The candlelight flickered, casting restless shadows on the walls of Valen’s chamber. Kieran sat stiffly, his mind racing with the weight of the revelation. His blood was more than noble—it was something dangerous, something people were willing to kill for.

Julian was pacing, his usual smirk replaced by a rare look of concern. “If this is true, then we need to figure out exactly what’s in your veins before someone else does.”

Valen leaned back against his desk, watching them with a lazy interest. “There’s a place—an archive hidden beneath the old cathedral in the capital. If you want answers, that’s where you’ll find them.”

Kieran narrowed his eyes. “And how do you know about it?”

Valen grinned. “Let’s just say I make it my business to know things others wish would stay buried.”

Julian crossed his arms. “And let me guess—this information isn’t free.”

Valen’s smirk deepened. “Of course not. But don’t worry, I won’t ask for my payment just yet. Consider it an investment in a very intriguing future.”

Kieran didn’t like the way Valen’s eyes lingered on him, as if he were a puzzle waiting to be solved. But he had no choice. They needed answers.

Julian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The capital is a death trap right now. If the people hunting Kieran catch wind of us—”

“They won’t,” Kieran interrupted, his voice steadier than he felt. “We’ll be careful. We don’t have a choice.”

Julian’s gaze met his, unreadable for a moment before he exhaled in defeat. “Then we leave at first light.”

Valen clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Try not to die before you get there. That would be such a waste.”

Kieran ignored him, his mind already fixed on the path ahead. The truth was waiting for him beneath the cathedral.

And he intended to find it—no matter what it cost.

To be continued...