Blood and Desire

the valtors' gambit

The early morning light filtered into the room, casting pale streaks across the floor. Valeria lay in bed, her skin a sickly pallor, beads of sweat dotting her forehead. Seraphina sat by her side, refusing to let go of her hand, her eyes filled with worry. She had barely slept, unable to leave Valeria's side, as if by holding her, she could somehow will her back to health.

"Her condition isn't improving," Alaric muttered, pacing near the door. His usual composure was fractured, worry lacing his every word. "This fever... it's like nothing I've seen before."

Lena quietly approached with a basin of cold water, placing it beside the bed. "We have to try something. We can't just sit here and watch her suffer."

Seraphina's jaw clenched as she shook her head. "I'm not leaving her." Her voice trembled, the cracks of fear breaking through her usually stoic demeanor. She gently stroked Valeria's cheek, her eyes locked on the woman she loved. "She's strong. She'll pull through."

Lena exchanged a glance with Alaric, her brow furrowing. "Maybe if we knew more about what's happening to her... about her powers... or if this is connected to the Valtors somehow."

"We don't have time to figure it out," Alaric responded sharply. "She's getting worse by the minute."

Valeria's breathing became shallow, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her body shivered under the weight of whatever sickness was overtaking her. Seraphina's hand tightened around Valeria's, as if she could tether her to this world by sheer force of will.

"Stay with me," Seraphina whispered, her voice breaking. She leaned closer, pressing her lips to Valeria's forehead. "Please don't leave me, Valeria. I need you. We all do."

Alaric stepped forward, trying to remain calm, though his own anxiety was growing. "We need to get her to safety, Seraphina. She's not going to make it like this."

Seraphina's eyes flared with defiance, her grip tightening on Valeria's hand. "No! I'm not letting her go. She needs me right here."

Lena knelt down beside Seraphina, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get her through this, but we need to work together. Please, Seraphina."

For a moment, Seraphina's resolve seemed to falter, her expression softening as she looked at Lena and then at Valeria. She felt utterly powerless, watching the woman she had grown to love so deeply slip further away.

Suddenly, Valeria let out a faint, pained moan, her body trembling as though she were trapped in some unseen nightmare. Seraphina's heart clenched, and her hand moved to brush Valeria's hair away from her face, trying to soothe her.

"We're running out of time," Alaric warned, his tone growing more urgent. "If we don't find a solution soon, we might lose her."

Seraphina felt a tear slip down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, refusing to give in to the fear that clawed at her chest. "I can't lose her, Alaric. I won't."

Lena moved closer, her voice soft but steady. "We're here for you, Seraphina. We'll do everything we can."

The air in the cabin was tense, thick with a sense of urgency. As the group tried to piece together a solution, a soft knock echoed from the front door. Everyone froze.

Seraphina's eyes shot toward the sound, her instincts immediately on edge. Alaric narrowed his eyes and moved to the door cautiously, hand ready on the hilt of his blade. Lena followed, gripping the edge of the couch as her heart raced.

"Stay with Valeria," Alaric said, his voice low and commanding, though it was clear he was unnerved by the unexpected visitor.

Seraphina nodded, her gaze lingering on Valeria, who was still trembling and lost in feverish murmurs. She stayed by her side, but the tension in the air was palpable.