Crimson Veil (Book I)

Push the Boundaries

Elena stood in the middle of the training room, the tension between Lucien and Dante palpable. She was about to start the most dangerous part of her training yet, and she could feel the weight of their gazes on her. Lucien stood to her right, calm but serious, while Dante lounged against the far wall, that ever-present smirk tugging at his lips.

"Today's going to be different," Lucien said, stepping forward. "We've been focusing on control, but you've barely scratched the surface of your potential. I need you to trust me when I say that if we push too hard, you could lose control completely."

Elena met his gaze, trying to keep her voice steady. "I get it, Lucien. But if I don't test my limits, I'll never know what I can really do."

Dante's soft laugh echoed from across the room. "Finally, something we can agree on. You've been holding back, Elena. It's time to see what happens when you stop being afraid of your power."

Lucien shot Dante a sharp look. "Stop encouraging her recklessness. She's not ready for that."

Elena's frustration bubbled to the surface. "I'm standing right here, you know. And I'm tired of both of you acting like I'm some fragile thing that's going to break. I can handle it."

Lucien's jaw tightened. "You have no idea how dangerous this is. Your magic is different, Elena. If you don't control it, it could destroy you—destroy everything around you."

Dante crossed his arms, still leaning casually against the wall. "Or it could make her unstoppable. You're afraid of what she can do, Lucien. Admit it."

Lucien turned toward Dante, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not afraid of her. I'm afraid of what happens if she's pushed too far, too fast."

Dante's grin widened. "That's the point, isn't it? We won't know what she's truly capable of until she's pushed."

Elena's gaze shifted between the two men, feeling the tension rise. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Look, I'm not interested in playing it safe anymore. I need to know what I'm capable of. Both of you keep talking about how dangerous this magic is, but how am I supposed to master it if I'm constantly holding back?"

Lucien's eyes softened, though his expression remained serious. "I understand that you want to push yourself, but this isn't just about power. It's about balance. If you lose that balance, the consequences could be catastrophic."

Dante chuckled, shaking his head. "Lucien's always so dramatic. Balance is important, sure, but so is learning to take risks. You're not going to grow if you're too scared to push the boundaries."

Elena clenched her fists, feeling the energy stir within her. She could feel the magic simmering beneath her skin, begging to be released. "So, what's the plan, then? How do we push without going too far?"

Lucien stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "We'll start slow. I'll help you channel your energy in controlled bursts. We won't go beyond what you can handle."

Dante scoffed, moving toward them with a casual swagger. "Or we can stop being so careful and see what you can really do. I've got a few ideas—let's start with something bigger, something that'll force you to feel the full strength of your power."

Lucien's eyes narrowed. "No. That's reckless, even for you."

Elena looked at Dante, curious despite herself. "What did you have in mind?"

Dante's grin widened. "We could create a challenge. Something to push you without completely unleashing the chaos. A controlled environment, but with enough intensity to test your limits."

Lucien immediately shook his head. "Absolutely not. That's too risky."

Dante raised an eyebrow, his gaze locking with Lucien's. "She just said she's tired of holding back. This is her choice, not yours."