Chapter 10: Blood Beneath the Throne
The sun never truly rose over Valemire. Not in the old districts. Not in the places where bloodlines ruled instead of laws. And certainly not in the marble halls of the Human High Council, where Elara now stood, facing those who had once dismissed her as nothing but an orphan girl.
Now they bowed.
But not out of respect—out of fear.
The Human Accord
The council chamber was a dome of glass and brass, ringed with crimson banners bearing the emblems of each blood faction. Lord Chancellor Darius Wynn, silver-haired and cold-eyed, sat upon the central throne—his gaze like a sword.
"Miss Voss," he said, "your presence here is… unexpected."
"I didn't come for pleasantries," Elara replied, her voice steady. "The Accord is broken. Hunters attacked the vampire estate. You know what that means."
"It means nothing without proof."
Lucien stepped forward from the shadows. "Then allow me to provide some."
He unfurled a cloak, revealing the branded sigil of the rogue hunter faction burned into its lining.
A murmur swept the chamber.
Darius's lip curled. "You bring violence into our house and expect us to thank you?"
Kael growled from behind Elara. "We brought a warning."
"And a choice," Elara added. "Unite… or burn with the rest."
Secrets in the Dust
After the council was dismissed, Elara remained in the great library—scrolls and old grimoires strewn around her like forgotten relics. Her hands trembled as she opened a sealed parchment—an old prophecy written in blood ink.
When the Veil weakens and the Five bleed as one,One born of all and none shall rise.And death shall wear her name.
The words rang in her ears like a curse.
"Who am I really?" she whispered.
From behind her, Lucien approached, his expression unreadable.
"You are the daughter of a pact that should never have been made. And the weapon none of us can afford to lose."
Midnight Confession
Later that night, Kael found her on the rooftop, where the city lights blinked through the mist like dying stars.
"You're quiet," he said, sitting beside her.
"Do you believe I'm a monster?"
"No." He hesitated. "But you were made to be one."
She looked at him, the tension between them no longer a current but a storm.
"Would you still protect me if I became what they fear?"
Kael's eyes burned silver under the moon.
"I would die for you, Elara. But I won't let you become them."
Before she could reply, a blast shook the lower city.
Flames. Screams. And a single cry over the comm stones:
"The hunters have breached the gates!"