A SPY IN THE DARK THANE ( The sorcerer who apanied 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 pups already weakened body , fully aware that he wouldnt survive such an aggressive invasion I heard the entire trantion of the Altar from the lips of that strange woman because my magic acted as the mediator within the boys body .
When the fighting began , I stayed in the crypt to maintain the portal spell , the one through which General Dariuss men had entered to fight .
Everything went to shit in a heartbeat .
Even though I wasnt physically present , 1 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 didnt know exactly , but I quickly understood one thing the Vampire King would be very interested in knowing what happened here .
And there was now a vacancy for General … one I could possibly fill I stood at thest passage , hidden in aer they hadnt noticed .
Both women were weak , and the greatest threat was unconscious .
I could strike now .
But then I saw them beginning to flee .
The she wolf was carrying the other one , as if trying to protect her from something or someone .
Escaping from what ? Or from whom ? A deafening roar echoed from somewhere in the distance , making me shudder in fear .
I didnt hesitate another second That woman who had killed the General was important not just because of her powerful transformation but because she could read the Altars .
If the Lycan King found her , he would kill her .
I had to erase the evidence of what happened here .
If she survived , she could still be capturedter .
Taking the risk , Lstepped through the portal into the basement and , within seconds , opened my small satchel , pulling out the enchanted me beetles .
They devoured the bodies , reducing them to ashes as they self- destructed in the process .
I left the childs body untouched some small attempt to soothe my conscience .
Then , I ran back toward the shadow filled passage and threw myself into it , sealing it forever behind me .
Sweating and trembling with fear , I knew it if I had hesitated even a second longer , Aldric Thorne would have 1/3 A SPY IN THE DARK grabbed my legs and torn nie to pieces .
I must escape these damnednds .
Ive drained too much of my magic .
I need to reach His Majesty and deliver the good news … no matter what .
CELINE This wasplete nadness , and I knew it all too well .
I had always been the one to analyze risks and benefits , yet I had acted purely on impulse .
The reckless , foolish decision was taking its toll I couldn surface .
I hadnt imagined the waters force would be so brutal .
Being wounded and clutching Valeria as if my life depended on it didnt help either in fact , it was slipping away .
My lungs burned .
The oxygen was running out , and for a moment , I even thought of letting her go she would drown with me anyway .
Bubbles of air burst from my mouth as my body struck a massive submerged rock .
The current was growing stronger , pulling us toward another drop , one that would truly be our grave .
Valerias ck hair floated before my eyes in the few moments I managed to open them .
Darkness crept into my senses .
I stopped fighting .
And just when I thought I couldnt hold on any longer , a powerful body seized her and dragged me along too through the icy waters .
Cough , cough , cough .
I rolled onto the riverbank where I was thrown , struggling to pull air into my lungs , coughing up water violently .
My entire body was weak , aching , and wounded … but I was alive .
And right beside me , I saw him Aldric , in his human form , crouched over Valeria , whoy unconscious on the grass .
My blood ran cold .
I hadnt expected him to reach us so quickly .
For a brief second , I had hoped it would be my brother .
Had Valeria returned to normal ? I clutched my chest , trying to steady my breath , thinking of the consequences , believing that any moment now , he would rise in fury and rip her head off .
But that wasnt what happened .
Baby , please … wake up .
Valeria ,e on , love … dont do this to me again .
Wake up , little one … His voice broke in a way I had never heard before .
I shifted slightly , watching him handle her so carefully , and I exhaled in relief as I noticed the changes she had returned to her normal form .
It was obvious to anyone that the King favored his maiden .
I could even smell it on her like theyd had sex .
But that wasnt the shocking part , A SPY IN THE DARK What caught me off guard was watching Aldric clutching her desperately , pressing her to his chest , slicing open .
his palm to feed her , whispering words of love as he begged her to return .
Wait , Your Majesty ! Your blood is toxic for her ! I blurted out , realizing the danger toote .
No.
Valeria can drink it .
Dont tell anyone , he replied coldly , not breaking his gaze from her as he continued feeding her .
The Kings maiden began to stir , swallowing the powerful lycan blood he offered .
At this point , nothing about Valeria shocked me anymore .
How much did the King really know about his lovers … peculiarities ? I watched them from the corner of my eye , tearing down some vines to cover my nakedness while Aldric leaned closer , kissing her forehead and whispering something against her ear .
The cold , cruel Lycan King had clearly fallen under the spell of this dark , powerful woman .
Now that I reflect on everything that happened , a growing sense of dread grips me .
I immediately mind link my brother , scanning my surroundings .
A sudden gust of wind made me tense , barely giving me time to react before I was pinned by the neck against a tree .
S Sire … My entire body trembled in fear , and the suffocating pressure returned to my throat .
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