THE HIDDEN CROWN

Chapter 7: Shadows in the Night

The howling wind carried a foreboding chill as it swept through the Carpathian Mountains, rattling the ancient trees that surrounded Lucien’s cabin. Inside, Clara sat by the fire, staring into the flickering flames as her mind raced with thoughts of the mission ahead. The warmth of the room did little to dispel the cold fear creeping into her heart.

Victor and Lucien stood by the table, discussing their next move in hushed tones. Though she couldn’t hear every word, Clara caught snippets of their conversation—the wards protecting the ancient temple, the dangers that lay in wait, and the looming threat of The Children of Shadow. Every mention of those dark vampires sent a shiver down her spine.

“We’ll need to move at first light,” Lucien said, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “The longer we stay here, the greater the risk of being discovered. They’ll be tracking us, even now.”

Victor nodded, his expression resolute. “Agreed. We’ll take the hidden path through the mountains, avoiding the main roads. It’s slower, but we’ll have the element of surprise.”

Clara finally spoke, her voice quieter than she intended. “How far is the temple from here?”

Lucien turned to her, his sharp blue eyes softening slightly. “It’s about a day’s journey through the mountains. The terrain is rough, and the wards protecting the temple are powerful. We’ll need to be cautious.”

Clara nodded, trying to steel herself for what lay ahead. “And what happens when we reach the temple? How do we break the wards?”

Lucien exchanged a glance with Victor before answering. “The wards are ancient, crafted by powerful sorcerers to keep intruders out. To break them, we’ll need a blood sacrifice.”

Clara’s breath caught in her throat. “A blood sacrifice?”

Victor stepped forward, his gaze intense but reassuring. “Not the kind you’re thinking of. The wards are designed to respond to vampire blood—specifically, the blood of a royal lineage. Lucien and I can weaken the wards, but we’ll need to be careful. Once the wards are down, we’ll have to move quickly.”

Clara felt a mixture of relief and dread. The idea of blood magic was unsettling, but the thought of what might happen if they failed was even worse. “And then what? Once we’re inside?”

Lucien’s expression darkened. “The temple is said to be guarded by ancient creatures, bound to protect the Heart of Noctis. We’ll have to face them if we’re to reach the Heart. And then there’s the matter of The Children of Shadow. If they find us before we reach the Heart, there will be no escape.”

Silence fell over the room, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Clara’s heart pounded in her chest, but she pushed the fear aside. She had come this far—there was no turning back now.

As the night wore on, Lucien prepared a small meal for them, consisting of bread, cheese, and dried meats. They ate in relative silence, each lost in their thoughts, the tension in the room palpable. The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Victor broke the silence first, his voice low and contemplative. “Lucien, what do you know about The Children of Shadow? You’ve dealt with them before, haven’t you?”

Lucien paused, his expression unreadable. “I have. They are not to be underestimated. The Children of Shadow are descendants of one of the oldest vampire clans, known for their cruelty and cunning. They believe the Heart of Noctis is their birthright, and they’ll stop at nothing to claim it.”

Clara listened intently, her mind racing. “But why? What do they want with the Heart?”

Lucien’s gaze shifted to the flames, his voice taking on a haunted tone. “The Heart of Noctis is more than just a powerful artifact. It is said to contain the essence of the first vampire, a being of unimaginable power. Whoever possesses the Heart can unlock that power, becoming virtually unstoppable. The Children of Shadow seek to use that power to dominate all vampire clans, to reshape the world in their image.”

Victor’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “And if they succeed, it will mean the end of everything we know. They won’t stop at ruling the vampire world—they’ll extend their reach to humans as well. The balance between our worlds will be shattered.”

Clara’s blood ran cold at the thought. “So it’s not just about the Heart. It’s about the survival of both our worlds.”