Chapter 35: 35
35
Matthew gently pulled away, though his hands lingered on my shoulders as if reluctant to break the connection.
His crimson eyes glimmered with determination, but there was a softness there that made my heart ache.
“We need to talk about the silver key,” he said finally, his voice steady but laced with concern.
I nodded, the weight of the situation settling over me again. “What do we do? Ruelle isn’t going to stop.”
Matthew sighed and stepped toward the window, staring out at the city lights. “He’s after more than just the key. He wants the throne, and he’s willing to go to any lengths to get it. But the key is the only proof of royal succession—it’s tied to my bloodline. Without it, he has no claim.”
I crossed my arms, feeling the smooth edges of the key hidden in my pocket. “But why does he think I have it? Did someone tell him?”
Matthew turned to me, his gaze sharp. “Ruelle doesn’t need anyone to tell him. He can sense its presence—it calls to vampires like him, those with greed and hunger for power. The moment it bonded with you, it became a beacon. That’s why I...” He trailed off, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“Why you what?” I pressed, stepping closer.
He hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. “That’s why I tried to keep you from knowing about it. The key chose you because of our bond, Gabrielle. You’re tied to me in ways you don’t even realize. It’s... dangerous for you now.”
The weight of his words hit me like a freight train. I thought I understood the stakes, but this was bigger than I’d imagined. “So what do we do? I can’t just hand it over, right?”
“Never,” Matthew said sharply, his voice like steel. “If he gets it, he’ll not only claim the throne but also unleash chaos on both mortals and vampires. The key holds more power than even he understands. It’s not just evidence of the crown—it’s a lock, a seal to keep something much worse contained.”
“What do you mean?” My heart pounded in my chest.
Matthew’s gaze darkened. “The key is tied to an ancient artifact, the Vault of Thorns. It contains relics that could destroy entire cities if misused. Ruelle doesn’t just want power—he wants control of that vault. If he succeeds, it won’t matter if you’re mortal or vampire. No one will be safe.”
A chill ran down my spine. “Then we have to stop him. What’s the plan?”
Matthew walked over and took my hands in his, his touch grounding me. “First, you stay close to me. No more sneaking off to the mall or anywhere else without telling me.” His lips quirked into a faint smile, though his tone was serious. “I mean it, Gabrielle. I can’t protect you if I don’t know where you are.”
I nodded reluctantly. “Fine, no more solo grocery runs. But what about Ruelle? He’s not going to back off.”
“No, he won’t,” Matthew admitted. “Which is why I need to attend the Summit of Shadows tomorrow. The council has to know what Ruelle is planning, and they might have resources we can use. Until then, you’ll stay here, and Julian will keep an eye on you when I’m not around.”
My stomach twisted at the thought of Matthew leaving, even for a short time. “You’re going to be okay, right? Ruelle won’t...?”
Matthew’s smile turned wolfish, his fangs glinting faintly. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. Ruelle may be dangerous, but he’s no match for me.”
Despite his confidence, the worry in my chest didn’t ease.
He must have noticed because he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Trust me,” he murmured.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I do.”
But even as the words left my lips, a sense of foreboding settled over me. Something told me this fight was far from over—and the silver key would be the key to more than just the throne.