Athènia's POV
I found the strength to get back on my feet and ran toward Tevi, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Tears streamed down my face. I had truly lost him. Why must destiny be so cruel?
Athènia: Tevi, please… answer me.
I sobbed, holding him tightly in my arms.
Kemran: Damn it.
Tevi coughed and barely opened his eyes.
Athènia: Tevi!
Tevi: I… I managed to keep him away from you, Athènia.
He said between coughs.
Athènia: Thank you… for everything.
I whispered, feeling a crushing weight on my chest.
Tevi: Su… Supreme… Al…ph…a. I… I'm glad… I served you… to the very end of my… my life. I… I always knew… you would… defeat the Supreme. I'm… I'm sure… you… you are the future. You… you will defeat Im. I… I trust you… Athènia…
His breathing grew heavier with every word.
Athènia: Thank you for giving your life for the greater cause. You are the best, and the most loyal of my allies, Tevi Warrens.
He smiled faintly, but his eyes fluttered shut, and then… they did not open again. The realization struck me like a dagger—he had died in my arms. I cried even harder. Im would pay for this. He would pay for killing my friend.
Suddenly, a surge of energy rose within me. A mist surrounded us, but it felt different from when Im had appeared. It was like when Mac had shown us the past. We were all there, in some isolated place, watching. Somehow, I knew it was another vision.
A woman's scream pierced the air. The vision showed the leaders of the three kingdoms forcing themselves onto a woman—Andréa.
Andréa: Please… let me go!
Rayan: Hold her tighter.
Lénon: Don't leave anything for us.
Kajal: Damn it…
In short, the three of them were violating Andréa in every way possible. The others turned their heads, disgusted by the scene before us. In their eyes, I saw shame and revulsion. Of course—they were realizing that their ancestors had been monsters.
When it was over, a second vision began—this time Andréa's pregnancy. It turned out she carried the blood of a sorcerer.
Doctor: This young woman is pregnant.
Rayan's heart pounded violently.
Rayan: Who is the father?
Doctor: That's the problem, my king. The child doesn't carry a single gene… but three.
That sentence was enough for Rayan to remember he hadn't been the only one. Without another word, he stormed to his office, grabbed his phone, and called Lénon and Kajal.
Kajal: Why are you calling me?
Rayan: We have a serious problem.
Lénon: What!?
Rayan: Andréa is pregnant.
Kajal: Who's the father?
Rayan: The baby has three genes.
Lénon: A hybrid!!
Rayan: And we… are the fathers.
Silence fell until Lénon finally spoke.
Lénon: I'm sorry, my friend, but I will not take responsibility for a crime I didn't commit.
Rayan's eyes darkened.
Rayan: Are you trying to turn against me?
Lénon: I'm sorry, but I won't help you cover your crime.
He hung up.
Rayan: Damn it!
Kajal: I'm sorry, Rayan. You need to take responsibility for your actions.
And he hung up as well.
In his rage, Rayan destroyed everything around him. In the end, he married Andréa.
A third vision followed. We were in Harmonie—or rather, in the sorcerers' council chamber. The council members stood before a man kneeling on the ground. I had seen this vision before. Oh no… it was the one where the council sent my ancestor to kill King Storm and his son, Jinking.
Marcus: Stanford Gronds, do you know why you've been summoned?
Stanford: If I had known, I wouldn't have come.
Jules: We have a mission for you.
Stanford: To kill who?
Trevor: Rayan Storm.
Stanford: Excuse me? You want me to kill the king—your king?
Ashford: Unfortunately, he has committed a heinous act.
Stanford: And you're asking me, a simple warrior, to kill him?
He smiled mockingly.
Marcus: Don't play weak, Stanford. Before being reduced to a warrior, you were the Prince of Valley Angel of Die. Accept this—it's an order from the ancestors.
Stanford smirked.
Stanford: If that's the case, then I will kill King Storm.
The vision shifted again. Stanford stood with his bloodied sword. Rayan and Jinking lay in pools of blood. Andréa sobbed on the ground.
