Dante's POV
"What's a Twilight Witch?" Seraphina asked, her voice shaking.
I stared at her, glowing with our combined power, and felt something I hadn't felt in three centuries.
Hope.
"A myth," Elder Thorne breathed. "A legend we thought died out a thousand years ago."
"She's no myth," I said, keeping Seraphina behind me as the council members circled us. "She's the bridge between our kinds. Born from both light and shadow. Life and death. Witch and vampire."
"That's impossible!" Marcus shouted. He looked terrified, his face pale and sweating. "She's just a witch. A weak one. I would have known—"
"You knew nothing," I snarled. My fangs extended fully now. The urge to rip out his throat for hurting my mate was almost overwhelming. "You were too busy betraying her to see what she really was."
Vivienne laughed—a cold, cruel sound. "It doesn't matter what she is. She's still going to die." Her death magic pulsed darker. "And so is everyone else in this room."
"Vivienne, stop this madness!" Elder Thorne commanded. "You've already poisoned half the coven. Stand down before—"
"Before what? You strip my power like you stripped hers?" Vivienne's eyes blazed. "I don't think so. I've worked too hard. Planned too long. Tonight, I become High Priestess. And anyone who stands in my way becomes a corpse."
She raised both hands. Death magic exploded from her palms—not aimed at us this time. Aimed at the witches still convulsing on the floor. The ones already dying from her poison.
She was going to finish them off.
"NO!" Seraphina screamed.
Power erupted from her like a tidal wave. Purple, silver, and crimson light shot across the ballroom, forming a dome over the poisoned witches. A shield of pure life magic.
Where it touched them, the black foam stopped. The convulsions eased. Color returned to their faces.
She was healing them. All of them. At once.
"Impossible," I whispered.
"You gave me your power," Seraphina said, her voice stronger now. Confident. "Vampire regeneration. I can feel it inside me. Healing. Rebuilding." She turned to face the crowd, still glowing with our bond. "I'm not just witch or vampire anymore. I'm both. And I can save you."
Elder Thorne dropped to her knees. "The prophecy. The old prophecy about the Twilight Witch who would unite our kinds. It's real."
"It's real," I confirmed, pride swelling in my chest. My mate. My brilliant, powerful mate. "And she's mine."
"She's NOTHING!" Vivienne shrieked.
Death magic shot toward Seraphina's back. A killing blow meant to destroy her while she was distracted saving others.
I moved on pure instinct. Vampire speed. Faster than human eyes could track.
I caught the death magic with my bare hand.
Pain exploded through me—cold fire that burned down to my bones. Death magic was designed to destroy life. And vampires, despite being undead, still had enough life in them to be killed by it.
But I didn't let go. Didn't drop it. I held that swirling ball of death in my palm, letting it burn me, while Seraphina finished healing the poisoned witches.
"Dante!" She spun around, her eyes wide with horror. "Let it go! It's killing you!"
"I've died before," I gritted out through the pain. "I can handle it."
"You idiot vampire!" She grabbed my wrist, her healing magic pouring into me. The burning eased slightly. "You don't have to protect me alone. We're bonded. We protect each other."
Her magic wrapped around the death magic in my hand. Purple and silver light fighting against the black. For a moment, I thought it wouldn't work. Death magic was too strong. Too pure.
Then the crimson of my vampire power joined in. Three colors against one. Life against death.
The death magic shattered like glass.
Vivienne screamed in rage. "How? HOW? That's my strongest spell!"
"Your mistake," Seraphina said coldly, "was thinking I was still the weak little sister you could push around." She stepped forward, power radiating from her like heat. "I'm done being afraid of you, Vivienne. Done letting you take everything from me."
"You have nothing!" Vivienne's voice cracked. "I took your position. Your fiancé. Your reputation. Your magic!"
"You took things that weren't worth keeping." Seraphina's hand found mine, our fingers lacing together. The bond hummed with power. "And you woke something inside me that you can never touch. Never steal. Never destroy."
The last poisoned witch stopped convulsing. Bella rushed over, checking vitals. "They're alive! All of them! She saved them all!"
The crowd erupted in whispers. Shocked. Awed. Terrified.
Elder Thorne stood slowly. "Seraphina Ashwood, you stand accused of treason. But you just saved this entire coven from death." She turned to Vivienne. "While you, Vivienne Ashwood, stand revealed as a murderer. A poisoner. A practitioner of death magic."
