. Crimson blood welled from the cut, and she held out her hand to the gargoyles. One by one, they stepped forward, their tongues darting out to taste her offering.

The effect was instantaneous. The guardians’ eyes glowed with renewed purpose, their stone bodies infused with Elena’s lifeblood. They surged forward, a tide of living rock, crashing into the ranks of Lucien’s followers.

Aldric’s bonds fell away, sliced by a gargoyle’s razor-sharp talons. He leaped to his feet, joining the fray with a roar of defiance. His fists flew, connecting with robed figures, sending them sprawling. The chamber echoed with the sounds of battle, stone against flesh, magic against might.

Through the chaos, Aldric spotted Elena, still too close to Lucien for comfort. The dark sorcerer’s hand was raised, crackling with malevolent energy. Aldric’s heart seized with fear.

The chamber erupted into chaos, the air filled with the sounds of snarls and the clang of weapons. His heart swelled with pride and gratitude for Elena’s bravery, her selfless act having turned the tide in their favor.

Yet amidst the fray, his eyes sought her out, a flicker of worry igniting within him. She stood vulnerable near Lucien, too close for comfort. Aldric strained against his bonds, desperate to reach her side and shield her from harm.

“Elena!” He called out, his voice raw with urgency. “Step back!”

But she remained steadfast, her gaze locked on Lucien as they circled each other. Aldric’s pulse pounded in his ears, the need to protect her overwhelming his senses.

With a burst of strength, he tore free from his restraints, the ropes falling away like cobwebs. He surged forward, his stepsfueled by a fierce determination. “Gideon!” Aldric roared, his voice cutting through the din of battle. “To Elena, now!”

The hulking gargoyle guardian turned, his eyes flashing with understanding. With a powerful leap, Gideon landed beside Elena, his massive form shielding her from Lucien’s reach. Aldric felt a flicker of relief, but it was short-lived as he watched Lucien’s face contort with malice.

“You think you’ve won?” Lucien sneered, his eyes darting between Elena and the guardians. “You’ve merely delayed the inevitable. My mother’s legacy will endure, and your precious city will crumble.”

Aldric’s jaw clenched, a cold fury washing over him. He strode forward, his eyes fixed on Lucien. “Your reign of terror ends here,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “The guardians will never again be bound by your mother’s curse.” He lifted Elena’s sliced arm and let his tongue draw over it, trying to ignore the way it made him think of other things.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed, his lips twisting into a sneer. “You think your pet monsters can save you?” he taunted. “I am the true heir of Cassandra’s power. I will not be denied my birthright!”

Aldric’s answer was a fist to Lucien’s face, sending the sorcerer stumbling backward. Lucien wiped blood from his split lip, his gaze burning with hatred. He raised his hands, chanting in an ancient tongue, dark magic swirling around him.

With a roar, Aldric launched himself at Lucien, his fists colliding with the dark sorcerer’s body. They grappled, ancient power crackling between them, as the battle raged on around them. Aldric’s focus narrowed to this moment, to the chance to end Lucien’s threat once and for all.

But he was faster. With a speed belied by his size, the gargoyle lunged forward, his talon-like fingers wrapping around Lucien’sthroat. The sorcerer’s chant turned to a gurgle, his eyes bulging in shock and fear.

“Your birthright,” Aldric growled, his voice low and menacing, “is death.”

With a sickening snap, Aldric twisted, and Lucien’s body went limp. The gargoyle let the sorcerer’s corpse fall to the ground, a puppet with its strings cut.

Around them, the battle was ending. Lucien’s followers, seeing their leader fall, scattered like rats, fleeing into the shadows of the cathedral. The gargoyles let them go, their purpose fulfilled.

Aldric stood over Lucien’s body, his chest heaving with exertion. He turned, his gaze seeking out Elena. She stood with Gideon, her face a mixture of relief and exhaustion. Their eyes met, and a surge of emotion rushed through him, a connection that transcended words.

Aldric stumbled to Elena’s side, gathering her into his arms. She clung to him, her body trembling with exhaustion and relief. He held her close, marveling at the strength of this woman who had risked everything to save him, to save them all.

“It’s over,” he whispered into her hair. “I don’t believe Cassandra’s curse can ever be fully broken, I feel the same as I have for centuries, but perhaps we will be free to choose where we patrol when the sun sets and where we revert to stone when it rises.”

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