016

The door to the bedroom crashed open, shaking the very foundation of the house as if hit by a tornado. Sharella’s cackle filled the room---a sound so malicious it sent a chill down my spine.

Rook's eyes snapped open, and he threw himself in front of me, his body a wall of protection.

"You laid with her?" Sharella's voice was like a serpent slithering through the air, each word a deadly venom. "Goddess, you're stupid. Your bond to her will be your downfall, Rook."

I looked up at Rook, the horror of what was happening finally registering. "What does she mean?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he stared at Sharella, his eyes blazing with a rage that could have set the room on fire. "Get the fuck out of here," he snarled.

Sharella's laugh grew louder, echoing through the room. "You think you can protect her?" She stepped closer, the shadows playing across her face. "You, with your pathetic vampire powers and your curse? I'll have her, and you'll watch as I take back what's mine."

I didn't understand a damn thing Sharella meant. I only knew, instinctively, that I needed to protect myself from her. Summoning all the dark magic within me, I pushed myself off the bed. Standing naked in front of Sharella, I hissed, "You won't touch him."

Her eyes narrowed, and she smirked. "Is that so?" With a flick of her wrist, a bolt of dark magic shot towards Rook, who was thrown across the room. He hit the wall with a sickening crunch, and I watched in horror as he slumped to the floor, unmoving.

The rage within me grew until it was all-consuming. I reached deep inside me for the full force of my magic. Then, with a scream that seemed to shake the very air, I sent a bolt of my own power at Sharella.

It collided with hers in a shower of sparks, the impact knocking her back. She staggered, surprised, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. "You bitch," I snarled, advancing on her. "You hurt him, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you get away with it."

The air crackled with energy as we stared each other down. I knew if I was going to win, I had to embrace the darkness within me. And as I looked into Sharella’s cold, malicious gaze, I knew there was no other way. I had to become the darkness---even darker than she was.

With a roar that seemed to come from the very depths of hell itself, I launched myself at Sharella. Her eyes widened in shock as I wrapped my newly formed dark tendrils around myself, my magic crackling with power, as it flowed in almost liquid form around me. "Are you prepared to die?" I asked, my voice calm.

In that moment, my love for Rook had become my weapon. The darkness grew, and yet I felt a warmth, a love, that I never knew could exist within such a cold embrace. The power of dark magic now flowed through me, overshadowing the light magic, and I knew that if I didn’t control it, it would consume me.

Sharella struggled, her eyes wild with fear. "You cannot beat me," she spat, her own dark magic lashing out in a desperate attempt to break free.

But I was beyond fear now. I was anger, I was vengeance.

With a final surge of power, I forced the darkness into her, watching as she screamed in agony, her body contorting and writhing. And then, as quickly as it had come, it was over. She was gone, and the room was still, the only sound the heavy breathing of those who had just survived a battle of wills.

Keeley, running into the room, her eyes wide with shock, knelt down beside Rook who was slowly regaining consciousness. Her gaze turning toward me, she whispered, "What have you done?”

Eyes pinned on Rook, I muttered, "What I had to."

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in through the doorway, and a figure emerged within the open space.

A young man, slightly younger than myself, stood in the doorway, his unusual eyes taking in the scene before him. Rook, from where he remained slumped on the floor, growled, "Reif? What the fuck are you doing here?"

Reif's gaze flickered over us, taking in my naked form and the dark tendrils that still clung to me. He was tall, with a lean, muscular build and hair the color of midnight.

"You said I could stay with you, remember?" Reif replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I see you've got your hands full."

Rook pushed himself up to his elbows, his expression a mix of anger and amusement. "This isn't what it looks like," he mumbled.

"No?" Reif raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

Rook managed to stand, his movements slightly unsteady. He pulled on his pants, wincing as he did so. "It's complicated," he said, his eyes never leaving Reif.

I felt a sudden need to cover myself, but the dark tendrils remained wrapped around me, a reminder of what had just happened.

"I can see that," Reif said, his eyes lingering on the tendrils before meeting mine. "But it seems you could use some backup."

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

"Reif," he said, holding out a hand. "I'm a friend of Rooks." His grip was firm, his eyes peering into mine, as if he could see every secret I had ever kept.

I took his hand tentatively, the tendrils of darkness retreating slowly as I tried to pull myself together. "Nice to meet you," I mumbled awkwardly, trying to ignore the way my cheeks burned.

Reif's smirk grew into a full-blown grin. "I can't say I've ever met anyone quite in this…manner, before."

"Yeah, well, it's a special kind of 'hello' we have around here," I said, glancing at the destroyed bedroom. "Welcome to our mess."

Rook, still trying to pull on his shirt, stumbled over to us. "Reif, this isn't what it looks like," he said again, his voice a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

Reif's eyes danced with amusement. "Oh, I don't know," he said, waving a hand around the room. "It looks like I just missed one hell of a party."

I rolled my eyes, my cheeks reddening further. "That's not funny," I muttered.

Reif's grin widened. "Oh, come on, lighten up. It's not every day you find a vampire and a witch playing hide the salami in the middle of a magical showdown."

Keeley chuckled despite herself, breaking the tension in the room. "Well, when you put it like that..." she said, helping me pull on one of Rook's oversized t-shirts.

Rook shot her a glare, which she returned with a playful smack to his arm. "Okay, okay," she said, "but we do need to figure out what to do with this mess."

Reif looked around the room, taking in the shattered furniture and the dark magic residue that hung in the air. "Well, I can't say I'm much of a housekeeper, but I can help with the heavy lifting." He bent down to pick up a piece of the broken bedframe, flexing his biceps in a way that made it clear he was enjoying the situation far more than he should.

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the moment breaking like a dam. "Thanks," I said, "but I think we've got it covered."

Rook groaned, rubbing his head. "What I wouldn't give for a pint of blood right now."

Keeley snorted. "And here I thought you liked living on the edge," she teased.

We all laughed, the sound a little forced, but it helped to lighten the mood.

"So," Reif said, looking at me, "you're a hybrid. That's pretty rare."

I tipped my head, peering at him. "And you know this how?"

From beside me, Rook suddenly stilled, his own gaze swinging towards Reif. "Yeah, care to tell me how you know so much? I don't recall ever telling you what I am."

Reif chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Let’s just say, I’ve got my ways."

Rook raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?"

Reif's grin grew wider and he shrugged. "I have a knack for reading a room."

The absurdity of the situation hit me, and I couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, unbridled laugh that shook my whole body. It was a strange mix of nerves, shock, and relief.

Keeley looked at me, her own smile spreading. "You know what we need?" she said, her voice bright. "Pancakes."