VALERIA

"I never lied to you. You can leave this place by falling into the abyss—I just never assured you that you could do it alive," I said, looking into their terrified, resentful, and astonished eyes. They had no time to defend themselves.

I gripped their hearts tightly in my hands and tore them from their chests, crushing them into pulp between my claws.

They fell backward over the edge of the bridge. I extended my bloodied hand and caught the chain in the air, the key dangling from it, shining.

"Wait for me, my love. I’m coming to help you." I flew back to where Nana was, ready to free Quinn and Celine.

Only one enemy remained, but the Vampire King was as powerful as an entire army.

*****

"Here’s the key," I descended immediately, kneeling between them, clenching my fists at the sight of their broken bodies.

They were in terrible shape, their skin almost raw. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t managed to free them from those chains.

"Unlock them, quickly—the