VALERIA"Then come, step closer to this table," he led me to a massive oval-shaped marble table with a gigantic map spread across it.Some areas were drawn out, while others appeared opaque and concealed."Bring me the box!" he ordered, and they brought him a small wooden box.It looked familiar, and when he opened it and showed me the contents, I recognized the stone I had once touched—pretending it was harmless—only to have it burn my hand."This stone is made from the Mother Altar, the very first one, located at the Lunar Gate. It’s a relic of your race. Take it with one hand and extend the other to me," he commanded arrogantly, leaving me no choice but to obey.My trembling fingers reached for the dark rock that seemed to glow as if it had minerals inside.I remembered all too well the pain it had caused me last time, but now I only felt its call—like an invisible thread pulling me toward something sacred and incredible.The cold touch finally met my hand as I lifted it from the v

VALERIAThe magical artifact had taken the form of this ship but in miniature, sailing above the map the Vampire King had placed on the captain's cabin table."Where is it taking us now?" he asked, sounding exasperated."I don’t know. I just want to get to the Lunar Gate. I don’t know the exact path," I replied just as irritably.The night had passed, and the first rays of sunlight were peeking over the horizon, yet the dense mist surrounding us made visibility difficult."I want to see my friends—""Land ahead!" someone shouted from the deck before he could answer me.He hurried out, shoving me aside rudely, and I followed him, climbing the ladder to the deck.My feet touched the wooden planks as I emerged. Many of his soldiers were already there, all staring in the same direction. I fixed my gaze on the point they were looking at, the direction we were heading.Soon, the silhouette of what looked like a small island began to take shape. No one spoke; the atmosphere was oppressive. I

VALERIA"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!""Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to drag her away from the door into an alley.When she turned, I saw the little bundle in her arms—it was a child, barely a year old, as thin as she was, just like the grinning man who had been guiding us, like everyone else here—except for that witch and her guards."Leave her alone!" I couldn't help but intervene, especially for the child. It was obvious they would beat her mercilessly, or worse.I pulled the woman into my arms, and when the men made a move to attack me, a threatening growl echoed

VALERIA"I’m sorry, it seems... I had a dream," I said, filled with embarrassment, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my dress and standing up from the rocking chair."A dream?" she replies incredulously, holding a small vial in her hand. "That’s strange, because in my space, dreams are impossible.""What? But I...""Here’s your friend’s medicine. It will only keep her stable for a while, but princess, the cure for that hybrid lies with her mate," she interrupts my words, filled with doubts, and explains."When she receives the bite from her mate, whether it’s a vampire or a werewolf, the balance will stabilize."I’m shocked to hear that Celine’s cure isn’t even in my hands; finding a mate could be even more complicated."I... I don't want to take advantage of your generosity. Honestly, I have nothing to pay you with, but there was a child... he looked like he was dying. For him, could you give me something as well?" I ask, feeling ashamed, but I still make the attempt—I can't leave w

VALERIA"There was a legend that an unparalleled power was hidden there. However, the fools who ventured into the lake never returned."A terrifying, haunted place with certain death—that's exactly our destination, no doubt about it.So we gathered our few belongings and headed toward the Lake of the Dead, praying not to be the next ones on the list."Guys, you're always by my side," I took Celine's hand, and Quinn nodded beside her.We all made our way through the wild forest at night, pushing forward without stopping, through bushes filled with sharp branches under the thick canopy of trees that blocked the moonlight above our heads.As we approached the lake, the humidity and cold in the air intensified, and another unsettling detail sent shivers down even the bravest among us—there was no sound.Not the hiss of nocturnal animals, the flutter of owl wings, not even a single firefly floating in the air. Nothing. It truly felt as if life had been sucked out of this place.We emerged