#Chapter 218 – As One

Lila Ruby shifted restlessly beneath my skin. Something stirs in the dark, she murmured. My pulse quickened. The bond hummed faintly, and I knew Damon felt it too. He was sitting near the hearth, the firelight painting his skin gold. He looked better, stronger, but there was a shadow of pain that hadn’t fully faded. “You feel it,” I said quietly. He lifted his head, eyes glowing faintly. “Rogues.” The word rolled through me like thunder. I reached for my cloak automatically, even though I knew it wouldn’t matter. “Stay inside,” Damon said, rising to his feet. “Keep the children close.” “No,” I snapped before I could stop myself. He turned to look at me, and the old habit, the instinct to yield, flickered then died. “I’m not hiding when I’m useful.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. I could tell he wanted to argue, but instead he nodded once. “Then stay close.” A howl split the stillness. It echoed across the valley, answered by others in rapid succession. The sound rais