Chapter 6: Delphine

I rose at dawn after a restless night filled with fragmented dreams and whispered magic lingering at the edge of my awareness. Castle Thorne’s presence remained steady around me, less threatening than curious, like an entity that had yet to decide if I was ally or enemy.

Or perhaps simply prey.

Either way, today was for answers. I refused to linger passively, waiting for Theron Valemont or his eerie castle to dictate my next move.

By the time Mira knocked softly on my door, I'd already arranged a fresh array of warding runes across the table, a spell-circle woven with silver thread that pulsed gently beneath my fingertips.

“Come in,” I called softly, glancing up as she entered.

She approached hesitantly, holding a breakfast tray balanced carefully with tea, warm pastries, and fresh fruit. “You’re up early.”

“I don’t sleep much when there are secrets lurking about,” I replied with a faint smile. “And this castle has more secrets than stones.”

Mira offered a weak laugh, setting the tray beside my notes. Her eyes skimmed over the carefully drawn glyphs. “Are you planning something?”

“I'm always planning something,” I said dryly. “Preferably something clever enough to avoid dying spectacularly.”

Her brows knitted in concern. “You really should be careful, Miss Ashwood.”

I softened immediately, sensing her genuine worry. “I promise, Mira. Careful enough, at least.”

She hesitated, then spoke softly. “Lady Valesa sent me with a message. Lord Valemont wishes to see you later, in the gardens at dusk.”

“Lord Valemont requests my presence?” I repeated archly. “I suppose that’s marginally better than him lurking ominously in mirrors.”

Mira’s eyes widened again, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You really saw him there?”

“I did,” I said honestly, sighing gently. “He was watching me. He expected me to find it.”

“Be careful with him,” Mira murmured nervously. “He carries more secrets than this castle itself.”

“I gathered that,” I replied softly. “But thanks for the warning.”

She lingered uncertainly. “There’s something else. A visitor came asking about you—Cassian.”

I tensed slightly,trying to remember if I forgot a name. “Who is Cassian? What buisness would he have with me?”

Mira hesitated. “He is a Court Advisor and I think…to intimidate. He has a reputation. Ambitious, dangerous.”

I nodded slowly. “He sounds like trouble.”

“He is,” she confirmed softly. “Be cautious.”

I offered her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Mira. I'm quite capable of handling overconfident vampires.”

She managed a faint smile, then slipped quietly from the room, leaving me with breakfast, runes, and far too many thoughts.

I picked at my food, thoughts spinning rapidly. Theron’s request to meet could wait; Cassian’s intentions could not. Ambitious nobles had a way of complicating matters, especially in castles teetering on the brink of magical disaster.

And I’d never liked complications I hadn’t chosen myself.

A firm knock at my door, confident and sharp, cut through my musings. I exhaled slowly, already suspecting who’d be waiting outside.

I swung the door open sharply, it was the young vampire from when I first arrived—the one who’d laughed when I’d threatened to bite back. He leaned against the frame like he owned it, arms crossed, a lazy grin on his face. “Good morning, vampire. Lost already?” I started.

Cassian’s lips twitched with mild amusement. “Good morning, Miss Ashwood. Lost? Hardly. I find this castle fascinating, particularly its newest resident.”

“Flattery won't help you,” I said dryly, leaning against the doorframe, deliberately blocking entry. “Nor will vague threats or sinister innuendo. But go ahead—what’s your angle?”

Cassian chuckled softly, stepping slightly closer, eyes bright and calculating. “Cassian,” he said with a slight bow. “Court Advisor. And no threats, merely curiosity. Tell me—what exactly does our Lord Valemont see in you? Allowing such unprecedented freedom?”

“You seem to have mistaken me for someone who answers vampire gossip,” I retorted coolly. “Perhaps you should ask him yourself?”

He smiled, dangerously charming. “Oh, I will. But first, I thought we might speak candidly.”

I raised a brow sharply. “Candidly? Alright then—speak.”

His eyes sharpened, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “Be careful, Miss Ashwood. Theron Valemont is not what he appears. And when secrets break free, this castle tends to devour outsiders first.”

“I'll keep that in mind,” I replied evenly, refusing to be rattled by his attempt at intimidation. “Anything else?”

He inclined his head with a mock-bow. “Not at the moment. I look forward to watching your progress. It promises to be…entertaining.”

I shut the door firmly as he turned away, irritation crackling through my veins. Cassian was trouble—but he wasn’t wrong. Theron was hiding something significant, something potentially deadly.

But so was I. Secrets always cut both ways.

Refocusing my frustration, I turned back to my carefully prepared spell-circle. Time for clarity.

I knelt, pressing fingertips to the glyphs I'd laid out. Closing my eyes, I whispered softly, “Show me your secrets.”

Magic pulsed from my core, seeping gently into the silver-threaded circle. Instantly, the castle’s energy responded—swirling gently, cautiously. Not resisting, but testing.

I deepened my concentration, guiding my awareness carefully through the ley lines beneath the castle. Threads of power, tangled, faded, frayed—but beneath them, something darker stirred.

Carefully, I reached toward it, my magic brushing its edges gently, cautiously.

It snapped back, sharp and hungry.

I jolted upright, breath catching sharply. Whatever lay beneath Castle Thorne was no passive secret. It was awake, aware—and desperately waiting.

For me.

Heart pounding, I steadied myself, eyes narrowing sharply at the floor beneath me. “You want me?” I murmured defiantly. “Come and get me. But you’d better be ready.”

The magic beneath me pulsed once more, as if laughing gently at my bravado. Then it faded back into silence, leaving me tense but strangely exhilarated.

I rose slowly, shaking tension from my fingers. Evening was still hours away, and Theron Valemont would have to wait.

For now, I had a different goal—one closer, tangible.

My gaze shifted back to the table, to the intricate, enchanted parchment waiting patiently for my next move. It was time to map exactly how deep the castle’s corruption went—and precisely what Theron Valemont was trying so desperately to hide.

Smiling grimly, I picked up my quill, ready for answers.

“Secrets are only powerful if they stay hidden,” I whispered to myself. “And I have no intention of allowing these secrets to remain buried.”

The castle stirred softly around me, intrigued, wary, perhaps even pleased. And deep beneath my feet, something ancient whispered back.

It seemed Castle Thorne approved.

For better or worse.