Crimson Bonds

The Fight

We burst out of the building into the cold, rain-soaked streets, the night pressing in around us like a living thing. I don't know if it's the adrenaline or the sheer terror gripping my chest, but the air feels thick, heavy, as if the city itself is holding its breath.

Dante's grip on my arm is unyielding as he pulls me through the narrow alleyways, Lila close behind, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Nikolai, of course, is ahead of us, darting from shadow to shadow with a grin on his face like he's enjoying every second of this. I don't understand how he can be so calm—or worse, how he can find any of this fun.

"Where are we going?" I manage to ask, my breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps as I struggle to keep up with them.

Dante doesn't slow down. "Somewhere safe."

"Safe? You just said they're coming for me. How the hell is anywhere safe right now?"

Nikolai glances over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Relax, sweetheart. We've got this under control."

"Control?" I snap, my frustration bubbling over. "What part of this looks like control to you?"

"Olivia, focus!" Dante's voice cuts through the chaos in my head. "Just keep moving."

We round a corner, and suddenly, the world feels too small. The alley is tight, the buildings on either side towering above us like dark sentinels. I can hear them now—footsteps pounding behind us, echoing through the narrow streets. Too many to count. And they're getting closer.

"They're right on us," Lila says, her voice low but urgent.

"I know," Dante replies, his tone tight.

My heart feels like it's about to explode in my chest, and for a split second, I wonder if this is it. If this is how I die—chased down in a rain-soaked alley by creatures I barely understand.

Then I feel it—a shift in the air, a prickling at the back of my neck. Something's coming.

Dante suddenly pulls me behind him, pushing me against the brick wall of the alley. His eyes flash, more dangerous now than I've ever seen them. "Stay here," he commands, his voice low and lethal. "No matter what happens, don't move."

"What?" I start to protest, but Lila is already in front of me, her hand on my shoulder, her expression fierce but calm.

"Trust us," she whispers, her gaze locking onto mine. "We'll protect you."

Before I can argue, they both turn, stepping out into the middle of the alley just as the first figures appear at the other end. My breath catches in my throat. There are at least five of them, moving with an unnatural grace, their eyes glowing faintly in the dark.

The rogues.

I don't know how I know they're rogues—I just do. The way they move, the hunger in their eyes... it's different from Dante, Lila, and even Nikolai. There's something more primal about them, more animalistic.

"Well, well," one of them says, his voice slick and mocking. "Look what we've got here. Playing protector, are we, Dante?"

Dante doesn't respond. His posture is rigid, every muscle tensed like he's ready to pounce at any second.

"You know why we're here," the rogue continues, stepping closer. He's tall, lanky, with dark hair slicked back and a grin that shows too many teeth. "Just hand over the girl, and we'll be on our way."

"No," Dante says, his voice like steel. "You'll leave her alone."

The rogue laughs, a sound that makes my skin crawl. "Brave words, but you and I both know how this ends. You can't protect her. You can't protect any of them."