The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 112

VALERIA

"Valeria, what are we going to do? You can't give that psychopath what he wants, we..."

"Quinn, honestly, I can't promise that all of this will turn out fine, but I'll do everything in my power to save you," I murmured, keeping it vague due to the enemy's proximity.

And because, quite frankly, I had no idea how to unlock the spell on those collars—I was going in blind, relying on the magic my mother left behind to protect me.

"Your Majesty, we're the only ones left," I looked back, shaking off my clothes, and was somewhat satisfied to see that only half of the vampires had survived.

Some of them even had wounds—no one could leave this place alive.

"Good, I thought fewer would make it, so we're not doing too bad," he replied, as if talking about animals and not his own people.

I don't even know why they keep following that bastard—probably out of fear, I suppose.

"It's time, princess. Let's go. You, keep a close eye on your little friends," he ordered, walking toward me. I clenched my fists, filled with helplessness, as I watched them surround Quinn and Celine.

Damn it, I'm completely tied down. Goddess, please let all of this work.

I shot him a death glare and, huffing, turned to head toward the structure I could see in the distance.

What my eyes took in was almost impossible to describe. Goosebumps rose on my skin due to the energy and incredible magic radiating from this place.

As I walked across what seemed to be a wide silver bridge adorned with intricate arabesques and engravings, I lifted my head to look at the faces of the towering statues of women.

Their features were so vivid, and their robes appeared as if they might sway with the wind at any moment.

They leaned against the thick columns that arched up to the ceiling—a ceiling that seemed to blend with the very sky itself.

The stars twinkled above our heads, and the light of an immense full moon on the horizon illuminated the entire expanse.

Step by step, we advanced—meter by meter, like tiny ants in a world of giants.

The sound of water echoed in our ears.

I approached the edge of the wide bridge, but the bottom was nowhere in sight. Waterfalls cascaded from small floating islands, and water flowed from the bridge itself into a river that I couldn’t imagine where it led.

Everything was too magical, too ethereal. But soon, we reached our first obstacle.

A massive circular structure, like a giant closed door, awaited us at the end of the path.

"There's the instruction panel, open it," he motioned with his head. I could tell he wasn't as calm as he pretended to be.

I was extremely nervous myself.

The so-called panel was nothing more than a silver pedestal, with a miniature replica of the door resting atop it.

It consisted of several circles filled with inscriptions in that ancient and strange language that only the Selenias seemed to understand.

The massive door's mechanism began to turn and open, an intense light seeping through the widening gap, bringing a strong gust of wind that forced us to shield our faces for a moment.

"You all stay here. If I don't come out through that door in an hour, you know what to do with those two," he ordered his men.

"No, I'm not leaving my friends! Hey, let me go, damn it! I told you I wouldn’t help if anything happened to them! Let me go, you idiot!" I struggled as he grabbed my arm roughly, dragging me up the wide stairs leading to the half-open door.

"They won’t get hurt if you keep your word," he said, shaking me and pulling me close to his chest. His cold breath hit my face, and his cruel expression pierced my soul.

"Don't think I don't know you're up to something. You're just like your mother. But whether you believe it or not, if you don't get me out of there safely in an hour, your little friends will be eaten alive. Now move, weakling!"

He shoved me forward and dragged me along. I looked back in worry, seeing the tension in Celine and Quinn.

If only I could disable the magic in those damn collars.

“Nana, if you fail me, I swear I won't forgive you!” I screamed internally, but no response came.

The light pouring through the giant crack in the Lunar Gate was so blinding I could barely keep my eyes open.

Practically blind, we crossed the threshold.

I felt it—clear as day—the sensation of passing through a powerful barrier, and the Vampire King drew even closer to me. I suppose without me, he never could have accessed this place.

"Ahhh!" I screamed in fear, halting my steps abruptly—my feet were inches away from an endless drop into an abyss darker than the night itself.