Chapter 140 Not happening

Chapter 140 Not happening
~ Lyra's POV ~

Waking up felt really good that morning simply because I could no longer feel the terrible weakness of the past three days quite as strongly anymore.

My hands were still restrained behind my back, and I had not eaten much since I had spent most of the past two days asleep. It was already the third day, and I felt much closer to my normal self.

The constant exhaustion that had weighed me down was finally beginning to loosen its grip. My body still ached in some places, and every movement reminded me that I had not fully recovered yet, but at least I no longer felt trapped beneath that endless fog of weakness.

Even though I was fully awake and seated upright, I kept my eyes closed. There was nothing around me worth looking at anyway. Instead, I focused on sorting through my thoughts and refreshing my memory on everything that had happened since the trip to Astra Ellis.

A deep sadness settled inside me at the recollection of what had happened to Kael. Every memory surrounding that trip carried a painful sting that I could not escape. The uncertainty was the worst part. I didn't know where he was, I didn't know what condition he was in, I didn't know if he was suffering or if he was even aware of what was happening around him.

I didn't know what I would have done if Elder Rowan had not assured me that the special bond he shared with Kael had not snapped. According to him, that could only mean one thing.

Kael was not dead yet.

Those words had become something I clung to whenever fear threatened to consume me. Elder Rowan had also explained that if Kael had marked me, I would have known the moment his life ended.

That knowledge brought me some comfort, just enough to keep me from completely falling apart.

"I can't believe I've been locked up here for four days and my father isn't here to get me out yet," Brenda's complaints suddenly cut through my thoughts. "What kind of a father sits back and relaxes without hearing from his child for so long despite knowing everything that is happening? Just look at me and look at the condition I am in."

Her voice continued to ring through the space as she launched into yet another rant, sounding more offended than frightened.

"That is what you are worried about?" another person scoffed in disbelief. "And I actually thought you had what it takes to be Luna. In such a situation, the only thing you are worried about is yourself? Have you even thought about the welfare of your father? Do you even know if he is dead or alive?"

"My father cannot be dead. He is alive," Brenda shot back immediately.

"Tsk... Your foolishness is beyond reason," another voice fired back at her. The irritation in the speaker's tone was unmistakable.

Brenda sucked in a breath, clearly preparing a response, but before she could say anything else, the sound of approaching footsteps reached our ears.

The conversation around me died down as a noticeable tension settled over the dungeon.

That was what finally made me open my eyes. I lifted my gaze toward the entrance, watching as Dagan came into view.

But he was not alone. A group of warriors followed closely behind him, their expressions stern and unreadable. Walking with them was a woman I had never seen before.

My attention immediately settled on her as they approached.

On a closer look, I realized the woman looked very familiar. I studied her face carefully, trying to place where I had seen her before. There was something about her features that stirred an unpleasant memory at the back of my mind.

It didn't take long before recognition finally came. She was the same priestess who had drawn blood from me when I was captured by Shadow Pack warriors weeks ago.

I remained seated and did not move a single muscle. Beside me, Elder Rowan did the same. Neither of us made any attempt to acknowledge their presence beyond watching them. We simply stayed where we were, waiting to see what they wanted.

"Moon child, we meet again," the woman said, a smile settling on her face as they arrived in front of my cell.

"Enemy of the moon, it is absolutely no pleasure to meet you again," I responded.

Instead of taking offense at my response, she burst into laughter. The sound echoed around the area as she laughed to her heart's content. She appeared genuinely amused by my response, which only made me dislike her even more.

"Thank the stars you are not broken. You have really suffered in this life, simply because your father is stubborn. But don't worry. I will end your suffering very soon."

The moment she mentioned my father, every other word she had spoken lost its importance. My entire focus narrowed onto that single statement. Questions immediately flooded my mind. I stared at her intently, searching her face for answers.

"What do you know about my father?" I asked.

She shook her head slowly, looking at me with an expression that resembled pity.

"Poor child. If I tell you what I know, it will only add to your misery, and that is not my intention. My intention is to end your misery. Everything I know about your father will not matter after tonight, so save your strength for the bigger event."

Her response only deepened my confusion. Not only had she refused to answer my question, but she had also introduced an entirely new problem for me to worry about.

"What bigger event? And what is happening tonight?" I asked.

A growing sense of panic slowly crept into my chest.

She didn't respond to my question. Instead, she laughed again, looking entirely too pleased with herself. It was obvious she was enjoying my confusion and unease.

Then she gave a small signal with her head to one of the guards standing nearby.

The warrior immediately stepped forward. Without hesitation, he approached the cell door and began unlocking it.

At that point, I could not remain seated any longer. Using the wall behind me for support, I pushed myself onto my feet. My body still had not fully recovered, and the movement reminded me of that immediately, but I forced myself upright anyway.

The moment I stood, Elder Rowan rose as well. He moved directly in front of me, positioning himself between me and the approaching warriors.

The guard who had just stepped inside frowned at him.

"What do you think you are doing?" he asked, directing the question at Elder Rowan.

Elder Rowan did not move. He remained exactly where he was, his posture steady and composed.

"I should be asking you that. What do you think you are doing?" Elder Rowan asked back.

The guard's expression hardened.

"Get out of my way, old man. I've got business to do," the guard shot back at him.

"Business with her, right?" Elder Rowan gestured toward me with his head. "Well, that is not happening. You will have to go through me first."