Prophet’s chanting rises higher, preparing for the final verse.The one that will accept my sacrifice and bind the creature.
Five feet.
Vex yells, a sound of pure anguish that tears through me worse than any physical wound.
Three feet.
I can see it now, the exact spot where I need to stand.The stones have formed a pattern, symbols glowing with ancient power, and at the center is darkness.Not shadow, butvoid.The place where the seal is thinnest, where my life will be consumed to make it whole.
Two feet.
Through the bond, I feel Vex’s love wrapping around me, desperate and fierce and trying so hard to hold me back without actually stopping me.
I’m sorry,I send through our connection.I’m so, so sorry.
One foot.
I’m about to step into the void when Vex moves.
Not toward me.Toward the center.
He’s faster than I am, faster than anything human, and before I can process what’s happening, he’s standing in the circle.In my place.In the exact spot where the sacrifice needs to occur.
“No!”The word rips from my throat.
“You said it yourself.”His smile is sad and beautiful and absolutely devastating.“It’s not your choice.”
“Vex, you can’t—”
“I can.And I am.”He spreads his arms wide, facing Prophet.“The prophecy says a willing sacrifice.It doesn’t specify which kind.Take me instead.”
“It has to be the warden!”Prophet’s voice cracks.“The bloodline—”
“Is right here.”Vex looks at me, and in his eyes I see clarity.Purpose.Peace.“We’re bonded, Prophet.My blood is her blood.Her power runs through my veins.If the seal needs warden magic, it can take it from me.”
Prophet’s eyes widen as understanding hits.“The bond.When you fed from her, when she gave you her blood willingly—”
“I became part of her bloodline.Not by birth, but by choice.”Vex’s voice is steady now.“Let the seal take me.Let it use my eternity to bind the creature.Let me be the anchor.”
“That’s not how it works—”
“Make it work!”Vex snarls, and for a moment he’s pure predator.“You’re an angel, Prophet.You channel heaven’s power.Channel it now.Rewrite the ritual.Make me the conduit.”
“Even if I could, the cost—” Prophet’s voice breaks.“Vex, you’d be bound to this place.Tied to the seal forever.You couldn’t leave.Couldn’t travel beyond the territory.You’d be a guardian, a living lock, until the day the seal finally breaks or you die.”
“I know.”
“You’d be giving up everything.Your freedom.Your mobility.Your entire existence would become about maintaining the binding.”
“I.Know.”Vex looks at me again, and through the bond I feel his certainty.“Five hundred years I’ve been walking this earth.Five hundred years of watching everyone I care about die while I continue.Maybe it’s time I stayed somewhere.Put down roots.Became something more than just a survivor.”
Tears stream down my face, freezing before they fall.“You can’t do this for me.”
“I’m not.”His smile is gentle.“I’m doing it for us.For the club.For this land that’s become home.And yeah, for you too.Because losing you would destroy me anyway, so at least this way you get to live.”
The Khorvath surges against the dome, sensing something has changed in the ritual’s dynamic.
“The vampire cannot take her place.He is not of her bloodline.”
