VALERIAI fell asleep a little longer.However, even though the King told me to rest all day, I'm not the type to spend so many hours in bed.I walked to the bathroom to wash up, feeling the ache in my sore muscles from all the physical activity.My thighs were sensitive, and my intimate parts—well, even more so.Yet, I found myself smiling foolishly in front of the mirror, blushing and satisfied as I traced my fingers over the scars on my face and my swollen lips.I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but they seemed less marked, less ugly. It had to be his delicious blood, the one I couldn't get enough of.I felt sexy and desired, noticing how the marks of his hands were already fading from my skin.That lycan made me feel alive, like the most beautiful woman in the world.I got dressed and decided to visit little Edward and head down to find Celine, the Guardian Quinn's sister.The whole note incident wasn't very smart, so even if we don't get along, I have no choice but to
DARIUS (VAMPIRE KING'S GENERAL)"The time has come," I tell my men, seated in the old crypt that serves as our refuge outside the borders of Silver Lake.I don't dare get too close to that pack with the Lycan King prowling and more alert than ever.However, the strategy of using the Alpha's family has continued to work for me.With some adjustments, there was always a useful pawn—a weak, defenseless one I could use as a spy and to manipulate the soft heart of that maiden."Thane, prepare everything for the transfer spell. We need to complete the operation quickly before the Lycan King can react. Set the shadow portals for my men," I order the sorcerer traveling with us.The most powerful vampires can conjure some elemental magic, but for stronger spells, we need the help of a dark warlock."Sir, that small body won't withstand much if I transfer more of your power into it," he warns."I just need it to last long enough. You're not here to give suggestions—transfer more of my power whe
VALERIAI immediately moved to the side, watching the ground creak open like an old, rusty machine.In the depths of the earth, a dark passage revealed itself, descending through ancient stairs to what seemed like a basement beneath the greenhouse."What was that noise, Miss Valeria? Are you alright?" Edward's voice reached me, and I leaned out to see him right where I had left him, sitting in his wheelchair with a worried expression."Yes, I'm fine. It was a stuck window I tried to open, and it made that sound. Stay there, don't worry," I lied, as I no longer fully trusted anyone.He couldn't climb the stairs alone, let alone descend into this narrow space."Celine, I think I've found the right place for the Altar to the Goddess. I'm going down to read it, watch my back up here. I left Edward inside the greenhouse—keep an eye on him.""Valeria, I don't like this at all. I'm calling my brother to come over. I think it's better to wait...""Your brother will come with Aldric. How will
VALERIAHe screams at me, and it's terrifying to see Edward's distorted features twisted into cruel, adult expressions.I reach into my neckline and pull out the star, its sharp tips stained red with my blood.He extends his small hand and steps closer. I stretch mine too, trembling.Something screams inside me that he must not have it, that I've already revealed too much.My mind races frantically, trying not to look behind him so I don't give away Celine, who is slowly approaching. I tighten my grip on the relic, the metal shimmering like moonlight.Just before it falls into his grasp, he tenses and suddenly spins around to face the ambush from the Alpha.Dark shadows project from the boy’s small body as he now battles Celine."So, you managed to defeat my sentinel. You're quite a girl full of secrets... I wonder what Aldric Throne would say about this," he mocks.I watch in horror as sharp claws grow from Edward's hands, his speed almost impossible to track with the naked eye, and
CELINEI thought my time had come to die—I honestly never imagined it would end like this.An agonizing pain tore through my wolf's back, forcing me to shift immediately into my hybrid form, with some vampire traits, hissing menacingly from a corner, surrounded by cruel enemies.I pressed my hand against the deep wound that pierced me from my back to my stomach, enduring as best I could, but I wouldn't survive if they attacked again.Suddenly, a blood-chilling roar echoed, reverberating through the ancient walls.Just like me, everyone turned in unison to witness something unbelievable.Valeria was rising from her dark corner, the rigid body of that child lying lifeless on the ground as she advanced, step by step, hissing like a predatory beast about to strike."S-Sir... what is that?""It's just a mangy bitch trying to intimidate us! Stop playing hero, or I'll kill this woman worse than I did the brat!" the vampire in charge shouted, but I could feel the fear thickening the air."Aaa
THANE (The sorcerer who accompanied Darius, the Vampire General)I had never made such a precise decision in my life.I never liked Darius' extreme methods, but I could only follow his orders.He was the one in charge, so I forced even more of his life force into that pup's already weakened body, fully aware that he wouldn’t survive such an aggressive invasion.I heard the entire translation of the Altar from the lips of that strange woman because my magic acted as the mediator within the boy's body.When the fighting began, I stayed in the crypt to maintain the portal spell, the one through which General Darius's men had entered to fight.Everything went to shit in a heartbeat.Even though I wasn’t physically present, I still trembled in fear, watching everything through my shadow magic.My mind was racing—The General was dead, and no one had survived.Who the hell was that woman?I didn’t know exactly, but I quickly understood one thing—the Vampire King would be very interested in k
ALDRICI stare into the panicked eyes of this Alpha.I've never particularly liked her, but her brother is a valuable member of the Guardians, and now, the only one who can read those Altars."Why were you carrying Valeria as if you were running away? I know you heard my lycan's roar—why the hell didn't you wait for me and instead put her in danger again?"I tighten my grip around her throat, anger boiling inside me as the memory flashes back—seeing them being dragged by the current when I reached the drainage outlet.I hadn’t even thought before jumping in after my mate."S-Sir... I-I was injured from the fight... I was scared more of those dark holes in the walls would open again... that more enemies would come and kill us before you arrived... I acted on impulse... I panicked and jumped without thinking..."Her voice stammers, and I lean in closer, watching her trembling, erratic eyes.When I arrived, I clearly saw the shadow of a man escaping through that same wall opening she men
VALERIAI close the bathroom door and hear Aldric sighing in frustration outside.Eventually, he leaves and lets me be alone.He entered the room on the second floor, climbing through the window from the forest in his lycan form.I hear him searching for clothes and changing.The door to the room opens and closes.He's going to settle matters with the Alpha's family, who will no longer be the Alpha of this pack.I begin removing my wet clothes, processing everything that happened.I swallow the knot in my throat at the thought of Edward and close my eyes in pain, holding his memory deep in my chest.My hands reach into the inner pocket of my dress, and this is the main reason I pushed Aldric away.I felt the power of the relic the moment I opened my eyes again and hid it from him. I didn't remember things clearly enough to explain if he asked.My mind is full of blanks, just like every time I woke up from those strange episodes, but now there was a witness—Celine.Fear gripped me. Fea