A Warning in Blood

The locket felt ice-cold in Alina's palm, its delicate chain wrapped around her trembling fingers. It was impossible. No one should have been able to get into her apartment—not without her or Damon noticing. And yet… someone had. A chill crept down her spine. "They had been inside while she was sleeping." Her voice came out barely above a whisper. 'How did they get in?" Damon's expression was unreadable, but his body was taut with tension. 'They didn't break in. Which means they had a key." Alina's breath hitched. 'That's not possible." Damon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. 'Possible or not, it happened." His jaw tightened. 'And it means Victor isn't just sending a message. He's showing you he has full access to your life." Alina felt a wave of nausea roll through her. "There was no escaping this." She looked down at the locket, her grip tightening around it. Her mother had died years ago, and that necklace had been one of the only things she had left of her. She had kept it locked away in her bedroom, untouched for years. Now, it was in her hand—left behind as a "warning." Her pulse pounded in her ears. 'What does he want?" Damon's gaze darkened. 'Control." Alina swallowed hard. 'Control over you?" Damon didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned toward the window, staring out at the city below. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter—deadly calm. 'Victor doesn't just take what he wants. He destroys everything in his path first." His hands clenched into fists. 'And now, he's using you to get to me." Alina shivered. 'So what do we do?" Damon turned back to her, his gaze sharp and unwavering. 'We fight." The sun had barely risen when Damon made the call. Alina sat at the kitchen counter, listening as he spoke in low, clipped tones. She could tell he was speaking in "Russian", his words fast and sharp like a blade. She didn't need to understand the language to know that he was planning something dangerous. When he finally hung up, she forced herself to speak. 'Who was that?" Damon exhaled slowly. 'An old friend. He has eyes on Victor's men." Alina's stomach twisted. 'And?" Damon's gaze met hers. 'Victor isn't finished. He's just getting started." The weight of his words settled over her like a heavy blanket. She had never asked to be part of this world, but now there was no turning back. Damon moved closer, his voice firm. 'I need you to trust me, Alina." She hesitated. "Did she?" She had spent weeks convincing herself that Damon was the worst thing that had ever happened to her. That she needed to get away from him before she lost herself completely. But now? Now, the only thing keeping her safe "was him." Alina exhaled slowly. 'What's the plan?" Damon's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. 'War." Damon didn't waste time. Within hours, they were on the move. Alina had never been to his other properties before, but this place—"a private estate just outside the city"—was something out of a different world. Security cameras lined the property, and heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter. It was a "fortress." 'This is where you'll stay for now," Damon told her as they stepped inside. Alina swallowed hard. 'For how long?" Damon's expression was grim. 'Until I know Victor won't touch you again." Something about the way he said it made her stomach flip. Because deep down, she knew the truth. "Victor wouldn't stop." Not until he got what he wanted. And if Damon couldn't stop him first—"she would never be free." The attack came faster than either of them expected. Night had fallen, and Alina was in the kitchen when she heard the first "gunshot." Her heart slammed into her ribs. More shots rang out, echoing through the estate. The guards shouted orders, their voices laced with urgency. Then—"the explosion." The entire house trembled as flames erupted outside, lighting up the night sky. Alina's breath came in sharp gasps. 'Damon—" Before she could say another word, "he was there." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. 'We have to move. Now." Her legs felt frozen, but she forced herself to run as Damon led her through the house, past the chaos unfolding outside. They reached a hidden passage near the back of the estate. Damon keyed in a code, and the door slid open. 'Go," he ordered. Alina hesitated. 'What about you?" Damon's gaze burned into hers. 'I'll handle this." Something inside her "snapped." 'No," she said fiercely. 'I'm not leaving you." Damon exhaled sharply. 'Alina—" A sharp "whistle" cut through the air. Then—"the bullet." It slammed into the wall inches from Damon's head. Alina "screamed." Damon "moved." He spun, drawing his gun and firing in one fluid motion. The man who had been aiming at him "dropped." But they weren't alone. More footsteps pounded toward them. Damon grabbed Alina and shoved her behind him. 'Stay down." She pressed herself against the wall, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Damon moved like a shadow, his bullets finding their marks with terrifying precision. One by one, Victor's men fell—but more were coming. And then—"the voice." Low. Cold. Amused. 'You're slipping, Damon." Alina's stomach "dropped." Victor. The man himself stepped into view, his dark eyes glittering with amusement. 'Did you really think I wouldn't come for what's mine?" Victor mused, his gaze flicking briefly to Alina. Damon's entire body went still. Alina's pulse pounded in her ears. She wasn't just a pawn anymore. She was "the prize." Victor's smile sharpened. 'Let's make a deal."