Chapter 57 Dangerous Gamble
Morning settled over Sebastian’s war camp with a deceptive calm. The mist clung low to the ground, curling around boots and tent stakes as soldiers moved with hushed urgency. Maps were spread across a long wooden table inside the strategy tent, weighed down at the corners with daggers and stones. Sebastian stood at the center, his hands braced against the surface, eyes sharp as he traced routes and markings inked in red.
“If Damon moves through the western ridge, we cut him off here,” Sebastian said, tapping a narrow pass. “Shadow wielders rely on fear and surprise. Strip that from them and they lose their advantage.”
Levi stood opposite him, arms crossed, his posture rigid despite the fatigue still clinging to him. Several commanders listened closely, nodding as Sebastian spoke.
“We bait them with false movement,” Levi added. “Make it look like we are pulling back our forces. Damon will not resist the temptation.”
“He never does,” Sebastian replied. “And that will be his undoing.”
That was when the tent flap shifted.
Fernanda stood there, framed by pale morning light. She had not meant to walk in so boldly, but once her eyes took in the scene, the maps, the soldiers, Sebastian’s voice mid strategy, it was too late to retreat. The conversation fell into stunned silence.
Sebastian turned sharply. “Fernanda?”
Levi’s brows furrowed. A few soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, clearly unsure of what to do or say.
Fernanda felt the weight of every stare press against her skin. Her heart raced, but she lifted her chin. “I heard you talking,” she said softly. “About Damon.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “You should still be in bed resting.”
“I know,” she replied. “But I need to speak.”
Something in her tone made Sebastian hesitate. He dismissed the others with a glance. “Give us a moment.”
Reluctantly, the soldiers stepped back, though Levi remained. Fernanda noticed but said nothing. She took a breath, steadying herself.
“You are trying to lure Damon out,” she began. “But he will not come unless he believes he is winning.”
Sebastian studied her carefully. “And how do you know how his mind works? How are you certain about the steps he's going to take?”
“Because I have seen his intentions,” Fernanda said quietly. “Because I know what he wants, and how desperate he is to get it..”
The words settled heavily between them.
“I have a better plan.”
Levi’s head tilted slightly. “Go on.”
Fernanda folded her hands together, fingers trembling despite her resolve. “We send a message of truce to the Black Seal. From there, it will reach Damon.”
Sebastian straightened immediately. “No.”
She pressed on before he could fully interrupt. “The letter would be from me. I would write that I need his help with my powers. That I am willing to accept it.”
Sebastian’s face darkened. “Absolutely not.”
“I would tell him I plan to leave the war camp,” she continued, her voice growing steadier. “That living among Lycans has driven me mad. That their arrogance and violence suffocate me.”
Levi inhaled slowly. “That would get his attention.”
“It would do more than that,” Fernanda said. “It would convince him I finally understand him. His hatred for Lycans. His obsession with erasing them. He wants my power because he believes it will end your kind.”
Sebastian slammed his palm against the table. “Enough.”
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the tent opening. Levi started forward, but Sebastian shook his head sharply. Outside, the crisp air did nothing to cool the fire burning in his chest.
“You are offering yourself as bait,” Sebastian said, his voice low and furious. “I will not let you do that.”
Fernanda pulled her hand free, refusing to cower. “I am offering us a chance to end this.”
“You think I care about strategy when it comes to you?” he snapped. “I lost you once. I will not stand by and watch you walk back into his arms.”
Her eyes glistened, but she did not look away. “I am not the same woman he took. And he does not know that.”
“He will hurt you,” Sebastian said. “He will cage you, break you, use you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “But that is exactly why he will come.”
Sebastian turned away, dragging a hand through his hair. The thought of Fernanda alone with Damon made something savage coil in his chest.
“He needs me,” Fernanda continued. “And I need him to think I need him too.”
Silence stretched between them until Levi stepped outside.
“She is right,” he said carefully. “It is dangerous, but it is effective.”
Sebastian rounded on him. “You would agree to this?”
Levi met his gaze steadily. “I would not agree if there were another way. But Damon will not walk into our trap unless he believes Fernanda is slipping from your grasp.”
Sebastian clenched his fists. “You are asking me to gamble her life.”
Fernanda stepped closer, her voice breaking. “I am asking you to trust me.”
His anger faltered then, replaced by fear so sharp it nearly brought him to his knees. He cupped her face, his touch trembling. “If anything happens to you, I will burn this world down.”
“I know,” she said softly. “That is why he will lose.”
Sebastian closed his eyes, breathing hard. He did not give his consent, but he did not refuse again either. That silence was answer enough.
Later that morning, the camp returned to its steady rhythm. Fernanda retreated to her tent, her mind already shaping words she would never let Sebastian read. She knew it was betrayal, even if it was for the right cause.
Across the camp, Levi stood watch from a small rise, his thoughts drifting despite himself. Maya’s face surfaced in his mind, pale and frightened, her magic ripped away from her. The idea that Damon still held her twisted something deep in his chest.
If Fernanda’s plan worked, Damon would come.
And when he did, Levi swore silently, the shadow wielder would pay for every stolen breath.
He never understood what love meant or felt like, but hearing Sebastian say he'd burn the world down for Fernanda made him realized that he'd do the same too. For Maya.