Page 43 of Secrets Of Blackwood

“Careful what you wish for,” I growl, watching her every step. My body moves fluidly, years of training honing my instincts to perfection. Victoria might be dangerous, but I’ve faced down demons far worse than her—both within and without.

She attacks again, this time aiming for a crippling blow. But I’m already moving, catching her wrist and using her momentum to spin her into the wall. The impact rattles the dimly lit sconces, and for a moment, it feels as though the shadows themselves are closing in on us.

“Still think you can break me?” I hiss, pinning her against the rough surface.

“Breaking you would be a favor,” she spits back, defiance lighting her eyes.

Our gazes lock, two predators at a standoff, and something primal awakens in me. It’s not just the fight—it’s the need to dominate, to claim victory over the darkness that Victoria represents.

“Go,” I command, pushing away from her. “Before I do something we’ll both regret.”

Victoria smirks, rubbing her wrist where I held it tight. “This isn’t over, Damien. You can’t protect her forever.”

“Watch me,” I retort, and the finality in my voice seems to give her pause. She backs away, her icy facade slipping just enough to reveal a flicker of uncertainty.

As I hear the distant sound of Lily’s footsteps fading, I steel myself for whatever comes next. This is my battleground, and I won’t back down. Not now, not ever. For Lily, I’ll face anything—even the ghosts of my past that Victoria embodies.

“Bring it on,” I mutter under my breath, ready for the final showdown.

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The chill of the room seeps into my bones as Victoria and I circle each other like wolves about to clash. The dim light casts long shadows across her face, accentuating the cold fury in her eyes. My heart pounds a relentless rhythm, echoing the adrenaline surging through my veins.

“Did you really think you could get away from me, Damien?” Her voice is a razor-sharp whisper, slicing through the tension.

“Getting away from you isn’t my concern,” I reply, every muscle coiled tight, ready to spring. “Keeping Lily safe is.”

A cruel laugh escapes her, and she lunges forward, her movements viper-quick. I sidestep, feeling the air shift as her arm swipes where my neck had been seconds before. The scent of her perfume, once familiar and intoxicating, now fills me with a mix of nostalgia and disgust.

I counter, grabbing her wrist and twisting. She pivots, using my momentum to attempt a takedown. But I’m prepared. I’ve known this dance too long, learned her steps during nights that twisted between passion and pain.

“Always the protector, aren’t you?” she taunts, aiming a kick at my side which I barely deflect.

“Better than being a monster,” I shoot back, our bodies a blur of motion and counter-motion.

She strikes, and I parry, the sounds of our struggle the only noise in the otherwise silent room. This battle isn’t just physical—it’s the culmination of every harsh word, every betrayal, every moment that led us here.

“Damien, darling, when will you learn? You can’t save everyone,” she breathes out, but there’s a tremor in her voice that wasn’t there before.

“Maybe not,” I admit, feinting left before driving my right fist toward her jaw. “But I can save her.”

Victoria reels from the impact, and for a second, her defenses falter. It’s all the opening I need. With a swift move, I have her pinned against the wall, my body pressing into hers, trapping her.

“Go ahead and try,” she hisses, defiance reigniting in her gaze.

This close, I can feel the heat radiating off her, the same heat that once drew me to her like a moth to the flame. But now, it’s Lily who stokes the fire within me—Lily, who I must protect at all costs.

“Game over, Victoria,” I say, my voice low and steady.

“Is it?” A sinister smile curls her lips, and suddenly she relaxes against me, her tactic clear. She’s luring me into a false sense of control.

I don’t have time to ponder her game, though, because a sharp pain explodes in my side. Glancing down, I see the glint of something metallic and red—a knife, buried deep.

“Never let your guard down,” Victoria whispers triumphantly, pulling away as I stagger back, grasping at the wound.

Pain clouds my vision, and I struggle to stay upright. I can’t falter now; Lily is out there, alone and vulnerable. I can’t let this be the end.

“Damien?” Victoria’s voice is almost a purr, filled with dark promise. “What will you do now?”

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