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