The silence in Bloodmoor Castle, once merely a product of its ancient halls, had become oppressive. The council’s verdict in favor of Alexi and the opening of the Crimson Vault had quelled the Sanguine rebellion—for now. But Alexi knew that his victory was temporary. As long as Vasilis and his supporters remained in the shadows, plotting with the fae, the danger would persist.

Seated at the head of the long council table in his private war room, Alexi studied the reports laid before him, each one more concerning than the last. Vasilis had withdrawn, but not disappeared. He was too dangerous to simply lick his wounds in defeat. No—Vasilis was planning something bigger, and Alexi had yet to uncover exactly what.

Marcellus stood nearby, his posture stiff, his face drawn with a mix of frustration and suspicion. "Vasilis has gone to ground, my Lord," he said, his tone grim. "Our spies have nothing on him or his movements since he left the hall."

Alexi’s fingers tapped the edge of the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm as he considered his options. "He’s planning something. There’s no way Vasilis would leave without a backup plan. He knows the relics in the Crimson Vault could turn the tide of power in my favor, but that won’t stop him. He’s too proud."

Marcellus nodded, his brow furrowing. "And there’s the matter of Lady Selene. Her support gave you the upper hand, but why? She has aligned herself with the Sanguine for years. To suddenly turn her back on them and throw in with you… it’s not like her."

"Agreed," Alexi said, his voice low. "Selene has always been pragmatic, but her shift was too convenient. She made sure the court saw her defiance of Vasilis, knowing it would sway others to follow. What we don’t know is why. What does she stand to gain?"

"Perhaps she’s simply hedging her bets," Marcellus suggested. "Vasilis’s deal with the fae could destroy her just as easily as it could destroy you. If she sensed the winds changing, she may have decided that survival lies in your victory."

Alexi considered this for a moment before shaking his head. "Selene isn’t one to be swayed by simple survival. She’s more calculating than that. No, she’s after something specific. And we need to find out what."

Marcellus stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Do you want me to investigate her, my Lord?"

"No," Alexi replied, his voice cold but measured. "Selene will expect us to watch her. She’ll be on her guard. I’ll handle her myself."

Marcellus raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that?"

"I’ll invite her to meet with me privately," Alexi said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "There are questions I need answered, and I intend to get them directly from her."

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Later that evening, as the fires burned low in the hearth, Alexi stood in the shadows of his private chambers, waiting. The candlelight flickered across the dark stone walls, casting fleeting shapes that danced like spirits from the past. He had sent word to Lady Selene, requesting her presence for a private audience. The summons had been vague, deliberately so. He wanted to see how she would react.

When the door creaked open, and Lady Selene stepped inside, her expression was cool but curious. Her silver hair gleamed in the soft light, and her icy blue eyes betrayed none of the thoughts swirling behind them. She moved with the grace of someone accustomed to navigating dangerous waters, her every step carefully measured.

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"My Lord," she said with a bow, her voice soft but steady. "You requested my presence?"

"I did," Alexi replied, his tone even as he gestured for her to sit. "Please, join me."

Selene took her seat gracefully, her eyes never leaving Alexi’s. "To what do I owe this honor?"

Alexi watched her for a moment before speaking. "You’ve been loyal to the Sanguine for many years, Lady Selene. I find your sudden change of allegiance… intriguing."

Selene’s expression remained neutral, though Alexi noticed the slightest flicker of something behind her eyes—something that told him she had expected this conversation. "The times are changing, my Lord. I simply made a decision that I believe is in the best interest of Bloodmoor."

"And what of your loyalty to Vasilis?" Alexi asked, his voice calm but pointed. "You stood by his side for years, yet you chose to defy him publicly. Why?"

Selene’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Vasilis is a man driven by ambition. He seeks power above all else, but his ambitions are short-sighted. Aligning with the fae Prince may grant him temporary strength, but it will destroy us in the end. I am loyal to Bloodmoor, Lord Alexi, and I have no intention of seeing it fall into the hands of our enemies."

Alexi narrowed his eyes, searching her face for any sign of deception. "And what do you want, Selene? What do you truly seek?"

There it was again—that flicker of something in her eyes. This time, it was sharper, more defined. She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering. "What I want, my Lord, is stability. Bloodmoor cannot survive the coming storm without strong leadership. Vasilis’s arrogance will lead us to ruin. But you… you have the strength to unite us, to defend our realm from both the Sanguine and the fae."

Alexi’s gaze never wavered from hers. "You speak of unity, but you have yet to prove your loyalty to me. Words are easy, Selene. I need something more."

For a moment, Selene said nothing, her eyes locked onto his with a mixture of caution and calculation. Then, slowly, she reached into the folds of her gown and produced a small, ornate dagger. She placed it on the table between them, her eyes gleaming with something dark and dangerous.

"This," she said quietly, "is a token of my loyalty. It belonged to Vasilis—an artifact passed down through his bloodline. I took it from him the night I decided to side with you."

Alexi’s eyes narrowed as he studied the dagger. It was an ancient piece, etched with runes of protection and power. The fact that Selene had stolen it from Vasilis was no small gesture—it was a declaration of betrayal, a severing of ties that could not be undone.

"You took this from him?" Alexi asked, his voice filled with curiosity. "Why?"

"Because Vasilis cannot be trusted," Selene replied, her voice firm. "He made a deal with the fae Prince, one that would have seen Bloodmoor handed over in exchange for his own power. I had to act, and I had to act quickly."

Alexi leaned back, his mind racing. This dagger was more than just a symbol of betrayal—it was leverage. Vasilis would never forgive Selene for taking it, and now, with the relic in his possession, Alexi had something tangible to use against the Sanguine leader.

"And what do you expect in return for this loyalty?" Alexi asked, his tone measured.

Selene’s eyes glittered with ambition. "I expect a seat at the table, my Lord. A place in your inner circle. Together, we can secure Bloodmoor’s future."

Alexi considered her words carefully. Selene was playing a dangerous game, one that could either elevate her to a position of great power or see her destroyed. But for now, she had given him the advantage he needed.

"Very well," Alexi said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "You will have your seat, Lady Selene. But know this—betray me, and there will be no place in this world you can hide."

Selene bowed her head slightly, her smile returning. "I wouldn’t dream of it, my Lord."

As she rose to leave, Alexi’s eyes followed her, his mind already working through the implications of this new alliance. Selene had given him a powerful tool, but she was far from trustworthy. Still, for now, she was useful.

And in the game of shadows, every advantage was a weapon.