Vareck wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, eyes bloodshot with hatred.
"Asher…"
"Yes, it's me," Asher answered in an almost cheerful tone. "I'm touched that you remember my first name. It's flattering, really. Especially coming from someone who's been following me for… how long already? A century? Two? It almost looks like an obsession."
Vareck growled.
"Shut up."
"No but seriously," Asher continued, advancing nonchalantly. "You attack me, you attack my house, you attack the people I love… and now you charge at Klaus like a wounded animal. It's almost… touching. It looks like you can't do without me. Want me to find someone for you? Because clearly, I'm not interested. Sorry to break your little heart."
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Vareck roared.
"Oh, those words again. Always the same. You could vary a little, no? 'Asher, my love, come back to me' would have had more impact, don't you think?"
Vareck lost all control. He threw himself at Asher with ferocious speed, claws and magic combined. Asher dodged the first blow with a fluid movement, countered with a circular kick that sent Vareck flying against a calcified tree. The tree split in two.
Vareck got up roaring and launched a wave of black energy. Asher created a shield of pure light that absorbed the attack, then counterattacked with a series of rapid and precise spells. Each impact made the ground tremble. Asher clearly had the advantage: faster, more precise, and above all… calmer.
But Vareck was no novice. He feinted an attack to the left, then used a displacement spell to appear behind Asher. A magical claw slash lacerated Asher's shoulder. Asher grimaced, but still smiled.
"Not bad. You're improving."
They clashed again in a violent ballet of magic and brute force. Asher was gaining the upper hand… until Vareck, in a desperate move, summoned an illusion to create a double of himself. Asher attacked the wrong one, leaving an opening. Vareck took advantage and launched a concentrated attack, ready to pierce his heart.
The attack never arrived.
A wave of pure power struck Vareck from the side, hurling him violently against a rock. He coughed up blood and looked up.
Miria stood there, her hair slightly lifted by the energy surrounding her, her gaze glacial.
"Aren't you ashamed of cheating, Vareck?"
Vareck spat on the ground.
"The little darling comes to defend her lover… pathetic."
Asher, still out of breath, took a step forward, fists clenched.
"I'm going to make him swallow his—"
"Asher," Miria stopped him in a soft but firm voice. "Go help the others. This fight… is between him and me."
Asher hesitated, his gaze torn between rage and worry.
"Miria…"
"Trust me. And be careful."
He clenched his teeth, then nodded.
"You too. Don't die. I wouldn't forgive you."
He cast one last dark look at Vareck before launching himself into the melee to join their friends.
Miria turned completely toward Vareck. The energy of the grimoire began to pulse around her, mixing sorcerer magic, vampire strength, hunter techniques and something far more ancient.
"Just the two of us now."
Vareck rose slowly, a twisted smile on his lips.
"As you wish… Miria."
They launched themselves at each other.
The real fight had just begun.