Misery’s Warning
Before the dust from the confrontation could settle, a slow clap echoed through the forest. Misery emerged from the shadows, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. She leaned casually against a tree, her blade glinting in the faint moonlight.
“Well, wasn’t this a heartwarming display of dysfunction,” she drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Eryon’s wolf form bristled at her presence, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “What are you doing here?” he demanded, his tone sharp and accusing.
Misery smirked, stepping forward with deliberate slowness. “Saving you from yourselves, apparently,” she said. “You’re lucky I decided to intervene. Otherwise, one of you would’ve ended up dead.”
“Stay out of this,” Eryon snapped, his claws still extended.
Misery raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Oh, darling, if I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it already. But lucky for you, I’m feeling generous tonight.”
Lyra stepped between them, her gaze wary. “Why are you here, Misery? What do you want?”
Misery’s smirk faded slightly, her expression hardening. “I want the same thing you do, Lyra. To stop Seraphine. She’s playing you all like pawns, and you’re too blind to see it.”
Lyra faltered, the weight of Misery’s words hitting harder than she wanted to admit. “How do I know you’re not just working for the King?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Misery laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. “The King?” she scoffed. “He’s as much of a threat as Seraphine. Don’t lump me in with his lackeys.”
Eryon growled, stepping closer to Misery, his towering form casting a shadow over her. “Why should we trust you?”
Misery tilted her head, her smirk returning. “You shouldn’t,” she said simply. “But you don’t have a choice, do you? If you want to survive whatever Seraphine has planned, you’ll need me.”
Adrian, who had been watching the exchange silently, finally spoke. “She’s right,” he said, his voice low but firm. “As much as I hate to admit it, we’re stronger together.”
Misery shot him a glance, her smirk softening into something almost genuine. “See? Even the brooding vampire agrees.”
Lyra sighed, her grip on the artifact tightening. “Fine,” she said reluctantly. “But if you betray us, Misery…”
Misery cut her off with a raised hand. “I know, I know. Big bad wolf will tear me to shreds. I get it.”
The tension in the clearing eased slightly, but the unease lingered. Misery’s crimson gaze locked onto Lyra, her tone unusually serious. “You’re stronger than this, Lyra,” she said softly. “Don’t let them twist you into something you’re not.”
Lyra swallowed hard, her doubts gnawing at her resolve. “I’ll try,” she whispered.
Misery’s smirk returned, but her eyes held a glimmer of something deeper. “Good. Because the only person who can save you now is yourself.”
