Page 42 of Secrets Of Blackwood

“Damien, you don’t have to do this,” she pants, her voice losing its edge.

“Too late for regrets,” I spit out, holding her firm against the wall. The dim lighting casts shadows that dance around us, reflecting the turmoil inside me.

“Please,” she whispers, but the word falls flat in the charged atmosphere.

In that moment, I know I’ve got her. I’ve turned the tide, and the power shifts palpably in my favor, a heady rush that makes my heart pound even harder.

“Run, Lily!” My command slices through the tension like a knife. “Now!”

Lily’s POV:

I’m frozen, my body unwilling to leave him, my mind screaming at me to move. Damien’s strength is a thing of beauty, his body a weapon wielded with precision and care. But it’s his eyes that push me into action—gray storms of resolve that won’t accept any outcome but my safety.

“Stay safe,” I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper as I take a hesitant step backward.

“Go!” His tone brooks no argument, a clear note of danger threading through the syllable.

I turn, my legs finally carrying me away from the battle, away from him. Each step feels like a betrayal, but his voice echoes in my ears, propelling me forward. The corridors blur past me, the air heavy with the electricity of the imminent storm we’ve just left behind.

My thoughts are chaos, a mix of fear and longing, but one thing is clear—I must escape, if not for me, then for Damien, whose very soul seems intertwined with my own.

11 - 12

Lily’s POV:

My heart is a wild thing in my chest, every beat echoing Damien’s command to flee. But my feet betray me, rooted to the spot as I watch him tower over Victoria, his body tense and ready for her next move.

“Damien,” I breathe out, my voice trembling. My gaze flits over his broad shoulders, the muscles there bunching and flexing beneath the strain of his defensive stance. The dim light of the room throws half his face in shadow, making him appear even more formidable, yet it’s the concern etched into the lines of his face that grips me hardest.

“Go, Lily!” he growls, the urgency in his tone sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll be right behind you.”

His gray eyes lock onto mine, fierce and unyielding. In them, I see the silent promise of protection—a vow made not just with words but with the very essence of who he is. Damien Blackwood, the man who has faced down his own darkness to stand by my side, now asks me to trust him one more time.

“Damien, I—” Fear knots my stomach, but it’s the thought of leaving him alone with this ice-queen predator that anchors me to the spot.

“Please,” he says, cutting through my hesitation. It isn’t a word I hear often from Damien, a plea wrapped in steel resolve. “For me, Lily.”

The world narrows to the intensity of his stare, and something within me breaks free. I nod, tears pricking my eyes, because I know that staying would only make things worse. Turning on my heel, I dash towards the door, my heart pounding in my ears.

I chance one last glance back and see Damien, a dark avenger poised for battle, his love for me fueling his strength. It’s that love that propels me forward, out of the darkness and into the unknown.

13 - 14

The door slams shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the charged silence of the room. I don’t need to look back to feel Lily’s absence; it’s a cold void where her warmth used to be. I blink rapidly, forcing back the sting of emotion that threatens to surface. This is no time for weakness.

Victoria stands before me, statuesque and as unforgiving as marble. Her raven hair cascades over her shoulders, framing the cruel smirk that plays on her lips. She exudes power, a queen in her dark domain, and she knows it. But the slight tremor in her hand betrays an undercurrent of nerves—a chink in her armor I hadn’t noticed before.

“Running away? I expected more from your little toy,” Victoria taunts, her voice a deadly whisper.

I square my shoulders, feeling the tension coil in my muscles. “She’s not running from you. She’s smarter than to stick around for your games.”

“Oh?” Victoria arches an eyebrow, stepping closer. The air between us crackles with animosity. “And what about you, Damien? Ready to play hero again?”

“Always,” I reply without missing a beat. Her scorn doesn’t touch me; nothing will until I know Lily is safe.

Victoria lunges suddenly, a viper striking. I sidestep, narrowly avoiding her talon-like nails. Our dance is one of fury and fire, every move calculated. I can’t afford to slip up—not when Lily’s escape depends on it.

“Come on, Damien,” Victoria sneers, circling me. “Show me that fire you’re so famous for.”

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