Blood and Belief - Chapter 1: The Port of Valorfen

Haatim got Emma to Frieda's van, practically throwing her into the back seat.\n\n\"Drive!\" he shouted.\n\n\"Where's—\" Frieda started.\n\n\"Still inside. Fighting. Alone.\" He grabbed weapons from the back. \"I'm going back.\"\n\n\"Like hell you are.\" Frieda caught his arm. \"You got Emma out. Mission accomplished.\"\n\n\"Abigail's in there!\"\n\nThe name hung in the air.\n\n\"She's...?\" Frieda's eyes widened. \"The golden-eyed woman. That's her?\"\n\n\"Yes. And I'm not leaving her behind. Not again.\" He loaded a magazine into his gun, checked his blade. \"Get Emma to safety. I'll meet you at the rendezvous.\"\n\nBefore Frieda could argue, he was running back toward The Crimson Veil.\n\nThe front entrance was chaos. Patrons fleeing, guards trying to maintain order. He pushed through, back into hell.\n\nInside, the battle raged. Abigail stood in the center, surrounded by vampire corpses and demon ash. Her dress was torn, blood—not all of it hers—splattered across the fabric. Her eyes blazed like twin stars.\n\nBarone circled her, faster than human, striking from different angles. She deflected each attack with telekinetic force, but he was wearing her down. She was breathing hard, bleeding from a dozen cuts.\n\n\"Abigail!\" Haatim shouted.\n\nShe glanced toward him. \"I told you to—\"\n\nBarone used the distraction. Lunged from behind, claws extended.\n\nHaatim fired. Silver bullet caught the vampire in the shoulder, spinning him away from Abigail. Not a killing blow, but enough.\n\nAbigail's eyes met his. Anger and relief warring in her expression. \"You idiot. You should have gotten out.\"\n\n\"We both know I wasn't going to do that.\" He moved to her side, back-to-back. Just like old times. \"Together?\"\n\nShe hesitated. Then nodded. \"Together.\"\n\nThey moved as one. Haatim's blade flashing, Abigail's power tearing through enemies. Six months apart, but they still fought like they'd never been separated.\n\nMore vampires poured in. Dozens. This was their stronghold, their fortress. They had reinforcements.\n\n\"We need to leave,\" Abigail said, destroying another demon. \"Now.\"\n\n\"I'm open to suggestions.\"\n\nShe grabbed his arm. \"Hold on.\"\n\n\"To wh—\"\n\nPower exploded. Telekinetic force lifted them both off the ground, sent them flying toward the exit faster than should be possible. They crashed through the front doors, tumbled onto the street, landed hard.\n\nHaatim's ears rang. His ribs ached. But they were out.\n\nAbigail stood, swaying slightly. Her eyes dimmed from gold back to brown. She looked exhausted. Looked like she might collapse.\n\nHe caught her before she fell.\n\n\"I've got you,\" he said softly.\n\n\"Haatim...\" Her voice was barely a whisper. \"I...\"\n\n\"Later. We need to move. Can you walk?\"\n\n\"I think so.\"\n\nHe helped her to her feet. She swayed again, leaned on him for support. They stumbled down the street together, putting distance between themselves and The Crimson Veil.\n\nBehind them, vampires emerged from the building. But they didn't pursue. Just watched as the Hunters fled.\n\nThey'd made their point. The Crimson Veil was their territory. The Hunters had gotten their rescue and survived. That was enough for now.\n\n\"Where are we going?\" Abigail asked.\n\n\"Safe house. Frieda's waiting with Emma.\" He looked at her. Really looked at her. Six months of wondering, and here she was. Different. Changed. But still her. \"We have a lot to talk about.\"\n\n\"I know.\" She closed her eyes. \"I'm sorry. For everything. For leaving, for not calling, for—\"\n\n\"Not now. First we get somewhere safe. Then...\" He tightened his arm around her. \"Then we figure out everything else.\"\n\nThey made it three more blocks before Abigail's legs gave out.\n\nHe caught her, lifted her in his arms. She didn't protest. Just let him carry her, eyes closed, breathing shallow.\n\n\"Stay with me,\" he said.\n\n\"Not going anywhere,\" she mumbled. \"Not anymore.\"\n\n\"Promise?\"\n\n\"Promise.\"\n\nHe carried her through the city streets, heading for the rendezvous point.\n\nBehind them, The Crimson Veil burned.\n\nSomeone had set it on fire—probably the other golden-eyed woman who'd been fighting demons. Good. Let it burn. Let Barone lose his fortress.\n\nThey'd won tonight.\n\nRescued Emma. Survived impossible odds. And Abigail was back.\n\nWhatever came next, they'd face it together.\n\nNo more running.\n\nNo more silence.\n\nNo more being apart.\n\nThat was the promise he made as he carried her through the night.\n\nA promise he intended to keep.