Joaquin collapsed onto the bed in the room Rick had arranged for him, utterly exhausted. He’d expected resistance—expected them not to believe him again—but, thank God, they’d listened this time.He sat up and slipped the ring from his finger; now it hung from a simple cord around his neck. He stared at it, mind crowded with the same gnawing questions. After everything that had happened, was the ring worth it? His family had been corrupted long before he arrived. What if the knowledge the ring offered came from the same darkness? When did it begin?He blew out a breath and lay back down, trying to quiet his thoughts. Whatever the answer, the first thing he had to do was stop Veyrix’s plan.The next morning he woke early and set out to find the Hallowed Vault. As Miguel had warned, only one person might help him.He stood before a shuttered house. The windows were bolted, the door sealed, and from the outside it looked abandoned—yet a low, slow pulse of energy leaked from within. He wa

Martin’s eyes widened. “Who the hell is that?” he asked in disbelief, his voice trembling slightly. Joaquin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. “It’s you… Veyrix.” A slow, sinister grin stretched across Veyrix’s half-burned face. “Yes. And I’ve been meaning to meet you, Joaquin Lopez.” Joaquin’s voice came out low and rough. “What do you want from me?” Martin, who seemed completely oblivious to the danger, leaned closer to Joaquin and whispered nervously, “He knows you?” Joaquin shot him a sharp glare. “Stay out of this.” Veyrix laughed darkly, his voice echoing in the strange, glimmering void that surrounded them. “You’re the one who came into my place, Flame. And now you’re asking me what I want?” “Don’t act innocent,” Joaquin growled. “I wouldn’t have known about you if you hadn’t come for me first.” The amusement faded from Veyrix’s face, replaced by a look of cold, determined fury. Flames began to bloom from his hands—dark, oily fire that crackled like molten t

The sun was already setting when Joaquin returned to Miguel’s estate. The once tranquil courtyard now felt heavy, the air thick with unease. Each step he took across the stone path echoed faintly, a dull rhythm that matched the pounding of his chest. His body ached — not from wounds, but from the weight of everything he had seen. Veyrix was real. And worse, he was free. Rick and Miguel were waiting for him by the veranda. When Rick saw him, his expression immediately hardened. “You look like you’ve been through hell.” Joaquin gave a dry laugh. “Something like that.” Miguel motioned for him to sit. The table before them still had a bottle of emberwine — untouched since their last conversation. Joaquin sank into the chair, every muscle in his body taut. “Well?” Miguel began. “What did you find at Saint Illarion’s?” “The vault isn’t sealed anymore,” Joaquin answered quietly. “Someone opened it long before I arrived.” Miguel’s eyes darkened. “The Black Viper Society?” “

Joaquin felt the air leave his lungs as the splintered ropes bit into his wrists. He’d been awake for a while now, choosing silence as the two plots unrolled like a dark flower. He heard every word. The plan. The betrayal. That his life was a bargaining chip, nothing more.“You really mean to do this, Mom?” James asked, voice thin with doubt.Gracia rolled her eyes, impatience sharp as a blade. “And you’re still hesitant, James? When will you ever wake up?!”James swallowed. He glanced at Joaquin—bound to the chair, still unconscious at first, now stirring—then back at his mother. “But this is different, Mom. You want him killed. You want someone to murder him.”“And so what?” Gracia snarled. She stepped up to James and seized his collar like a viper. “I don’t care, James. I’ll do whatever it takes. Even if my hands get dirty, if it secures your position. So don’t you question me again.”She let him go and turned away, voice low and cold as she issued the command. “Prepare him.” Then

Joaquin let the police take James away without resistance. He didn’t stay any longer and drove straight back to Miguel’s estate.To contact Martin, he used the same method again—he whispered his name into the air.But before he could even enter the mansion, his phone rang. He took it out and answered.“Joaquin, where are you? I told you to stay there!” Javier’s voice came through, tense but controlled.“I still have things to do,” Joaquin replied curtly.Javier exhaled sharply, frustration evident. “You should’ve at least let me see you. I’m worried! Where is your sister?”“She’s safe. You don’t have to worry about her.”“Joaquin—”He ended the call before his father could continue. He didn’t have the patience for Javier’s nagging right now.After taking a quick shower and changing into clean clothes, he was about to go downstairs when his phone rang again.“Dr. Lopez?” a voice said.Joaquin frowned. “Who’s this?”“Thank God you answered! I’m from VMH. We’re short on doctors—we really