EPISODE 9

KEILAH

I barely had time to think. One moment, Damien was still. The next, he was a blur of motion, his eyes wild and locked on Cora like a predator cornering its prey. Without a second thought, I moved—my body acting on pure instinct, faster than I thought possible.

Before I even realised it, I had thrown myself in front of Cora, shielding her from Damien’s imminent attack. The instant I put myself between them, I felt it—sharp, excruciating pain tearing through my neck as Damien's fangs sank deep into my skin.

The pain was like fire, white-hot, and searing, ripping through my nerves. I gasped, the shock of it taking the air from my lungs as I stumbled forward against him. His grip tightened, his arms suddenly around me, pulling me closer as his fangs dug deeper, the raw hunger driving him.

“D-Damien!” I choked out, my voice strained and barely a whisper.

For a moment, it was as though he didn’t hear me. His need, his hunger, was too strong—too primal for words to reach him. The r