Damned by Him

The forest stretched endlessly beneath the pale afternoon sky, its towering trees standing like silent sentinels on either side of the narrow path. The wind moved lazily through the branches, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves, while the distant cry of some unseen bird occasionally broke the otherwise oppressive quiet.

Saline walked several paces ahead, her silver-white hair drifting behind her with every step.

Christophine followed.

At least, she had been following.

For the past several minutes, her steps had gradually become slower, and the confident rhythm she had displayed when leaving the mansion had disappeared beneath an increasing weakness. She pressed one hand against the trunk of a tree as she passed, using it to steady herself before continuing.

Saline noticed and she stopped.

Christophine nearly walked into her.

"What?" Christophine asked, lifting her head with an irritated expression. "Why did you stop?"

Saline turned around slowly.

Her eyes travelled over Christophine’s face, then down toward the hand she had placed against the tree.

"You are weakening."

Christophine scoffed. "I’m aware."

"Then stop pretending you’re fine."

Christophine rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from the tree.

"I have been trapped inside this pathetic body for far too long. Do you honestly expect me to recover instantly?"

Saline’s expression remained unimpressed.

"You were supposed to recover after leaving the mansion."

"I would have," Christophine replied, her voice carrying a trace of annoyance, "if someone hadn’t decided that walking through an entire forest was necessary, after my powers are locked been locked away."

Saline’s lips twitched.

"You complain too much."

"And you give too many orders."

The two women stared at one another.

Then Saline sighed.

She stepped closer.

"Stand still."

Christophine’s brows drew together.

"What are you—"

"Stand still."

This time, there was something in Saline’s voice that made Christophine obey and she remained where she was. Saline lifted one hand and the air around her fingers immediately changed.

A faint silver glow gathered around her palm, so subtle at first that it could easily have been mistaken for sunlight slipping between the branches. Then the light intensified, curling around her wrist like thin strands of smoke.

Saline closed her eyes and her lips began to move. The words that left her mouth were not spoken in any language Christophine recognized.

They were old.

Older than the kingdoms surrounding them.

Older than the bloodlines that now ruled the human world.

The sound seemed to vibrate through the trees themselves.

Christophine’s eyes widened.

"What are you—"

Saline suddenly moved her hand.

The silver energy shot forward and it struck Christophine directly in the chest.

Her body jerked and a gasp escaped her.

For one terrifying moment, nothing happened.

Then Christophine’s eyes widened as an enormous surge of power suddenly erupted through her veins.

Her back arched.

Her fingers curled.

And the weakness that had weighed down her body moments earlier vanished as though it had never existed.

A burst of energy rippled outward from her body, scattering leaves across the forest floor.

Christophine staggered backward and then she caught herself.

Silence descended.

She looked down at her hands.

Power pulsed beneath her skin.

She could feel it.

Every fragment.

Every ounce of strength she had been denied while inhabiting Lily’s body.

Her lips slowly curved upward.

Then she laughed.

It began as a quiet chuckle.

It quickly grew into something more sardonic.

"Ah..." Christophine closed her eyes and tilted her head backward, allowing the sensation to spread through her.

"That feels much better."

Saline lowered her hand.

"The seal was suppressing most of your natural power."

Christophine opened her eyes. "The seal Xandros placed." There was bitterness in her voice now.

Saline gave a small nod.

"He was careful."

"Too careful."

Christophine flexed her fingers, watching the faint traces of magical energy disappear between them.

"I had forgotten what it felt like to possess my own strength." A wicked smile appeared on her lips.

"Being forced to rely on Lily’s pathetic body was becoming unbearable."

Saline’s gaze hardened slightly.

"Do not underestimate the body you were using."

Christophine looked at her.

"You are defending her?"

"No."

Saline turned away.

"I am reminding you that if that body dies, you might not remaining alive anymore."

Christophine’s smile faded slightly.

"Of course."

She followed Saline once again.

Their footsteps resumed beneath the canopy.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Then Christophine’s expression changed.

"Something is wrong."

Saline glanced toward her.

"What?"

"Your body."

Christophine’s gaze travelled over Rosaline’s form.

"You are still having difficulty maintaining control."

Saline’s expression darkened.

"I told you. I cannot remain here indefinitely."

"Then we need to move faster."

"We will."

Saline’s eyes shifted toward the trees ahead.

They were approaching their destination.

Sarah.

The witch they had been searching for.

The woman Saline had once trusted with a very specific task.

A task she had apparently failed.

Saline’s expression became colder.

"She should have done what I instructed."

Christophine raised a brow. "And if she didn’t for a reason?"

"Then we’ll find out why."

They continued deeper into the forest as the trees became thicker.

The sunlight gradually disappeared beneath the tangled canopy until the path ahead was almost entirely covered in shadow.

Christophine suddenly slowed.

Saline noticed. "What?"

Christophine lifted her head.

"I can sense something."

Saline’s eyes narrowed.

"Where?" Christophine turned toward the left.

"That way."

They changed direction.

Neither woman spoke as they moved between the trees. The deeper they went, the stronger the magical presence became.

Eventually, Saline stopped.

A small clearing stretched ahead.

And standing at its center was a young woman with dark hair gathered loosely at the back of her head.

Sarah.

She was kneeling beside a small arrangement of herbs, apparently preparing something.

For several seconds, she remained unaware of their presence.

Then her hand froze and the herb slipped from her fingers.

Sarah slowly raised her head while her eyes moved toward the trees.

Something was wrong.

She could feel it.

The magical atmosphere around her had changed.

Sarah stood. "Who’s there?"

No answer came.

She took a cautious step backward and just then Saline emerged from the shadows.

