Eclipse Love

Darkness.

Cold.

Selene's mind felt like it was drowning, pulled into a deep abyss where time stretched and warped. Whispers slithered through the void, voices she didn't recognize, speaking in a language she didn't understand.

Then—pain.

It came like a thousand knives driving into her skull, tearing through her like fire and ice.

She gasped, eyes flying open.

Blinding light greeted her.

She was no longer in the dungeon.

No longer in the Order's prison.

Instead, she lay in the center of a vast, circular chamber, carved from stone as black as night. The air hummed with magic, thick and suffocating.

And standing before her—

Vale.

Selene's heart lurched.

He stood on a raised platform, his hands folded behind his back, watching her with unreadable eyes. Around him, hooded figures formed a perfect circle, their faces obscured, their murmurs low and constant.

A ritual.

Selene's stomach twisted.

She wasn't just a prisoner anymore.

She was a sacrifice.

"Welcome back," Vale said softly.

Selene forced herself to sit up, ignoring the pounding in her head. Her wrists and ankles were still raw from the silver chains, but she was unbound now.

Which meant Vale was confident she couldn't escape.

Selene's jaw tightened. "Let me guess. You're about to monologue about how this is for my own good?"

A faint smile flickered across Vale's lips. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"

Selene's eyes darkened. "Not even for a second."

Vale sighed, stepping closer. "You don't understand what's happening, Selene. That bond inside you—it's poison. It's warping you, making you something you were never meant to be."

Selene's breath came shaky, but she forced herself to laugh. "Oh? And what exactly was I meant to be?"

Vale's expression turned icy.

"A weapon."

Selene's pulse spiked.

The word cut through her like a blade.

Vale knelt in front of her, his voice low and measured. "The Order created you, Selene. Every fiber of your being was designed to do one thing—kill his kind."

Selene's chest tightened.

His kind.

Vampires.

Lucian.

Vale continued, his voice smooth as silk. "And yet, despite everything, you bonded yourself to a creature you were meant to destroy."

Selene gritted her teeth. "I chose him."

Vale shook his head. "No. The bond chose for you."

Selene froze.

The bond had always felt powerful—inevitable—but she had believed it was hers.

Her choice.

Hadn't it been?

Vale reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I can free you, Selene. I can give you back your will."

Selene's breath caught.

That's what this was.

This ritual—it wasn't just about breaking the bond.

It was about breaking her.

Selene exhaled slowly, forcing her voice to steady. "You're wrong."

Vale's gaze hardened. "Am I?"

Selene lifted her chin. "You talk about free will, but the truth is—you're the one trying to control me."

Vale's lips pressed into a thin line.

Selene smiled sharply. "I may not know what I was meant to be. But I know what I want."

She held his gaze, letting the words sink in.

"I want Lucian."

Vale's fingers twitched.

For the first time, something like doubt flickered in his expression.

Then—

BOOM.

The chamber shook, stone dust raining from the ceiling. The ritual candles flickered, their flames shuddering.

Selene's heart leapt.

A second explosion ripped through the walls.

And then—

Screams.

The hooded figures turned toward the entrance, magic crackling at their fingertips.

Then the door burst open.

A whirlwind of darkness and silver tore through the room.

Lucian.

Selene sucked in a breath as he stepped through the shattered doorway, his fangs bared, his silver eyes glowing with fury.

Blood stained his hands, his chest heaving with rage.

Darius followed close behind, his blade dripping red.

Vale exhaled sharply, his expression neutral, but Selene could feel the tension rolling off him.

Lucian's gaze locked onto hers.

Something inside Selene snapped.

Without thinking, she ran to him.

Lucian moved just as fast.

The moment she collided into his chest, his arms crushed around her, his breath ragged against her ear.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was low, rough, and deadly.

Selene pressed a hand against his chest, feeling his wild heartbeat beneath her fingers. "I'm okay."

Lucian pulled back just enough to study her face. His silver eyes blazed. "We're leaving."

But before they could move—

Vale spoke.

"You're making a mistake, Lucian."

Lucian's muscles tensed beneath Selene's touch. He turned slowly, eyes like molten steel.

"The only mistake," Lucian growled, "was letting you live this long."

Vale smiled faintly. "And yet, you won't kill me."

Lucian's fangs glinted. "You want to bet?"

Selene grabbed his arm. "Lucian."

They couldn't fight Vale. Not here, not now.

Lucian exhaled sharply, his fury barely contained.

Vale inclined his head. "Take her and run. But know this—"

Lucian's fingers tightened around Selene's hand.

Vale's voice dropped to a whisper.

"She will come back to me."

Selene's breath hitched.

Lucian snarled, his power flaring, but Selene yanked him back.

Not now.

They had to go.

Lucian gave Vale one final, murderous glare—then pulled Selene toward the exit.

Darius covered their retreat, slashing through any remaining Order members in their way.

They ran.

Through the shattered halls.

Through the burning ruins of the Order's fortress.

Through the darkened forest, where the moonlight broke through the trees like silver blades.

Selene's pulse thundered.

They had escaped.

But Vale's words lingered.

She will come back to me.

Selene shivered, clutching Lucian's hand tighter.

Because deep down, in the quietest part of her soul—

She feared he was right.

End of Chapter Sixteen.