CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER 58
VALERIA I immediately moved to the side , watching the ground creak open like an old , rusty machine .

In the depths of the earth , a dark passage revealed itself , descending through ancient stairs to what seemed like a basement beneath the greenhouse .

What was that noise , Miss Valeria ? Are you alright ? Edwards voice reached me , and I leaned out to see him right where I had left him , sitting in his wheelchair with a worried expression .

Yes , Im fine .

It was a stuck window I tried to open , and it made that sound .

Stay there , dont worry , I lied , as 1 no longer fully trusted anyone .

He couldnt climb the stairs alone , let alone descend into this narrow space .

Celine , I think Ive found the right place for the Altar to the Goddess .

Im going down to read it , watch my back .

up here .

I left Edward inside the greenhouse keep an eye on him .

Valeria , I dont like this at all .

Im calling my brother to come over .

I think its better to wait … Your brother will come with Aldric .

How will we explain all this ? The King isnt stupid .

I dont know how much longer I can keep up the act .

Fine , hurry .

Do it , but Valeria , at the slightest danger , get out .

Let me know right away Im close .

Edward , wait there for a moment .

Im just looking at some beautiful statues I found , I said casually , and he replied that he was fine and would play with his friends .

I descended then , clenching my fists and summoning my courage , trying to plant my feet firmly so I wouldnt slip and break my neck on the stone stairs .

I glanced around , feeling the damp walls with mild disgust at their sliminess from the moss as I advanced through a narrow corridor .

There was a faint light at the end , so I headed towards it .

My feet occasionally stumbled on the uneven stone floor , but that tugging sensation in my chest only grew stronger .

I wasnt doing this out of curiosity or recklessness alone dared this far because something deep in my soul was pulling me towards those altars .

I wanted to uncover their secrets , to understand how the story continued and where it would lead next .

The corridor opened into a gallery .

The low , ribbed ceiling was supported by several sturdy columns , and at the far end , under a skylight , I saw it the true Altar to the Moon Goddess .

I approached immediately , running trembling fingers over the inscriptions carved into the square stone base .

Celine , I found it ! Ill read it to you quickly , and then you can tell Quinn ! I began translating everything I found for her the continuation of the story and clues about the next pack My fingers trembled as I uncovered one by one the secrets no one else seemed able to decipher .

Quickly , Valeria ! Get out of there now my brother just spoke to me .

Hes returning to the mansion with the THE SCHEM King ! She warned me , and my heart pounded wildly .

Still , it had been worth the risk we now had the advantage .

I was just about to leave when a detail caught my attention There was a narrow slot in the rock at the base of the statue I leaned closer to examine the mechanism , tracing it with my fingers .

A powerful , dark energy emanated from it , but I couldnt quite figure out how to unlock it .

It was as as simple as inserting my fingers and pulling gently causing a small drawer to open .

My eyes gleamed at the sight of the silver ornament hidden inside the Altar .

It was an ancient relic , a small star with sharp , dangerous points .

I didnt have time to analyze it further .

A creaking sound behind me set me on alert , and in a quick impulse , I took the small relic and tucked it into the neckline of my dress .

I hissed softly in pain as one of the sharp points pricked my skin , but I endured it , turning to face the presence behind me , thinking it might be Celine .

Celine ? I asked cautiously , tense .

Something told me the shadow watching me from the dark corridor wasnt the Alpha .

It took a step forward then another in a strange , twisting motion , as if its feet contorted with each step .

My voice froze in my throat as the silhouette emerged into the light .

E … Edward ? I stammered in disbelief , seeing the boy walking towards me , though awkwardly , his head bowed , his eyes hidden beneath his brown hair .

Tsk , tsk … little Edward has gone to sleep .

Now you and I will talk , little lying maiden .

He suddenly lifted his head , and in those once innocent eyes , a sinister blood red glow now shone .

That voice I had heard that chilling voice before coming from his lips .

It was that vampire searching for the woman who could read the Altar .

He was looking for me .

What did you do to the boy ?! Leave him alone ! Hes just an innocent child ! I shouted , worried for the boy , calling for Celine in my mind .

Ill leave him alone … but first , tell me what the Altar says Read it completely for me , or this cripple will die.

And dont try any tricks like before .

You cant imagine what dark energy can do to such a fragile body .

His threat made me freeze in horror as Edwards features twisted in pain .

The veins in his pale neck darkened as though tainted blood was rising towards his face .

From his lips came agonizing , pain filled whimpers.

AAAAHHH ! It hurts ! Help me , Miss Valeria , help me ! he suddenly screamed , his tear filled eyes meeting mine for a second Leave him alone ! Dont hurt him ! Ill tell you Ill tell you everything! Just stop! I take a step forward , hands stretched out , begging him .

I have no other choice .

I turn around and start reading the formation to the enemy , Skip the story , I dont care about it .

Tell me directly where the next Altar is located ! I try to deceive him with a few words , to avoid giving him all the clues , but he keeps threatening Edwards life .

He seems to know a lot about the Altar , making it difficult to lie to him .

I told you everything ! Let him go , please ! Hes just a little boy .

If you want me , I wont resist.

Come , you can take me , but leave him alone , I plead desperately , trying every way possible to save the pup.

