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I stared at Silas, my head shaking in disbelief. “No… This can’t be true,” I mumbled. “People would have known about it…”
Silas’s brows inched up. “Would they? Tell me, Orelia, how many people have genuine access to the King?”
My mind raced as Silas’s words slowly cracked everything I had ever believed in, everything I had used to create my childish dreams. My hands fisted. “This is impossible. The King couldn’t have tricked everyone.”
“And there are those who know.” Silas let out a long sigh and leaned back in his seat. “His army, his loyal soldiers, his priests–those are the people who know and helped him build this… myth.”
A knot rose in my throat. This couldn’t be real. I refused to believe it. I remembered those countless hours of preaching from the Priests who had come to Verendell to teach us about the King and his amazing powers. I remembered the day I had learned about my gift and instantly thought that I had been blessed by the gods, blessed like King Zyran himself…
“But… why would all those people help King Zyran? Why would they lie for him?” My hands flew up in frustration. I studied Silas, the bitter smile on his pale face. And then I knew the answer, although it sounded even more disgusting than everything Silas had said. “They’re all using the same power, do they? They’re killing other wolves just like the King…”
Silas gave me a grim nod. “They have these odd rituals. I don’t know any details, but they let them draw the power from the spirit. The more gifted the wolf, the more power they can suck out of them.”
My stomach roiled. “Gods…” I clamped my hand over my mouth as nausea worked its way up.
“That is why the King’s army is so powerful,” Silas went on. “That is also why Alpha Rune knows the rebel army we have now is not enough to stop them.”
I ignored what he said about the rebels, concentrating on the terrifying ritual. “So… the King lures all the gifted wolves to the capital just to kill them?” My voice was strangled, barely resembling my usual tone. “But these wolves…. doesn’t anyone look for them? Ask questions?”
A dry chuckle slipped through Silas’s lips. “That is when the Priests come in. You must have heard the stories of the Golden Monastery built somewhere outside Lasairis, right?”
I nodded slowly. “You mean the place for those chosen by the gods?”
“Another lie” Silas let out a heavy sigh. “They say that the monastery is a beautiful castle made for those who have decided to serve the gods. The families are happy to know that their children have been granted such a privilege… Little do they know that the Golden Monastery is a pretty name for a deadly prison, a place for the gifted to be drained and killed.”
My head began to spin. “But… I’ve heard about countless gifted wolves living in King Zyran’s court.”
“You’re right.” He nodded as his fingers tightly curled around the armrests. “But these wolves proved to be absolutely loyal and know the truth. Moreover, their spirits were often claimed to be too weak for the ritual. Only those truly powerful are chosen for the sacrifice.”
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More nausea coiled within me. Had my father known? Had that been the true reason why he hadn’t wanted me to go to Lasairis? Had he known about the rituals yet done nothing about it?!
My hands fisted into tight balls. No. My father had been a righteous man. Had he known, he would have never remained loyal to the King, so perhaps he’d merely suspected something. And those suspicions had been enough to get him killed.
Gods, I needed time to process all of this. A moment alone when I could truly think, analyze, put the pieces. together…..
Rising to my feet, I drew a deep breath to summon my composure. “So… what can you tell me about this place?”
He looked about the shelves filled with small bottles and boxes with herbs, essences, and potions. “You mean… this?” He gestured at his cottage.
I smiled wryly. “I meant the City of Flames. This place is… stunning. I bet that King Zyran would have wanted this castle for himself… But he doesn’t know it exists, does he?”
A sly smile formed. “No, he does not.”
My eyes widened. “But how? How could he miss such amazing territories within the empire he rules?”
Silas shrugged. “Magic. This place has powerful wards tied to the city’s rightful rulers. When Alpha Kairos Adustio died, the whole city disappeared. That is why King Zyran couldn’t find it. Later, everyone started to believe the city was destroyed during one of the battles. But then another rightful ruler came and passed the wards. This is how this place became a perfect hideout for the rebels.”
My heart began to pound. “By the rightful ruler, you mean… Alpha Kairos’s descendant?”
