Chapter 17: Devin's Secret
342 Words
The fire burned low that night.
For the first time in years, Devin looked afraid.
"I wasn't born into royalty."
Nina waited.
"My father found me dying in the forest."
"He gave me a choice."
"Death..."
"...or immortality."
She understood.
"You were turned."
Devin nodded.
"But not by my father."
A painful silence followed.
"By Malachai."
Nina's breath caught.
"You're one of his creations."
'Yes."
"Then why didn't he control you?"
Devin looked toward the stars.
"Because my father broke the bond."
"He sacrificed himself to free me."
Nina reached for his hand.
"Devin..."
"I spent centuries believing i was a mistake."
She squeezed his fingers.
"You are not."
"You are the reason Blackwood is alive."
"You are the reason I found my purpose."
For the first time that night, Devin allowed himself to believe her.
The entrance appeared at sunset.
A staircase carved into black stone descended beneath the valley.
At the bottom waited a palace.
Not a vampire castle.
Something older.
The walls pulsed like they were alive.
As Nina and Devin entered, thousands of whispers filled the air.
"Moonborn..."
"Traitor..."
"Heir..."
At the end of the hall sat a throne.
Empty.
Until a figure appeared.
Malachai.
He looked nothing like the monster Nina imagined.
He looked like a king.
Beautiful.
Calm.
Almost human.
"Catrina Hawthorne."
His voice was gentle.
That frightened her more.
"You know my name."
"I knew your name before your ancestors were born."
Devin stepped forward.
"Stay away from her."
Malachai smiled.
"You still protect humans."
"After everything I gave you."
Devin's eyes darkened.
"You gave me a curse."
"No."
Malachai stood.
"I gave you eternity."
He turned to Nina.
"And I gave your bloodline a purpose."
Nina lifted her chin.
"I don't belong to you."
Malachai smiled.
"Everyone belongs to something."
He raised his hand.
The room changed.
Images appeared in the air.
Evelyn.
Seraphina.
The first Moonborn.
All connected.
All part of a plan centuries old.
"The truth is simple, Catrina."
"You were never created to destroy me."
"You were created to join me."
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