The rhythmic creaking of the ship's hull echoed through the cavern as it drifted along the underground waterway. The lycans sat in tense silence, their faces lit dimly by the flickering lanterns aboard. For the first time in years, they were no longer slaves—but freedom came with a price they had yet to pay.
Sonja stood at the bow, her electric-blue eyes fixed on the dark waters ahead. The weight of what had transpired pressed heavily on her shoulders. Erik's betrayal. Nicolae's cryptic motives. The rebellion she had ignited. Her thoughts raced as she tried to calculate their next move.
Behind her, Lucian approached, his steps soft but deliberate. "We need to talk."
Sonja turned, her expression unreadable. "Go ahead."
Lucian crossed his arms, his gaze intense. "What happened with Nicolae? Why did he kill his own men? And why did you let him walk away?"
Sonja hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "Nicolae is playing his own game. He sees this rebellion as an opportunity to weaken Viktor's power. He has no loyalty to anyone but himself."
"And you trust him?" Lucian's voice was sharp.
"No," Sonja replied firmly. "But for now, he's more useful as an observer than an enemy. He won't act against us unless it benefits him."
Lucian's jaw tightened. "And what if his interest in you becomes a problem?"
Sonja's eyes softened, though her tone remained steady. "Lucian, his games don't matter right now. What matters is the promise you made to these men—to lead them to freedom."
He sighed, glancing back at the group of lycans huddled together on the deck. Their faces were a mix of exhaustion and hope, looking to him as their leader. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe," he said finally. "But I don't trust Nicolae. Not for a second."
"Neither do I," Sonja admitted. "But we'll deal with him when the time comes."
In the grand hall of the castle, Viktor's rage was palpable. The remnants of his shattered goblet lay scattered on the floor, crimson blood began to pool. His death dealers stood in tense silence, their eyes averted as he stormed back and forth.
"She betrayed me," Viktor hissed, his voice cold and venomous. "My own daughter!"
Kraven stepped forward cautiously, his tone servile. "My lord, the tunnels they used... I believe they led to the old waterways. If we act swiftly, we can intercept them before they reach the surface."
"And you think they'll simply wait for us to catch them?" Viktor's icy glare cut through Kraven. "No. Sonja is no fool. She'll use every advantage she has. The biggest is that they can sail in daylight while we cannot! So tell me how do you plan to catch her!"
A figure stepped into the hall—Nicolae. His presence was calm, almost insolent, as he strode toward Viktor.
"Ah, the prodigal fiancé," Viktor sneered. "Tell me, Nicolae, what use are you if you cannot even keep my daughter in line?"
Nicolae's lips curved into a smirk. "Perhaps because she's more interesting than you give her credit for, my lord."
Viktor's eyes narrowed. "Do not test me."
"Far be it from me to challenge your authority," Nicolae said smoothly. "But if I were you, I'd focus less on punishing her and more on salvaging your crumbling rule. The rebellion has already spread beyond the castle."
Viktor froze, his expression darkening. "What do you mean?"
Nicolae leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Sonja's actions have inspired whispers of dissent among your human subjects. They're starting to see your weaknesses. If you don't act carefully, this could become more than a rebellion. It could become a war."
For a moment, Viktor was silent, his mind racing. Then he straightened, his tone icy. "Leave. All of you."
The room emptied quickly, leaving Viktor alone. He stared at the remnants of his goblet, his expression unreadable. "War, then," he murmured. "If it must be."
The ship emerged into the moonlight, its passengers blinking against the sudden brightness. They had reached the mouth of the cavern, where a vast forest stretched out before them. The lycans disembarked cautiously, their movements wary.
Lucian turned to Sonja. "What now?"
Sonja scanned the area, her sharp senses picking up no immediate threats. "We need to find shelter. Somewhere Viktor's forces won't find us."
Aerin and Selina approached, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. "My lady, the supplies aboard the ship won't last us long," Aerin said. "The lycans will need to find food and water soon. We will also need blood."
Sonja nodded. "We'll split into groups. Lucian and a few lycans scout for a safe location. Aerin, Selina, you will follow me to see if there are any bandits hiding within the forest."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "You're not coming with me?"
Sonja met Lucian's gaze, her expression calm but firm. "No, I'm not. Your priority is finding a secure place for the lycans to rest and regroup. Aerin, Selina, and I need to feed, and bandits will suffice for now. We'll move separately. If you can, try to hunt animals for food. That should keep us going for a while."
Lucian's expression hardened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But don't take any unnecessary risks. We'll regroup by dawn."
Sonja offered a faint smile, though her tone remained serious. "I'll be fine. Look after yours."
With that, the groups split. Lucian led a small team of lycans deeper into the forest, their forms disappearing into the shadowy undergrowth. Sonja turned to Aerin and Selina, who awaited her orders with quiet resolve.
"Let's move," Sonja said, her voice low. "Stay close, and keep your senses sharp. This forest may be filled with William's infected; stay close."