CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN - A WAR FOUGHT WITH HEARTS AND CLAWS

The blast of dark magic struck Aria with devastating force. Her body convulsed as the malevolent energy coursed through her, and she crumpled to the ground like a marionette with cut strings. "Aria!" Lucas cried out, his voice raw with anguish. He rushed to her side, cradling her limp form in his arms. "No, no, no. Please, Aria, stay with me." Her violet eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain. "Lucas," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm sorry... I couldn't let him hurt you." Lucas pressed his forehead to hers, tears streaming down his face. "Don't apologize. You saved me. Just hold on, okay? We'll get you help." Their mate bond, once vibrant and strong, now flickered weakly like a candle in the wind. Lucas could feel Aria's life force ebbing away, and it filled him with a terror he'd never known before. Viktor's cold laughter cut through the moment. "How touching. And how utterly pathetic. This is why love is a weakness, my dear daughter. Look where it's gotten you." Lu