CHAPTER 57

CHAPTER 57
VALERIA I fell asleep a little longer .

However , even though the King told me to rest all day , Im not the type to spend so many hours in bed .

I walked to the bathroom to wash up , feeling the ache in my sore muscles from all the physical activity .

My thighs were sensitive , and my intimate parts well , even more so .

Yet , I found myself smiling foolishly in front of the mirror blushing and satisfied as I traced my fingers over the scars on my face and my swollen lips .

I wasnt sure if it was just my imagination , but they seemed less marked , less ugly .

It had to be his delicious blood , the one I couldnt get enough of .

I felt sexy , and desired , noticing how the marks of his hands were already fading from my skin .

That lycan made me feel alive , like the most beautiful woman in the world .

I got dressed and decided to visit little Edward and head down to find Celine , the Guardian Quinns sister .

The whole note incident wasnt very smart , so even if we dont get along , I have no choice but to trust her if I want to share what I found .

PAF ! I heard the sound of a slap and something falling to the floor just as I was about to knock on the childs door .

Through the crack , hateful words from his mother escaped into the hallway.

Dont pretend all of a sudden ! What are you trying to pull ? Isnt it enough playing with our sanity every day ? What do you want , for the King to execute us all , you damn brat ? Mama , dont hit me … uuuwww … why dont you love me? Why do you only care about my brother ? Im your little boy , mama , Im Edward … aahh … Edwards sobs mixed with the Lunas hateful words.

I clenched my fists in rage and knocked forcefully , interrupting the exchange inside .

She immediately opened the door and looked startled when she saw me I can imagine the furious expression I mustve had .

I came to ask for permission to take little Edward for a walk .

Will his caring mother allow me ? I asked , trying not to let sarcasm drip from my voice .

After all , it was a family matter , and I was still an outsider .

про whatever you want , she replied with a frown , then passed me , leaning closer to whisper in a low voice , almost a hiss : Be ca careful , Miss .

Nothing here is what it seems .

Your kindness could lead you to a tragic end .

I stared at her , not fully understanding , but she continued down the hall .

Turning back , I approached the bed where Edward lay crying , a red handprint visible on his face .

No matter how you look at it , what shes doing is wrong.

Come on , little one , dont cry anymore.

Were going out to play , okay ? He clung to my neck , sobbing and telling me how his mother was cruel and didnt love him.

My heart ached , but there was nothing I could do .

Tomorrow , Ill leave , and this child will be left to his fate .

I calmed him down and helped him get dressed so we could go down to the garden .

I was worried about not finding Celine maybe she was stil with her brother .

Though Aldric had told me he would personally investigate the Altar with Quinn .

I really hoped he had cleaned up last nights mess Id die of embarrassment if the Guardian found those sticky traces on the stone .

Celine , I need to tell you something , I dared to reach out mentally when I felt her not far , exercising in the woods .

I only did this because Aldric was distant and couldnt intercept our messages .

Me ? she responded , confused .

Yes .

Its hard to contact Guardian Quinn when hes so close to the King .

And no , its not something personal between us .

I think you already know I can read the Altar , added quickly to avoid misunderstandings , I explained what I had found the coordinates and how everything else seemed to be a decoy , all while pushing Edwards wheelchair toward the park.

No wonder Quinn was so frustrated .

I know where those coordinates lead Ive searched this forest thoroughly .

It points to an old abandoned greenhouse , she explained , giving me a solid lead.

I thought my part was done , that the rest would be up to her or so I believed until Edwards next words changed everything I dont want to go to the park today , Miss Valeria .

Can we go to my secret place ? I have treasures I want to show you ! Of course , sweetheart .

Where is it ? I knelt beside him , smiling .

Its over there , in an old greenhouse , he said , turning his head and looking straight at me .

That strange sensation of danger and darkness swept over me again the moment I touched his hand and gazed into his eyes .

Be careful , Miss .

Nothing here is what it seems .

Your kindness could lead you to a tragic end .

His mothers words echoed in my mind .

I wondered if I had misjudged everything all this time and blamed the wrong side .

Of course , my love.

Well go wherever you want , I replied with a forced smile as I stood up and began pushing his wheelchair Celine , Im heading to the greenhouse.

Follow me silently I think I might need your help.

The time has come , I tell my men , seated in the old crypt that serves as our refuge outside the borders of Silver Lake .

I dont dare get too close to that pack with the Lycan King prowling and more alert than ever .

