He had intended to break her, to use her soul to satisfy the bargain that kept him tethered to this realm. But as the cultists closed in, realizing Rae had seen too much, Leon found himself standing between her and the darkness he was born from.

"You're not a ghost," she whispered, her camera dangling forgotten against her chest.

He realized then that he didn't just want her soul. He wanted the fire that kept it burning. In a world of cold rituals and blood sacrifices, Rae was the only thing that felt alive—and he would tear the world apart to keep her that way. "Run," he commanded, his shadow stretching out like wings.