Mary's pulse was a steady drum in her ears as they moved through the dense forest. The night air was thick with tension, the weight of Eris' revelations pressing down on her. The Hunters' Order had been after vampires for centuries—not just to exterminate them, but to control them. And now, she wasn't just another target.
She was a prize.
Mary clenched her fists, exhaling sharply as she kept pace with Eris. Lela was a few steps ahead, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger, while Loosie lingered close behind, silent but alert.
Eris finally came to a stop near a small clearing, turning to face them. "We need to talk about what happens next."
Lela crossed her arms. "You mean besides the part where we try not to get killed?"
Eris smirked. "Exactly."
Mary swallowed her unease and squared her shoulders. "If the Hunters' Order is after me, I can't keep running forever. I need to fight back."
Eris' eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. That's the right mindset. But here's the problem—you don't know how to fight the way they do."
Mary frowned. "I know how to use a sword. I know how to use my powers."
Eris raised an eyebrow. "And that would be impressive… if you were up against ordinary enemies. But the Order doesn't fight fair. They know how to kill vampires because they created the methods. They'll use everything against you—your strengths, your weaknesses, your instincts."
Loosie hesitated. "So what do we do?"
Eris' smirk faded. "We change the rules."
Silence stretched between them as Mary processed the weight of those words. Change the rules? How?
Lela's expression was unreadable, but Mary could tell she was considering the idea.
Finally, Eris stepped forward, producing a small vial from her belt. The liquid inside shimmered—a deep crimson, nearly black in the dim moonlight.
"What is that?" Mary asked warily.
Eris twirled the vial between her fingers. "This? This is what the Order uses to bind their most powerful warriors. It's a Blood Pact—a magic that strengthens the one who drinks it but also ties them to a cause. A contract sealed in blood."
Loosie tensed. "And you want Mary to drink that?"
Eris chuckled. "No. I want her to make her own."
Mary blinked in surprise. "What?"
Eris crouched down, digging a small dagger into the earth. "The Order uses the Blood Pact to enforce loyalty. To bend warriors to their will. But if a vampire were to craft their own Pact—one not controlled by the Order—then they could turn the very magic used against them into a weapon of their own."
Lela frowned. "And how exactly do you expect us to do that?"
Eris met Mary's gaze. "By forging a Blood Covenant."
A chill ran through Mary.
Blood magic was forbidden among most vampire clans. It was considered too dangerous, too unpredictable.
But if it meant standing a chance against the Hunters' Order…
Mary took a deep breath. "Tell me what I need to do."
Eris grinned. "That's the spirit."
She took out a small silver bowl and placed it in the center of the clearing. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she unsheathed a knife and held it out to Mary.
"You're going to cut your palm and let the blood flow into the bowl."
Mary hesitated only for a moment before taking the knife. The metal was cool against her skin. With a steady breath, she pressed the blade against her palm and sliced.
Pain flared, but she barely reacted. She turned her hand over, letting the dark red droplets drip into the bowl.
Eris nodded approvingly. "Now, you speak the words."
Mary looked at her. "What words?"
Eris' voice was low, almost reverent.
"With this blood, I forge my will. With this pact, I defy my fate. Let those who stand against me fall, and let those who stand beside me rise."
Mary swallowed hard and repeated the words, her voice steady. "With this blood, I forge my will. With this pact, I defy my fate. Let those who stand against me fall, and let those who stand beside me rise."
The moment the last syllable left her lips, the blood in the bowl began to glow.
A deep, pulsing red.
The air around them trembled. Shadows curled around Mary's fingers like living smoke. She felt something stir within her—a presence, ancient and powerful.
Loosie took a step back, eyes wide. "What is happening?"
Eris watched carefully. "The Blood Covenant is taking form. Mary, do you feel it?"
Mary's breathing quickened. She felt warmth spreading from her palm, flowing through her veins like fire and ice intertwined. A connection, unseen but undeniable, wove itself through her being.
"I… I feel stronger," Mary whispered.
Eris grinned. "That's because you are."
Lela watched warily. "And what does this covenant actually do?"
Eris' expression turned serious. "It makes her untouchable by the Order's control. Any spell, any magic meant to subdue or manipulate her—it'll break. She's free."
Mary flexed her fingers. The glow around the blood slowly faded, but she still felt different. More in control.
For the first time since she had become a vampire, she felt whole.
But then… something else shifted.
The wind picked up, rustling the trees violently.
Eris' expression hardened. "We need to go. Now."
Lela drew her weapon. "What is it?"
Eris cursed under her breath. "They found us."
Before anyone could react, a piercing whistle cut through the air.
An arrow—black as night, glowing with enchanted energy—came flying toward them.
Mary barely had time to move before Lela yanked her out of the way. The arrow struck the ground where she had been standing a second ago, and an explosion of silver fire erupted.
"Move!" Lela shouted.
Mary bolted, her heart pounding. The shadows around her pulsed, reacting to her heightened senses. More arrows rained down, setting the forest ablaze in glowing embers.
Figures emerged from the darkness, clad in black armor. Their faces were hidden, but their intent was clear.
The Order had arrived.
Mary gritted her teeth. She wasn't the same frightened vampire she had been before. She had power now.
And she was done running.
With a deep breath, she reached for the energy coursing through her veins—the power of the Blood Covenant. The shadows curled around her hands like living blades.
It was time to fight back.