Crimson Bonds

Chapter 29: Rising Tension

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the city, its light reflecting off the rooftops and streets as if forewarning the events to come. Babe and Billy stood side by side on a deserted rooftop, the cold wind cutting through the silence. The city below seemed almost too peaceful, too quiet for what was brewing beneath the surface.

Babe wrapped his arms around himself, his thoughts still haunted by Krit's betrayal. He hadn't slept much since that night, the trust he had placed in his closest friend now feeling like a wound that refused to heal. But there wasn't time to dwell on it, not with the looming threats they were facing. The Council's grip was tightening, and now there was the human hunter—a relentless predator who had made them their target.

Billy's presence was a steadying force, but even he seemed unusually tense tonight. Babe glanced at him, noticing the far-off look in his eyes. "What's on your mind?" Babe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Billy didn't answer right away. He just stared into the distance, his jaw clenched, the familiar mask of casual charm replaced with something heavier. Something darker. "The hunter," Billy finally said, his voice low. "She's getting closer."

Babe's stomach twisted at the mention of the hunter. They still hadn't learned her name, but she had been leaving a trail behind her—a trail of destruction that seemed aimed directly at them. And now, with that artifact, she was more dangerous than ever.

"What do we do?" Babe asked, hating the uncertainty that had settled in his chest. He hated feeling helpless.

Billy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We can't outrun her forever. She's got something... something powerful. That artifact she has—it's designed to take out entire bloodlines, Babe. Not just vampires, but any supernatural being tied to an ancient lineage."

The weight of those words sank in, making Babe's chest tighten. "And it can kill you."

Billy nodded, his expression grim. "If it's as powerful as I think it is, yeah. It could destroy me, my entire family."

Babe swallowed hard, the reality of the situation settling like a stone in his gut. "We can't let that happen."

"We won't," Billy said firmly, but there was something in his eyes, a flicker of doubt that he couldn't quite hide.

Before Babe could press further, the sound of footsteps broke through the silence. They both turned to see Elysia and Krit approaching. Elysia's face was as unreadable as ever, but Krit looked worse than before—his eyes red-rimmed, his shoulders hunched in defeat.

Babe's heart ached at the sight of him, but the betrayal still burned fresh in his mind. "What are you doing here?" Babe asked, his voice more cold than he intended.

Krit flinched but stood his ground. "I know I messed up, Babe. But I want to help. I need to make this right."

Billy crossed his arms, his expression hard. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Krit's gaze shifted nervously between them. "I've been digging into the Council's records, trying to find out more about this artifact the hunter has. I think I've figured out where she's hiding—and where she's planning to strike next."

Babe's eyes widened. "You know where she is?"

Krit nodded, his hands trembling slightly. "She's been tracking supernatural beings all over the city. Her last target was a shifter, and she's planning to test the artifact on him."

Babe exchanged a glance with Billy, who frowned. "If that artifact works..."

"It'll be the end of that shifter," Krit finished grimly. "And we're next."

The weight of those words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one spoke. The reality of their situation was sinking in fast, and the thought of that artifact in the wrong hands was enough to make Babe's blood run cold.

"We have to stop her," Babe said, his voice firm. "We can't let her test that artifact on anyone else."

Billy nodded in agreement, but his face was still dark with concern. "It won't be easy. This hunter... she's not like the ones we've dealt with before. She's been trained to take down entire supernatural bloodlines, and she's got the tools to do it."

Babe clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of power rising within him. His blood magic responded to his emotions, pulsing just beneath his skin. But this time, he wasn't afraid of it. He wasn't running from it.

"Then we fight," Babe said, his eyes locked on Billy's. "We stop her before she gets the chance to use that artifact."

Billy's gaze softened, but there was still that underlying tension, that fear that they were walking into something they weren't prepared for. "We fight," he agreed. "But we need to be smart about this. She's got the advantage right now, and we can't afford to go in blind."

Elysia, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward. "I can help," she said, her voice calm and steady. "I've been tracking her movements through the city's ley lines. If we act fast, we can intercept her before she gets to her next target."

Babe felt a surge of hope. Elysia's abilities as an oracle had been invaluable before, and now, with her guidance, they had a chance to stop the hunter before she could cause more harm.

"Then let's go," Babe said, determination burning in his chest. "We don't have time to waste."

The group moved quickly, gathering their gear and preparing for the confrontation ahead. But even as they made their way through the city's darkened streets, the weight of the situation pressed down on them. This wasn't just about stopping the hunter—it was about survival.

As they approached the location Krit had pinpointed, Babe's heart raced with anticipation. The hunter was close—he could feel it. The air around them seemed charged with energy, the tension growing with each step they took.

They found the shifter cornered in an abandoned warehouse, the hunter standing over him with the artifact in hand. It glowed with a dangerous light, pulsating with power that made Babe's blood run cold.

The hunter turned, her eyes locking onto theirs. She was tall, imposing, with a cold, calculating gaze that sent a shiver down Babe's spine. In her hand, the artifact gleamed menacingly, its power radiating in the air around her.

"You're too late," the hunter said, her voice calm and measured. "This ends now."

Babe felt the surge of his blood magic rising within him, stronger than ever. But even as he prepared to unleash it, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The hunter wasn't going to stop until she had destroyed everything in her path—starting with them.