Eclipse Love

Selene stared into the flickering fire, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

A prophecy. A bond that couldn't be broken. A fate she never asked for.

She had spent her whole life hunting vampires, trained to believe they were nothing more than soulless monsters. Now, she was bonded to one. Not just bonded—changing.

And the worst part? She had no idea what she was becoming.

Lucian sat across from her, sharpening his dagger in slow, deliberate strokes. He had barely spoken since Morgana's revelation, but she could feel his unease through the bond.

It was strange—this new awareness of him. She could sense his emotions, his presence, as though they were tethered by an invisible thread.

She hated it.

She needed it.

She clenched her jaw, shoving that last thought away.

Morgana stood near the entrance of the cave they had taken shelter in, watching the forest below. "We don't have much time," she murmured.

Selene frowned. "You said the Elders were coming. How soon?"

Morgana turned, her violet eyes gleaming. "They're already here."

Selene's heart skipped a beat.

Lucian tensed. "What?"

Morgana smirked. "Oh, relax. They don't know where we are—yet. But they're close."

Selene shot to her feet. "Then why are we just sitting here? We need to run."

Morgana tilted her head. "And go where? You think you can outrun the Elders? They don't chase their prey, little hunter. They corner them."

Lucian's grip tightened around his dagger. "Then we fight."

Morgana sighed dramatically. "You always were the reckless one, Lucian."

Selene ignored them, pacing. Her instincts screamed at her to keep moving, to do something—but where would they go? Every path led to danger.

She exhaled sharply. "There has to be another way."

Morgana's expression turned thoughtful. "Actually… there is."

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning?"

Morgana smiled innocently. "Oh, nothing too drastic. Just a little betrayal."

Selene's hands curled into fists. "What do you mean?"

Morgana leaned against the cave wall. "The Elders think they're hunting you two. But what if we made them think otherwise?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "You want to lure them somewhere else."

Morgana shrugged. "Call it misdirection. Give them something to chase while you slip away."

Selene crossed her arms. "And what exactly would we be sacrificing for this plan?"

Morgana's smirk widened. "Oh, nothing much. Just… me."

Lucian stiffened. "No."

Selene blinked. "Wait, what?"

Morgana rolled her eyes. "You're both so dramatic. Look, the Elders expect you to run. They won't expect me to show up and hand myself over. While they're busy interrogating me, you two can get as far away as possible."

Selene frowned. "Why would they believe you?"

Morgana smirked. "Because I'm an excellent liar."

Lucian shook his head. "It's too dangerous."

Morgana arched a brow. "Oh? And throwing yourself into a fight with the most powerful vampires in existence isn't?"

Lucian clenched his jaw.

Selene watched the exchange, something shifting inside her. Morgana might have been reckless, arrogant, and entirely untrustworthy—but there was no mistaking the truth in her eyes.

She was willing to do this.

And Selene couldn't ignore the small, nagging voice in the back of her mind that whispered: This is our best chance.

She took a deep breath. "She's right, Lucian."

Lucian turned to her, his silver eyes flashing with frustration. "You can't be serious."

Selene met his gaze steadily. "If we stay, we die. If we run without a plan, they'll catch us. Morgana's idea gives us a chance."

Lucian's fists clenched, but he said nothing.

Morgana beamed. "See? The hunter understands strategy."

Selene ignored her. "We should move before it's too late."

Lucian exhaled sharply, his gaze hard. "Fine. But if this goes wrong—"

"Oh, it will," Morgana cut in cheerfully. "But that's part of the fun."

Selene resisted the urge to groan.

Lucian sheathed his dagger. "We leave at dawn."

Morgana smirked. "Oh, little brother. I was hoping you'd say that."

The Trade

Hours later, they stood at the edge of an abandoned ruin, the air thick with tension.

Selene's heart pounded as Morgana stepped forward, her movements slow and deliberate. The wind howled through the broken stone archways, whispering secrets from another time.

Then, the shadows moved.

Figures emerged from the darkness—cloaked in deep crimson, their presence suffocating.

The Elders had arrived.

Selene's fingers twitched toward her dagger, but Lucian caught her hand, squeezing it just enough to remind her to stay still.

Morgana approached the group casually, as if meeting old friends. "Ah, Elders. So formal as always."

One of the figures stepped forward—a tall, imposing man with silver hair and pale golden eyes. His voice was smooth, laced with quiet menace.

"Morgana."

She grinned. "You look well, Lord Varyn."

The Elder's gaze flicked past her, searching. "Where is your brother?"

Morgana sighed. "Straight to business. No 'how have you been?' No 'my, you've grown more powerful'? Really, where's the hospitality?"

Lord Varyn didn't blink. "You wouldn't have come unless you had something to offer."

Morgana's smirk remained, but Selene noticed the slight shift in her stance. "You're right. I do."

Varyn waited.

Morgana let the silence stretch before finally saying, "Lucian has no interest in your war. And as for the little hunter…" She tilted her head. "Let's just say she's not as enthralled with him as you might think."

Selene bristled.

Varyn's gaze sharpened. "Then why betray them?"

Morgana sighed dramatically. "Because unlike my brother, I understand how the world works. I know power when I see it." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "And I know something you don't."

Varyn raised a brow.

Morgana smirked. "Lucian and the hunter? They aren't bonded the way you think."

Selene tensed.

Lucian stiffened beside her.

Varyn's eyes flashed. "Explain."

Morgana shrugged. "I'd rather not. But if you take me in, I might feel inspired to share."

Silence.

Then—

Varyn smiled.

A slow, knowing smile that sent a shiver down Selene's spine.

"Very well," he said. "Let's see if you're worth the trouble."

He lifted a hand—and the shadows swallowed Morgana whole.

Selene's breath caught.

Lucian's grip on her hand tightened.

And then—the Elders were gone.

The Escape

Selene exhaled, her chest heaving. "Did that just—"

Lucian's voice was tight. "We need to move. Now."

Selene nodded, but as they turned away from the ruins, one thought burned in her mind.

Morgana just sacrificed herself.

But why did she have the sinking feeling this wasn't the last they'd see of her?

And worse—what if her betrayal was only the beginning?

End of Chapter Ten.