Chapter 259

Lyra’s POV

Thorne and I continued our conversation, which flowed into other things. He told me stories of the past, carefully leaving Zoraira out of them. I knew he was doing that to make me feel comfortable.

Sometime later, the moon rose high over the garden, casting long shadows of the trees across the ground. We walked out together and headed back into the main packhouse, where we split up so he could get some rest and check on Kade later. According to the physician, Kade was still in the exact same condition.

I spotted Selene and Violetta walking down the hallway, laughing about something. Selene tapped her shoulder, gave her a brief hug, and then turned toward me.

“So, you had a talk with Thorne?” she asked. “I saw you two together while Violetta and I were walking.”

“Something like that,” I replied.

Just then, a thought crossed my mind. There had been something I’d been meaning to ask Selene. I touched my nose briefly and said, “Speaking of talks, you and I need to talk.”

She raised her brows. “Oh, okay? Is there something the matter?”

“It’s about Gwen,” I said.

A scowl appeared on Selene’s face. “Oh, that bitch. I should have known something was off with her. When I learned she was a traitor… you know what? With the way she died, I am so fucking glad. She deserved every bit of it.”

“Yes, I suppose she did. But there is something about it I do not quite get.”

“Which is?” Selene asked, taking my hand and leading me back outside into the cool night air.

I shivered slightly as the wind howled nearby, gusts blowing past us. It seemed like it might rain later, but the sky was also surprisingly clear, with the moon shining brightly above.

“Azythar mentioned something to me.”

Selene began to laugh hysterically, almost wheezing. She paused, resting a hand on my shoulder. “Why do you care what that dead fool said? What was it he mentioned about her that has you thinking about it?”

“About who killed her,” I said. “He said he didn’t have a hand in it alone—that he worked with somebody else. Someone who was apparently close to me.”

“Oh,” Selene said, her voice a mix of fear, surprise, and confusion. “So there is another traitor? Someone else who worked for Azythar? Do you know who it is?”

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t say they were actually working with Azythar.”

“Why? I mean, I can try to see why he would say that,” Selene added quickly. “If someone worked with Azythar, it’s highly unlikely he would just give them up. Azythar might have just said that to mess with your head.”

“Not to mess with me. He said the person made a deal: they would kill Gwen together, and he would release me if that person gave him something in return.”

“Gave him something? And what was that?”

“Something to unlock more ravagers from beyond the lunar realm, where they were banished hundreds of years ago.”

Selene paused, stopping dead in her tracks. “So let me get this straight. Someone close to you made a deal with the fucking Eclipse King—who might as well be the devil sent to our world—just to get Gwen killed and have you released, but you were never released?”

“Yes, because Azythar never intended to release me, but he allowed Gwen to be given up and killed for that deal to happen.”

“Oh, that’s weird. I wonder what the bargain even was.”

I furrowed my brows, wondering if Selene was truly clueless or if she was playing dumb with me. “Azythar told me the person who did it loved me dearly. That was why they offered their blood upon the lunar gates long enough for him to do what he wanted to do. And they weren’t even sure what their blood would unlock; they just thought it would help.”

“I see,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Who do you think it is?”

I hesitated, unsure of how to voice the question. Selene was my best friend. If she had made that kind of desperate deal to get rid of Gwen and save me, I would understand, but I also didn’t want to falsely accuse her.

“Are your parents your real parents?” I asked.

She looked at me like I had completely lost my mind. “Of course they are! I mean, there is a striking resemblance between my father and me. I know that for a fact.”

“Right. And they are both pure wolves?”

“Of course they are both wolves. Why else would I have a wolf? You know that.”

I wasn’t even sure what to say anymore.

Then suddenly, she burst out laughing. “Oh my goodness, Lyra! Do you think I made a deal with the devil to get you released? I mean, I would do almost anything for you, but I don’t have anything to offer as a bargain. So I think you have the wrong person. Maybe it was someone else. Who knows? It could have been Kade, or Thorne, or someone who really hated Gwen.” She trailed off thoughtfully, then quickly added, “But I don’t think that matters now. Azythar is gone for good. The ravagers have all been petrified into stone, and nothing is bringing them back. Azythar has no host to return to. He is trapped forever.”

“I know. I need to go to the temple,” I said as we continued walking. “Maybe when we hold the Elarion Council meeting, I can return the amulet there, complete whatever ritual needs to be completed, and seal the temple for good.”

She nodded. “That sounds like a solid plan. What are you going to do with the prisoners? The hollowed soldiers? You can’t trust them enough to add them to your ranks.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I think that will be decided by the council, because every pack has taken its own share of prisoners.”

“Yes, something we should all agree on unanimously.”

I nodded in agreement. “It’s late. We should both get some rest.”