Chapter 79 The Hybrid's truth

Chapter 79 The Hybrid's truth

The War Room — Dawn

The revelation of Kael's existence had shaken the entire estate.

Selene stood at the head of the war room table, her expression carved from stone, while her children sat in stunned silence. Ava was there too, along with Rhyssa, Renna, and the other alliance leaders.

But it was Darion who looked the most annoyed.
"A brother," he said quietly, staring at his hands. "This is the brother I never knew existed."

"Half-brother," Aria corrected, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness. "And he's Morgana's son. That makes him our enemy."

"This is so much isn't it?" Darion looked up, his blue eyes somewhat conflicted. "He walked in here trying to assert dominace. And his mother.."

"He chose to stand with her," Lucian said firmly. "He delivered her threat. He made his allegiance clear."
"Because he probably doesn't have a choice" Darion said back. "She raised him. Probably filled his head with stories about how our father abandoned them, how the Varex destroyed everything she loved. Can you blame him for believing her?"

"I can blame him for threatening us," Aria said coldly.
Selene raised her hand, silencing the brewing argument.
"Enough. What's done is done. Kael exists. He's powerful perhaps more powerful than any of us anticipated. And he will come for us alongside Morgana."

"What do we know about him?" Ava asked, her voice cutting through the tension.

Selene's gaze shifted to her. "Very little. I've known of his existence for years, but Morgana kept him hidden. Protected. My sources suggest he's been trained in both vampire combat and witch magic since childhood. A true hybrid in every sense."

"Is he stronger than me?" Darion's voice was quiet but steady.

"Potentially," Selene admitted. "Your power comes from your father's bloodline and my magic. His comes from the same source, but with Morgana's ancient knowledge added to it. He's had decades perhaps centuries or more to master abilities you're yet to learn."

Darion's jaw clenched. "Then I need to train harder."
"We all do," Rhyssa interjected. "If he's as powerful as you say, we can't face him individually. We need strategy and also coordination."
"And we need to understand his weaknesses," Renna added. "Everyone has them. Even hybrids."

"His weakness might be his loyalty," Ava said thoughtfully. Everyone turned to look at her. "He's fighting for his mother. For the only parent he's ever known. That kind of devotion can be powerful, but it can also be blinding."

"You think we can turn him?" Lucian asked skeptically.
"I think we can make him question her," Ava replied. "If he knew the whole truth about Aldric, about Seraphina, about why Morgana really wants revenge would he still stand with her?"

Selene's expression was unreadable. "That's a dangerous gamble, Ava. Revealing our vulnerabilities to someone who could use them against us."
"Everything we do now is a gamble," Ava countered.

"But if there's even a chance we can avoid making Darion fight his own brother to the death, isn't it worth trying?"

The room fell silent.

Darion stared at Ava, something like hope flickering in his eyes. "You'd do that? Try to reach him?"
"I'd try," Ava said simply. "I can't promise it would work. But I'd try."

"He won't listen," Aria said flatly. "Morgana's had him his entire life. Whatever lies she's told him are probably too deeply rooted to dig out."

"Maybe," Ava acknowledged. "But people can change. People can learn the truth and choose differently. We have to at least give him that chance."

Darion stood abruptly. "I want to be there. When you talk to him. If we're going to reach him, it should come from family."
"If we can even get him alone," Lucian pointed out. "He won't just walk up to us for a friendly conversation."
"Then we set a trap," Rhyssa suggested. "Something that draws him out without Morgana knowing. Somewhere neutral where he might feel safe enough to talk."

"The old border crossing," Kira said suddenly. "Between Lunaris territory and neutral ground. It's protected by ancient treaties. No violence allowed on that ground without breaking sacred law."
"Morgana won't care about sacred law," Renna scoffed.

"No, but Kael might," Ava said, her mind racing. "If he's been raised with any sense of honor, any respect for the old ways, he'll honor the boundary. It's worth a shot."

Selene studied Ava for a long moment. "You're willing to risk yourself for this? To meet with a hybrid who could kill you the moment you're alone with him?"
"I won't be alone," Ava said, looking at Darion. "We'll go together. Brothers should meet each other, don't you think?"

Darion's throat tightened with emotion. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Ava said with a small smile. "This could go very, very wrong."

"Then we prepare for both outcomes," Lucian said, standing. "We set the meeting. We make the attempt. But we have backup ready in case it goes south."
"Agreed," Selene said. "Ava, Darion you'll meet with Kael at the border crossing. The rest of us will be positioned nearby, hidden but ready to intervene if necessary."

"When do we do this?" Darion asked.

"Soon," Ava replied, feeling the urgency in her bones. "Before Morgana makes her next move. Before it's too late."



Darion sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands.

A brother. A half-brother who'd grown up without a father, raised by a woman consumed by vengeance and grief.

He thought about what his life might have been like if circumstances had been different. If Aldric had chosen Morgana instead of Selene. If he'd been raised as Morgana's son instead of a Varex heir.

Would he have turned out like Kael? Loyal to a fault, willing to destroy anything that threatened his mother?

Probably.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Darion called.
Lyra entered, closing the door behind her. She crossed the room and sat beside him, not saying anything at first. Just being present.

"You're thinking about him," she finally said.
"How could I not?" Darion looked at her. "I have another brother, Lyra. And the first time I'm going to really meet him, it'll be to try to convince him not to kill us all."

"Or you could convince him to join us," Lyra offered gently.

"You think that's possible?"
"I think family is complicated," Lyra said. "I think people are capable of change when they're given the right reasons. And I think if anyone can reach him, it's you."

Darion took her hand. "What if I can't? What if he's too far gone?"

"Then we deal with that when it comes," Lyra said firmly. "But you don't give up on him before you've even tried."

Darion pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Good thing you won't have to find out," Lyra murmured.

They sat together in the quiet, drawing strength from each other, preparing for whatever came next.