ANMELDENNight settled over Nysera's domain. The vast chamber was quiet except for the low crackle of fire from the braziers lining the walls. Nysera sat at the end of the long stone table, one leg crossed over the other. A glass filled with dark red liquid rested between her fingers. She hadn't touched it. Her attention was fixed on the two vampires standing before her.They looked exhausted. One still carried a faint wound across his jaw from the previous encounter. The other lowered his head.Nysera finally spoke. "Report."The first hunter swallowed. "We found her."Nysera's fingers stopped moving. "Sera?""Yes, Queen.""And?"The vampire hesitated. "She is no longer in Zelios."Nysera's eyes narrowed. "Then where is she?""We don't know."Silence.The glass in Nysera's hand slowly rotated. "You don't know?"The second hunter stepped forward. "Her trail disappeared.""Disappeared?""Completely."Nysera leaned back. "Explain.""We followed the route from the Council city. We were certain sh
Morning came quietly to the cave. There was no alarm. No voices. No footsteps outside. Only the soft sound of water moving through the underground stream and the faint wind passing through the narrow entrance. Sera opened her eyes. For several seconds, she didn't remember where she was. She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. Then she felt warmth beneath her. Something solid.An arm. Her eyes widened. She slowly looked down. She was lying across Husen. Her head rested against his chest, one arm loosely around his waist. One of her legs had somehow tangled with his beneath the blanket. Sera froze. How did I get here? She remembered falling asleep. She remembered Husen sitting beside the bed. But apparently, sometime during the night, she had moved. A lot. She carefully lifted her head. Husen was still asleep. At least, that's what she thought. Sera slowly tried to move away.One inch.Two.Then, his arm tightened around her waist.She stopped breathing. "Husen?"His eyes remained closed.
The sound of running water finally stopped. For several moments, the cave remained completely quiet. Husen stepped out of the bathing chamber, wiping the remaining water from his hair. He had changed into a loose pair of dark trousers. His wounds had been cleaned, though several cuts still burned beneath the fresh bandages around his ribs and shoulder. He glanced toward the bed. Sera was still asleep. That alone eased something inside him. He walked toward the old wooden table. Several glass bottles stood across its surface, each containing a different liquid. Beside them were bundles of dried herbs, small jars of powder, strips of cloth, and a collection of old metal instruments. He had kept most of them for years. Some were older than Zelios itself.Husen pulled a chair out and sat."Let's see what you've done to yourself."He glanced toward Sera. She didn't move.He smiled faintly. "Still causing trouble even while unconscious."Husen picked up a small glass bottle. He examined the
The Council city slowly disappeared behind them. Husen didn't look back. Sera was asleep in his arms.Her breathing had finally become steady, though every now and then her fingers tightened around his coat as if some part of her was afraid that if she let go, she would wake up alone.Husen adjusted his hold. "Easy."She didn't wake up. Her white hair brushed against his chin as he carried her through the ruins. For the first time in hours, there were no alarms. No machines. No Council officers. No voices demanding answers. Only the wind moving through the broken buildings.Husen could have moved faster. Much faster. But he didn't. Sera had been through enough. So he walked. The moon hung low above the ruins. Several times, he stopped to check her breathing. Every time, she remained asleep.At one point, her head shifted against his shoulder. "Husen..."He looked down. "I'm here."She didn't open her eyes. "Don't leave."His expression softened. "I'm not leaving."She relaxed again.Hu
The words remained hanging in the chamber. She'll be the one who wakes the others. No one moved. Not even Caedryn. Then the Council Head's expression changed. The fear disappeared. What replaced it was cold determination."Restrain her."Aldren immediately turned. "Caedryn, don't.""I said restrain her."Several Council officers moved forward.Sera stepped backward. Her red eyes flickered.,"What are you doing?"The officers surrounded her.Husen moved instantly. "Don't touch her."Aldren stepped between them. "Husen, wait.""Move."Caedryn raised his hand. "Now."The officers attacked.Sera fought back instinctively. One officer grabbed her arm. She twisted free. Another caught her from behind. A third secured a metal restraint around her wrist.Sera snarled. "Let me go!"Her strength surged. The officers were thrown backward. But more rushed forward. Mechanical restraints snapped around her arms. Then her legs.Sera struggled violently. "STOP!"Husen moved.Aldren blocked him. "Not y
The chamber went silent. Sera stood beneath the crimson lights, her white hair falling around her shoulders. Husen didn't move. Neither did Kael. Her words remained between them.Who saved you.Husen stared at her. "What do you mean?"Sera tilted her head. The smile on her lips wasn't quite hers."You really don't remember?"Husen's expression tightened. "Remember what?"She took a slow step forward."The night the village burned."Husen froze.Kael glanced at him.Hunsen closed his eyes. "I remember."Sera smiled. "No."She touched her temple. "You remember what they allowed you to remember."Husen opened his eyes. "What?"Her smile disappeared. "They erased the rest."Caedryn suddenly stepped forward. "Sera."She turned toward him. "You knew."Caedryn's expression remained unreadable. "You knew what was hidden.""Of course.""Who erased it?"Sera looked at him. "You did."The room fell silent. Caedryn's face changed.Aldren stared at him. "You?"Caedryn didn't answer.Husen looked a







