Chapter 20 - Kaius

The sun is just starting to rise when I walk into the kitchen for breakfast. The Candara guys is already gathered around the table, their faces etched with concern and curiosity. Lena stands by the stove, flipping pancakes while she recounts what Julie saw in her vision.

"She mentioned an old amulet," Lena says, her voice steady as she turns to face us. "From the 1800s. Apparently, the people she saw were saying it needed to be hidden from shifters to make sure no single species can use it to gain power."

"Ananke's Crescent," Evander mutters, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It has to be." He sets his cup down with a thud.

Orion leans forward, his eyes fixed on Evander. "What do you know about it?"

"It's a powerful relic, and the only of the ancient ones that would have been a risk to any shifter species finding it," Evander explains, his brow furrowing. "Ananke is considered to be one of the fates in Greek mythology, but she's actually the personification of Fate itself. The legend goes that the Crescent has the power to influence destiny, to bend fate to the will of whoever possesses it."

"It tracks. By proximity alone, it can cause all sorts of things to happen," Orion adds. "Would definitely explain what we're seeing with powers re-emerging, and things like Suze gaining an entirely new power and even Julie and Lena. Also explains why it drew the Naga. If any one species were to claim it, they'd have the power to basically shape the world to their whim, to claim fate as their own."

A heavy silence falls over the table as we absorb this information. The gravity of the situation settles over us, and I can see the worry on everyone's faces.

"This explains so much," Lena says quietly, setting the last pancake onto a plate. "The reappearance of a Naga, my powers, Julie's sudden ability to read objects—it all makes sense if this Crescent can spread this much magic. It would also explain why my family tried so hard to keep it shielded."

"If that's the relic the keys are guarding, then we need to get Eclipse and everyone else away from Greyson Ridge until we can secure it," I offer, thinking through the implications this has for any clan acquiring the relic.

"Lena's pregnancy complicates things," Orion says, his voice laced with concern. "We won't be able to move the relic or even attempt to recreate that spell until after she's given birth. And that's assuming we can figure out how it was done."

"And that's still months away," Cyrus mutters, rubbing his temples in frustration. "What do we do in the meantime?"

"We need to buy ourselves time," Evander suggests. "Keep Eclipse distracted and make sure they suspect nothing."

"Easier said than done," Cyrus sighs, his eyes shifting to Lena. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay," she says with a small smile, resting a hand on her belly. "Overwhelmed, but I'm sure we'll figure this out."

"We'll do whatever it takes to protect the relic and keep it out of the wrong hands. But we need to be smart about this," Orion says as he stands, his expression determined.

We spend the next hour strategizing, discussing ways to divert Eclipse's attention and keep them away from Greyson Ridge. There's an undeniable sense of unease that lingers in the air, a feeling that we're up against something far bigger than any of us can handle.

Later that afternoon, we depart for another council meeting. This time, Evander, Cyrus, and I are headed out, and they think we'll have to stay for a few days. Milo, Orion, and Rufus are staying behind on patrols. The idea of leaving is like having my soul split in half. Every mile I get further from Julie, the less I can concentrate.

We arrive, and the politics and backstabbing are reaching an all-time high. The first two days pass in an absolute blur. Cyrus is trying to navigate accusations about our power and is doing well, but the challenges are increasing. I can see now why he wanted both Evander and me here. We rotate one of us being on watch at all times.

The tension in the council chamber for the final meeting is thick in the air. Fear, malice, greed, and panic swirl into the scent of just pure desperation in the chamber. Cyrus's eyes are pinched, his expression strained. He's been under a lot of pressure the past two days, and the challenges keep piling up. It's not just Eclipse who's out for blood. He's already taken on and defeated challenges from the Zmeyevik and Myrn clans as well.

I try to keep myself alert and focused on the task at hand—getting us out of this last meeting alive. Julian, the new Alpha of Eclipse, stands at the center of the room, his arms crossed over his chest. He's not the largest dragon I've seen from Eclipse, but I think he may be the most devious.

"Cyrus," Julian begins, his voice steady and authoritative, "I challenge your position as the head of this council. You aren't fit to lead."

"What grounds do you have for this challenge?" Cyrus asks, his hand clenching into a fist—the only reaction that he shows.

