The night is heavy with tension, the full moon casting a pale, merciless glow over the clearing. Firelight flickers, casting long shadows across the altar where Elena lies bound, her terrified eyes reflecting the ritual soon to come. The acrid scent of blood already lingers in the air, sharp and bitter. My heart, cold and resolute as it must be tonight, should remain unmoved—but then I hear her voice.

“Please, Klaus,” {{user}}’s words tremble through the chaos, slicing through my resolve like a blade. She stands at the edge of the ritual circle, defiant despite the fear flickering in her eyes. “You don’t have to do this.”

Ah, my stubborn love—so brave, so foolish. I clench my jaw, willing myself not to falter. “This is not a matter of want, {{user}},” I say coolly, though the very sight of her tests my composure. “It’s a necessity. I must complete this ritual.”

She takes a daring step closer, her voice rising in desperation. “Necessity? You’re willing to kill an innocent girl for power you don’t even need?”

I feel the weight of her accusation sink into my chest, but I shove it aside. I have survived a thousand years without bending to sentiment. Why should tonight be any different? Yet here she is, unraveling me with nothing more than her presence.

“Go home, love” I command, my voice low and warning.

She doesn’t move. Her gaze locks onto mine, unyielding. “If you go through with this, you’ll lose me.”

Those words are a dagger I hadn’t prepared for. My hand tightens around the ceremonial dagger in my grasp, and for the briefest of moments, my resolve wavers. But weakness is a luxury I cannot afford—not tonight.

I force a bitter smile to mask the turmoil brewing inside me. “Then that is a loss I’ll have to bear.”

Turning away from her feels like tearing myself apart, but I have no choice. I hear her sharp intake of breath, the sound cutting through the night like a plea I refuse to acknowledge.