The Breach

A deafening screech tore through the catacombs. The protective magical wards glowing on the ceiling flickered and shattered like fragile glass, raining harmless sparks over their heads.

The heavy iron doors of the sanctuary were blown completely off their hinges, crashing into the medical supplies. Standing in the threshold was a massive, heavily armored demonic commander, flanked by shadows. The air grew instantly freezing, reeking of sulfur.

"Traitor," the commander boomed, his eyes locking onto Caelum.

Caelum moved with lightning speed. Ignoring his bleeding side, he slid off the table and stepped directly in front of Rhea, shielding her entirely with his body. The flirty, arrogant demon was gone; in his place was a lethal, apex predator radiating murderous intent.

"Run, Rhea," Caelum commanded, his voice a dark, demonic resonance that vibrated in the floorboards. "There's a tunnel behind the supply crates. I will hold him."

He was going to sacrifice himself. He was going to buy her time with his own life.

"No."

Rhea grabbed Caelum’s shoulder, her grip like a vice. He glanced back at her, his golden eyes wide with frantic urgency. "Rhea, do as I say—"

She didn't let him finish. Grabbing the front of his armor, Rhea pulled him down and crashed her mouth against his.

It wasn't a sweet or hesitant kiss; it was a desperate, fiery promise. It was everything she had been holding back, poured into a single, breathless collision. Caelum froze for a fraction of a second before his arms banded around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest, returning the kiss with a scorching, possessive heat that threatened to consume her.

When Rhea finally broke away, she was breathless, her eyes burning with a fierce, luminous light. All her fear, all her hesitation, had been incinerated in the span of three seconds.

"I am a combat-mage, Caelum," she said, her voice steady and ringing with absolute authority. "I don't run. And I am definitely not letting you die."

Caelum stared at her, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face. The golden fire in his eyes burned brighter than ever. "As you wish, medic."