Chapter 5 The Hunt Begins
Lyra's POV
Thaddeus circles me slowly, obsidian cane tapping against stone with each step.
Thorne, he repeats, voice like silk over razors. That name sounds familiar. Didn't an Elena Thorne work at my estate some years ago?
My mouth goes dry. My mother.
Ah, yes. His smile doesn't reach his eyes. Such a tragic accident. My deepest condolences.
Accident. The word tastes like lies.
Thank you, I force out.
Strange, though. He stops directly in front of me. She had such unique blood. I remember commenting on it. And here you are, her daughter, at the Winter Solstice. His ancient eyes bore into mine. What an extraordinary coincidence.
It's not a question. It's a trap.
Through the bond humming between us, I feel Kaelen's spike of alarm. He steps forward, drawing Thaddeus's attention.
Councilor, the girl got lost. Nothing more. Kaelen's voice is ice. Unless you plan to interrogate every donor who takes a wrong turn?
Of course not. Thaddeus's smile widens. Though I wonder why you're so eager to defend this particular human, Lord Nightshade. Could there be something... special about her?
The other Council members watch with predatory interest.
Kaelen's expression doesn't change. She's registered to Nightshade territory. That makes her my responsibility. I protect my investments.
Investments. Thaddeus chuckles. How pragmatic. Very well. Return her to the ballroom. But I think we should have this young lady examined by Council physicians. Standard procedure for anyone who enters restricted areas.
That won't be necessary, Kaelen says.
I insist. Thaddeus taps his cane once. Final. Tomorrow evening. My estate. We'll ensure Miss Thorne suffered no... adverse effects from her wandering.
It's a command dressed as concern.
Of course, Kaelen says smoothly. I'll deliver her myself.
Excellent. Thaddeus turns to leave, then pauses. Oh, and Lord Nightshade? Do make sure she stays safe until then. It would be tragic if anything happened to such a unique specimen before we could properly examine her.
The threat is clear.
After they leave, silence fills the chamber like poison.
Kaelen moves to the door, checking the corridor. When he's certain we're alone, he turns to me. You need to leave the city. Tonight.
What? No, I can't just
Thaddeus knows. His voice is sharp. He recognized your mother's name. If he connects you to her bloodline, if he suspects what you might be
What I might be? My voice rises. What does that mean?
It means your mother had moonblood. A rare genetic trait that makes certain humans compatible with ancient vampire bloodlines. He paces like a caged predator. That's why Thaddeus killed her. To eliminate the threat.
The words hit me like a physical blow. He killed her? You knew?
I suspected. I couldn't prove it. His mercury eyes flash. But now you've marked yourself as her daughter, in his presence, after accidentally completing a royal bonding ritual. He'll put it together. And when he does
He'll kill me like he killed my mother.
Yes.
I sink against the wall, legs suddenly weak. Then what do I do?
Run. Tonight. I'll arrange transport. Funds. Take your sister and disappear.
For how long?
Forever. The word is flat. Final. Or until you die from the incomplete bond in twelve days. Whichever comes first.
Anger floods through me. So that's it? Run and die? Those are my options?
Those are your options. His voice is cold. Unless you have a better plan.
What about you? I gesture at his chest, where I know the mark mirrors mine. You said this bond affects both of us.
I'll survive the rejection. It will be unpleasant, but I've survived worse. He won't meet my eyes. You're the one who'll die.
How generous of you.
I didn't ask for this. His voice hardens. You stumbled into my ritual chamber. You disrupted sacred magic. This is your fault.
My fault? Heat rises in my chest. I got lost trying to escape being humiliated in your ballroom! I didn't know
Ignorance doesn't erase consequences. He moves toward me, and I force myself not to back away. You're a liability now. A walking target. And everyone connected to you is in danger. Your sister
Don't. My voice comes out sharp. Dangerous. Don't you dare use Stella against me.
I'm trying to save her. His eyes flash crimson. If you stay, Thaddeus will use her to control you. He'll hurt her to break you. Is that what you want?
Of course not
Then leave. He turns away. I'll handle Thaddeus. Tell him you fled. That will buy your sister time while his attention focuses on hunting you.
And when he catches me?
