---- began to emerge from all the tunnelssorcerers and hybrids alike, thirsty for revenge, their eyes fixed on Dante as if they wanted to gut him on the spot.


    Give me the woman, Dante.


    I know you came alone.


    Weve been watching the forest around the entrance; we know you have no backup.


    You will die here and now for your sins! Merkall stepped forward, confident in his strategy, believing he had outyed this arrogant vampire.


    He had carefully preserved a dagger stained with Dantes blood from an old battle and used it to inject that same blood into Celines body.


    Combined with his magic, it would confuse them both, making them believe they were matesensuring Dante wouldn''t suspect Celines true intentions and that she would unwittingly lead him straight into their trap.


    Suddenly, as the circle of sorcerers tightened around him, Dante burst into mockingughter, his chuckles echoing through the tunnels.


    Merkall signaled his people to hold back.


    Something was off.


    Dante looked too rxed, too confidentdespite having no way out.


    So, you watched the forest, Dante said, his crimson eyes locking onto the warlocks with an unsettling intensity.


    Tell me, did you look carefully inside? Merkalls eyes filled with suspicion and doubt.


    This is just a trick to escape! Yes, boss! We checked the tunnels; there was no one here! And you checked, you fools...


    but did you look for animals? Dante sneered, his amusement palpable.


    ---- At his words, Merkall tensed.


    It couldnt behad Dante prepared so far in advance? When did he suspect enough to set up an ambush before they could spring theirs?! Attack him! Dont let him live! Merkall ordered in a panic, but it was already toote.


    Dante roared, baring his fangs, and a shrill cacophony of high-pitched screeches filled the tunnels, apanied by the thunderous pping of wings.


    Dozens of bats, camouged in the darkness, swooped in, their wings whipping the air and sending the sorcerers into a frenzy as they realized their fatal mistake.


    The sorcerers began hurling fireballs, elemental spells, and gusts of wind to push the creatures back, but soon the dark cloud loomed above them.


    ughter these damned rebel ves! Ill promote anyone who brings me Merkalls head! Dante bellowed in rage.


    To him, anyone who wasnt a pure vampire was nothing but filth.


    He strongly agreed with the former Vampire King on that matter.


    Wings shifted into arms with razor-sharp ws, transforming into soldiersmen and womenwho descended into the chaos, shing with the sorcerers in a bloody battle.


    Blood flowed into the slow-moving water, and the air was thick with the stench of death.


    Magic against brute strength and speed.


    In such a narrow and enclosed space, the vampires held the advantage.


    ---- As the chaos consumed the depths of the old aqueduct, Dante seized the opportunity to drag the tormented Celine down the tunnel she had pointed out.