Moonlight requiem

Chapter 15: Betrayal and Deceit*

As the four of them entered Ashwood, a heavy silence enveloped them, like a shroud cast over the town. The streets, once bustling with life and laughter, were now empty and still, save for the grim task of guards clearing the bodies of the innocent. The air was thick with grief, and the very atmosphere seemed to vibrate with the weight of sorrow.

The buildings, once proud and tall, now seemed to slump in despair, their windows like empty eyes staring back. The wind whispered a mournful sigh, as if it too felt the pain of the town's loss. Every step echoed through the stillness, a reminder of the devastating blow Ashwood had suffered.

Lyra, Astrid, Cormac, and Kael walked in somber silence, their footsteps a funeral dirge, as they made their way to Raven's Den. The tavern, once a warm and welcoming hub of activity, now seemed subdued, its usual laughter and chatter replaced by hushed whispers and worried glances.

Inside, a meeting was underway, with Professor Nightshade holding court. His voice dripped with self-importance as he declared, "I've discovered the source of our troubles. It's the Valtorians, of course. They're the ones responsible for these heinous attacks."

Lyra's eyes narrowed, her face hot with indignation. She exchanged outraged glances with her friends, who looked equally affronted.

"Can you believe him?" Astrid whispered, her voice trembling with anger. "He's acting like he figured it out all on his own."

"I know, right?" Cormac muttered, his jaw clenched. "Like, we had nothing to do with it."

"That's what really gets my goat," Kael said, his voice low and even. "He told Lyra to stay out of it, and now he's taking credit for our work."

Lyra's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm going to have a word with him," she said, her voice tight with restraint.

Her friends nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. The four of them stood up, ready to confront Professor Nightshade and set the record .

The meeting at Raven's Den came to a close, with Professor Nightshade's voice ringing out across the room. "We will get through this, together. We must stay strong and united in the face of this evil. I assure you, justice will be served."

As the attendees began to disperse, Professor Nightshade stood up, his eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on Lyra. He nodded to her, then turned and made his way to his office.

Lyra followed close behind, her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. As soon as they were in the hallway, she confronted him.

"You're taking credit for our work," she accused, her voice low and even. "You told me to stay out of it, and now you're acting like you figured it out all on your own."

Professor Nightshade's expression was calm, but his eyes flashed with a hint of warning. "Lyra, this issue is deeper than you think. I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Lyra's laughter was bitter. "Look outside, Professor. We have bloodstains on our roads. Innocent people are dead. You're not protecting me, you're shutting me out."

"I have my reasons," Professor Nightshade said, his voice firm but guarded.

"Reasons you're not willing to share with me," Lyra shot back. "You're not even giving me the courtesy of telling me what's going on. You're just expecting me to trust you blindly."

"I know what I'm doing, Lyra," Professor Nightshade said, his eyes glinting with a hint of steel.

"Oh really?" Lyra's tone was sarcastic. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're making a mess of things. You need my help, Professor. And you know it."

Professor Nightshade's face twisted in disdain. "And who do you think you are, exactly? You're just a common werewolf, Lyra. You should know your place and not think you're special."

Lyra's eyes flashed with anger, but she said nothing. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, Professor. I forgot that being a werewolf makes me inherently inferior."

The sarcasm was biting, and Professor Nightshade's face darkened with anger. But Lyra just turned and walked away, leaving him seething in the hallway.

As Lyra emerged from the hallway, she was met with a scene that made her blood run cold. Thane was on his knees, his face swollen and bruised, his eyes red from crying. He was shouting and pleading for help, but the guards surrounding him just stood there, their faces impassive.

Astrid tried to push her way through the crowd, but Thane shouted at her to stay back. "Don't come any closer! They'll beat me more!"

The citizens of Ashwood murmured and gasped, shocked by the scene unfolding before them. Eira's face was twisted in disgust. "You were the one who broke the protective spell!" she accused, her voice trembling with rage.

Thane's cries grew louder, more desperate. "Yes, I did it! I stole Astrid's spellbook and broke the spell! Now this is my consequence! Help me!"

Lyra's eyes widened in horror. "No, Thane, that's nonsense! You wouldn't do that!"

But Thane just shook his head, his eyes streaming with tears. "Yes, I did! Because of her!" He pointed a shaky finger at Lyra. "She had plans, and she didn't include me! We've known each other for so long, and she chose Kael over me!"

The four friends gasped in shock, and the crowd around them erupted into murmurs and gasps. Astrid's face was pale. "Chose Kael over you? They're just friends, Thane!"

Kael smirked, his usual self. "Well, I guess that's what happens when you're obsessed with someone. You killed half of Ashwood because a girl rejected you?"

Thane's face contorted in anguish. "She's not just any girl! And I will go to any length for her!" He locked eyes with Lyra, his gaze burning with intensity. Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine as she met his gaze, her heart heavy with guilt.

Professor Nightshade's face was grim. "You have brought shame and destruction upon our town, Thane. You will pay for your treachery." He turned to the guards. "Take him away. Kill him."

Lyra stepped forward, her hands raised. "No, wait! There must be another way. Punish him, yes, but killing him is too harsh."

But before she could continue, Eira stood up, her face twisted in a snarl. "This is all Lyra's fault," she spat. "If she hadn't led Thane on, none of this would have happened. She's the one who should be punished."

The crowd began to murmur, some of them nodding in agreement. Lyra stood there, looking confused and horrified, as the blame for the bloodshed was laid at her feet.