Chapter 156
I stepped through the hidden doorway into darkness, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. The passage ahead was narrow and unlit, the walls rough stone that scraped against my fingers as I felt my way forward. The smell of dust and age filled my nostrils, suggesting this space was rarely visited.
After several cautious steps, my eyes adjusted enough to make out a faint glow ahead. I moved toward it, my hand trailing along the wall to maintain my bearings. The passage opened suddenly into a small chamber, dimly lit by a single lamp on a desk that dominated the space.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
The walls were covered with photographs and maps, connected by red string in a complex web that spread across the entire room. I moved closer, squinting in the poor light to make out the images. They were photos of Alphas–dozens of them, from packs across the territory. Some faces I recognized from diplomatic visits, others were strangers to me. But what made my skin crawl was that several had red X marks drawn across their faces.
A chill ran down my spine as understanding dawned. These weren’t just any Alphas–they were targets. The marked ones appeared to be those who had already been… eliminated.
I moved to the desk, where papers were spread in organized chaos. Battle plans. Strategy documents. Lists of names, some of which had been crossed out. This wasn’t just a planning room–it was a war room.
But why would Kaius need this? He was Alpha King now, with legitimate power. What purpose could this secret campaign serve?
Before I could examine anything further, voices in the corridor froze me in place. One was unmistakably Lysandra’s.
“… He is full of surprises,” she was saying, her voice growing clearer as she approached.
I looked frantically around the room, searching for somewhere to hide. A heavy cabinet stood in one corner–my only option. I squeezed behind it just as the door opened, praying to the Moon Goddess that I hadn’t disturbed anything noticeable.
Lysandra entered, crossing to the desk in the lamplight. She began rifling through the papers, muttering in a dry tone, “Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better.”
I held my breath, pressing myself further into the narrow space. If she found me here, in this obviously secret and sensitive location, there would be no explanation I could offer. Not even my status as Queen would protect me from the consequences of such
discovery.
For what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, I remained motionless as Lysandra moved around the room. Eventually, she collected what she’d come for and departed, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
I waited, counting to one hundred to ensure she was truly gone before slipping out from my hiding place. My mind raced with questions and fears.
Secrets again. It’s like the dungeons all over again. I hate this feeling. I trust Kaius, I know he’s not some monster… but why hide things? I hate being kept in the dark.
I needed to get out, to find somewhere quiet to think. Moving as quietly as possible, I made my way back to the passage, easing the door closed behind me. The corridor remained empty, a stroke of luck I desperately needed.
Instead of returning to the ballroom, I slipped out a side entrance into the gardens, then made my way toward the forest.
The night air was cool against my flushed skin, the silence a welcome relief after the tension of my discovery. I walked until the sounds of the ball faded completely, the trees offering shelter from both detection and my own tumultuous thoughts.
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Chapter 156
A rustling sound nearby snapped me back. I froze, listening intently
“Who’s there?” I called, immediately regretting drawing attention to myself.
A low moan answered me, barely audible but distinctly human. I moved cautiously forward the sand, packing sola vore underbrush.
What I saw made me gasp. A figure lay crumpled on the ground, clothes torn and soaked with blood. Even in the recognize her.
“Thalia?”
Thalia’s eyes fluttered open, recognition and bitterness flashing across her face,
“You,” she whispered, her voice ragged. “He was never going to keep to his part of his deal, was he? She conved, Monk seckling her lips. “Did he even tell me the real danger? Or was I just… the acceptable risk?
I knelt beside her, shocked by the severity of her injuries. Deep gashes crossed her torso, and her left arm bent at an unnatural angle. Whatever had attacked her had been merciless.
“I… I don’t know what you are talking about?” I said, genuinely confused by her accusation.
“Oh, don’t pretend,” she hissed, the effort costing her. “Does he tell his little Queen anything, or does he just move his pieces, hoping they land right? It felt like he sent me after Soren… holding back information. Like my life was a gamble he was willing to take, whether I knew the full odds or not.” Bitterness choked her words.
“Who did this to you?” I asked, pushing aside my mixed feelings for her to focus on the immediate crisis.
“Soren was not the only elder who… escaped,” she managed between shallow breaths. “There is one other–they knew I was coming
A cold dread washed over me. Dealing with Soren alone had put Kaius on high alert. But another elder? One strong enough to inflict this kind of damage on someone as astute as Thalía?
“I’ll alert them; I’ll get help,” I said, rising to my feet.
“No!” She grabbed my wrist with surprising strength. “Not him. Not Kaius.”
“But you need help. You’re dying.” I couldn’t understand her resistance.
“Better to die here than be used again.” Her grip loosened, her consciousness fading.
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