Chapter 8: The Bond Awakens

Morning arrived beneath a sky covered with heavy gray clouds.

Although the battle had ended hours ago, the mansion remained unusually quiet.

Servants silently repaired the broken windows while magical barriers around the estate were strengthened.

Everyone knew another attack was only a matter of time.

Evelyn stood alone on the balcony outside her room.

The cold air should have bothered her, yet she barely felt it.

Her thoughts remained fixed on Thaddeus.

The pain she had seen in his eyes haunted her.

"Couldn't sleep?"

She turned to find Ryland leaning against the doorway with two steaming cups of coffee.

"You people really enjoy sneaking up on others," she muttered.

"Occupational habit," Ryland laughed, handing her one of the mugs.

"How is he?" she asked quietly.

"Alive."

"But not exactly happy."

"Was that because of me?"

Ryland became unusually serious.

"Partly."

"His darkness reacts whenever your magic awakens."

"Why?"

"We honestly don't know."

"We've never seen anything like it before."

Evelyn stared across the snowy forest.

"He's dangerous."

"To everyone except you," Ryland answered.

"Last night proved that."

Before she could ask another question, Orion appeared.

"The Council has arrived."

"Council?" Evelyn repeated.

"Leaders from the supernatural kingdoms," Orion explained.

"They're demanding to meet you."

"Me?"

"Word spreads quickly."

"Especially when ancient prophecies begin waking up."

Downstairs...

The mansion's throne hall had filled with powerful supernatural leaders.

Alpha wolves.

Ancient vampires.

Witches.

Fae nobles.

Every pair of eyes turned toward Evelyn as she entered beside Orion.

Their expressions ranged from curiosity to open hostility.

"So she's the girl," one elderly witch whispered.

"She doesn't look dangerous."

"Neither did Thaddeus once," another replied.

At the far end of the hall, Thaddeus sat silently upon a black stone throne.

His expression had returned to its usual cold indifference.

Yet when Evelyn entered...

His gaze softened for the briefest moment.

"The meeting begins," Orion announced.

An elderly Alpha stepped forward.

"Dark King, we demand the girl be placed under Council protection."

"Denied," Thaddeus answered instantly.

"You don't own her."

"Correct."

"Neither do you."

Silence filled the room.

The Alpha continued.

"If the prophecy is real, keeping her here endangers every kingdom."

"If she leaves here," Thaddeus replied calmly,

"she dies."

Several council members exchanged uneasy glances.

"Can you guarantee her safety forever?"

"Yes."

"Even against the Blood Moon?"

For the first time...

Thaddeus hesitated.

The hesitation lasted only a second.

But everyone noticed.

"You can't," the Alpha concluded.

"Which means none of us are safe."

Suddenly...

Evelyn felt an intense burning sensation across her chest.

"Ah..."

She stumbled forward.

Pain spread through her entire body.

"Evelyn!"

Before anyone could reach her, brilliant silver light exploded from her body.

The entire throne room was illuminated.

Every supernatural present instinctively stepped backward.

Ancient runes appeared across the marble floor.

Wind swirled violently inside the hall.

Then...

A glowing silver mark slowly appeared over Evelyn's heart.

At the exact same moment...

A matching black symbol appeared beneath Thaddeus's collarbone.

"Impossible..." Orion whispered.

"No..."

An elderly vampire dropped to one knee.

"The Eternal Bond..."

"It actually exists."

The silver light slowly faded.

Evelyn looked down at the glowing mark.

"What's happening to me?"

Nobody answered immediately.

Every eye shifted toward Thaddeus.

He slowly stood from his throne.

His expression had completely changed.

For the first time in over a century...

Real emotion crossed his face.

"The bond has awakened," he said quietly.

"What bond?" Evelyn asked.

He walked toward her until only a few feet separated them.

"The one fate created long before either of us was born."

"You're connected to me now."

"No matter where you run..."

"No matter how far you go..."

"Our souls have recognized each other."

The Council erupted into frightened whispers.

"This changes everything."

"The prophecy is real."

"The Blood Moon has already begun."

Far away...

Inside the hidden temple of the Obsidian Coven...

Malachar smiled as the crystal before him burst into silver flames.

"Excellent," he whispered.

"The Eternal Bond has awakened exactly as predicted."

"Now the final phase of the ritual can begin."