However , the strategy of using the Alphias family has continued to work for me .

With some adjustments , there was always a useful pawn weak , defenseless one I could use as a spy and to manipulate the soft heart of that maiden .

Thane , prepare everything for the transfer spell .

We need to complete the operation quickly before the Lycan King can react .

Set the shadow portals for my men , I order the sorcerer traveling with us .

The most powerful vampires can conjure some elemental magic , but for stronger spells , we need the help of a dark warlock .

Sir , that small body wont withstand much if I transfer more of your power into it , he warns .

I just need it to last long enough .

Youre not here to give suggestions transfer more comes .

Right now , its barely usable as a spy .

After all , he was already half dead when you cursed him , I reply without concern .

Why should I care about the life of that miserable fool ? of my power when the time I touch my chest where the small vial containing the powerful blood of the descendant of Juno rests .

I had to use a few more drops on the first Altar just to confirm it was a fake and reveal the coordinates leading to that greenhouse .

I have no idea how to find the true Altar without using her blood again .

A shiver runs over my skin just imagining what the King will do to me if he finds out about the unnecessary waste of blood but I will make up for it .

Ill fix this the right way by bringing him the valuable woman from the prophecy .

What a surprise when I saw her again , this time at the Lycan Kings side .

I realized she wasnt just some random woman , that I had been deceived before .

She was the one reading the information on the Altars and guiding Aldric Throne .

I tried paying those fools to kidnap her to avoid the risk , but the damn flea bitten wolves failed even at that .

They nearly caused her death and then had the audacity to ask me for payment .

Ill handle this myself .

Everything is ready .

I will learn the clues from this Altar and take that woman to use her .

We must find the tomb of the ancient Queen , the descendant of Juno .

VALERIA My gaze wandered across the forest surrounding the old dirt path as I pushed the wheelchair .

Edward , as usual , wasnt very talkative .

He was never a lively child , but today , he seemed even quieter than usual .

Is this the place ? I asked when we reached a half ruined greenhouse in the middle of the woods .

Yes , its my secret place , his small voice answered .

Come inside , I have many interesting things to show you .

We moved along the overgrown path , wild plants creeping up the tall glass walls of the greenhouse .

Celine , do you sense anything strange ? Not yet , but this place gives off a disturbing aura .

Be careful Im following closely in secret .

I pushed open the rusted doors , which creaked as they swung apart , revealing a rectangular space .

In the center was a rough , earthen path , and on either side were what I assumed had once been beautiful gardens , now overrun with weeds and small stone statues In one corner sat a pond like fountain , its water murky and foul smelling , the stench rising from its depths .

Edward , this place feels too lonely and abandoned .

Why do you come here to play ? I knelt beside him , wanting to understand where he was leading me .

Its because no one wants to play with me since Im defective .

At least here , I have friends ! Look , Ill introduce you to them ! His voice dropped with sadness , but then he perked up and pointed toward the small statues among the overgrown plants .

I decided to play along , following him as we examined each statue .

He had even given them names .

Moss covered the cracks on many of them some were missing heads or arms .

However , something caught my attention as I observed them more closely .

A statue of a woman holding a child was gazing in a specific direction .

When I followed her line of sight , she was looking toward another statue , a she wolf growling at a man dressed as a gardener .

And so it continued , as if the statues were guiding me toward a particular place .

Following my instincts , I ventured deeper into the abandoned greenhouse .

At the back , there was a small , round structure with a domed roof .

It looked like it once served as a reading nook or a peaceful spot for afternoon tea .

Wait here for a moment , Edward .

left the boy in the corridor and climbed a short , worn staircase , entering the structure .

The place smelled of rust , age , dampness , and decaying leaves .

I scanned the room carefully for clues , the forest barely visible through the stained , dirty glass windows .

Finally , something suspicious caught my eye in a corner .

A small stone figurine of a woman clearly representing the Moon Goddess .

I knew it because it was identical to the one from the fake Altar in the mountains .

Something isnt right , I murmured , approaching the 50 cm statue placed atop a pedestal and examining it closely .

Her hands pointed downward , yet in the Goddess Altar from the mountains , her hands were raised toward the sky .

Driven by curiosity to uncover the truth behind so many mysteries , I touched the cold stone hands and tried to lift them upward .

They creaked and shifted ! Astonished , I wondered what it could mean but then a noise , followed by a trembling beneath my feet , made me snap back to reality .