CLAWS AGAINST THE DARK

CLAWS AGAINST THE DARK
Chapter 168

Claudia's pov.

Croft's eyes were hungry as they darkened, tainted with the colour of blood, so were the tiny veiny streaks around his eyes, his fangs protruding while his facial hair grew longer.

I watched as his claws slowly stretched in place of his fingers, sharp, ready to rest through flesh itself.

A shiver ran down my spine with the way crofts terrifying gaze settled on me and a chilling smile crawled into his lips.

I can't be afraid of him, I'm stronger than him and I can defeat him.

I chanted in my head, a sutra mantra while watching his every move like a hawk, a sheen of sweat pooled on my forehead, sticking my hair to it.

My feet were light and heavy at the same time as I inched backwards, despite him not moving an inch, but in the next second he was gone.

My eyes widened in shock, wondering where he had gone, but I didn't have to because I felt a sharp pain at my side and I was sent crashing against a wall.

He had taken me off guard, despite my concentration; how the hell was he so fast? I could barely see him when he moved,”

I groaned deeply due to the pain that stretched across my body, but I managed to get on my feet, not wanting to be beaten when the battle had only started, I wasn't going down without a fight.

My eyes were peeled; I'm stronger than him.

I focused my breathing, slowing it down so much so I could hear it, everything around me, the wind through my hair, the sound.

The heartbeat.

I crawled out the way, rolling over the floor seconds before Croft's claws smashed the damaged brick walls behind me, dust rising from the chaos where Croft stood.

“Waw, I see you've learned a few tricks,” really impressed that I was able to evade his attack.

I didn't respond, however, tasting the metalling tang of blood from his first attack, I needed to be careful in order not to sustain a deathly injury.

This time I was the one to attack, going on the offence, I swiped my claws at him, while he defended. I was not surprised at how easy he was able to defend himself considering he was a skilled fighter.

And I only got to know of my powers less than a year ago.

It was a struggle for me, but I was an easy pick for him.

That truth burned worse than the pain blooming across my ribs.

Croft didn’t even look winded. Each time I lunged, he was already elsewhere, behind me, above me, to my blind side, his movements a blur. Every failed strike chipped away at my confidence, every blocked blow rattled my bones. 

My arms felt heavier, my legs slower, as if the air itself had thickened against me.

I gritted my teeth and pushed forward anyway.

I refused to fall.

I attacked from the left, then feinted right, ducking low and spinning for his midsection. He caught my wrist mid-swipe, his grip like iron. Pain exploded up my arm as he twisted, forcing a cry from my throat. 

I wrenched myself free at the cost of skin and blood, stumbling back just as his claws sliced through the space where my head had been.

The wall behind me shattered.

He had pushed me to a corner once again. 

Stone and dust rained down as I barely rolled away, my lungs burning as I sucked in air. My vision swam, dark spots dancing at the edges. I tasted blood again, mine this time.

“Still standing,” Croft drawled, amusement thick in his voice. “Impressive. But you’re wasting it.”

I snarled without meaning to, the sound torn straight from my chest. My heart shivered in fear, something else had begun to rise alongside it. Anger.

Why was he so strong?

I came at him again.

He met me head-on, our claws clashing with a screech that set my teeth on edge. 

The impact sent a shock through my shoulders. Too fast for thought, all instinct and desperation. I landed a hit, felt my claws rake across his side, and satisfaction flared for half a heartbeat before he backhanded me across the room.

I crashed hard, the breath leaving my body in a strangled gasp.

I lay there for a second too long, staring at the cracked ceiling, my chest heaving. My body screamed at me to stop. To rest. To give in.

No.

I forced myself up, shaking, my knees threatening to buckle beneath me.

“You don’t know what you are,” Croft continued, stalking closer. His voice echoed everywhere, seeping into my skull. “You hold power that could unite the wolves, and you fight like a cornered animal.”

“I fight like someone who won’t bow to you,” I spat, though my voice trembled.

He laughed, low and dark. “You wouldn’t have to bow. Stand beside me, Claudia. I could show you how to use what’s inside you. Together, we could reshape this world, wolves, witches, humans, all of them. No more hiding. No more fear.”

I steadied myself, forcing my breathing into a rhythm.

My wounds were closing, slowly. Too slowly. Each gash throbbed, reminding me of how different he was.

I backed away, eyes darting, searching.

Another blow sent me skidding across the floor. Another slash opened my thigh. Another taunt followed.

“You feel it, don’t you?” he pressed. “That pull. That hunger. You were never meant to be small.”

I slipped behind a fallen beam, pressing my back against it as I struggled to stay upright, breathing through my teeth harshly.

It answered, but reluctantly.

Croft’s footsteps were unhurried as he circled, confident, patient. 

“You heal slower because I allow it,” he said calmly. “Because you’re fighting yourself. Stop resisting. Let me help you.”

Help.

The word made my vision flash red.

I'd rather fall than let the world suffer under his rule.

I pushed away from my cover with a growl, rage finally eclipsing my fear. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else. The room seemed to narrow, sharpen, every sound amplified until it hurt.

Croft paused, head tilting slightly, interest sparking in his blood-dark eyes.

“There it is,” he murmured. “That monster , it was never meant to be hidden,”