The night seemed endless as Adrian led Elena through the forest, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. The moon hung low, half-hidden behind a curtain of clouds, casting silver slivers of light across his sharp features. He hadn't let go of her hand since they left the chapel, his grip firm, almost unyielding, as though he feared she might slip away if he released her for even a second.
Elena's heart raced, though not from fear. She should have been terrified—the devil's son held her, guided her, claimed her with every step. And yet, her chest felt strangely calm, her pulse steadying every time her eyes caught the faint glow of his crimson gaze.
Still, her thoughts tangled in knots. Damian's absence gnawed at her. His voice, his guidance, his steady presence—gone. She had told herself she needed him, but when the final moment came, it was Adrian who had stayed. Adrian who shielded her. Adrian who held her now.
"Why are you so quiet?" Adrian's voice broke the silence, low and rough, like velvet drawn across steel.
She hesitated. "I was… thinking."
"About him." His tone wasn't a question—it was an accusation.
Her steps faltered. "Damian was my friend."
Adrian stopped abruptly, tugging her hand so she faced him. His eyes burned, shadows curling at his feet like restless flames. "A friend who wanted more than friendship. Don't lie to me, Elena. You felt his pull. You cared for him."
Her chest tightened. "And what if I did? That doesn't mean I—"
Before she could finish, Adrian's hand slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him. The sudden closeness stole her breath, her protest swallowed by the heat of his presence.
"You belong to me," he said, his voice rough, almost dangerous. "Not to him. Not to anyone else. Only me."
Elena's lips parted, caught between anger and a shiver that ran through her spine. "You can't just decide that."
Adrian smirked faintly, though his eyes stayed serious. "Can't I? Every time you've been in danger, who stood in front of you? Every time your knees gave out, who caught you? Every time your heart faltered, who kept it beating?" He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear. "It wasn't him. It was me."
Her hands trembled against his chest. She wanted to push him away, to argue—but her body betrayed her, leaning into his warmth.
Adrian's fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. His touch lingered, softer now, more human. "I'll never let you fall, Elena. Even if it means burning everything else to ashes."
Her chest ached at the rawness in his words. She should have hated his possessiveness, should have fought it—but the truth terrified her. Because part of her wanted to believe him. Part of her wanted to stay right here, wrapped in his darkness.
Before she could respond, a low growl rumbled through the forest. Adrian stiffened instantly, pulling her behind him as his shadows surged to life. From between the trees, pairs of glowing red eyes emerged—smaller demons, drawn by the death of their master.
Elena gasped, clutching Adrian's arm. "Not again…"
Adrian's lips curved into a dark smile. "Let them come."
The first demon lunged, its twisted body hurling toward them. Adrian's shadow lashed out, impaling it mid-air before it could reach them. The creature dissolved into black smoke with a shriek.
"Stay behind me," he commanded, his voice a growl.
She obeyed, though her fingers clenched the charm at her neck. Adrian moved like death itself, shadows whipping and slicing through the swarm. Every strike was precise, merciless, a reminder that though he protected her, he was still the son of darkness.
The last demon fell with a guttural cry, its body dissolving into nothing. Silence reclaimed the forest once more.
Adrian exhaled slowly, his shadows retreating as his crimson eyes dimmed. He turned back to her, his gaze softening when he saw her pale face. "You're trembling."
"I… I'm fine," she whispered, though her body said otherwise.
Adrian stepped closer, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "No, you're not. But you will be." He leaned in, his lips ghosting dangerously close to hers. "As long as you're mine."
Her breath caught. The world felt suspended in that moment—just her, him, and the shadows curling like smoke around them.
And though her mind screamed that this was wrong, her heart betrayed her with the truth: she didn't want to pull away.