“Theo!” Elena screamed, her voice panicked and Theo didn’t bother with another word or glance in David’s direction as he ran inside.

Theo reached the threshold in a heartbeat, his senses sharpening as he took in the scene before him. Elena stood rigid by one of the armchairs, the artifact clutched tightly in her trembling hands. Her eyes were glazed, unfocused, as though she were trapped in some unseen nightmare. The artifact pulsed with dark energy, its ominous light casting jagged shadows across the room. Beside her loomed the shadowy, otherworldly figure of a Noctrach, its eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger.

There was no time to think. Theo lunged at the creature, slamming it hard against the wall with a force that rattled the nearby furniture. He drew back his fist to strike, but the Noctrach dematerialized in a swirl of darkness, reforming behind him. Theo spun just in time to block the creature’s clawed hand, its sharp talons mere inches from piercing his chest.

In his periphery, he caught a blur of motion—David bursting into the room. Without hesitation, David charged another Noctrach that had taken shape in the hallway, his fists glowing with golden light as he landed a heavy punch. The creature looked momentarily stuck in place, but Theo had no time to watch.

The sharp sting of claws grazing his arm yanked his focus back to his own fight. Theo recoiled as the Noctrach swiped at him again.

What are these things made of? David had said they were once humans. They’re shadows now, but can they still break?

He didn’t have to wonder for long. The Noctrach lunged for him and he dogged, grabbing its wrist in a vise-like grip and then twisted, the sickening sound of tearing muscle and bone filled the air. The Noctrach let out a shrill sound, somewhere between a hiss and a scream, as it struggled against him.

Theo smiled. It was still breakable.

Before he could press the advantage, however, the creature lashed out with its other claw, tearing through his shirt and grazing his chest. He dropped low, sweeping his leg beneath the Noctrach’s shadowy form and knocking it to the ground. He moved to pin it but the creature dissolved into shadows once more, reappearing above him.

The Noctrach loomed, its good arm reaching for his throat, its claws glinting with malice. Before it could strike, a sudden burst of light illuminated the room, disorienting the creature and throwing it off balance. Theo seized the opening, his movements swift and precise. He thrust his hand into the creature’s chest, feeling the sickly resistance of flesh and shadow as he reached for its core. He wasn’t sure what he would find or if he would find anything at all but it was worth a try.

His gamble paid off.

His fingers found purchase, gripping a pulsing, otherworldly organ. With a fierce yank, Theo tore the heart-like mass free. Black, viscous liquid burst from the wound, splattering across the floor as the Noctrach let out a final, guttural wail. Its form collapsed into a heap of dark mist and shadow before dissolving entirely, leaving nothing but the grotesque organ in Theo’s hand. He tossed it to the ground, wiping his hand on his ruined shirt as he caught his breath.

The room stilled, the oppressive darkness lifting slightly. But Theo’s focus immediately shifted to Elena, still standing frozen, the artifact glowing ominously in her grasp.

David was already at Elena’s side by the time the artifact slipped from her hold and hit the floor with a dull thud. She gasped, her knees buckling slightly as though the release of the artifact’s power had drained the strength from her body.

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“Elena!” David’s voice was sharp with concern as he caught her arm, steadying her before she could collapse entirely.

Her chest heaved as she struggled to regain her breath. There was a lingering fog in her gaze, the remnants of whatever force had held her captive. Slowly, the glazed look cleared, and her trembling subsided, though she leaned heavily into David’s hold.

“The artifact,” she rasped, her voice hoarse. “It... it was showing me something.”

David’s jaw clenched, his attention shifting momentarily to the artifact now lying dormant on the floor. Its dark surface no longer pulsed with energy, but an unnatural chill seemed to radiate from it. He scowled. “This wouldn’t have happened if you were under the Watchers’ protection,” he said, his voice tight with barely contained anger. His glare snapped to Theo. “You should have let me take her when I had the chance. This estate isn’t safe!”

Theo, still catching his breath and brushing off the remnants of the fight, fixed David with a cold, measured stare. He walked toward them, his movements unhurried, the tension between them thickening with every step.

“She’s safe,” Theo said, his voice low and calm, but there was an edge to it. “If you haven’t noticed, the Noctrachs are dead, and Elena is still standing.”

David’s grip on Elena’s arm tightened protectively as he stood to his full height, meeting Theo’s gaze head-on. “Barely. She could’ve been killed, Theo. Or worse. She’s not just some—”

“Stop!” Elena’s voice, though soft, cut through their rising argument. She straightened, gently pulling her arm from David’s grasp. Her eyes, now clear and steady, flicked between the two men. “I’m fine. Both of you, just... stop.”

Theo’s gaze softened as he looked at her, his jaw still tight, but the heat of his argument with David faded. “Elena,” he began, stepping closer, his voice quieter, “what happened? What did you see?”

She swallowed hard, her gaze lowering to the artifact on the floor before she met Theo’s eyes again. “I took it to study,” she admitted, her voice laced with guilt. “I thought... if I could understand it better, maybe I could control it. But when I held it, something happened.”

David frowned but didn’t interrupt.

Elena hesitated, her fingers flexing at her sides. “I had a vision about where one of the fragments is I think,” she continued. “I saw a place—ice, layers of it. Everything was frozen, and the sun... it was just below the horizon like it was stuck there. Then, when I opened my eyes, the Noctrachs were here. One of them was reaching for me.” She shuddered at the memory. “I felt something surge through me, into the artifact. And then everything went dark.”

David shook his head, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “This is exactly why you shouldn’t be here, Elena. The artifact is affecting you, manipulating you. We don’t know what else it’s capable of or what kind of danger you’re putting yourself in by staying.”

“I’m not leaving,” Elena said firmly, cutting him off. She glanced in Theo’s direction. “This is where I want to be. Please, just let it go.”

David’s expression was a mix of anger and worry, but he didn’t argue further. Instead, he took a step back, running a hand through his hair. “I need to go,” he muttered. “I’ll speak with Rowen and see if I can narrow down the location based on your vision.”

As David turned toward the door, Theo followed him, catching up just as David stepped outside. Theo reached out, grabbing his arm to stop him. The moment his hand connected, David’s arm glowed faintly, a burning heat seared Theo’s palm, making him recoil with a sharp hiss. David glanced at Theo’s hand, his expression unreadable, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

“Sorry,” David said, though his tone lacked any real apology. “habit.”

Theo briefly glared at David, flexing his hand, but then took a deep breath to calm himself. "She's safe with me," he said, his voice low and firm. "I'll protect her, David. I promise."

David’s gaze locked with Theo’s, the tension between them palpable. David simply nodded once, his eyes softening almost imperceptibly, and walked away into the night.

Theo stood there for a moment, watching him go, before turning back toward the estate. His thoughts churned as he made his way inside, his focus already shifting back to Elena.