THE SON OF THE MONSTER

CHAPTER 18

THE SON OF THE MONSTER

“Lucian!”

Lyra's scream echoed through the crypt.

But her brother did not turn.

His fingers remained wrapped around Theron's hand.

The old king smiled.

“There you are, my boy.”

A black flame erupted around their joined hands.

Lucian's body jerked.

His silver eyes turned completely black.

“NO!” Lyra rushed forward.

Kael caught her before she could reach them.

“Don't touch him!”

“Let me go!”

“Look at him!”

Lucian was trembling violently.

Black veins spread from his wrist towards his shoulder. His face twisted in pain, but he refused to release Theron's hand.

The old king began chanting in a language Lyra did not understand.

The symbols on the walls responded.

One by one, they illuminated.

Alaric staggered backwards.

“He's completing the blood oath.”

Ronan raised his weapon.

“Then we stop him!”

He charged.

But before he could reach Theron, an invisible force threw him against the wall.

Mira screamed.

“Ronan!”

The captain fell to the floor, blood running from his forehead.

Kael released Lyra and transformed halfway, his claws emerging.

“THERON!”

The old king looked at him.

“Ah. The grandson who believes himself free.”

Kael lunged.

Theron raised his other hand.

Kael was thrown backwards.

His body struck the stone steps.

“Your blood has always belonged to me,” Theron said calmly. “You merely inherited the illusion of choice.”

Kael struggled to rise.

Lyra felt her power stirring.

“Release them.”

Theron finally looked at her.

“You still believe you can command me?”

“I am the First Luna's heir.”

“You are a child wearing the crown of a dead woman.”

Lyra's silver eyes burned.

“And you are a coward hiding inside a dead king's body.”

The crypt trembled.

Theron's smile vanished.

For a brief moment, the black flames around Lucian weakened.

Lyra noticed.

She stepped forward.

“Lucian! Listen to me!”

Her brother's fingers twitched.

“Lyra…”

Theron tightened his grip.

“Silence.”

Lucian's body convulsed.

A scream escaped him.

Lyra reached out with her power.

“Remember who you are!”

Images flashed through her mind.

A little boy crying in a dark room.

A silver-eyed woman singing.

Two children sleeping beside each other.

A promise.

I will always find you.

Lucian suddenly lifted his head.

“Mother…”

Theron snarled.

“Enough!”

He struck Lucian across the chest with his palm.

A black symbol appeared over his heart.

Lucian collapsed.

The old king released him.

“Useless.”

Lyra caught her brother before he hit the ground.

“Lucian! Open your eyes!”

His breathing was shallow.

His skin was cold.

She pressed her hand against his chest.

“Please.”

Nothing happened.

The ancient voice whispered inside her.

The second heir is not lost.

Lyra looked towards the throne.

“How do I save him?”

You must give what the oath demands.

“What does it demand?”

The answer came like a blade.

Your blood.

Alaric suddenly stepped forward.

“No!”

Lyra turned.

“What?”

The old guardian looked terrified.

“The oath was designed to consume the First Luna's heir. If you give it your blood willingly, it will take everything.”

Theron laughed.

“Your guardian finally speaks the truth.”

Lyra's hands tightened around Lucian.

“What happens if I refuse?”

“The boy dies,” Theron replied.

“And if I agree?”

“You die.”

Silence filled the crypt.

Theron extended his hand.

“Choose, little Queen.”

---

Kael slowly pushed himself upright.

Blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

“Don't listen to him.”

Lyra looked at him.

“Lucian is dying.”

“I know.”

“Then help me!”

Kael struggled to stand.

“My wolf is weakening. I can't fight him like this.”

Theron smiled.

“Because your blood remembers its master.”

Kael's eyes flashed.

“You are not my master.”

Theron tilted his head.

“Then prove it.”

The black symbol beneath Kael's collar began to glow.

Kael screamed.

He dropped to his knees, gripping his chest.

Lyra looked towards him.

The creature was attacking them both.

One through blood.

The other through the oath.

And Theron was enjoying every second.

Alaric approached her.

“There is another way.”

Lyra turned sharply.

“What?”

“The original seal.”

He pointed towards the floor.

“Your mother created it using both pendants. The seal was designed to separate the First King's blood memory from the royal bloodline.”

Lyra looked at the two pendants.

“Then we can use them to stop him.”

“Not without activating the original sacrifice.”

“What sacrifice?”

Alaric closed his eyes.

“The first keeper gave her life to create the prison.”

Lyra felt her heart sink.

“You mean my mother?”

“No. The first Luna herself.”

Theron began laughing.

“You see? Even your guardian knows the truth. Every generation must pay for the power it inherits.”

Lyra looked down at Lucian.

His eyes were barely open.

“Don't leave me,” he whispered.

She held his hand.

“I just found you. I'm not losing you.”

A tear slipped down his cheek.

“I'm sorry.”

Lyra frowned.

“For what?”

Lucian struggled to speak.

“I knew…”

Her heart stopped.

“What did you know?”

He swallowed.

“Before I came here… I knew Theron was alive.”

Lyra stared at him.

“You knew?”

“He promised me the truth about Mother.”

“And you still brought us here?”

“I thought I could control him.”

Lucian's breathing weakened.

“I was wrong.”

Lyra closed her eyes.

She wanted to be angry.

She wanted to demand answers.

But her brother was dying in her arms.

And there was no time.

She placed both pendants against his chest.

“Then we'll find another way.”

The two objects began to glow.

A silver circle spread beneath them.

Theron immediately stepped backwards.

“No!”

For the first time, fear entered his voice.

Lyra looked up.

“You said the oath could only be completed with both heirs.”

Theron raised his hand.

“Stop!”

“But you forgot something.”

The silver circle widened.

“We are not your sacrifices.”

The ancient wolf's voice returned.

Now, little Luna.

Lyra pressed her hands against the pendants.

“By the blood of Elara Veyne…”

Lucian's eyes opened.

He placed his trembling hand over hers.

“By the blood of Elara Veyne.”

The crypt erupted in silver light.

The black flames disappeared.

Theron screamed as the symbols across his body began to crack.

“No! You cannot reverse the oath!”

Lyra's power surged.

“Watch me!”

A tremendous explosion threw everyone backwards.

When the light faded, Lucian was breathing normally.

The black mark on his chest had disappeared.

Lyra fell against him, exhausted.

For a moment, she thought they had won.

Then she heard Kael.

“Lyra…”

She turned.

He was standing near the wall.

His eyes were completely black.

A dark symbol covered his chest.

And behind him stood Theron.

The old king had survived.

Worse, he was smiling.

“You have saved your brother,” he said.

Lyra slowly rose.

“What have you done?”

Theron placed one hand on Kael's shoulder.

“I have taken what was always mine.”

Kael's body went rigid.

His lips parted.

But the voice that emerged was not his.

“Kneel, First Luna.”

Lyra froze.

Theron leaned closer to Kael's ear.

“Welcome home, my true heir.”

Then Kael raised his hand.

And pointed his claws directly at Lyra's heart.