Chapter 153 King of Treachery
Later that night after about half the pack had slept and Ryker checked up on her for the last time, Lyra snuck out using the window and began to creep towards the prison tunnels.
She walked down the narrow stairs, her footsteps echoing against the walls and thankfully, the guards didn’t stop her; they only bowed their heads in silence as she passed.
They knew she was the reason the cells were being used tonight. Ryker had announced that she helped him capture Cassian, missing out the part that she willingly followed him to the forest to sever their mating bond.
Only heavens know what the pack would have done if they knew that.
Lyra finally reached the bottom and stood before the heavy iron bars of the last cell.
She didn't even have to call out to him, Cassian was sitting on a stone bench in the corner.
His hands were bound in heavy silver cuffs that hissed against his skin every time he moved. He looked up as Lyra approached, his face bruised and pale in the dim light of the torches.
“Pretty little traitor!" He hissed. “Did you come to mock me?"
“If you're calling me a traitor, then what are you?"
Cassian smirked. "You've grown some wings, Lyra. I don't like it.”
"I came to tell you to beg for mercy," Lyra said. Her voice was flat, devoid of the warmth they used to share as friends. "If you kneel before Ryker, if you show him you are truly sorry and tell him everything you know about the King’s plans, he might spare your life. He is a fair man, Cassian. Don’t let your pride kill you."
Cassian let out a dry, hacking laugh that turned into a cough.
He stood up slowly, the silver chains rattling against the floor. He walked toward the bars, his eyes dark and defiant. "Beg? You want me to kneel before that wolf? I would never bow to him, Lyra. I won’t beg for mercy from a man who is beneath me."
"He isn't beneath you," Lyra snapped. "He is an Alpha wolf and he is a leader. And right now, he is the only thing standing between you and a funeral pyre."
"I am more powerful than any of you realize," Cassian said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous hiss. "I could kill every single person in this pack if I wanted to. I have seen things in the King’s court that your little pack doctor couldn't even dream of."
Lyra stepped closer to the bars, her eyes narrowing. "Stop lying to yourself. You’re exaggerating your own power to feel better about being in a cage. Ryker is a True Alpha. He was trained for battle since he could walk. You didn't stand a chance against him in the woods, and you won't stand a chance against him if he decides to end this tonight."
Cassian leaned his forehead against the cold iron bars.
A smirk played on his lips. "And yet, I can still use you to get to him. Just like I always have. You’re the bridge, Lyra. You’re the weak spot in his armor."
"Would you stop being such a traitor for five minutes?" Lyra hissed, her hands gripping the bars. "Let me help you. I am trying to save your life because I remember who you used to be."
"I don't need your help," he spat. "What I need is for you to work with me. We can bring down the Blood King together. If we kill him, you’ll finally be free of the debt. You won't be a hybrid anymore; you’ll just be Lyra."
Lyra stared at him, searching his face. "Don't think for a second that I believe you're just looking out for me. You sold your soul to the devil to survive that cliff, and here you are acting like you want to save me. What do you gain from this, Cassian? Do you want to steal his seat? Do you want to be the next King of the vampires?"
The silence that followed was her answer.
The look on Cassian’s face told her all she needed to know. He didn't blink. He didn't deny it.
"You're insane," Lyra whispered. "You're going to die a very pathetic death if you think the Blood King will just leave his throne for you. He has lived for centuries and has killed thousands. He won't even notice when he crushes you."
"He won't have a choice," Cassian said, his voice rising. "When I murder him and every single member of the royal family, the vampires will have no choice but to follow me. I will enthrone myself. I will make myself King, and anyone who doesn't bow before me will be killed. I’ll turn their entire world into my kingdom."
Lyra shook her head, a look of pity crossing her face. "How do you come up with these ridiculous plans? You're just a baby vampire, Cassian. You were turned a few months ago when you fell off that cliff. You can't even handle a pair of silver cuffs, and you think you can take down a dynasty?"
Cassian scoffed and pulled at his chains, the metal searing his skin. "And yet here I am, terrorizing your pack. I’ve brought your Alpha to his knees without even firing a shot. I’m going to offer you a truce, Lyra. Go tell your lovely little husband to let me go. I’ll promise not to come back here anymore, unless it is absolutely necessary for our plan."
"I don't trust your promises," Lyra said. She backed away from the bars, her heart heavy. "I'm not buying anything you're selling. I’m going to let Ryker do with you whatever he wishes. I just came to say goodbye, Cassian. I wanted to see if there was anything left of my friend. There isn't."
She turned her back on him and started toward the stairs.
"Lyra!"
She didn't stop.
Suddenly, there was a loud, metallic clang as Cassian lunged at the iron bars.
He thrust his arms through the columns, his elongated fingers reaching out. He managed to snag the fabric of her skirt, his grip like iron.
"You can't betray me!" he roared. His fangs were fully out now, and his claws were digging into the heavy fabric. "I'm the reason you are alive! I'm the one who saved you from death! You owe me!”
Lyra gasped and tried to pull away, but he dragged her back toward the bars.
His face was distorted with rage and hunger. He looked like a monster.
"Let go!" she screamed.
She used her hybrid strength, jerking her body forward with everything she had.
The sound of ripping fabric echoed through the cell block as the hem of her skirt tore away in his hand.
She staggered back, her chest heaving, her eyes wide with shock.
Cassian stood at the bars, holding the scrap of her dress. He looked at it and then at her, his eyes glowing.
"One way or the other, I will get out of here," he hissed. "As you sleep tonight, think about this, Lyra. Do you really want to make me your enemy? Do you really want to see what I do to this pack when I stop playing nice?"
Lyra didn't answer.
She turned and hurried up the stairs, her heart pounding against her ribs.
She didn't look back until she reached the top and the heavy iron door was locked behind her.
“Who was I kidding?” She muttered in anger.
How could she be so dumb to think that Cassian would beg for Mercy?
This was the life of every fool. Their pride stayed with them until their own caskets were nailed and lowered into the ground.
And right then, Lyra decided she too was done playing nice. Secrets or not, she'd get rid of Cassian.