Sarah’s face immediately paled.

Her eyes widened.

She stared at Rosaline.

At least, at the woman whose face Rosaline wore.

"Lady Rosaline?"

Saline said nothing.

Sarah’s gaze shifted toward Christophine.

Her expression changed again.

Confusion.

Then suspicion.

Then fear.

"You..."

Christophine smiled.

"Hello, Sarah."

Sarah’s fingers curled.

Something about the way Christophine had spoken made her instincts scream.

But before she could cast a spell, Saline spoke. "You know why we’re here."

Sarah swallowed. "I don’t understand."

Saline’s eyes narrowed. "Do not lie to me."

Sarah’s breathing became shallow. "I haven’t done anything."

"You were given one instruction." Saline took another step forward while Sarah instinctively stepped backward.

"You were supposed to establish a master-slave bond between yourself and Rosaline."

Sarah’s face tightened.

Silence answered for her.

Saline’s eyes became colder. "But you didn’t."

Sarah looked away.

Christophine laughed softly, "I knew she would be dishonest." Saline ignored her.

"What did you do?"

Sarah hesitated.

Then she whispered, "I created a companion bond." The forest seemed to become unnaturally quiet.

Saline stared at her.

"A companion bond?"

Sarah nodded slowly.

"I thought it would be better."

"For whom?"

Sarah said nothing.

Saline’s expression hardened. "For you."

Sarah’s silence confirmed it.

Saline let out a quiet breath through her nose.

"You were supposed to protect her."

"I did."

"No."

Saline stepped closer.

"You protected yourself."

Sarah’s eyes flickered.

"The companion bond allows me to draw from her spiritual energy," she admitted reluctantly. "It strengthens me. I didn’t intend to harm her."

Christophine’s smile widened.

"So that’s what you did."

Sarah looked toward her.

"I needed the power."

"You stole it."

"I borrowed it."

Saline’s expression became almost amused.

"Borrowed?"

Sarah’s face tightened.

Saline shook her head.

"You were given an opportunity to protect Rosaline."

She stepped closer.

"And instead, you turned her into a source of power."

Sarah suddenly raised both hands.

A surge of magic exploded outward.

Christophine moved instantly.

But Saline was faster.

"Don’t."

The single word stopped Christophine.

Saline’s gaze remained fixed on Sarah.

"Let her try."

Sarah’s eyes widened then she attacked.

A wave of dark energy surged toward Saline.

Saline simply raised her hand.

The spell shattered.

Sarah stumbled backward.

"No..."

Saline continued walking toward her.

Sarah attempted another spell.

Then another.

Each one disappeared before reaching Saline.

The difference in their power was overwhelming.

Sarah’s expression finally broke.

Fear replaced defiance.

"Wait."

Saline stopped.

Sarah breathed heavily.

"I can explain."

"You already did."

Saline turned slightly toward Christophine.

Then she pointed toward Sarah.

"Take it."

Christophine’s eyes immediately brightened.

A delighted smile spread across her face.

"Gladly."

Sarah’s face drained of color.

"What?"

Christophine stepped forward.

Sarah tried to run but she didn’t get far before Christophine caught her wrist.

"Don’t worry." Her smile became almost cheerful.

"This won’t take long."

Sarah screamed and attempted to pull away, but Christophine’s grip tightened.

Magical energy began gathering around them.

The companion bond Sarah had created suddenly became visible—a thin thread of luminous energy connecting her to the spiritual essence she had been feeding upon.

Christophine’s eyes gleamed.

"Oh..."

She looked at Saline with genuine delight.

"This is a wonderful little arrangement."

Saline folded her arms. "Take everything you can."

Christophine’s smile widened.

Then she pulled.

Sarah screamed.

The magical thread snapped toward Christophine, and the energy Sarah had accumulated over time began pouring into her.

Her body trembled violently.

The forest filled with the sound of her cries and Christophine closed her eyes.

Power flooded through her.

Every fragment of spiritual energy she had been denied came rushing into her body.

Her smile grew wider.

"Wonderful."

Saline watched without emotion.

Christophine’s body began glowing faintly as the stolen energy merged with her own.

The process lasted only moments.

Then Sarah collapsed.

Her body struck the ground with a dull thud.

Silence returned.

Christophine opened her eyes.

They glowed with renewed strength.

She looked down at her hands and laughed softly.

"This..."

She turned toward Saline.

"This was a wonderful match."

Saline gave her a cold look.

"Do not become distracted."

Christophine’s smile remained.

"I wouldn’t dare."

Saline glanced toward the unconscious Sarah.

"Leave her."

Christophine’s brows lifted.

"You’re not going to finish her?"

"No."

Saline turned away.

"We have no reason to."

She began walking back toward the forest.

Christophine followed after one final glance at Sarah.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to the mansion."

Christophine frowned.

"And you?"

Saline stopped.

She looked over her shoulder.

"I have something else to do."

Christophine studied her.

"You aren’t coming?"

"No."

Saline’s eyes briefly darkened.

"I need to find something."

"What?"

Saline’s expression became unreadable.

"Something that belongs to me."

Christophine stared at her for a moment before smiling.

"Then I’ll return."

Saline nodded.

"Make sure no one notices you."

Christophine gave a small, mocking bow. "As you command."

She turned and disappeared between the trees.

Saline remained where she was.

For a moment, she closed her eyes.

She could feel Rosaline stirring beneath her consciousness again.

The presence was faint.

But it was there.

Saline’s expression tightened.

Her time was running out.

And whatever she intended to accomplish next, she would have to do it before Rosaline woke completely.

She opened her eyes.

The cold glint returned.

"Not yet."

Then she disappeared deeper into the forest.