Moonlit Bound

The Hunter's Mark

The night air felt heavier now, as though the shadows themselves were closing in. Emily could still feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, her heart beating in time with her quickened breaths. She barely registered the streetlights flickering above her as Liam pulled her along the winding path toward the edge of town.

  "Where are we going?" she asked, struggling to keep up.

  "To a safer place," Liam replied, his voice steady but strained. He glanced over his shoulder, as though sensing something she couldn't. "We're not done yet."

  Emily felt a sudden pang of fear, but she swallowed it down. Not done yet? They'd just fought off a creature in the church. How could there possibly be more?

  The moment they reached the outskirts of town, Liam led her into a dense forest. The trees towered above them, their branches thick with leaves that blocked out most of the moonlight. Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as they ventured deeper into the woods. There was something about the forest—something ancient—that made the air taste different, as though it carried memories from centuries past.

  "Why here?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  "Because no one can find us here," Liam said cryptically. "At least, not unless they know what to look for."

  Emily shivered, but not from the cold. "What do you mean?"

  Liam stopped walking and turned to face her. His expression was darker than she'd seen before, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable. "You're marked now. By the creature. It knows you're a threat, and so it will hunt you."

  Emily froze, a chill creeping down her spine. "What do you mean by marked?"

  Liam's gaze softened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something other than cold determination in his eyes—regret, perhaps?

  "A mark is a signal. When a creature's bloodlust is awakened, it leaves behind a trace. Something that binds you to it. It's how they find you, track you down." He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. "And right now, it's on you. Every supernatural being in this area will be able to feel it."

  Emily felt a cold knot of panic tighten in her stomach. "How do we get rid of it?"

  "We don't," Liam said, his voice sharp. "Not until we deal with the one who left it on you."

  She felt her stomach drop. "That thing in the church—"

  Liam nodded grimly. "The creature you fought was just one of many that will come after you. It wasn't the worst. But it was a warning."

  "Great," Emily muttered under her breath. "I'm marked for death by monsters I can't even see."

  "Not quite," Liam said, his tone softening again. "I'm here to protect you. And I will. But there's something you need to understand. The curse on your bloodline—it's not just about power. It's about the consequences of that power. The more you use it, the more you attract."

  Emily narrowed her eyes. "So I'm just supposed to stop using my abilities? Just like that?"

  "No," Liam replied quickly. "You need to learn how to control them. But until you do, we can't afford to take any chances. You're too valuable a target right now."

  The weight of his words sank in, leaving her feeling smaller than she'd ever felt before. She wasn't just caught up in some strange, out-of-control situation. She was a weapon. A target.

  "I hate this," she said softly.

  "I know," Liam said, his voice rough. "I'm sorry. But it's the reality we have to face. You're the key to ending the curse, Emily. And you're the only one who can do it."

  Emily felt a surge of anger. Why me? she wanted to scream. But the words caught in her throat. She didn't want to sound weak. Didn't want to appear vulnerable, especially not to Liam.

  Instead, she clenched her fists, trying to push down the rising tide of frustration. "So what now? What do I need to do?"

  Liam's eyes softened again, and for a moment, the stoic protector in him slipped away, revealing something more human. "Now, we train. Every night. You'll learn how to harness your magic, how to fight, and how to survive. And, more importantly, you'll learn how to defend yourself when you don't have me around."

  The last part stung more than it should have. "I don't need anyone," she said, though it was a lie even as the words left her mouth.

  Liam's lips curled into a faint, sad smile. "That's what you think. But trust me, Emily—you're going to need more than just your strength to get through this."

  Before she could respond, a distant howl echoed through the trees. The sound was deep and chilling, like the growl of a creature too large to be anything human.

  "Stay close," Liam ordered. "That's just the first of many."

  Emily's stomach turned, and the forest around them seemed to shift, as though the very trees were closing in. She glanced at Liam, watching his expression harden, his eyes scanning the shadows.

  "What is that?" she asked in a whisper, fear creeping into her voice.

  Liam didn't answer immediately, his focus still trained on the darkness. "A hunter. It's an old species. They're relentless."

  Suddenly, a shadow darted between the trees, fast and fluid. Emily barely had time to react before Liam gripped her wrist and yanked her forward. "Move!"

  They ran, the forest blurring around them as they made their way deeper into the woods. Emily's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to keep up. The sound of the creature's footsteps echoed in the distance, growing closer with each passing second.

  Liam didn't let up, his grip on her wrist unyielding as he pulled her along. Every now and then, she could catch glimpses of movement in the periphery of her vision—dark shapes flitting between the trees, just out of reach. The hunter was close.

  They reached a clearing, and Liam stopped abruptly, pulling her behind a large rock for cover. He crouched low, signaling for her to do the same.

  "Stay quiet," he whispered.

  Emily's heart thudded in her ears as she crouched beside him, trying not to make a sound. Through the branches, she saw it: a creature, taller than a man, its elongated limbs moving with unnatural grace. Its skin was pale and mottled, almost translucent in the dim light. Eyes like burning coals glowed in the dark, fixated on their position.

  Liam's hand rested lightly on the hilt of the sword at his side. His jaw clenched, and for the first time, Emily saw him genuinely afraid.

  "We can't outrun it," he said, his voice low. "We'll have to fight."

  The creature sniffed the air, its head turning toward their hiding spot. Emily held her breath, praying it wouldn't find them.

  But it was no use. The hunter's eyes locked onto hers, and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The creature growled, and with a swift motion, it lunged toward them.

  Liam was already moving, drawing his sword and stepping between her and the oncoming creature.

  "Stay back!" he yelled. "This is my fight."

  But Emily didn't listen. She couldn't. Not when her life—their lives—were on the line.

  Summoning every ounce of courage, she raised her hands, the golden light flickering back to life. This time, she wouldn't wait to be saved. She would fight