Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

Author's POV

Shadow Vane was clawed in an eerie silence as Magnus stepped out of the car, his sharp eyes darting across the desolate meeting area. The air was thick with tension, the scent of damp earth, grass and the distant howl of the wind. In the car behind him, Zara sat with Viktor, her tired gaze fixed out of the window, her expression unreadable and the only thing running through her mind was to get out of this mess.

It been four weeks since Zara had been captured by Magnus, and those times had made her physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. She secretly hoped that Magnus and Ashen would reach a favourable conclusion, and she would be free to leave. She doesn't wish to be caught up in whatever rift is between them.

Magnus scanned the area again. After the raid at the warehouse before, he knew better than to expect a warm reunion.

"Let's go," he said, gesturing towards his guards. Together, they moved deeper into the forest, leaving Zara with Viktor in the car.

Magnus reached a clearing and stopped, waiting for Ashen to show up. And this time, he hoped he doesn't pull any more stunts because if he did, then he is so done. Done with trying to talk, done with the meetings, letters, messages. He was going to strike with full brutal force.

The crunch of boots against the cold forest floor announced Ashen's arrival. He emerged from the shadows, flanked by a few men, his presence as commanding as ever just like the powerful king that he was. His eyes were sharp, guided, assessing, carrying none of the warmth Magnus had once remembered.

Magnus took a slow breath, steadying the storm brewing inside him. He skipped the pleasantries, knowing quite well that times have changed, so he went straight to the point.

"You never acknowledged any of my letters in the past years," Magnus said, his voice measured and calm but laced with quiet hurt or perhaps disappointment.

Ashen's lips curled into dark smirk. "What letters?"

Magnus' brows furrowed. "The ones I sent over requesting that we meet even before your father passed away. You were the only one I trusted to—"

"I never got them." Ashen cut him off, his voice sharp and clipped.

Magnus stared at him, searching for any sign of a lie, but there was none. A bitter realization settled in his chest—someone had intercepted them. Someone had made sure they never reached Ashen.

Ashen continued, his patience wearing thin. "Even if I did, why should I acknowledge them? I'm not one of your minions. I'm a king," he said, his voice sharp with authority.

Magnus nodded, Ashen's words settling in. "You've changed," Magnus murmured, his voice almost nostalgic. "You aren't the same boy who once risked everything to save me. I remembered when I asked you if your father won't get angry on you and you said "just go, my father won't kill his own son, right?'. A sad smile escaped his lips. "Those words made me believe that the rift between parents has nothing to do with the children at times. Despite that your father murdered my parents, I still refused to hate you for it."

Ashen let out a sharp laugh, but there was no amusement in it. "Of course, I’ve changed. And if I had the chance to go back, I wouldn’t save you again. I will support my father and end your damn life."

The words hit Magnus like a punch to the face. He had known things wouldn't be the same, but hearing it still hurts.

"I always considered you a friend," Magnus admitted, voice heavy with unspoken emotions. "Even when you raided my safe house the last time, I still believed in you—still believed it was some kind of misunderstanding."

Ashen's expression darkened, his gaze turning to ice. "Friends?" He scoffed at the absurdity of the word. "Pathetic. We were never friends. You were just a bastard with a stolen claim to my throne."

Magnus clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. "Your throne? We both know that isn't true. Your lineage were never Royals. Your father was an heartless Rogue who seized the opportunity of my peace loving father to steal his throne."

The fire in Ashen's eyes dimmed. His confidence faltering for the first time ever. He opened his mouth to talk but Magnus didn't give him the chance to.

"Why have you become like this?" Magnus continued. "Ruthless, unkind—even to those people who served you irrespective of everything."

Ashen's smirk returned, but this time it was crueler. "Because the world is cruel. And to survive, one must be crueler."

A suffocating silence stretched between them, the weight of years of betrayal, lost brotherhood, and unspoken truths pressing down on them.

Finally, Ashen spoke again. "Where's Zara?"

Magnus studied him, sensing the subtle affection in his voice. He really did loves Zara. And is It possible he knew about her background? It's none of his business though. They'd sort that out themselves. "She's in the car. You can have her once we're done talking."

Talking? There was nothing to talk about. Ashen's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Magnus took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Vacate the throne, Ashen. It was never yours to claim."

A slow, predatory smile spread across Ashen's face. "I'd rather die than do that."

Magnus had expected the answer, but before he could react, Ashen lifted his hand in a subtle gesture.

The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the night.

Magnus had barely had time to process what was happening when his five guards dropped to the ground, silver bullets embedded in their chests. Blood pooled beneath them, their eyes wide with shock before they went still.

Magnus turned, rage burning in his veins, but before he could move, Ashen's men surged forward.

"Seize. Him," Ashen ordered.

Magnus fought back, but the numbers were against him. He managed to land a few brutal blows, but strong hands grabbed his arms, twisting then behind his back.

Ashen stepped closer, a satisfied smirk plastered on his face. "Welcome to my world, Magnus. The world where the weak don't survive. You are weak—just like your father."

Magnus groaned, his anger palpable at the mention of his father. "Don't you dare speak about my father, you coward."

Ashen's smirk only deepened. "Take him away."

Then he turned away, his voice sharp. "Search the area for any car. Kill anyone who gets in your way. And bring back my bride at all costs."