"You've taken a human mate and married her. Your decisions are clouded by emotion, by your personal attachments. You hide things from this council and are out solely for the benefit of your clan and not the community."

A murmur ripples through the council, but Cyrus remains unfazed.

"I stand by my decisions," Cyrus says firmly. "But if you wish to challenge me, so be it."

The council members step back, the bodies in the room forming a circle around Cyrus and Julian. The air is thick with anticipation as the two Alphas square off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare as both shift, preparing for the fight.

Julian is the first to strike, lunging at Cyrus with impressive speed. Cyrus is ready, sidestepping the attack and delivering a swift knee to Julian's side. Cyrus's shifted, golden body looks menacing as he rounds on Julian's smaller, brown form. The blow of Cyrus's kick sends Julian stumbling, but he quickly recovers, his silver eyes blazing with fury.

The fight rages on, the two Alphas exchanging blows with a ferocity that leaves the council in stunned silence. Cyrus may be taking an occasional hit, but he's barely phased and Julian is clearly tiring. Cyrus hasn't even used his light or fire abilities at all. This should be done within minutes if Cyrus stops toying with him.

I'm watching close. I swear, if I didn't know his fighting style so well, I may not have noticed it. Cyrus pauses and intentionally exposes his left flank. Julian takes advantage of the opening, landing a devastating punch to Cyrus's ribs, and then a second to his jaw that sends him sprawling to the ground. The council gasps in shock as Cyrus lies there, defeated.

Julian steps back, his chest heaving as he catches his breath. "The position of leading this council now falls to me," he announces, his voice steady.

"What the hell was that?" I whisper, my voice laced with disbelief as I pull Cyrus to his feet with an offered hand, "Why did you let him have that?"

Cyrus winces, rubbing his jaw, but there's an entirely different look in his amber, reptilian eyes than I was expecting. He looks satisfied, like a cat that just ate the cream.

"Sometimes, the right step is to lose power, to give up a key position," he says quietly. "It allows you to gather your strength and come back with even more force."

His words leave me stunned as Evander and I flank him, following him out of the council room. My mind reels with questions. Once we're outside, I turn to face him, my eyes searching his.

"What are you planning, Cyrus?"

"I'm doing what needs to be done, Kaius. We need to step back to see the bigger picture."

"Don't we need to keep Eclipse away from the relic, not hand them more power?"

"We will," Cyrus says firmly, his gaze steady on mine. "We just need to be smart about it. Right now, I just landed Julian with a torrential downpour of council bullshit. That should, at a minimum, keep them busy for a little while and let us focus on just that one front. Trust me?"

I nod reluctantly, my mind still buzzing with uncertainty.

"I do trust you," I say finally. We travel back in silence. Cyrus is still a powerful leader, and I can only hope this plan he's working on actually pans out.

When we finally reach the cabin, the team is waiting for us around Lena and Cyrus's dinner table. I arrive a few moments ahead of Cyrus and Evander.

"How did it go?" Lena asks, looking up from her plate.

"Eclipse is leading the council now," I say as I sink into a chair.

Lena looks relatively unmoved by the news, but Rufus, Orion, and Milo all turn to me with wide eyes and expressions that mirror my own confusion.

"What? How?" Milo asks.

"Cyrus let him win," I explain, my voice heavy with disbelief, "He says it's part of the plan."

"That's a risky move," Orion says and lets out a low whistle.

"Tell me about it," I mutter, rubbing my temples. "He's sure it's the right thing to do."

Evander slides into a seat next to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"I trust Cyrus's judgment. He's led us this far, and he's never steered us wrong," Evander says with a shrug. The weight of everything bears down on me, but I know I have to keep moving forward. The fate of the relic, of our entire world, rests on our shoulders, and we can't afford to falter. If this is the best plan forward, I will support it.

When I finally head to my room, my mind is still racing with thoughts of Cyrus, Julian, and the relic that's hidden somewhere in Greyson Ridge. I can only hope that the path we're on will lead us to the answers we need before it's too late. I roll over, checking my phone, praying for some word from Julie.

A smile stretches across my face when I see a simple text from her saying we should talk that was sent the day after we left for the meeting. I send a quick reply, asking if she can meet me at the bar tonight.