The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 65

DARIUS (VAMPIRE KING'S GENERAL)

"The time has come," I tell my men, seated in the old crypt that serves as our refuge outside the borders of Silver Lake.

I don't dare get too close to that pack with the Lycan King prowling and more alert than ever.

However, the strategy of using the Alpha's family has continued to work for me.

With some adjustments, there was always a useful pawn—a weak, defenseless one I could use as a spy and to manipulate the soft heart of that maiden.

"Thane, prepare everything for the transfer spell. We need to complete the operation quickly before the Lycan King can react. Set the shadow portals for my men," I order the sorcerer traveling with us.

The most powerful vampires can conjure some elemental magic, but for stronger spells, we need the help of a dark warlock.

"Sir, that small body won't withstand much if I transfer more of your power into it," he warns.

"I just need it to last long enough. You're not here to give suggestions—transfer more of my power when the time comes. Right now, it's barely usable as a spy."

"After all, he was already half-dead when you cursed him," I reply without concern.

Why should I care about the life of that miserable fool?

I touch my chest where the small vial containing the powerful blood of the descendant of Juno rests.

I had to use a few more drops on the first Altar just to confirm it was a fake and reveal the coordinates leading to that greenhouse.

I have no idea how to find the true Altar without using her blood again.

A shiver runs over my skin just imagining what the King will do to me if he finds out about the unnecessary waste of blood—but I will make up for it.

I'll fix this the right way by bringing him the valuable woman from the prophecy.

What a surprise when I saw her again, this time at the Lycan King's side.

I realized she wasn't just some random woman, that I had been deceived before.

She was the one reading the information on the Altars and guiding Aldric Throne.

I tried paying those fools to kidnap her to avoid the risk, but the damn flea-bitten wolves failed even at that.

They nearly caused her death and then had the audacity to ask me for payment.

I'll handle this myself.

Everything is ready.

I will learn the clues from this Altar and take that woman to use her.

We must find the tomb of the ancient Queen, the descendant of Juno.

*****

VALERIA

My gaze wandered across the forest surrounding the old dirt path as I pushed the wheelchair.

Edward, as usual, wasn't very talkative. He was never a lively child, but today, he seemed even quieter than usual.

"Is this the place?" I asked when we reached a half-ruined greenhouse in the middle of the woods.

Following my instincts, I ventured deeper into the abandoned greenhouse.

At the back, there was a small, round structure with a domed roof.

It looked like it once served as a reading nook or a peaceful spot for afternoon tea.

"Wait here for a moment, Edward."

I left the boy in the corridor and climbed a short, worn staircase, entering the structure.

The place smelled of rust, age, dampness, and decaying leaves.

I scanned the room carefully for clues, the forest barely visible through the stained, dirty glass windows.

Finally, something suspicious caught my eye in a corner.

A small stone figurine of a woman—clearly representing the Moon Goddess.

I knew it because it was identical to the one from the fake Altar in the mountains.

"Something isn't right," I murmured, approaching the 50 cm statue placed atop a pedestal and examining it closely.

Her hands pointed downward, yet in the Goddess Altar from the mountains, her hands were raised toward the sky.

Driven by curiosity to uncover the truth behind so many mysteries, I touched the cold stone hands and tried to lift them upward.

They creaked and shifted!

Astonished, I wondered what it could mean—but then a noise, followed by a trembling beneath my feet, made me snap back to reality.