Chapter 49 Solace in His Arms
Later that night, Lyra tossed and turned on the couch restlessly, sheets twisting around her legs as if they were trying to restrain her.
Sleep refused to come gently. It dragged her down by force, pulling her deeper and deeper into the kind of darkness she couldn't escape. The air grew cold, not the ordinary cold of night, but the kind that made her skin crawl and her bones begin to freeze.
Lyra knew what this meant. She knew the familiar darkness, and that's why she fought the sleep paralysis so much.
She knew that cold. She knew it was the Blood King.
The realization slammed into her all at once, and she groaned softly, fingers curling into the sheets.
She didn’t know how it was possible. She hadn’t used her hybrid form in the last few hours.
But still, it was him.
She struggled, trying to claw her way back to consciousness, but the darkness wrapped tighter around her mind. How did one fight darkness itself?
“My little pretty mouse,” a voice purred slowly in the dark, and Lyra stiffened.
The world shifted, dissolving into the usual warped, colorless dreamscape. She stood in a vast emptiness that clearly told her this was a dream. The darkness stretched endlessly in every direction, and the chill immobilized her. Lyra knew instantly this wasn’t a normal dream.
It was a summon.
Her body refused to move. She tried to step back, but she was immobile, rooted in place like prey frozen under a predator’s gaze.
“What did you do with Cassian?” the Blood King asked, his tone deceptively calm as he said every word.
“I didn't do anything,” she muttered softly, for a second thinking he wouldn't hear her. But clearly he could, because he snorted.
“I can get into your head, Lyra. But it will be a very painful experience. Don't make me do it,” he warned, then repeated, “What happened with Cassian? Why didn't he bring you back to me? He said he had you.”
Lyra swallowed. “He’s dead,” she said, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound steady. “I didn’t cause it. We were attacked.”
A low hum followed, and he nodded. “I knew Cassian would never betray me. I knew he was being stopped.”
His presence came closer. “Then tell me,” he continued smoothly. “Who killed him?”
“The Titanium Pack soldiers,” Lyra replied. “Sent by Alpha Darius.”
The Blood King hissed sharply, and the sound reverberated through the void. “That mutt,” he snarled. “He dares to defy me?”
The darkness seemed to swell at his words, and she gasped.
“I’ll deal with Darius later,” he said dismissively. Then his attention snapped fully back to her. “Now tell me, little mouse. When will you bring me the blood?”
Her heart pounded. “What you’re asking is almost impossible,” Lyra said quickly. “Ryker is twice as strong as I am. Even in my half-breed form. I can’t just restrain him and steal his blood.”
“You will,” the Blood King replied calmly.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You’ll do more than that,” he said, his voice dark with promise. “You’re stronger than the mutt. You simply haven’t evolved yet. You will be at your strongest during the blood moon eclipse. Two months from now. That is your only chance.”
Her mind spun. “I don’t even understand what you’re saying,” she whispered. “Please, there has to be another way. Whatever you’re planning won’t work. Ryker will see through me before I betray him.”
“Enough,” the Blood King snapped. “You think you understand what I’m doing? You think you know the war that approaches Ashvale?” His laughter was cold. “You know nothing.”
His voice lowered. “I created you. I am your maker. And when you fully evolve into your vampire side, I will control you.”
“I don’t want any of this,” Lyra cried. “You have to let me go.”
“Oh, you're very ungrateful. You want me to let you go? I will,” he replied softly. “When I’m done. When you’ve served your purpose. Then you can return to the underworld I conjured you from.”
Her chest ached.
“And remember this,” he continued cruelly. “You are an abomination. You live only because I allow it. The wolves will kill you at the slightest provocation. One day, this man you're trying to protect will sell you out. When Ryker isn’t looking, his precious pack will hurt you.”
She shook her head desperately. “I can’t do what you’re asking. Please.”
“Why do you still care about that dog?” the Blood King sneered. “He broke your heart. He led you to your death.”
“Cassian killed me,” Lyra said weakly. “Not Ryker.”
The Blood King laughed mockingly. “Ryker killed you long before Cassian ever touched you. He carved out your heart, your soul, your self-worth. Cassian merely gave you another chance to live. You should have thanked him before he died.”
She wallowed, standing there like the prey that she was.
“The blood eclipse,” the Blood King reminded her. “You will play your part.”
But just as he was speaking, suddenly the darkness began to peel away.
The Blood King stiffened. “What did you do?” he hissed.
“I don’t know,” Lyra stammered, equally confused.
Light slowly bled into the void, forcing the darkness to melt away. For the first time, the summon ended without the Blood King's consent.
It felt like a force was pulling her right out of the abyss. She gasped as the world disintegrated into nothing.
Lyra jerked awake and inhaled sharply.
Strong arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her close as she struggled.
She relaxed instinctively for a heartbeat before realization hit. She wasn’t in her bed. She was on the couch in the living area.
“Hey,” a voice murmured softly into her ear. “Are you okay?”
She nodded weakly.
It was Dax.
Lyra quickly pulled away, pushing herself upright. “Yeah… sorry.”
“You don’t have to move,” he said gently.
“I didn’t want to hurt your stitches,” she replied.
He nodded. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she lied. “I guess I just fell asleep.”
“You were mumbling in your sleep and struggling,” Dax said softly. “Nightmare?”
Her stomach clenched, and she prayed he didn't hear a word she said there. “Something like that.”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “What happened to you at the Titanium Pack was traumatic. I'm sorry.”
She nodded. “I’m alive,” she whispered. “And it’s thanks to you.”
He smiled faintly. “It was nothing. We all had to split up after we couldn't find you back at the tent. Ryker and Rex came back to protect the pack. I went ahead to find you.”
Lyra stared at him. “They didn’t try to find me?”
Dax shrugged. “I think they assumed you were already dead.”
Her blood ran cold.
“They left me?” she whispered.
Dax shrugged. “For the good of the pack.”
“What?!” she cried. “They let some vampire boy take me off? They wanted me gone?” Tears began to pour down her face at the thought.
“It doesn't matter,” Dax said quickly. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. Lyra broke, sobs wracking her sweaty body as she clung to him.
Dax stroked her hair gently, murmuring soft words to her.
Then suddenly, he heard footsteps, and his gaze lifted toward the doorway.
Ryker stood there, watching. Dax wasn't sure what his reaction was; his face was blank. After a moment, he didn't say a word. He turned and left.
Lyra shivered and whipped around as the scent of Ryker hit her. “Someone was here,” she murmured.
“No, it's just us,” Dax replied and smiled, patting her hair.
“No, I smelled someone,” she insisted, trying to get up.
Dax smiled softly. “Just the wind playing with your mind. You need to rest, Lyra. Lie back. I’ll stay with you tonight.”
She did, allowing him to embrace her again, and slowly, exhaustion dragged her back under.