Chapter 3 Ch 3
ELIAS Pov
The Luna wolves killed my father. They laid an ambush for him in the woods, outnumbered him. I couldn't unsee the claw marks and the pieces of shredded skin we found the next morning. I was too young to survive on my own, but the Sanctum Order Guild of Veylar found me and rescued me. They gave me a home and trained me to fight. The guild taught me about revenge, and I live for it.
The Sanctum Order was founded by the old Shadowborns right after the Luna Wolves came into existence. They were made up of priests, military leaders and magicians. They see the Moon’s Goddess creations as abominations who stole their rightful dominion of the night.
Their religion calls for the “Return to the Shadow Age”, the cleansing of all moonlight.
So, the guild gave me the chance to rule a kingdom and avenge my father's death. The entire land was mine, they just wanted the werewolves gone.
So far, my conquest had been successful, half of the land had fallen under my grasp. The other half consisted of one major pack headed by Alpha Corvin, and a few minor ones who still looked up to Corvin for protection.
The Luna wolves were no match for my sophisticated ammunition, but their walls would not fall. And now, he was planning to move his people to a hideout. I could not imagine that happening, so I did what every powerful man does. I had his daughter taken. According to my spies, that girl was his only child. So, I had him in a tight corner, it was only a matter of time before he came running.
"So, did she tell you anything?"
The sight of Vaera's naked body irritated me, but I closed the door behind me and moved to the window, far away from the bed she was lying on.
"Are we going to blow up the land already?" She asked again.
"No, Vaera." I leaned against the window railings and peered out looking at the world below.
"You were in the cell for quite a long time. How come you haven't gotten anything?" She rose from the bed, lit a cigarette and came to wrap her hands around me. Her naked body was pressed against my back but I had never wanted this.
"The girl claims not to know anything."
"Then she is not terrified enough." She snapped. "Let me have the guards torture the truth out of her. I knew she was stubborn from the get-go. She needs to be broken."
"I only want Corvin to appear before me. He already knows what I want. Both our soldiers will be present at the meeting. Powerful men only kill themselves at war, not during meetings."
Vaera went silent for some moments, then she banged her hand on the wall, anger simmering in her eyes.
"Then, you are not doing it right. That girl needs to be whipped so hard Corvin will hear her cries from his bedchamber."
At those words, I tore Vaera's arms off my neck and threw the cigarette out of the window.
"I have had a long day," I turned away from her. "I need to get some rest."
"Alone," I said, as she moved towards me again. "Put on your clothes and return to your room. We'll see in the morning."
Vaera blinked, caught off guard. “Now?” Her tone trembled between disbelief and anger. “You come out of that cell looking like you’ve seen a ghost and send me away?”
“Vaera.” I didn’t look at her. “Go.”
"I do everything for you, fight beside you. Why can't I stay here whenever I want?"
I drew in a long, deep breath.
"Go to bed Vaera. We'll see in the morning."
I expected that Corvin would show up the next morning, in the middle of the borders, as I instructed, but there was nothing. I expected that he was trying to be tough but it didn't show up the day after. It's been two whole weeks now, and Alpha Carvin has yet to come for his daughter. I didn't know what to make of this. Vaera had finally obtained the leaf to physical torture, but nothing was coming from the girl. Would Alpha Corvin let go of his daughter? Or was he planning something bigger?
My soldiers continued attacking the park, but they were unable to breach the walls. Corvin must be planning something. A few days afterwards, I received a visit from the guild. Members of the guild would normally visit my fortress to inspect my works and my progress in purging the land. They would have a look at my newly conquered lands, my prisoners, and the well-being of my soldiers.
I expected that the guild would send anyone, but it was the head priest, Archon Serras Tarren, who showed up.
"I can see you are making progress Elias," he commended. "Soon, you will have a complete Kingdom."
"Of course."
We were walking down the hallway of the dungeon, and he was peering into every cage, examining the prisoners with a satisfied smirk on his wrinkled face.
"Now where is the girl you told us you caught?" He asked. "That is the reason the guild has come. I do not run errands like this."
"Indeed."
We stopped in front of Lysandra Corvin's cage and I pulled the door open. The cage was still dark, but the smell of blood and sweat now hung in the air. I caught sight of her silver hair first, but the innocence in her face struck something in me. Something I couldn't name.
"So Archon, this is the girl. This is Alpha Corvin's daughter."
For a moment, the old man simply stared. But then I saw it. Fear appeared on his face, shock, awe and then interest. He took the flashlight from me and pointed it at the lady's face.
"What has happened?" I asked.
“There is no way this could be Alpha Corvin’s daughter.” He said softly but firmly.
My head snapped toward him. “What?”
Archon Serras tilted his head, studying the girl as if she were a riddle written in flesh and blood. “Look at her,” he murmured. “That hair. Those eyes. Corvin’s blood never bore such… deviation.”
“She was captured in Corvin’s own fortress,” I replied. “His men fought to keep her from me. Who else could she be?”
The Archon’s gaze lingered a little longer before he straightened. His voice softened, almost gentle. “This one is not to be handled like the others. I will take her with me.”
I frowned. “Take her? Why?”
The old priest smiled faintly, that patient, superior smile I had learned to despise.
“There are matters within the Guild that do not concern kings, Commander. Be at ease. She will not trouble your war. I will see to it myself.”
“She’s my prisoner, Archon. I decide where she goes.”
"She will come with me."
He turned around and left the cage, but I dashed after him.
"Lysandra is my prisoner," I shouted. "You cannot take her anywhere without explaining the reason."
"You don't need to know anything Elias, you're still a kid."
My breath caught.
"What!" I growled. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
I didn't wait for him to respond, I motioned to the guards standing at the entrance.
"Take the priest by the arms and lead him to his vehicle outside. Assist his chauffeur, and make sure he gets home safely."
"What!" He shouted. "You have no right to throw me out."
"I am the king Archon Serras, I get what I want."
Then I turned around and returned to the dungeon, ignoring Archon Serras's protests. The lady was still cowering in the corner of the dungeon, feeling the silent cage. I moved closer to her, leaving no space between us.
"I know you are not Lysandra Corvin of the Regal Wolf Pack." I began. "Who are you?"
She started to tremble, but I moved closer.
"I will not repeat myself. Who are you?!"