Every muscle in my body pulls tight, like a stretched rubber band ready to snap under the tension, I stay stiff and unmoving. The hair on the back of my neck stands upright as a cool breeze wafts through the air. Despite the blazing inferno, and heat filled smoke, the temperature shifts, dropping until only a frightening chill remains.

My eyes gain a crimson colored hue, not entirely out of anger, but at the threatening presence I can feel lingering so close. Power rolls through my veins as a precaution, and it buzzes around me like a nest of angered hornets, prepared for the possibility of upcoming violence.

Even the leaves become still as the air turns heavy, and all at once, it feels like time has stopped, frozen to acknowledge the wickedness that's residing too close for comfort.

My eyes snap to a colossal willow tree that sits in the center of a vast clearing behind what's left of the charred home.

Leaning against the thick base of the tree is an eerie figure swarmed with an intense feeling of emptiness and the unforgiving darkness that follows. My blood colored eyes meet his matching set, and I want to cringe at the similarity.

I do wish that our eyes are where our matching traits stop, but his darkness is rooted deep within my being. Its cold hands are wrapped tight around me, seeping into my veins, and I've grown accustomed to it. Sometimes, I even find comfort in it.

Most of his frame is hidden beneath a dark shadow that seems to move with him, making the details of his features impossible to see, yet his sillouette proves that his posture is casual and relaxed. Legs crossed at the ankles, his left arm is folded over his chest, while his right elbow rests on top of it so that his hand is lifted near his face.

My eyes burn brighter, and my anger intensifies when a single, red flame sparks on the tip of his index finger, casting an orange glow over the sickening smirk that's plastered to his face. It taunts me as he slowly sways his finger, and it elegantly follows.

I hold eye contact with him, realizing that this is a warning. An ultimatum.

I can leave with him, turn into his own biological weapon, or I can fight against him, and create more destruction in an attempt to defeat him.

Another minute of tense silence drags on, his smirk never faltering and my cold expression never wavering, until I finally break the staring contest.

Looking to my left, I see that the wolves have noticed the evil presence and are gradually gathering, preparing for whatever happens next. A few select members are missing, including Willow, most likely to stay safe and far away from any possible fighting.

Thea and Gage stand hand in hand at the front of the crowd with fierce expressions and bright eyes while they glare at Lucifer's distant form. Zeke is close to them, his eyes catching mine, trapping me in his green gaze, and he stares with an unreadable expression. I can't help but feel slightly surprised when I don't see any anger in his eyes, and as we remain eye contact, I find myself wondering what exactly he's thinking.

After a prolonged pause, my face hardens as a decision is finalized in my mind.

Turning back to Lucifer, the hum of my power only grows louder, an inky black running through the veins beneath the skin on my wrists and hands.

My heart pounds rhythmically in my chest, a long exhale escaping my lips. Sending Lucifer one last spiteful glare, I block out my surroundings, focusing only on finding his power.

Hair fluttering in the strengthening wind, I stretch my left hand out in the direction of the burning home, using my power to search for his. My fingers twitch and spread out wider when I finally find it infused in the very flames that he created. His darkness fuels them, urges them forward in their fiery path of destruction.

My right hand snaps out in the general direction of the six other houses that are ablaze with his power driven flames. I can't see them through the dense trees, but the bellowing smoke is clearly visible as it rises from each individual building, and I can feel his power even from here.

A faint growl comes from deep within my chest, red eyed glare falling back on Lucifer, and I take notice of his new stance. He's a few steps away from the tree, arms at his sides, and the flame that was once on his finger is now gone. His gaze is intense as he watches me closely, eyes daring me to finish what I've started.

Suddenly, both of my hands clench into tight fists. In the corner of my eye, I watch as the fire turns unnervingly still. Every flame comes to a halt, glowing brightly and radiating warmth, but not moving an inch. They no longer flick or dance, frozen under my command as I grab hold of the power that has been driving them forward.

I grip his darkness with my own, and then I start to tug at it. Nails digging into my shaking palms, my throat constricts, and my chest tightens as I try to forcefully pull his darkness out of the fires.

His horrifying cackle rings heavy through the air, mocking my efforts. Another growl tears from my throat and I pull harder, tightening the invisible hold I have.

The ground rumbles beneath my feet, shaking under the intensity. Thunder tumbles through the sky above, but it isn't enough to mask his laughter. The ink in my hands spreads higher, lighting up every vein that branches through my arms.

His darkness gives every so slightly, showing the first sign of weakening. My fists nudge an inch closer to my body, and the flames lose some of their height.

His laughter falls into a chuckle that gets quieter and quieter, before coming to a complete stop.

Wind whips through the air, whooshing past my ears before lighting cracks through the dark clouds, pure electricity piercing through the air. It branches over the sky for a split second, lighting up the landscape as it strikes somewhere nearby.

A groan splits through my clenched teeth while I squeeze my eyes shut, blood leaking down my hands from the pressure of my nails.

I feel the darkness give in a little more, like a spreading crack in the side of a dam and I keep clawing at it, pulling and tugging in the hopes that I will break through.

Opening my eyes, I watch as the flames start to fall, sinking closer to the earth and getting dimmer.

But, his power suddenly starts fighting against mine. It feels as if I've been punched when the wind is knocked out of me as this fight becomes harder. Like a game of tug of war, I pull harder and so does he.

The flames begin to flicker again, and my shocked eyes swiftly snap to his, which are swimming with smug victory.

A Cheshire cat grin is resting on his face, his arms mimicking mine as their also stretched out at his sides.

"Is that all you've got?" he yells, amusement dancing in every syllable while his sentence is punctuated with a booming laugh.

A ferocious, echoing roar from deep within my chest is my response, and I dig down within myself, combining my angel grace with the darkness.

Warmth blooms in my chest and travels over every inch of my body, tapping into the depths of my power that I've never even used before.

The air between us is pure energy as we continue in our battle of wills.

With a shout, I pull harder, and the wind howls, turning into a swirling tornado that picks up leaves and ash along the way. Another strike of lightening hits even closer than last time while the ground rattles with force that comparable to an earthquake.

I feel his power getting smothered by mine, weakening it further and further, until I finally break through.