"Arrest her!" another council member shouted.
Guards moved forward—witches with binding spells ready.
Vivienne's laugh was unhinged now. Desperate. "You think you've won? You think this is over?" She pulled something from her dress. A black crystal that pulsed with dark energy. "If I can't have the power, then NO ONE GETS IT!"
I recognized that crystal. Horror shot through me. "Everyone run! NOW!"
"What is that?" Seraphina asked.
"A death bomb," I snarled. "It'll explode and kill every living thing within a hundred yards. Vampire or witch, doesn't matter. We all die."
Vivienne's smile was mad. "See you in hell, sister."
She crushed the crystal.
Time seemed to slow down. The crystal shattered. Death magic began to expand—a wave of pure destruction moving outward.
I grabbed Seraphina and ran for the door. Vampire speed. But even I wasn't fast enough. The wave would catch us. Would catch everyone.
"Wait!" Seraphina dug her heels in, stopping us. "I can stop it!"
"You can't! That much death magic—"
"I have your regeneration. Your immortality." Her eyes met mine, glowing with determination. "And I have life magic. Life ALWAYS beats death, Dante. Always."
She was right. In theory. But the amount of power needed—
"It'll kill you," I said flatly. "You'll burn out your magic trying."
"Then I'll die saving everyone instead of watching them die." She cupped my face, her hands warm against my cold skin. "I just found you. Found what I really am. I'm not letting fear stop me from using it."
My dead heart somehow managed to break. "Seraphina—"
"Trust the bond," she whispered. "Like you told me to."
Then she turned and walked straight toward the expanding wave of death.
"SERAPHINA!" I roared.
She didn't stop. Didn't hesitate. She walked right up to the edge of that destruction and raised her hands.
Light exploded from her palms. Not purple. Not silver. Not even crimson.
Pure white light. Blinding. Beautiful. Absolute.
The death wave hit her light and STOPPED.
Everyone in the ballroom froze. Watching. Barely breathing.
Seraphina stood alone, glowing white like a star, holding back death itself with nothing but will and power.
"I am Seraphina Ashwood," she declared, her voice echoing with magic. "Daughter of Elena Ashwood. Bonded mate of Dante Moretti. And I am the Twilight Witch reborn." Her power built higher. Brighter. "And I say NO ONE DIES TONIGHT!"
The white light consumed the death wave. Absorbed it. Transformed it.
Where destruction had been, now there was only life.
Flowers bloomed across the ballroom floor. Vines grew up the walls. The very air itself felt cleaner, fresher, alive.
The death bomb that should have killed everyone had been turned into pure life magic.
Seraphina collapsed.
I caught her before she hit the ground, pulling her against my chest. Her eyes were closed. Her breathing shallow. But alive. Still alive.
"You magnificent, terrifying, idiotic woman," I whispered into her hair.
Her eyes fluttered open—still glowing faintly white. "Did it work?"
"You turned death into life. You saved everyone." I held her tighter. "And you scared me more than anything has in three hundred years."
She smiled weakly. "Good. Now we're even."
Around us, the ballroom erupted in chaos. Council members shouting. Guards grabbing Vivienne, who stood frozen in shock that her death bomb had failed. Witches crying in relief.
Bella pushed through the crowd. "Sera! Oh gods, Sera, are you okay?"
"I'm alive," Seraphina said. "Thanks to him." She looked up at me. "You caught Vivienne's death magic with your bare hand. You could have died."
"So could you." I brushed hair from her face. "We're both idiots, apparently."
"Perfect match then." She laughed, then winced. "Ow. Everything hurts."
"Using that much power at once would hurt." I lifted her into my arms properly. Bride-style. "You need rest. Blood. Healing."
"I need answers," Elder Thorne said, approaching us carefully. Her eyes were wary but respectful now. "A Twilight Witch. A vampire-witch bond. This changes everything."
"It does," I agreed. "Which is why we're leaving. Now. Before you decide to lock her up for 'study' or some other council nonsense."
"We wouldn't—"
"You stripped her power this morning. Accused her of treason. Broke her engagement publicly." My eyes flashed red. "Forgive me if I don't trust the council's judgment."
