Elissa couldn’t tear her gaze away from Raphael.
He was different.
Not just because of the truth that had been revealed, but because of something deeper, something hidden within him. Now, knowing what he was, she could feel it.
The power sleeping in his blood.
His essence, bound by a curse.
And his connection to her.
Raphael looked at her like a predator restraining its nature, but in the depths of his eyes, there was struggle.
— If this is true… — he gritted his teeth. — If you really can awaken us…
Elissa swallowed.
— Then what?
The pastor watched them as if waiting for something.
Raphael stepped closer.
— Then you are my fate.
The words struck through her like a thunderclap.
She should have been afraid, should have stepped back… but she didn’t.
Because deep down, she knew.
She had always known.
Raphael slowly raised his hand and touched her cheek.
— I felt it from the first moment, — his voice was rough. — I wanted you.
Elissa held her breath.
— It wasn’t just hunger, — his fingers traced her skin, — it was… recognition.
The pastor nodded.
— It was always meant to be.
Raphael turned to him sharply.
— What does that mean?
The pastor clasped his hands behind his back.
— You are bound. Her blood awakens you, but you also affect her. This is not mere chance. This is… fate.
Fate.
Elissa felt her heart tighten.
— And now?
The pastor smiled.
— Now you must make a choice.
Raphael frowned.
— What choice?
— Accept your nature, or reject it.
Elissa didn’t have time to respond.
Because in that moment, something changed.
The air thickened.
The candles in the church trembled, then one by one, they went out.
Darkness swallowed them.
And then a voice rang out.
— She is mine.
And from the shadows, Gabriel stepped forward.