Andréa: One day, I'll make you pay for the death of my husband and my son.
She vanished in a cloud of smoke. Kajal and Lénon arrived then, the day they were supposed to spend with young Jinking. They froze when they saw their child unconscious in a pool of blood, with Rayan and Stanford standing there.
Fury burned in Lénon's eyes.
Lénon: You… how dare you!?
He lunged at my ancestor, but Stanford dodged, making him fall onto his son. Kajal revealed his fangs, ready to bite Stanford, but Stanford spun and narrowly avoided him.
Kajal: Why did you kill my son!?
Stanford: It was a warrior's duty.
Kajal: I'll make you swallow that cursed "duty" of yours!!
Stanford: You dare threaten me in my own kingdom? Leave this place and take your brat with you.
Lénon: You'll regret ever touching my son, you pathetic wretch! From this day forth, you are an enemy of Silver Moon. I swear I will kill you, Stanford.
His aura burst forth.
Kajal: And now you've gained another enemy! The vampires as well!
The two left with their son. Lénon shoved Kajal hard.
Kajal: How dare you push me!?
Lénon: This is your fault too! Why did you deny what you did!?
Kajal: Don't yell at me! You're just as guilty—you threw all the blame onto Rayan.
Lénon: If you had taken responsibility, we wouldn't be here, you selfish bastard!!
Kajal: Selfish!? Remind me who was the first to blame Rayan! Don't you dare call me selfish! Give me my son—he's mine, and you're my enemy now!
Lénon: He's my son. He stays with me! He won't live with traitors who call themselves my enemies.
He disappeared so fast Kajal didn't even see him leave. The visions ended, and we returned to the present. I still held Tevi's lifeless body in my arms.
Kemran: Damn… when did all that happen?
Athènia: Centuries ago.
Naynah: You knew all along!?
Athènia: Of course. That's the very reason behind our constant quarrels.
Kemran: Quarrels!? Your damned ancestor killed my ancestor's son!
I let out a cold laugh.
Athènia: And your damned ancestor was nothing more than a filthy bastard who couldn't keep himself from raping a woman who wasn't even of his race.
Naynah: I see clearly now.
She shot me the most hateful look.
Naynah: You're nothing but a family of rapists.
Athènia: You mean your ancestors. My ancestor only carried out the mission he was given. Correct your words—your ancestors are the rapists.
Kemran: I should never have trusted you! Damn it!
Naynah: As if I ever wanted to ally with you.
Athènia: Everything is crystal clear now. You are neither trustworthy nor true allies. Your races are nothing but traitors who turn their backs the moment they see a flaw.
Kemran: As if you're any better!
Athènia: And you think you are?
Naynah: You speak of betrayal, yet you made another alliance behind our backs. You never trusted us, and now you lecture us? And Kendrick—or should I say Tevi—are we even sure he wasn't your lover?
Athènia: I had my reasons. Tevi knew my secret, and now he's dead. He was my friend before my ally. He was far more loyal than you'll ever be. From this day on, you are once again my enemies. The alliance is over.
I said coldly, though my voice still carried the weight of grief.
Kemran: Perfect. Then enjoy your little peace while it lasts—because the day I become king, the war will be glorious.
Naynah: Try it, and you'll see the true power of the werewolves. We were allies once, but now we are enemies again. Prepare yourself, Athènia—I know your weaknesses.
Athènia: I'll be waiting. Gladly.
Naynah ran off in her wolf form, and Kemran vanished with his supernatural speed. I looked down at the body before me.
Athènia: Tevi…
I sobbed. I heard footsteps, but I didn't move. My heart was too heavy, even though I knew this day would come. MJ, Garth, Asher, Atlas, and Kévin arrived.
Atlas: Tevi!!
They rushed over, shocked. When they saw his lifeless body, they too broke into tears.
Mara: Lis… what happened?
She asked between sobs.
Athènia: The end of the alliance.