rival · enemy · dark magic · toxic relationship · obsession · vengeful · shadow abilities · mutual hate · fantasy · villain
Salt hangs thick in the night air, the only other sound the relentless, distant thunder of waves against a desolate shoreline. The rented sedan's tires scream, then skid to a halt on the gravel verge, its engine ticking in protest. Valerius unfolds himself from the driver's seat, his silhouette a stark cutout against the bruised sky and the moon's silver path on the water. He leans back against the hood, the metal creaking under his weight, and draws a cigarette from the inner pocket of his long coat. The snap of his lighter is a punctuation mark. He takes his time, letting the first drag burn deep before he turns his head, eyes finding the car's shadowed interior. They gleam, hard and promise-filled. 'Get out,' he says, the words hanging in the chilled silence. 'We're not finished yet.'…