He won't. Not if you're smart about it.
You mean not if I die first from your rejection killing me.
Silence.
I'll make it quick, he finally says, voice quiet. When the time comes. It's the only mercy I can offer.
I stare at his back. At the rigid line of his shoulders. Through the bond, I feel something he's trying to hide.
Guilt.
You don't want to do this, I say softly.
What I want is irrelevant. He still won't look at me. What matters is survival. Mine. Yours. Your sister's.
So you're just going to let me die?
I'm trying to keep you alive as long as possible. His hands clench into fists. But yes. Eventually, you'll die. That's the price of your mistake.
My mistake. I laugh, but it comes out bitter. Right. I'll add it to the list of things I've done wrong just by existing.
That makes him turn. What?
Nothing. I push away from the wall. When do I leave?
Tonight. I'll have transport waiting outside the Spire in one hour.
And Stella?
I'll send someone to collect her. She'll meet you at the rendezvous point.
I nod. What else can I do?
But as I turn to leave, something occurs to me. Why are you helping? You said I'm just a liability. Why not just hand me over to Thaddeus and be done with it?
He's silent for a long moment.
Because despite everything, he finally says, voice rough, I'm not him. Not yet.
I don't ask who he means.
I think we both know.
The hour passes in a blur. I slip out of the Crimson Spire through a servant's entrance, following directions Kaelen gave me. A car waits where he said it would sleek, black, windows tinted.
The driver doesn't speak. Just hands me a burner phone and a thick envelope.
Inside the envelope: ten thousand dollars in cash, fake IDs for me and Stella, and a note in elegant script:
The phone has one number programmed. Use it only in extreme emergency. The money should last six months if you're careful. Don't contact anyone from your old life. Don't use your real names. And Lyra , I'm sorry.
No signature.
I stare at those last words.
I'm sorry.
From a vampire who barely sees me as human.
The phone in my pocket buzzes. A text from an unknown number:
Stella is safe. Mrs. Chen will bring her to the north station in thirty minutes. Don't be late.
I exhale. Okay. Okay. We can do this.
We'll run. We'll hide. We'll figure out how to survive the next twelve days before this mark kills me.
It's not much of a plan.
But it's all I have.
The car pulls away from the Crimson Spire, and I watch it disappear in the rearview mirror, that massive tower of black glass and ancient stone, glowing with thousands of candles.
Somewhere in there, Kaelen Nightshade is probably already forgetting I exist.
And I need to forget him too.
Because in twelve days, when this bond demands completion and he rejects me, I'll die.
But at least Stella will live.
That's all that matters.
The north station is abandoned at midnight. I pace the platform, checking my phone every thirty seconds.
Where are they?
Mrs. Chen should be here by now. Stella should
Headlights appear in the distance.
Relief floods through me. Finally.
The car stops. The back door opens.
But it's not Mrs. Chen who steps out.
It's Vivienne.
And behind her, two vampire guards I recognize from the Crimson Spire.
Hello, Lyra. Her smile is poisonous. Going somewhere?
My blood turns to ice.
Where's Stella? Where's Mrs. Chen?
Safe. For now. Vivienne examines her nails. Thaddeus thought you might try to run. He asked me to keep an eye on you. Imagine my delight when I got to be the one to catch you.
You sold me out.
I did my civic duty. She steps closer. You always thought you were better than me. So noble. So self-sacrificing. But look at you now. Marked by a vampire prince, hunted by the Council, about to die screaming.
The guards move to flank me.
And the best part? Vivienne's eyes gleam. Kaelen Nightshade won't save you. He can't. Because if he tries, the Council will kill him too. So you'll die alone, knowing you destroyed the one person who might have cared.
I didn't
Take her, Vivienne orders the guards.
They move fast.
But I'm faster.
Three years of surviving The Hollow taught me to fight dirty.
I grab the burner phone from my pocket and smash it against the first guard's face. He staggers. I run.
Behind me, Vivienne screams orders. Footsteps thunder after me.
I don't look back.
I just run into the darkness, leaving behind my only hope of escape.
And as the mark on my collarbone burns with warning, I realize Kaelen was right about one thing.
I am a liability.
And I just made everything so much worse.