The moon was too bright for a hunt.
Alina Thorne crouched beneath a tangle of blackthorn trees, silver blade gripped in her gloved hand. The forest around her breathed like a living thing—slow, hushed, and watching. A cursed place. Witch territory.
Perfect.
Her breath fogged in the cold air as she moved soundlessly through the woods. She wasn't afraid. She didn't believe in fear. That was burned out of her long ago, along with everything else that made her soft.
Only one name whispered on the wind tonight: Selene Vireya.
The last heir of the Eclipse Coven.The one born cursed.The one Alina was sworn to destroy.
Alina's lips curled. Finally.
She stepped into a moonlit clearing—and froze.
Selene stood in the center, barefoot on ancient stone, bathed in moonlight like she belonged to it. Her long silver hair floated around her like a veil, and her dark robes shimmered with violet enchantments. Her hands were lifted in a ritual pose, red magic bleeding from her fingertips and into the air like smoke.
Beautiful. Dangerous. Untouchable.
Alina's grip on her blade tightened.
"Not even trying to hide," she said aloud, stepping into the open. "Arrogant."
Selene turned slowly, eyes glowing like stormlit amethyst. When she saw Alina, she smiled. Not frightened. Not surprised. Just... amused.
"I was wondering when you'd come, little flame."
Alina didn't flinch. "You know why I'm here."
"To kill me?" Selene took a step forward, completely unafraid. "Or to watch me?"
Alina's blade flashed, slicing the space between them. "Don't flatter yourself, witch."
Selene didn't move. "Oh, I'm not flattering myself. You've been dreaming about me, haven't you?"
Alina's jaw clenched.
That smile. That voice. She hated everything about Selene.
Especially how her heart skipped every time she saw her.
"I came to end this," Alina hissed.
"You came because you can't stay away," Selene whispered, stepping even closer. "Tell me, hunter—do your vows shake when I'm near? Do your hands tremble when you dream of kissing the girl you're supposed to kill?"
Alina struck without thinking.
The slap echoed like thunder in the clearing.
Selene staggered slightly but caught herself. Her cheek reddened, eyes narrowing—but her grin only widened. She touched her face lightly, then raised her gaze again, deadly calm.
"Mmm," she purred, voice like silk over a blade. "Now we're getting somewhere."
"I should've cut your throat," Alina spat, chest heaving.
"But you didn't."
The space between them buzzed like something alive. Red magic curled around Selene's hands again, this time in slow, seductive swirls.
"You're cursed," Alina said, voice breaking.
"Yes," Selene said. "And now... so are you."
Before Alina could react, Selene flicked her fingers forward. Red light cracked like lightning. A mark seared itself into Alina's skin—just beneath her collarbone. She screamed, dropping to one knee, sword clattering beside her.
The curse flared to life inside her. A tether. A binding.
Selene walked over, knelt beside her, and whispered:
"You want me gone. But fate wants us tied."
Alina looked up, fury in her eyes. "I will end you."
Selene leaned close, lips brushing her ear. "You'll try. And then you'll beg."
Then the witch was gone—vanishing in a swirl of moonlight and smoke, leaving behind only the scent of lavender and blood.
Alina gasped for breath, clutching her chest where the cursed mark still burned.
She'd failed.She'd hesitated.And now she was bound... to her enemy.