Page 104 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

Here I am, once again conspiring with a firelord to stop my world from crumbling around me.

“Your suspicions are correct,” he says, his deep voice resonating with barely contained power. “Jonyk’s researchers have found a way to extract and store royal blood essence.”

Ice crawls along my fingertips. I force my hands flat against the polished wood of my desktop, willing the frost to retreat. “Explain.”

“They harvest the essence drop by drop, using each portion to strengthen Jonyk’s claim to the throne.” His golden scales flare with controlled anger, his eyes glowing. “He means to control the very essence of magic itself, to harness it for himself.”

My stomach turns to lead. The temperature in the study plummets as my control slips further. On the window, frost obscures the view of the maze where Lara and Izzy and the twins practice.

“There’s worse,” Vazor says, his scales rasping as he moves in his chair. “He has begun a hunt for the crown and those who carry royal blood. His chosen hunters use...” His voice deepens to a rumbling growl. “Blood magic.”

The ice beneath my palms crackles. “Forbidden arts.”

The same forbidden arts I plan to use on the crown. The same crown—and the same blood—Jonyk currently seeks. And I have.

“He’s given the hunters free rein,” Vazor continues, heat rippling from his form. “They’ve bound ancient artifacts to track their prey, creating crystals attuned to royal blood. These abominations can sense the magical resonance hidden in human bloodlines.”

We do not have enough time until the summit, until the double moons rise, until everything I’ve worked for either succeeds or shatters completely. And now this.

My magic surges, and the entire room groans as ice spreads up the walls. With a glance at it, Vazor flicks his fingers, and it melts, leaving behind the faint scent of smoke.

“Who are these hunters?” I manage to ask, though frost forms with each word.

“Former Ice Court assassins, mostly. The exiled ones.” Vazor’s expression darkens. “Jonyk’s offered them redemption, titles, lands—whatever it takes to ensure their loyalty. They also eliminate anyone who helps their targets.”

My chest constricts as I think of Lara and Izzy, so close to the center of everything, their royal blood singing to these hunters even now.

I need to get them somewhere safe, need to protect them long enough to?—

No. I can’t afford to think that way. They’re a means to an end. Nothing more.

But the memory of Lara’s warmth against my skin makes the lie taste bitter.

“How many teams?” I force myself to focus on practical matters.

“Three that we know of. But they’re well-equipped, well-funded, and desperate to regain their positions.” Vazor leans back, watching ice crystals form in the air between us. “Your control seems... unstable today.”

I ignore his observation. “How close are they to finding any heirs?”

“Too close.” His scales ripple uneasily. “They’ve already eliminated several possibilities.”

The windows behind me creak as ice seeps into microscopic fissures. I need to maintain better control—this display of power could draw exactly the kind of attention we can’t afford. But with the double moons approaching, with Lara’s presence constantly testing my restraint, with an entire world’s salvation pressing down...

“We need to accelerate our timeline,” I say, more to myself than Vazor. “But we can’t.”

“Can your...guests be ready in time as it is?” The way he says ‘guests’ makes my jaw clench.

“They’ll have to be.” I rise and move to the window, pressing my palm against the frosted glass. In the distance, the maze’s walls gleam in the fading light.

The double moons peek through gathering clouds, their combined light already pulling at something deep within me. My reflection in the glass shows more golden sparks dancing in my eyes—a sign of how close I am to losing control completely.

“We’ll need additional security measures,” I say, turning back to Vazor. “Discreet ones.”

He nods, but his eyes hold a shadow I don’t want to examine too closely. “These hunters are ruthless. They won’t stop until they’ve found every last heir.”

“Then we’ll have to be more ruthless.” My fingers ache with cold I can’t control. “Give me everything you have on their tracking methods. We need to find ways to shield certain signatures.”

Certain people.

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