Elder Thorne flinched. "You're right. We were wrong. Vivienne manipulated us. We should have seen—"
"But you didn't." Seraphina's voice was tired but firm. "You believed her lies because it was easier than believing the truth. That's on you."
"We'll make amends," Elder Thorne promised. "Your position will be restored. Marcus's engagement broken—"
"I don't want any of it." Seraphina looked at me, then back at the Elder. "I'm not that person anymore. I'm something new. Something that doesn't fit in your boxes."
"Then what will you do?" another council member asked.
Seraphina smiled—tired but genuine. "I'm going to learn what being a Twilight Witch means. With my mate." She squeezed my hand. "And then I'm going to make sure what happened to my mother never happens again."
"Your mother—" Elder Thorne started.
"Was murdered by witches," I finished coldly. "Twenty years ago. We have proof."
The entire council went silent. Shocked faces. Guilty faces.
"That's impossible," Elder Thorne whispered.
"Is it?" I challenged. "Ask yourselves who benefited from Elena Ashwood's death. Who took her position. Who gained power."
Understanding dawned on Elder Thorne's face. Horror followed. "Vivienne's mother. She became High Priestess after Elena died."
"Exactly."
"We'll investigate," Elder Thorne said firmly. "And if true, justice will be served."
"See that it is." I turned to leave, still holding Seraphina.
"Wait!" Bella rushed forward, pressing something into Seraphina's hand. "Your phone. And this." A small bag. "Clothes. Money. Everything you might need. Just in case you don't come back."
Seraphina's eyes filled with tears. "Bella—"
"Go. Be with your vampire Lord. Figure out what you are." Bella smiled through her own tears. "Then come back and tell me everything. I want all the details."
"I promise."
I carried Seraphina out of the ballroom, through the crowd of staring witches, into the Halloween night.
The Blood Moon still hung heavy in the sky. But now it didn't feel threatening.
It felt like a beginning.
"Where are we going?" Seraphina asked.
"My home. The vampire court." I looked down at her, this woman who'd saved everyone while destroying my centuries of isolation. "Unless you'd prefer somewhere else?"
"I've never been to a vampire court before."
"Then you're in for an experience." I smiled, showing fangs. "They're going to love you. Or fear you. Possibly both."
"What about you?" Her eyes searched mine. "What do you feel?"
I stopped walking. Looked at her properly—this witch who'd turned my world upside down in a single night. Who'd bonded with me when it should have been impossible. Who'd faced death and chosen to protect others instead of running.
"I feel alive," I said honestly. "For the first time in three hundred years, I feel alive."
Her smile was brilliant. "Good. Because I plan to keep you that way."
I kissed her then. Under the Blood Moon. While magic still sparked between us. A vampire Lord and a Twilight Witch, bonded by fate and choice and power beyond imagining.
When we pulled apart, she was glowing white again. And I realized—
She wasn't just healing from using too much power.
She was transforming further.
"Dante?" Her voice was uncertain. "Why do I feel different? Why does everything feel MORE?"
I stared at her glowing skin. Her eyes, which were turning from violet to silver-white. The magic radiating from her that was growing stronger, not weaker.
"Because the transformation isn't finished," I said slowly. Realization dawning. "When you absorbed my power and used it to defeat death itself, you didn't just become a Twilight Witch."
"Then what am I becoming?"
Before I could answer, a new voice cut through the night.
"She's becoming immortal."
We spun around. Nikolai stood in the shadows, his face grave.
"What?" Seraphina breathed.
"Twilight Witches who bond with vampires don't just gain power," Nikolai explained. "They gain immortality. Your human half is dying, Seraphina. In three days, you'll complete the transformation. You'll become something that hasn't existed in a thousand years."
"What?" she whispered.
"A Daywalker. Part witch, part vampire, fully immortal." He looked at me. "Congratulations, old friend. Your mate is about to become the most powerful being in the supernatural world."
"And the most hunted," I finished grimly.
Seraphina looked between us, her face pale. "What do you mean hunted?"
"Every supernatural creature will want to either control you or kill you," Nikolai said bluntly. "Witches will fear your power. Vampires will want to use you. And there are others—ancient things that feed on power like yours—who will stop at nothing to consume you."
"So I have three days," Seraphina said slowly. "Three days before I become immortal and the entire supernatural world wants me dead."
