Chapter 41: The Poisoned Pact The large hall of the Elthorn house was enveloped in shadows, the flickering lighting scarcely revealing the anxiety that hovered in the air. Morgana sat at the head of the big wood table, her presence dominating the space. Draped in a flowing black robe, she oozed strength and hatred, her piercing eyes locked on Elara, who stood a few feet away, wringing her hands anxiously. Elara’s chest clenched under Morgana’s gaze. She had always felt out of place in the clan’s inner circle, her calm demeanor and lingering doubts setting her apart from the rest. But tonight, Morgana had summoned her alone, and the air was thick with the weight of unspoken expectations. “You know why you’re here, Elara,” Morgana whispered, her voice a velvet blade. “The clan is at a crossroads. Our survival depends on difficult decisions.” Elara hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t understand. What does this have to do with me?” Morgana’s lips twisted into a fr

Chapter 43: The Artifact TreasonThe Elthorn estate was uncommonly silent, its corridors bathed in the pale glow of moonlight. Selene slipped through the darkness with a predatory grace, her every step deliberate. The faint sound of faraway guards resonated faintly, but she paid it no regard. She had spent weeks refining her plan, and now was the night it all began. She hesitated at the corner of a hallway, her piercing green eyes scanning for activity. When she was convinced the way was free, she pressed onward, her cloak billowing behind her. The clan vaults were highly secured, but Selene wasn’t alone in this quest. As she neared the entryway, a person appeared from the shadows—a man wrapped in a scarlet coat, his features sharp and coldly gorgeous. Giovanni. “You’re late,” Giovanni replied, his voice low but piercing. Selene rolled her eyes, stepping passed him toward the vault doors. “It’s called caution. Something you could use more of.” Giovanni’s lips twisted into

Chapter 45: A Show of AuthorityThe hall was anarchy became physical. Their twisted shapes shimmering with black energy, the twin shadowborn beasts loomed over the clan chiefs. Every step left jagged gouges as their claws brushed against the stone floor. Tension permeated the air, a smothering miasma of depravity and anxiety that may have choked every breath.Rising from the middle of it all, Raiden held a brilliant sword. With his heartbeat guiding the golden light fighting back against the stifling blackness, the runes along its blade pulsed in time.The voice of Draco rumbled inside his head. “You need to act now. Nobody here will live if those things go free.Raiden's jaw stiffened. “I know. Cover me—I’ll take the orb.” The dragon shifted in the darkness of the hall, his golden eyes fixated on the artifact still throbbing weakly near Selene’s foot. But the monsters seemed to detect Raiden’s intent. With a guttural howl, one of them leaped at him, its enormous claws arcing for

Chapter 47: A Greater Resolve The wind howled through the trees as Raiden and Kaela made their way back to camp, their expressions bleak. The discovery about Giovanni had shocked them both, but Raiden’s thoughts was a maelstrom of determination and rage. Every step felt heavier, each one pushing him closer to an eventual encounter with the man who had engineered so much harm. Kaela interrupted the hush, her voice low yet fierce. “So, Giovanni’s the mastermind. Figures. I never liked that smirk of his.” Raiden gazed at her, his mouth clenching. “It’s worse than that. He’s not just influencing Morgana—he’s exploiting the entire clan system as his playground. If he’s been manipulating strings since the Magus fell, then everything we’ve been fighting for is merely part of his game.” Kaela’s expression clouded. “What I don’t get is why. What’s his endgame? If he’s already playing Morgana like a puppet, what more does he want?” “Control,” Raiden replied bluntly. “Giovanni d

The Elthorn camp was a hive of restless activity. Warriors polished their weapons, scouts returned with gloomy tidings, and the air was thick with foreboding. Raiden’s withdrawal left a gap, one that whispered doubts into the hearts of those he had inspired. In the center of the camp, Lucan stood near a growing crowd of warriors, his arms crossed and his countenance grim. He’d always been a tough competitor, respected for his power, but now his comments carried an edge that demanded attention. “This clan is crumbling,” he shouted, his voice rising over the murmur of the gathered warriors. “And why? Because our so-called leader has abandoned us to chase after shadows.” Kaela, leaning against a nearby tree, straightened at his remarks. She stepped forward, her bow slung across her back. “Careful, Lucan. Raiden hasn’t abandoned anyone. He’s out there doing what needs to be done—something you’d understand if you had even a shred of his courage.” Lucan grinned, his eyes glinti