The pack’s council chamber was dimly lit, the only light coming from a cluster of flickering lanterns hanging overhead. The group gathered around a long wooden table, their expressions tense as Isla placed an ancient tome in the center.
The book was heavy and weathered, its pages yellowed with age and covered in cryptic symbols that seemed to glow faintly in the firelight.
“This,” Isla began, her voice steady but charged with purpose, “is a record of the last Blood Moon—a rare celestial event with the power to bridge realms.”
She opened the tome, her fingers brushing lightly over the delicate pages. The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in as she continued.
“If we combine Lyra and Eryon’s blood under its light, it will create a portal—a final gateway to the vampire world.”
Lyra’s breath caught, her silver eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re saying we can force the King out of our realm?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Isla nodded, her gaze meeting Lyra’s. “Yes. But it’s not that simple.”
Draven leaned forward, his expression grave as he took over. “The King must be weakened first,” he explained. “If he’s too strong, he’ll resist the pull of the portal. We’ll need to strike hard and at the right moment.”
The room was heavy with tension as his words settled over the group. Cassian, who had been listening silently, leaned forward, his amber eyes burning with determination. “Then we fight,” he said, his voice resolute. “We weaken him, and we drive him out for good.”
Lyra looked down at the tome, her thoughts churning with doubt and fear. The stakes felt impossibly high, and the weight of what was being asked of her was almost too much to bear. “And if it doesn’t work?” she asked softly, her voice breaking slightly. “What happens then?”
Draven reached across the table, his hand resting on her shoulder. His touch was firm, grounding her as he spoke. “Then we’ll find another way,” he said gently. “But this is our best chance, Lyra. If we don’t act during the Blood Moon, we may never get another opportunity.”
Cassian’s gaze flicked to Lyra, his expression softening as he saw the turmoil in her eyes. “We’ll make it work,” he said firmly. “No matter what it takes.”
Lyra nodded slowly, her resolve hardening despite the fear clawing at her chest. The weight of their mission loomed large, but the glimmers of hope Isla and Draven had brought with them were enough to light the path forward.
Together, they would face what was to come. They had to. There was no other choice.