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THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 75
As Victor and Elara stepped out into the cold night air, the feeling of being watched prickled at the back of Elara’s neck. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The city had quieted down, the marketplace a shadow of its earlier bustling self. Still, the silence felt unnatural, heavy with an unseen threat.“Victor,” she said softly, her voice laced with concern. “Do you feel that?”He slowed his pace, eyes scanning the rooftops and narrow alleys around them. “We’re not alone,” he murmured, confirming her suspicions.In an instant, a figure stepped out of the shadows ahead of them, cloaked in black. His presence was almost ghostly, as though he had materialized from the darkness itself. More figures began to emerge from the alleyways, each one moving with silent, predatory grace. The council had sent their best—the Shadows.Victor’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped in front of Elara protectively. “The council’s hounds,” he said, his voice low. “They’ve come to
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 76
Victor's chest heaved as he pulled the bloodied sword from the Shadow leader's chest. His side throbbed with the deep wound, but there was no time to tend to it. Elara was in danger, and that single thought drove him forward.He ran through the alleyways, his vampire senses heightened, tracking her heartbeat amid the chaos of the city night. The echoes of the battle still rang in his ears, but he shut out the noise, focusing entirely on finding her.Suddenly, he felt a cold dread settle in his stomach. Elara’s heartbeat, which had been fast and frantic moments ago, now thudded slower—almost faint. His blood ran cold."Elara!" he shouted, racing down the dark street, pushing his body to its limits. He turned a corner and froze at the sight before him.Elara lay crumpled on the ground, unconscious, with the hooded Shadow looming over her, his sword raised for a final strike. Time seemed to slow as Victor’s eyes blazed with fury. Without hesitation, he charged, his sword raised high.The
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 77
cult. You don’t have to do this alone, Victor. Let me help you."He turned to face her, his ancient eyes reflecting a sadness that spanned lifetimes. "Elena, you don’t understand. This isn’t just about us. It’s about survival—for my people, for yours. If I let my guard down, if I allow myself to be distracted by feelings, the cost will be too high.""But isn't that what makes life worth living?" Elena insisted, her voice filled with frustration. "What’s the point of ruling for centuries if you don’t allow yourself to feel anything real?"Victor looked at her, a trace of vulnerability crossing his face. "I’ve felt more than you could ever know, Elena. And I’ve lost more than I care to remember. I won’t allow myself to lose again."Elena stepped closer, defiant. "You’re not the only one who’s lost, Victor. We all have. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying to live."Victor took a deep breath, his voice softening. "This life... it’s not like yours. I’ve seen kingdoms rise and fall, watche
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 78
Victor and Elena emerged from the underground chamber, the tension between them as thick as the night air. The streets of the city were quiet, but it was a deceptive calm. The storm brewing beneath the surface was ready to break, and Victor knew it.As they walked side by side, Elena broke the silence. "You can’t fight them all alone, Victor. The council is vast, powerful, and now they’re coming after you with everything they have. You need more than just me by your side."Victor stopped and turned to her, his face unreadable. "I’ve faced worse odds before, Elena. But you’re right—this is different. The council is more dangerous than ever, and their influence spreads far beyond this city."Elena crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "So what’s the plan? We can’t just wait for them to make their move."Victor looked up at the darkened skyline, his mind racing. "We’ll need allies. Old friends, those who are still loyal to me. And we’ll need to protect the city’s key points—the council
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 79
The night deepened as Victor and Elena sat in the penthouse, the quiet hum of the city below barely audible. Outside, the darkness seemed to press against the windows, thick and heavy, as if reflecting the weight of the decisions they were making. Elena remained close to Victor, the air between them tense yet unspoken emotions simmering beneath the surface."Victor," Elena finally said, breaking the silence. "There’s something else I need to ask you." She hesitated, her fingers tracing patterns on the armrest of the chair she sat in.Victor looked over at her, his gaze sharp and unreadable. "What is it?"Elena took a deep breath, her voice soft but determined. "You said there are things you haven’t told me. I need to know… about the real reason you’ve stayed hidden for so long. It’s not just the council, is it?"Victor’s jaw tightened slightly. He turned his gaze back to the city lights, the distant glow reflecting in his eyes. "I’ve stayed hidden because I had no choice. I’ve been fi
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 80
The dim light of dawn crept into the room, casting long shadows across the floor. Victor stood at the window, watching the city slowly awaken. His thoughts were distant, already reaching into the depths of the old city where they would soon travel. The weight of the ancient power he had been suppressing was growing heavier, threatening to consume him if he made the wrong move.Elena stirred from the couch, her eyes groggy but alert. “Are you ready?” she asked, her voice breaking the quiet.Victor turned to her, his expression unreadable. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Darius isn’t one to take lightly. If he senses any weakness, he’ll exploit it.”Elena nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission. “And what about the council? What if they discover what we’re up to?”“They’re already watching us,” Victor replied. “But they won’t make a move yet. They need me to unravel first.”Victor’s words sent a shiver down Elena’s spine. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Victor lost c
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 81
The cavernous room echoed with the sinister laughter of Darius as his chilling words settled in the air. Victor clenched his fists, his every instinct screaming against the uneasy alliance, but Elena’s bold suggestion had bought them precious time.Darius walked toward a large table at the far side of the chamber, where old scrolls and maps lay scattered. “The council will be watching closely,” he said, running his fingers over a faded map. “They know you’re desperate. If we’re going to take them down, we need to move quickly.”Victor followed, his steps deliberate, while Elena stood rooted in place, her thoughts racing. She had taken a massive risk by offering Darius a partnership, but the alternative would have been Victor’s destruction. She couldn’t let that happen.“I’ve studied the council for centuries,” Darius continued. “Their strength lies not just in their power but in their ability to manipulate the vampires under their rule. If we take out the ones closest to them, their e
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 82
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city, Victor, Elena, and Darius made their way back to the hidden sanctuary in the old district. They moved through the alleys like shadows themselves, the air thick with tension and anticipation.The small, ancient church they used as their hideout came into view, its stone walls weathered by centuries of neglect. Inside, a few candles flickered in the darkness, casting an eerie glow on the dusty pews and worn altar. The rest of their loyal followers were waiting for them—vampires, witches, and humans alike, all bound by their desire to topple the council and break free from Caius’s iron rule.Darius stretched as they entered, his nonchalant demeanor masking the strain of the night’s events. “Well, that went better than expected. Lucian's in, and with him, half the rogue community.”Victor nodded, though his expression remained grim. “It’s a start, but we’ll need more than Lucian’s support to have any chance of taking