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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
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 83
The walls of the chamber began to close in on them, the stone grinding with a deafening roar as the ancient runes lit up with a sinister glow. Victor’s heart pounded in his chest, but he maintained his composure, scanning the room for any possible escape. Caius stood tall, his eyes gleaming with malevolent triumph, a faint smirk playing on his lips.“You see, Victor,” Caius drawled, his voice echoing in the chamber, “I’ve had centuries to prepare for this. You didn’t think you could outsmart me in my own fortress, did you?”Victor’s gaze never wavered as he took a step forward. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But you’ve underestimated me too.”Caius chuckled, the sound cold and devoid of any warmth. “You may be strong, but you lack vision. You’ve always been too bound by your conscience, by this foolish desire to protect humanity. It’s your greatest weakness.”Darius, ever the hothead, stepped forward, sword in hand. “Enough of this! Let’s end him now!”“No!” Victor snapped, holding up a
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 84
The city streets felt eerily quiet as Victor and his companions made their way back. The sounds of modern life—cars honking, people talking, and distant music—seemed muted, drowned out by the weight of what they had just endured. Victor’s mind churned with thoughts of Caius, the powerful vampire lord who had once been an ally and now a deadly enemy.Elena kept pace beside him, her brow furrowed as she glanced up at the towering skyscrapers. “Victor,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “How long do you think we have before Caius strikes again?”Victor didn’t answer immediately. He knew Caius wouldn’t waste time. Once the vampire lord gathered his strength and reorganized his forces, the assault would come swiftly and brutally.“Not long,” Victor finally replied, his voice grim. “Caius is wounded, but not defeated. He’ll be back. Stronger.”Darius scoffed, his sword slung over his shoulder. “Good. Let him come. This time, I’ll be ready.”Victor shot him a warning glance. “Don’t unde
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 85
Victor’s hand remained on the door handle as he stared at Lucian. His presence after all these centuries was too much of a coincidence. Lucian had disappeared before Caius’s rise to power—at a time when they had all been part of the same council that governed the vampire clans. He had been a brother-in-arms, a strategist who had once helped Victor control the balance of power. Now, his sudden return felt like a warning.Victor’s voice was cautious. "Lucian, where have you been? Why come back now?"Lucian’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. “I’ve been watching, Victor. Waiting. Caius has grown too powerful, too reckless. He’s preparing to destroy everything we built together. You need me.”Victor’s eyes narrowed. “Do I? You vanished when the council needed you the most. We were forced to pick up the pieces after you left.”Lucian stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “I didn’t vanish. I went underground to gather information, to ensure that
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 86
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Victor stood at the edge of the encampment, looking out at the city’s skyline. The once-majestic towers, now broken and crumbling from centuries of conflict, were a constant reminder of how much had been lost. Yet beneath the streets lay a hidden world, one that could either be their salvation or their undoing.Lucian approached from behind, his footfalls silent as he moved. “Ready?”Victor didn’t turn. “Are you sure about this? These tunnels haven’t been used in centuries. The city’s changed.”Lucian shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve kept my ear to the ground. The city might have changed, but some things stay the same. The tunnels were built to withstand far worse than what we’re facing.”Victor shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve been keeping your ear to the ground, yet no one knew where you were for centuries. What else are you hiding, Lucian?”Lucian chuckled, his dark eyes glinting with something Victor couldn’t quite place.
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 87
The narrow passage they had entered seemed to stretch endlessly, the air growing colder and more oppressive the deeper they ventured. Victor could feel the weight of the city above them, a constant reminder of how isolated they were from the world they knew. Every sound was magnified—the soft shuffle of feet, the dripping of water from cracks in the stone, the occasional scrape of weapons against armor.Victor’s thoughts raced, filled with questions about Lucian’s true intentions. The revelation that Lucian had helped design these tunnels still gnawed at him. Why hadn’t he mentioned it before? And if Caius had known about the tunnels, was it possible that Lucian had led them into a trap?Victor clenched his jaw, casting a quick glance toward Lucian, who walked a few paces ahead, his expression unreadable. Elena, beside Victor, seemed equally on edge, her fingers brushing the hilt of her sword as if ready to strike at any moment."We're getting close," Lucian said quietly, his voice cu
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter88
Victor’s heart raced as Caius’s voice reverberated through the vast cathedral. The rows of silent vampires standing like statues only heightened the tension in the air. Victor stepped forward, his eyes locked on Caius, but his thoughts were swirling."You knew we were coming," Victor said coldly, gripping his sword tightly.Caius smirked, a dark glint in his eyes. "Of course. You didn’t think you could sneak through my city without me noticing, did you?" He glanced over the group, his gaze lingering on Lucian. "And with an old traitor leading the way… how poetic."Lucian’s expression didn’t change, but Victor could feel the tension radiating off him. "I never expected you to understand loyalty, Caius."Caius’s laughter echoed through the chamber. "Loyalty? Oh, Lucian, you’ve always been so deluded. You still think there’s some higher cause, don’t you? Some noble reason to fight."Elena stepped forward, her voice sharp. "You’ve manipulated this city for centuries, Caius. Your reign is