Run."
The word barely left my mouth before the air behind us shattered.
The ground exploded where Luna had been standing seconds ago, black claws tearing through concrete like paper. The creature screeched, its body flickering between shadow and flesh, eyes burning with hunger.
I grabbed her wrist.
She gasped but didn't resist.
We ran.
Rain soaked the streets as alarms wailed in the distance. The city blurred around us—abandoned buildings, flickering streetlights, warning signs people no longer paid attention to.
"Don't slow down," I said. "No matter what you hear."
Behind us, something laughed.
Not human. Not alive.
Luna stumbled. I tightened my grip, pulling her back to her feet before she could fall.
"I....I can't keep up," she panted.
"You can," I said sharply. "If you stop, you die."
Harsh. Necessary.
We turned into a narrow passageway. I slammed my palm against the rusted door at the end, muttering a code under my breath. Symbols flared briefly before the lock clicked open.
We slipped inside just as claws slammed into the metal.
The door shook violently.
I pressed my hand against it, channeling power despite the pain ripping through my veins. The curse responded eagerly, too eagerly burning beneath my skin like fire.
The pounding stopped.
Silence followed.
I staggered back, breathing hard.
Luna stared at me.
Up close, she looked worse than I'd thought there were scratches on her arms, dirt smeared across her face, eyes too calm for someone who should be broken by fear.
"What… was that?" she asked softly.
"One of many," I replied. "And they won't stop."
She hesitated, then pulled her sleeve up.
My breath hitched.
A black symbol curled around her wrist, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
So that was it.
"You're marked," I said.
Her fingers trembled as she lowered her arm. "I didn't ask for it."
"No one ever does."
I turned away, pacing the small room. "Listen carefully. Whatever put that mark on you turned you into bait. Every creature in this city can smell it."
Her voice broke. "Then why did you help me?"
I stopped.
Why had I?
I'd sworn never to get involved again. Never to care. Caring only led to loss and the curse made sure of that.
"…Because if I didn't," I said quietly, "you would've died."
She stepped closer. I felt it immediately the curse reacting, stirring, hungry and alert.
"Then don't leave," she said. "Please."
I looked into her eyes.
Fear. Resolve. Trust she hadn't earned but gave anyway.
That was the most dangerous thing of all.
"Stay here tonight," I said at last. "At dawn, we figure out what you are… and how to keep you alive."
She nodded.
Outside, something howled.
And I knew one thing for certain.
Saving her would cost me everything.