Vladimir's claw arched downward, golden glyphs flickering violently along his arm as he aimed to tear out Lucifer's heart.
Then—
A shadow moved.
Fast. Silent. Like night itself breaking free from the dying dawn.
Vina emerged from the flickering dark behind Ella, her eyes burning with molten crimson. Her werewolf claws glowed black, dripping with shadow as she blurred forward. She slammed into Vladimir's side with bone-shattering force, her claws tearing through his ribs in a spray of burning black blood.
Vladimir roared, his wing lashing out instinctively. Vina twisted away, landing on all fours beside Lucifer, her claws scraping sparks off the torn asphalt. Her breath came out in ragged snarls, her fangs bared in silent rage.
"Stay down," she growled under her breath without looking at Lucifer.
Before Vladimir could recover, darkness split behind him.
