CHAPTER 18 - Fire in the Hallway

The first blow came before fear could speak.

My body moved on instinct. No thought. No pause.

I stepped forward as Lucian pulled me back, our movements colliding for half a second before settling into rhythm. Back to back. Shoulder to shoulder.

“Stay close,” he said.

“I’m not running,” I replied.

“I didn’t ask you to,” he said.

Another figure rushed us. I felt the heat under my skin surge. Sharp. Alive.

I struck without thinking. My hand connected. The force shocked me.

Too strong.

The attacker flew back.

I stared at my palm. “That was”

“Later,” Lucian snapped. “Breathe now.”

I did. In. Out.

Another came from the side. Lucian twisted, blocking. His movements were clean. Controlled. Deadly.

“You trained for this,” I said.

“I trained to survive,” he replied.

A blade flashed. I ducked. Pain grazed my arm.

I hissed.

Lucian swore under his breath. “They’re testing you.”

“Who?” I demanded.

“They always test before they take it,” he said.

I shoved one attacker back. My heart pounded. Don't panic. Focus.

Then one of them leaned close. Too close.

“For the council,” the masked figure whispered.

My blood went cold.

“The council?” I echoed.

The figure smiled behind the mask. “You were never meant to awaken.”

Rage snapped inside me. Bright. Burning.

I was struck.

The figure fell.

Lucian turned sharply. “What did he say?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

A lie. A necessary one.

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“I’m fine,” I replied. I wasn’t sure it was true.

Another wave rushed us.

Lucian’s voice dropped. “They know about your bloodline.”

“I know,” I said.

“And the child?” he asked quietly.

I stiffened. “No.”

“Good,” he replied. “Then we still have time.”

Time for what?

Before I could ask, a roar cut through the chaos.

“Aria.”

My heart twisted.

That voice. That fury.

Damon stormed in like a storm given shape. His eyes locked on me instantly. Relief flashed. Then anger. Sharp and uncontrolled.

“What did you do?” he demanded, staring at Lucian.

Lucian didn’t flinch. “I kept her alive.”

Damon laughed once. Cold. “By dragging her into your mess?”

I stepped forward. “Stop. Both of you.”

Damon’s gaze softened for a second when it met mine. “You’re hurt.”

“I said stop,” I repeated.

Lucian shifted. “More are coming.”

“I can handle them,” Damon snapped. “What I won’t handle is you near her.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t about your pride.”

“It’s about trust,” Damon shot back. “Something you lost long ago.”

I looked between them. Old wounds. Deep ones.

“Enough,” I said.

They both froze.

I met Damon’s eyes. “Why are you here?”

His voice dropped. “Because my guards lost your signal.”

Lucian’s brows drew together. “You track her?”

“For her safety,” Damon replied sharply.

“For control,” Lucian countered.

Damon stepped closer to him. “Say that again.”

Lucian didn’t back down. “You don’t protect what you cage.”

My pulse raced. “Damon.”

He looked at me. “Come home. Now.”

“No,” I said.

His face tightened. “You don’t understand the danger.”

“I understand it better than you think,” I replied.

Lucian glanced at me. A flicker of respect.

Damon noticed.

His voice turned dangerous. “Get away from her.”

Lucian’s eyes hardened. “Or what?”

“Or I tell the council who you really are,” Damon said. “And what you did.”

Silence slammed between us.

Lucian went still. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would,” Damon replied. “Murder leaves echoes.”

My breath caught. “Murder?”

Damon’s gaze never left Lucian. “Ask him about the blood on his hands.”

I turned to Lucian slowly. “What is he talking about?”

Lucian didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was low. “It was war.”

Damon laughed bitterly. “It was an execution.”

My chest tightened. “Lucian.”

He finally looked at me. “They deserved it.”

The words landed heavy.

Damon stepped closer to me. “Come home, Aria. Or I expose him. Tonight.”

I searched his face. Love. Fear. Control. All tangled.

“And if I don’t?” I asked.

His jaw clenched. “Then you choose him over everything you have left.”

Lucian spoke softly. “This is why she shouldn’t trust you.”

Damon’s eyes burned. “She’s my mate.”

The word hit me like a shock.

Lucian stiffened. “You don’t own her.”

“I protect her,” Damon snapped.

I raised my voice. “I choose.”

Both men turned to me.

My heart was hammered. The child inside me felt suddenly fragile.

“I’m not going home,” I said. “And I’m not leaving.”

Damon stared. Hurt flashed across his face.

“You don’t know what you’re doing,” he said quietly.

“Neither did my parents,” I replied. “And look what that cost them.”

His breath hitched.

Lucian watched me closely. “Aria.”

I met his gaze. “You said secrets rot fast.”

He nodded.

I turned back to Damon. “If you expose him, you expose me too.”

His eyes widened slightly. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” I replied, voice steady, “you don’t get to threaten my allies.”

Damon’s fists clenched. “This isn’t over.”

Lucian’s voice cut in. “No. It’s just beginning.”

Footsteps echoed again. More is coming.

Damon looked at me one last time. “I can still protect you.”

I shook my head. “Then stop trying to own me.”

Pain flickered across his face.

He stepped back. “Choose wisely.”

He turned and left.

Lucian exhaled slowly. “You just made an enemy.”

I pressed a hand to my stomach. “I already had one.”

He looked at me. “What did the masked one say?”

I met his eyes. “They serve the council.”

His expression darkened. “Then they know.”

“Know what?” I asked.

“That you are not just an Alpha,” he replied. “You are a threat.”

A chill ran through me.

As the last echoes faded, Lucian leaned close and whispered, “If the council moves, they won’t stop until they take your child dead or alive.”