COMPLICES VALERIA After making the boldest agreement of my life , Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath .
I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck , alone in the room , sighing in relief .
I didnt want to think about anything , but as I raised the hand where I had been burned by that strange stone , I realized it was almost fully healed .
I touched my neck too no pain .
All my wounds and bruises were healing fast , faster than ever before , except for the most serious and old scars .
It was the power of the Lycan , I knew it well .
I also remembered all the strange things I had experienced .
My memories of the specter attack were hazy , but one thing was certain I faced it, and I even think it feared me .
What am I , really ? No one can ever know about this .
Absolutely no one .
Everyone connected with those creatures and vampires is executed without question .
That order had been given by none other than the King himself .
And I am right by his side .
Aldric can never discover my oddities .
www I rose from the bathtub and grabbed the towel from the screen along with my clothes , ready to change .
The moment I stepped out , drying my hair , there was a sudden knock at the door .
I answered confidently , thinking it was the innkeeper coming to empty the tub .
I froze when I saw Guardian Quinn standing there .
Y Your Excellency ? What are you doing here ? I asked , surprised , then realized my rudeness .
Why ? Am I interrupting something between you and the King ? he asked bluntly , stepping inside without waiting for an apology , his sharp gaze immediately scanning the bed and my clothes .
I felt judged .
His tone was cold , nothing like the sunny Lycan he usually was .
Of course not , Your Majesty has gone out , I replied respectfully , lowering my gaze but matching his coldness .
After a few tense seconds , he sighed .
I apologize , Valeria .
Im frustrated by other matters and took it out on you .
Im here because the King called me , he explained , and I nodded without holding a grudge His Majesty is likely handling pack business .
You can find him at the Alphas house , I informed him .
No , Im more interested in the Goddesss Altar he mentioned in his message .
I want to inspect it .
Would you take me there ? I saw no reason to refuse .
Honestly , I wanted to see it again too .
A few minutes later , I came down the stairs , meeting him the inns reception area IF my roommate returns , please tell him I went to the old temple , I instructed the innkeeper , who nodded .
1/3 COMPLICES Quinn and I walked through the packs streets toward the forest .
You share a room with the King ? Why sleep so uncomfortably ? he asked along the way , so I explained the issue with the limited rooms .
He fell silent and didnt press further , which I appreciated , When we finally reached the ancient temple , Quinn immediately approached the stone , inspecting the carvings closely .
I climbed the worn steps as well , standing nearby , listening to him mutter .
Can you read it ? I asked , surprised .
This entire tragedy had unfolded because no one seemed capable of deciphering the writing .
More or less .
Its an ancient language , lost to time .
Only fragments remain , and Ive studied them out of fascination .
Thats why His Majesty called me , he explained , and the doubts in my mind grew .
Then how on earth can I understand it all ? I watched him scribble notes in a small notebook , clearly misunderstanding many parts .
He had no clue what he was reading .
How can I casually reveal this without putting myself in danger ? Staying silent was an option , but my gut told me it wasnt the right one , not when the enemy was seeking this information .
L … I can understand some of it too , I suddenly admitted , making his golden eyes widen as they snapped to mine .
My father … he was a scholar too .
He taught me some lessons about this mysterious language when I was a child , I invented the lie on the spot , but his intense stare made me nervous .
Im terrible at lying .
Did he catch me ? I see .
Thats … helpful .
Then perhaps you could assist me with this phrase here ? He pointed to a section of the carvings .
I leaned closer , pretending to think hard .
I made it seem like it was difficult , though I knew exactly what it said .
… and to the skies , it shall rise … like an eagle taking flight I recited it as if unsure , though I was certain .
Quinns face darkened , and he suddenly grabbed my arm , squeezing it firmly , Valeria , never never tell anyone you can read this , he warned gravely .
This is a dead language , used only by beings of darkness vampires , specters , and creatures more terrible than you can imagine .
My heart pounded in fear .
I couldnt hide it as I tried to pull away from his grip .
No, my father- Dont lie to me again .
The only traces of this dark script in the entire kingdom are locked away in our private library .
Its impossible for your father to have studied it less he had ties to the Dark Realm .
COMPLICES I shook my head frantically , panic rising .
That accusation would ruin my parents memory completely .
… What will you do with me now ? Just tell me … how do you know this language : I swear , I have no connection to the Vampire Kingdom ! 1 … I just understand whats written here .
It was the truth .
But I was still trembling , gnawing on my lower lip , ready to bolt .
Calm down , Valeria .
Breathe , he finally released me .
Dont be scared .
I wont expose you .
Your secret is safe with me but you must keep this from the King .
He hates the Dark Kingdom more than anyone .
Why would you keep a secret that could be considered treason ? Youre a Guardian … I stepped back , still unsure .
Because I like you , Valeria .
Ive liked you from the start .
I have no intention of harming you .
If you keep quiet , not one will ever hear about this from me .
Besides … its good to have someone who shares my passion for this language and can help me decipher it .
1 nodded slowly , watching him closely .
I wasnt sure if he was being truthful but I had already put the noose around my neck .
Thank you , Guardian Quinn , I whispered , genuinely grateful .
He didnt seem like a bad man .
But Ive been wrong before If youre truly grateful , help me figure this out .
Its incredibly complex .
This altar seems to be from when the kingdoms were still united , he requested .
And since I was already in this mess … I had no choice but to dive in .
I knelt beside him and began helping him decode the stones tale .
Why does the King hate them so much ? I finally blurted out .
Quinn hesitated .
Because … vampires slaughtered his newborn pups in their cradle .
He walked in on them .
In his rage , he lost .
control of his Lycan form , slaughtering the vampires but someone else also entered the room during his frenzy His mate .
The mother of his children .
And she died … under his claws .
VALERIA IS MINE VALERIA I froze at Quinns words .
He kept deciphering the message , but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered , and he had to take his mates life with his own hands .
I know all too well that soul crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death .
Aldric had it even worse I didnt carry my baby in my womb for long- He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman .
She didnt betray him like I was betrayed .
She didnt deserve to die .
She was his mate , so he had a companion , surely a beautiful female who shared his bed , his dreams , his life .
Someone he truly cherished .
Someone who bore his children .
Why did I feel so bitter inside ? I raised my hand and touched my scars .
I had never cared about them before , but now , comparing myself to a poor deceased woman , all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart .
« Idiot , how can you even compare yourself to her ? Aldric will never see you that way .
Dont get your hopes up I scolded myself and forced my focus back on the text I had practically memorized by now .
<< Beautiful and mysterious, bold and alive , the most rebellious daughter of her father .
It was so dull just watching the creations from afar .
So vivid , so complex in themselves .
They loved , suffered , hated , and lived each day as if it were their last .
A longing grew in her heart , watching and wishing every night , until one day , she decided to break the rules and come down to play » That was what the beginning of the story said .
It seemed to speak of a woman , and below , it described a place I didnt recognize .
Quinn seemed more interested in this part .
It looked like the location of another altar .
I dont quite understand where it could be … he murmured .
You got this wrong .
Its not lava ; its water .
It talks about a place with a large lake or something like that , I pointed out , and he stared at the passage .
Of course ! Of course ! How could I be so stupid ? It must be that pack near the waterfalls ! he exclaimed happily , like a child , and suddenly surprised me by grabbing me around the waist and lifting me up .
Youre amazing , Valeria ! Amazing ! Thank you ! he spun me around , laughing .
The sunlight reflected on his pale hair , and his smile was radiant , contagious .
I clung to his shoulders for balance , about to ask him to put me down when , looking toward the forest , I saw the man who always had the gift of showing up at the most suspicious moment .