CHAPTER 8
It's now a day Elena left Luna in the wicked world.
The sky was pale, heavy, like it did not want to wake up either. A thin fog clung to the ground as people gathered near the old oak tree at the edge of the town. That was where Elena would be buried. She loved that place. She used to say the tree felt alive, like it listened.
Luna stood still, dressed in black that felt too tight on her chest. Her hands were cold. Her eyes burned, but no tears came anymore. She had cried them all out.
The ground was already opened.
The coffin rested beside the hole, simple wood, no decorations. Elena never liked attention. She would have hated something fancy.
Maya stood close to Luna, shoulder brushing hers. She looked different today. Quieter. Focused. Her fingers kept twitching like they wanted to do something, but she didn't know what.
Ethan stood on Luna's other side. He hadn't slept. His eyes were red, his face sharp with anger he did not know where to put. He kept scanning the tree line, like he expected danger to step out at any moment.
The wolves stood farther back. Silent. Respectful. Guilty.
Miss Harper arrived last.
She wore grey, not black. Her steps were slow, careful. When she reached Luna, she did not speak at first. She only placed her hand over Luna's heart.
"You're holding it all in," she said softly. "That will hurt you more than grief ever could."
Luna swallowed. "If I let it out, I won't stop."
Miss Harper nodded. "Then let it break you a little. You are not meant to carry this whole."
The burial was quiet.
Words were said, but Luna barely heard them. All she could see was the coffin being lowered. All she could hear was the thud of earth hitting wood. Each sound felt like it landed inside her chest.
When it was done, when everyone began to leave, Luna stayed.
Miss Harper stayed too.
She knelt by the fresh grave and pressed her palm to the soil. Her eyes closed. The wind shifted. Just slightly.
Maya felt it.
Her breath hitched. Her vision blurred for a second, like the world tilted. She grabbed Ethan's arm.
"Did you feel that?" she whispered.
Ethan frowned. "Feel what?"
Maya shook her head. "Nothing. Just… nothing."
Miss Harper opened her eyes.
She looked at Maya.
Just for a second.
And something passed between them.
Far from the grave, beneath stone walls and red-glass ceilings, the vampire council gathered.
This was not a meeting announced. No bells. No summons. Only those who mattered were there.
King Vaelor sat at the head of the chamber. Tall. Pale. Still as carved marble. His crown rested lightly on his head, silver and dark stone. His eyes were old. Older than most wars.
Dorian stood below him.
He did not kneel.
He never did.
"With the research I made,the human woman, leading to the prisoner" Marcus wife" is commenced dead," Dorian said. "And the wolves are blaming one of their own."
Murmurs spread through the chamber.
A shadow moved near the pillars.
Lord Malvex stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, expression calm. Too calm.
"Grief makes beasts of us all," Malvex said smoothly. "Perhaps this was an accident."
Dorian turned sharply. "Nothing about her death was accidental."
Malvex smiled slightly. "You are emotional. That is dangerous for a vampire."
King Vaelor raised one finger.
Silence returned.
"What proof do you bring, Dorian Nightshade?" the king asked.
Dorian inhaled. "The scent was wrong. Controlled. Masked. And the timing was perfect. It broke trust within the wolf pack overnight.but I doubt it's not from the wolf packs.
"Aiden Blackfang is imprisoned," an elder said. "If he is guilty, this ends quietly."
"And if he is not?" Dorian snapped.
No one answered.
Vaelor leaned forward. "What do you believe?"
Dorian hesitated. Just a moment.
"I believe this was done to start a war," he said. "And I believe the one who benefits most is sitting in this room."
Gasps. Sharp breaths.
Malvex laughed softly. "Careful, boy."
Dorian's eyes burned. "I am being careful."
Vaelor studied them both. Long. Silent.
"Bring me more than instinct," the king said finally. "Until then, no action. No blood."
Malvex bowed his head slightly.
But his eyes stayed on Dorian.
In the wolf territory, Aiden sat bound in iron and silver. Not enough to kill him. Enough to remind him he was not trusted.
His thoughts were a mess.
Elena's face. Luna's scream. The look in the pack's eyes when they turned away from him.
He heard footsteps.
Rowan entered. So did Ethan.
Ethan looked furious. "You're letting him rot while the real killer walks free."
Rowan's voice was tired. "The pack needs calm."
"This isn't calm," Ethan snapped. "This is cowardice."
Aiden lifted his head. "Ethan. Stop."
Ethan turned on him. "No. You saved us more times than I can count. And they do this?"
Rowan sighed. "The truth is coming. I feel it."
At that moment, Luna arrived.
She looked smaller. Harder.
"I want him released," she said.
Rowan stared. "Luna"
"My mother trusted him," Luna said. "I trust him. And if you still believe in me, then you will listen."
The diary in her bag pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
Rowan's jaw tightened.
Miss Harper stepped out from behind Luna. "If you keep him locked, you push the prophecy faster," she said calmly.
Rowan froze. "You know about it."
"I helped write part of it," Miss Harper replied.
Silence fell.
Finally, Rowan nodded. "Remove the chains."
The iron fell.
Aiden swayed but stayed standing.
Luna stepped forward and hugged him hard.
He held her like he might lose her too.
Elsewhere, Maya sat alone on her bed, staring at her hands.
They were glowing.
Very faintly.
She gasped and pulled them close to her chest.
"What is happening to me?" she whispered.
The glow faded.
But it did not disappear.
In the shadows of the city, Malvex watched everything unfold.
The burial.
The council hesitation.
Aiden's release.
He smiled.
"Good," he murmured. "now let the game begin.