CHAPTER 50

Lyra's POV

It was easy to tell Camila that I was at peace. The fact that Lucius was worried about me getting involved with Kael again was nothing to be worried about. I mirrored Lucius' excitement and laughed at the jokes he cracked as we went on our outing.

But there was more to everything than I cared to admit. There was my freedom, my revenge, and the secret threatening my very existence. It's been that way since I was born. Some said it was the gift of sight. Being able to look into the future and predict events was the rarest kind of gift, but no one would understand. There was a huge price to pay for sorcery; the moon goddess didn't really give freely. Time and happenings were in the palm of her hands. Whenever she showed me a glimpse something was taken in exchange. Sometimes comes A huge chunk of my energy, blood or even the worst.

For every event I have foresaw, or predicted, the flow of time was interrupted. The alignment of events was disrupted and innocent people suffer for it. I have been having nightmares about Lucios. But it cost me a long period of pain and a mental breakdown before we finally met.

I have been dreaming about the battle between the two packs. I saw Kael fall dead and Lucius emerge as a conquest, but the moon goddess wouldn't give me for free. I had to pay with something, or someone, and that was Lucius. I had already begun to see signs: Lucius's reluctance to strike Kael, and his sudden fear of our relationship. Something was not right. When I learnt that he went to meet Kael on the deserted land my heart sank.

I began to see blood, and his body was submerged in it. I even saw Kael drive a sword through his heart. No! I don't want the love of my life to be the price to pay for the freedom of the Rogues. The moon goddess had to give me an alternative. The following days were sad and gloomy; the nightmares continued, and so did my fear.

Lucius won the battle of the island, and it reached us that Kael became bedridden, but that didn't give me enough assurance. So I continue to pray to the moon goddess begging for an appearance, or any sign of pliancy. I even kept short about the battle plans and stopped my training.

A few nights later, something happened. I was in the garden, observing my prayers and meditations, when I suddenly saw Lucius sneak out through the back door of the castle.

I didn’t think much of it at first, but something told me to follow him. The night was quiet, and the wind was cold against my skin. I wrapped my cloak tighter around my body and moved quietly through the path that led to the woods. My feet made no sound. Every step I took was guided by fear and curiosity mixed together.

Lucius had never acted strange around me before, at least not this way. He had been distant, yes, but never secretive. I didn’t want to think badly of him, but the Moon Goddess had shown me too many things to ignore.

When I reached the edge of the woods, I saw him. He was standing with another man, tall, dressed in black, his face hidden by a hood. I crouched behind a tree and watched them. They were exchanging something. Parcels. My heart started beating faster.

Lucius’s voice was low, but I could make out some words. “It has to be done before the next moon. Tell Kael I’ve kept my part.”

Kael. The name hit me like a stab.

I wanted to scream. To run to him and demand answers. But I stayed still, hiding behind the tree. My heart ached as I watched him hand over another parcel, shaking the man’s hand before turning away.

He wasn’t supposed to be talking to Kael. Not after everything that happened. Not after what the Moon Goddess had shown me.

I bit my lip until it bled, holding back tears. When Lucius finally left, I waited until he disappeared into the shadows. Then I followed the man.

He walked fast, crossing the borders of the woods, heading toward the open field where the fog settled thick. I didn’t know where he was going, but I knew I couldn’t stop now. I had to find out the truth.

When he reached the border, I stepped out from behind the trees. “Stop right there,” I said. My voice came out sharper than I expected.

He turned, surprised, his eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight. “Who are you?” he asked.

“That doesn’t matter,” I said, stepping closer. “You’re going to tell me what Lucius gave you, and why you mentioned Kael’s name.”

He laughed softly. “You shouldn’t be here, girl. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“I know more than you think,” I said, lifting my hand slightly. The wind stirred, carrying small sparks of silver light. He froze, realising what I was. “You’re going to tell me, or I’ll make you.”

His smirk faded. “You think you can threaten me with the Moon’s power? You don’t even know how much you’re being used.”

My stomach tightened. “Used?”

He tilted his head. “You think Lucius fights for you? For the Rogues? He fights for himself. For something darker.”

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?” he asked. “Ask your Goddess. Ask her what she’s really taking from you.”

Before I could say anything else, he threw the parcel at my feet. I flinched as it hit the ground. When I looked up again, he was gone.