Page 78 of A Touch of Darkness

The fire flickers low, casting golden light over her face, and for a moment, time itself seems to pause. I can see it in her eyes—the fear, the hope, the fragile trust she’s placing in me.

“I’ll stay,” she says at last, her voice a soft, steady vow. “For as long as you’ll have me. I want to see this out—watch us unfold. I want a do-over with you, a chance to rewrite our history.”

Her words undo me, and I draw her close, pressing my lips to her forehead, her cheeks, before finally claiming her mouth in a kiss that feels like both a beginning and an ending.

As we sink back into the shadows, the firelight dimming around us, I make a silent vow of my own: to cherish this moment, this fragile connection, and to hold onto her for as long as fate allows.

As the fire crackles softly in the background, the weight of the world seems to settle around us, substantial but shared. We are stepping into the unknown, together, and for the first time in centuries, I feel the faintest glimmer of hope.

I stand by the door, the cool wind of the evening brushing my skin as I watch the horizon fade into pinks and purples. My mind feels sharp, focused. Every moment leading up to this has been calculated, measured. Today, everything changes. The scales will tip in my favor—on my terms. Finally.

“They’re here,” Lucian says just before they turn onto the long estate drive.

My breath slows as I hear the hum of distant vehicles, shortly followed by the shuffle of boots on the gravel.

"You okay?" Nicole's voice cuts through the silence, a soft but steady anchor.

I nod, my jaw tight, lips pressed into a line. “I’m fine. Just… it’s happening.”

Rebecca stands close by, eyes narrowed as she watches the approach. Her magic ripples just beneath the surface, pulsing in time with the rhythm of the world around us. The energy feelsconcentrated with expectation, a storm in the making. But I’m not afraid. Not anymore. I can’t afford to be.

The gates creak open, and the procession of figures appears through the mist. Leading them is none other than Amara, the woman who has been so insistent on controlling everything, every twist of my fate. Behind her is a contingent of elite slayers, flanked by who I assume are powerful dark witches—those who’ve likely bent time and nature to their will in their own ways. Lucian says they have a group of witches who are indebted to them and that’s the only reason they are allies.

I raise my chin, drawing a deep breath.

Lucian is behind me, his presence solid, comforting. Dorian and a handful of ancient vampires stand by his side, their expressions unreadable but unflinching. They, too, know what’s at stake here. They are the unmovable force standing against the Society’s tides.

“Let’s get this done.” Lucian’s voice is low, but it vibrates in my chest.

We trek toward the center of the estate, to the designated space—the open garden, lit by soft lanterns, the perfect place for negotiations. The Society stops just at the edge of the boundary, eyes scanning the grounds, perhaps assessing the wards Lucian’s magic has wrapped around his home like a shield.

"You brought your army," I say, my voice as firm as steel, cutting through the tension as we draw near. "It’s unnecessary. I asked for this to be a peaceful exchange for all involved."

Amara, with her sharp green eyes and cruel lips, steps forward. Her gaze flicks over me, noting every detail. “It’s such a shame you had to make all of this so difficult. You should be grateful for the generosity of the Solstice Society. This will be dealt with, quickly. In exchange, you will give us what we want.”

I smile coldly. “You’re mistaken if you think this is on your terms. You give me Lara, and I’ll exchange my blood. In that order.”

Her lips twist into an ugly sneer. “You understand what this means, don’t you? You’ll be giving yourself to us, willingly. Don’t test my patience, girl.”

I don’t flinch. “I’m not testing anyone. I'm making my demands clear. My sister first. Then, my blood,” I say. “Plus, today isn’t ending anything for anyone. I may be willingly handing over my blood, but you still need me to decide on the fate of everyone. The prophecy saysIam the one who will decide. You can try all you want, using my blood—my sister’s blood—but today is only about the exchange. The rest will come later.”

I still remember it, although it feels like a lifetime ago. But that’s how it’s supposed to work. The hunter born of twins. The prophecy. They can try to break the curse, but they’ll still need me to assist—even having my blood.

And they’ll have to kill me before I agree to end the lives of vampires.

Because the man I’m growing to love…he is one.

The pressure crackles between us, but Amara simply nods, signaling to the others.

Two slayers step forward, carefully lifting Lara’s comatose body and bringing her closer. I finally lay eyes on her and I’m so happy I could weep. They move with precision, but the fragility of Lara’s form stirs something deep in me. My heart clenches as they drag her body to the boundary line, where Lucian’s magic wraps around us like a cloak.

Rebecca and Nicole gently ease her over the line, carefully pulling her to safety.

I can’t breathe. My steps falter, and I drop to my knees beside her, my fingers trembling as I touch her cold face. She’s still sopale, her features soft and familiar, even with the uncertainty that’s been carved into her. Her eyes are closed, the lashes just a faint shadow, but I reach out anyway, running my fingers over her face. It’s her. It’s really her. My sister. My best friend.

I did it.

A tear slips down my face. It’s so overwhelming, this relief—this sense of finally having my sister back. I can’t stop the emotions from spilling over. “Lara…” I whisper, my voice dripping with emotion.

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