Silas nodded. “He spent long years trying to restore the city’s greatness. Then he slowly started gathering those who were willing to fight by his side, fight for justice.”
My eyes narrowed. “You mean… Alpha Rune?”
Silas smiled faintly. “The rebellion started with him. People call him the Rebel King, but he hates that name.”
“And why is that?”
“He says he’s merely the Prince, sitting on the throne reserved for the rightful ruler.”
My brows rose. “And that ruler would be…?”
“His brother.” Silas offered me a tight smile.
I blinked. “Alpha Rune… has a brother?”
“Perhaps he still does.” A sad smile curled Silas’s lips. “Sometimes I believe he doesn’t fight to kill King Zyran or to avenge Alpha Kairos. He fights because he believes his brother is still alive, and he can save him.”
I could barely gather all the information I heard. “And how does he plan to save him? Save him from where?”
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Silas opened his mouth but hesitated. Laughing nervously, he rose to his feet and walked to one of the shelves. “You know what? If you’re going to work here, I should tell you about my healing potions.”
I stepped toward him. “Please, I want to know. I need to understand…‘
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A tight smile formed on Silas’s lips. “I’ve already told you too much for one day, and I certainly shouldn’t have told you about our Alpha’s brother. It’s his story to tell you, not mine.”
I gently placed my hand on his forearm. “Please… My father might have been murdered because of the King’s order. The things you’ve just told me… They challenge everything I’ve ever believed in. I no longer know what’s right and wrong.”
Sympathy smoothed Silas’s features. “You can either trust my words or choose to doubt them. I believe it’s better if you wait, observe, and find answers yourself.” With that, he carefully removed my hand from his forearm and walked toward the shelves by the wall. “Now… we should start from this area.” He pointed at the top, where several bottles stood in line. “It’s better if you memorize each shelf. We’ll start with the potions I use for deep wounds and broken bones…”
***
Silas had turned out to be a master of dodging all subjects I wanted to talk about. Every time I’d tried to get more information about the Alpha, the King, or the city from him, he’d found more bottles and boxes for me to catalog and count.
Hours had passed, and the sun slowly began to set. My stomach made a viciously loud growl, causing Silas to chuckle. “It looks like we should call it a day,” he muttered.
I shook my head. “Let me have another slice of cheese, and I’ll be all right,” I argued. We’d had a brief lunch a few hours ago–some cheese, bread, and a few grapes. Normally, it would have been enough to keep me going for a few more hours, but I had used a lot of energy the night before, and my body clearly demanded more decent food.
Silas gave me a look, then declared. “We’ve done more than enough for one day. Besides, I’ll need you to eat and rest well before tomorrow morning.”
My interest sparked in an instant. “And what will happen tomorrow morning?”
“I’ll be taking you to the training camp to heal new recruits,” he said.
A sliver of unease appeared in an instant. “Would they know… who I am?” I asked cautiously.
He studied me, then nodded. “Some of them might, but don’t worry. No one will even think of harming you, Alpha’s orders.”
A dry chuckle escaped me. “Somehow it didn’t stop Tariq from trying.”
“Tariq is a prick and an idiot who will finally get what he deserves,” Silas grunted.
My brows inched up. “So…. he will be punished for locking me in Alpha Rune’s chamber?”
Silas opened his mouth to speak, but before his words came out, a knock on the door sounded. “I’m here for
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Miss Orelia,” Marcus’s voice came through.
Silas sighed and opened the door. The blond–haired sentinel bowed his head before glancing at me. “Go ahead,” Silas urged. “Remember to rest well.”
I nodded. “I’ll try. Have a pleasant evening, Silas.”
The old man chuckled. “You too, Orelia.”
My eyes shifted to Marcus then. “You know that I’m capable of walking across the courtyard on my own? I believe I can find my room too.”
He snorted. “Good to know, but you won’t be heading back to your room. Alpha Rune ordered me to escort you to his quarters. He wants to dine with you, and before you ask, no, this is not an offer you may decline.”
Chapter 20
