Crown Of Moonlight: The Lycan King's Betrayal

the darkness as the beast lunged again. Soldiers surrounded the creature, but its movements were too fast, too unna

the poison might lie within this monstrous creature. Her hands tightened around the small satchel of herbs an

r, sending the man crumpling to the ground. Aldric roared in anger, driving his blade into the creature'

gth? She knelt quickly, scooping a small sample of the substance into a vial. The energ

The remaining guards faltered, their fear palpable. Aldric barked orders, his voic

ssibly fast, and slashed at its throat. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, hissing as it

any longer. Without giving herself time to doubt, she grabbed a small vial

lled, her voice cutti

his golden eyes sharp. "Wh

ing the vial toward him. He caught

is t

ined quickly. "It might di

at the beast's glowing eyes. The effect was immediate. The creature let out a deafening

, his voice echoing a

orm. Aldric delivered the final blow, driving his blade deep into its chest. The

s and the faint crackle of magic dissipating from the beast's body. Lyra

murmured, more to herself than anyon

, his expression gri

om its wounds. It pulsed faintly with the same energy she had felt in the poison. "The

ed. "Then we've only

er hands on a cloth. "We need to analyze this further. If we can understand h

ve access to whatever you need. But be careful-if th

ack into the fortress, her mind racing with possibilities. The pieces of the puzzle were sta

efore her. She had examined it under every light, tested it against every reagent she had, but its

en's condition was worsening by the hour. She needed help-some

ber resurfaced. He had known more than he let o

ber was quiet when she arrived, its shadows pressing in around her. She h

the shelves, her fingers skimming over ancient tomes and scrolls. The texts were written

art leaping to her throat. The hooded man sto

t," he said, step

eplied, crossing her

d to reveal his sharp features. "You

, the shadow beast-it's all connected. If

old and powerful," he said finally. "It's not something you can fight with sword

h me," Lyr

. "Once you step into their w

firmly. "If I don't, Darien will

ing. Then, with a reluctant nod

" he said, his voice low. "But be warned-

ome too far to turn back now. Whatever secre

walking into the