Blood and Betrayal

Cold water hit Sera's face. She gasped, choking as it filled her nose and mouth. Her eyes snapped open to meet the hard stare of a royal guard. "Wake up, murderer," he growled. Sera's head throbbed. Her body hurt all over. How long had she been here? The cell was pitch black except for the guard's light. No windows. No light. No hope. "I didn't kill her," Sera whispered, her voice raw from yelling. The guard laughed. "Save it for someone who cares." Her wrists burned where silver chains bit into her skin. Silver—the one metal that could hurt a werewolf. For normal wolves, it caused pain. 

For a Silverblood like her, it felt like fire in her veins. The cell door creaked open. Three more guards entered, followed by a tall person in a black cloak. Lord Blackthorn's cold eyes found hers in the darkness. "Leave us," he told the guards. When they were alone, Lord Blackthorn circled Sera like an animal. "I always knew you were dangerous," he said. "A threat to everything we've built." Sera lifted her chin. "I didn't kill Liora." His hand hit like lightning, cracking across her face. "Lies! We all saw the blood on your hands!" "My blood!" Sera spat, tasting copper in her mouth. "Someone is playing you—playing all of us!" Lord Blackthorn grabbed her by the throat. "Who helped you escape your first cell? Who gave you the key?" "I don't know," she choked out. "It appeared in my hand. It was warm, almost burning." His grip tightened. "You expect me to believe magic delivered you a key?" "It's the truth!" Black spots danced in Sera's view. He freed her with a shove. "You'll admit before the end. They all do." After he left, the guards returned. 

Questions hammered her like blows. Where did she hide the real murder weapon? Who helped her? Why did she kill her sister? Hours passed. Or days. Time meant nothing in the dark. Then came the pain. Fists. Boots. Silver-tipped whips that tore her back to ribbons. Through it all, Sera refused to admit to a crime she didn't commit. "She's stronger than she looks," one guard whispered. "Silverbloods always are," another responded. "That's why they're dangerous." 

Finally, they left her alone, a broken heap on the stone floor. Sera curled into herself, her wolf whimpering deep inside. She thought of Kael. Had he escaped? Or had he paid for helping her with his life? The door opened again. Soft footsteps approached. "Come to finish the job?" Sera asked without looking up. "I came to see the monster who killed my mate," Elias's voice cut through the darkness. Sera's head snapped up. Elias stood before her, handsome face twisted with hate. But behind that mask, something flickered. Doubt? Fear? "She wasn't your mate," Sera whispered. "I am." "You're nothing to me," he said, but his hands shook. "Look at me, Elias." Sera struggled to her knees. "Really look. You felt our link. You know the truth." For one heartbeat, his eyes softened. Then hardened again. "I saw what you did to her," he said. "Her neck torn out. Just like the first body." "First body?" Sera grabbed onto this. "So you know there were two?" Elias stepped back. "You're trying to confuse me." "Liora faked her death!" Sera lunged forward, chains pulling tight. 

"Then she came back to finish the job herself!" "Stop!" Elias roared. "Stop lying!" "I saw her ghost! Standing behind her own body! Kael saw her too!" "Kael?" Elias's eyes narrowed. "The Beta's son? He helped you escape?" Sera noticed her mistake too late. "No—I mean—" "Guards!" Elias called. "Find the Beta's son. Arrest him for treason." "No! Leave him alone!" Sera strained against her chains. "He had nothing to do with this!" Elias crouched to her level, his face inches from hers. "You could have had everything, Sera. Position. Power. Me." "I never wanted any of that," she whispered. "I just wanted to be seen. To be free." Something passed between them. The ghost of their friendship. For one second, Sera thought he might believe her. Then the door burst open. Queen Myra swept in, her face a mask of grief and rage. "Enough," she snapped at Elias. 

"This thing killed my daughter. Your mate. She deserves no sympathy." Elias stood. "The trial—" "Will happen at dawn," Queen Myra cut him off. "But I've decided her punishment." She turned cold eyes to Sera. "Alpha Ronan of Ironclaw has offered to take you as his... property. To use as he sees fit." Horror washed over Sera. Alpha Ronan was known for his cruelty. Wolves who entered his territory rarely returned. "You can't do that," Sera whispered. Queen Myra smiled. "I'm the queen. I can do whatever I want." "No," Elias said, startling them both. 

"The law requires a public execution for murder." "Since when do you care about the law?" Queen Myra's eyes flashed. "Or do you have feelings for this killer?" Elias's face hardened. "I want justice for Liora." "This is justice," Queen Myra hissed. "A quick death is too kind for what she did." She turned to leave, then paused. "Prepare her for transport. Alpha Ronan's men arrive at dawn." When they were alone again, Elias wouldn't meet Sera's eyes. "You know something's wrong," she said quietly. "Deep down, you can feel it." He said nothing for a long moment. Then: "I saw something strange tonight. 

A shadow where it shouldn't be. A voice that sounded like..." Hope flared in Sera's chest. "Like Liora?" His face closed off. "It's the grief. Playing tricks." "Or the truth, fighting to be heard." Elias stepped toward the door. "Goodbye, Seraphina Vale." "Wait!" Sera called. "The key that freed me—it had strange symbols. Ancient writing. It glowed silver." Elias froze, his back to her. "You know what it means," she whispered. "Tell me." Instead of answering, he slammed his hand against the wall. "They say Silverbloods can get in your head. Make you see things. Feel things." "Is that what you think I'm doing? Controlling your mind?" "I don't know what to think anymore!" 

His voice cracked with feeling. "I watched you run from her body. I saw the blood on your hands." "Then why are you here?" Sera wanted. "If you're so sure of my guilt?" Elias finally turned. In the torchlight, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Because I need to know why," he whispered. "Why you would destroy everything." Before Sera could answer, a horn blew in the distance. Three long blasts. The signal for strangers. Elias straightened. "I have to go." "Elias," Sera called as he reached the door. "Look for the truth. It's right in front of you." After he left, Sera slumped against the wall. Dawn was coming. With it, Alpha Ronan and whatever cruel fate awaited her in Ironclaw land. She closed her eyes, searching for her wolf. 

The silver chains had weakened their link, but she could still feel her—a faint pulse of wild energy. "Help me," she begged. "Please help me." As if in answer, the chains around her wrists grew warmer. Not terribly, like before. Just warm. Alive. Sera opened her eyes. The silver metal glowed dimly, the same strange symbols from the key now appearing on her shackles. The door burst open. A guard rushed in. "On your feet! The Alpha's men are here!" But Sera barely heard him. She was too focused on the person behind him—tall, hooded, with eyes that glowed like twin moons. "Time to go," the guard growled, reaching for her. The hooded figure raised a hand. The guard froze mid-step, then fell like a puppet with cut strings. Sera's heart beat. "Who are you?" The figure pushed back its hood. Sera gasped. "Hello, little wolf," said Lady Vessa of Hollowmere. "I believe we have much to discuss."