Im also stalling for time.

Ive seen the silhouette in the corridor behind him.

Hes so caught up in threatening me that he hasnt noticed Celine yet.

I think theres something else.

Give me what youre hiding , he says , and I tense , remembering the star relic.

Dont play tricks on me.

I was already walking this earth before you were even born! Give me the damn relic from the Altar every Altar has one.

....

VALERIA He screams at me , and its terrifying to see Edwards distorted features twisted into cruel , adult expressions .

I reach into my neckline and pull out the star , its sharp tips stained red with my blood .

He extends his small hand and steps closer .

I stretch mine too , trembling .

Something screams inside me that he must not have it , that Ive already revealed too much .

My mind races frantically , trying not to look behind him so dont give away Celine , who is slowly approaching .

I tighten my grip on the relic , the metal shimmering like moonlight .

Just before it falls into his grasp , he tenses and suddenly spins around to face the ambush from the Alpha .

Dark shadows project from the boys small body as he now battles Celine .

So , you managed to defeat my sentinel .

Youre quite a girl full of secrets … I wonder what Aldric Throne would say about this , he mocks I watch in horror as sharp claws grow from Edwards hands , his speed almost impossible to track with the naked eye , and a veil of darkness wraps around his skin .

What kind of dark spell is this ? Celine seems strange too .

I thought she would shift into a wolf , but instead , her eyes have turned blood red , bulging veins appearing around them , and she hisses with long , sharp fangs exposed in her mouth .

NOOO ! I scream in fear when Celines claws slash Edwards arm .

That damn vampire was fighting with the boys body without a shred of conscience , not caring about the massacre because it wasnt his flesh suffering .

I had to do something ! Celine wasnt winning , and I could feel the shadows around us twisting and shifting in the corners more danger closing in ! I looked at the sacred relic , soaked in my blood .

I dont know what madness I was thinking , but light had always driven out darkness .

I had learned to trust my instincts , to stop resisting my oddities .

Without thinking or overanalyzing , I ran toward the fight .

Celine , be ready ! I shouted in her mind while raising the star in my hand and driving my arm down to stab Edwards shoulder in a sneak attack .

I felt sorry for the pup , but it had to be done .

A blood curdling scream tore from his lips as the dark energy surrounding his body began to unravel .

I pulled him against my chest , clutching his small frame as Celine grabbed the shadowy figure of a man and wrenched it from him , like a macabré exorcism .

I hit the ground hard , my head slamming against the stone floor , hissing in pain , but nothing mattered more than the stiff body in my arms .

Edward , hold on ! Stay with me , little one ! I lifted him and carried him to a corner , away from the danger .

Edward … My trembling hands brushed his pale face .

His breathing was barely there , and blood dripped from his lips .

The coldness radiating from his skin pierced my bones , sinking deep into my soul .

He was dying .

No , no , no….

stay with me , little one ! Please hold on ! I cut open my hand , trying to make him drink .

I wasnt an Alpha , not even a powerful she wolf .

I couldnt heal myself , let alone someone else .

But I did everything I could , desperation and pain consuming me .

Edward , please drink .

You have to make it .

Well play at the park later , okay ? Just hold on , Edward .

Dont give up … please … My tears fell onto his pale face , my blood dripping uselessly onto the dark stone floor .

Thank you … Miss Valeria thank … you … for freeing … me … he whispered his last words , and I saw innocent eyes untainted by that filthy evil for the last time .

A faint smile lingered on his lips as his heart stopped forever.

His guttural sob tore from my chest , pain and rage consuming me as I cradled him close , calling his name , though I knew I had lost him right before my eyes .

I blamed myself for not realizing sooner that someone had been using this innocent child .

It was him it was that soulless vampire ! Still kneeling , clutching Edwards lifeless body , I turned to see the fight .

More of them had emerged through dark rifts in the walls .

There were five of them , surrounding Celine , striking and wounding her from all sides .

She wouldnt hold out ..

Then I saw him .

Emerging from one of those holes , reclaiming the dark energy that had inhabited Edwards body , controlling him like a puppet .

His malicious eyes locked with mine through the shadows , Now youve seen the consequences of playing games with me , Valeria .

Stay right where you are Ill be back for you shortly , his voice echoed cynically through the chaos .

Valeria , run ! Escape while I hold them off ! Find my brother ! Celines desperate screams echoed in my mind .

But I couldnt process anything .

My whole body trembled with rage , still kneeling , something deep inside me screaming to be released , the pain twisting into hatred and fury .

I watched him draw a strange sword , the blade coated in that same dark magic , and he advanced toward Celine , who was now in her massive brown Alpha wolf form , struggling against his men .

Celine , look out ! I roared , breaking free from my shock as I saw him raise the weapon in a cowardly strike , plunging it deep into her back .

The agonized howl of the wolf echoed through the eerie basement .

already had a corpse in my arms .

I wouldnt let anyone else die because of me .

I couldnt allow myself to be captured I would rather die first .

The red haze covered my vision .

KILL .

KILL KILL A deafening roar erupted from my lips , shaking the walls and rattling the enemies souls .

It cried out to be freed and I no longer resisted what was inside me .

It wanted blood ..

And tonight , I would kill again .