"Yes."
She looked up at me. "Then we'd better make them count."
Despite everything, I smiled. "You're taking this well."
"I'm freaking out internally," she admitted. "But I just turned a death bomb into flowers. I think I'm past the point of normal reactions."
Fair point.
"Three days," I repeated, pulling her closer. "We have three days to prepare you for what's coming. To teach you to use your power. To make you strong enough to survive."
"No pressure then," she joked weakly.
"Oh, there's more pressure than that," Nikolai said grimly. "The vampire council wants to meet her. Tonight. And they're not happy about a witch-vampire bond."
"Too bad," I growled. "She's mine. They'll accept it or face me."
"Some are already calling for her death," Nikolai continued. "They say she's an abomination. That the bond is unnatural."
Seraphina's glow flickered. I felt her fear through the bond.
"Let them try," I said softly. "Anyone who wants to hurt her will have to go through me first."
"And me," Nikolai added. "I made a promise to Elena. I keep my promises."
"Thank you," Seraphina whispered.
"Don't thank me yet. The vampire council isn't your only problem." Nikolai's face was grave. "Word of tonight will spread fast. By tomorrow, every supernatural creature in North America will know about the Twilight Witch who turned death into life. They'll come for you, Seraphina. All of them."
"Then we fight," I said simply.
"With what army?"
"With the one we'll build." I looked down at my mate, my future, my everything. "We have three days to gather allies. To prepare. To show everyone that Seraphina Ashwood isn't a threat to be eliminated."
"What is she then?"
"A queen," I said firmly. "The Queen of Twilight. And anyone who challenges her will learn exactly why twilight is the most dangerous time of day."
Seraphina stared at me, her eyes wide. "Queen? Dante, I'm not—"
"You are." I cupped her face gently. "You saved an entire coven tonight. Defeated death itself. United vampire and witch magic. You're not just some witch anymore, Seraphina. You're a legend in the making."
"I'm terrified."
"Good. Fear keeps you sharp." I kissed her forehead. "But you're not alone. Not anymore. You have me. Nikolai. Bella. And soon, you'll have others."
"What others?"
Nikolai smiled grimly. "The outcasts. The half-bloods. The ones rejected by both witch and vampire society. When they hear about a Twilight Witch who accepts both sides of her nature, they'll flock to you."
"You'll build a court," I continued. "A new kind of court. One that welcomes all supernatural creatures, not just pure-bloods."
"That's impossible," Seraphina breathed. "Witches and vampires hate each other. Shifters don't trust anyone. The fae—"
"Will do what they always do. Watch and wait." Nikolai shrugged. "But the others? The ones tired of hiding? The hybrids, the outcasts, the forgotten? They'll come. You'll see."
"In three days," Seraphina said slowly. "I become immortal. Build a court. And prepare for war with everyone who wants me dead."
"Basically."
She started laughing. Actual laughter that turned into slightly hysterical giggles. "This morning, my biggest worry was what dress to wear to the masquerade. Now I'm building a supernatural court and preparing for war. How is this my life?"
"Fate has a twisted sense of humor," I agreed.
She sobered, looking at me seriously. "Can we really do this? Build something new?"
"We can try."
"And if we fail?"
"Then we fail together." I held her closer. "But I don't plan on failing. I've waited twenty-seven years for you, Seraphina. I'm not losing you now."
"Twenty-seven years," she repeated. "You really have been watching me that whole time?"
"Every day. Making sure you were safe. Happy. Protected." I traced her cheek with one finger. "Waiting for you to be ready."
"For this? For tonight?"
"For us."
She kissed me again, softer this time. Sweeter. When she pulled back, her eyes were glowing silver-white.
"Then let's go meet your vampire council," she said firmly. "Let's show them what a Twilight Witch can do."
I grinned, fangs and all. "That's my queen."
We started walking again, Nikolai leading the way.
Behind us, Thornwood Manor still glowed with magic. With life that shouldn't exist after a death bomb.
Ahead of us, the vampire court waited.
Three days until Seraphina completed her transformation.
Three days to prepare for war.
Three days to build a new world.
The Blood Moon watched over us, ancient and knowing.
And somewhere in the darkness, I felt them stirring.
The ancient ones. The things that fed on power.
They'd sensed Seraphina's awakening.
And they were coming.