Chapter 188 – The Gathering of Shadows
The wind howled through the towering peaks as Raven Tower loomed against the night sky, an ominous fortress nestled in the heart of the mountains. It was here, within its darkened halls, that eight women convened—each a force of power in their own right.
The chamber was vast, its walls lined with ancient tomes and flickering lanterns casting eerie shadows. A massive obsidian table stretched across the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs carved with intricate raven motifs. This was where they would decide the fate of the Von bloodline.
At the head of the table sat Seraphis, her white eyes glinting with quiet determination. Her raven-black cloak draped over her shoulders, barely concealing the arsenal of weapons beneath. Around her, the others took their seats, each bringing their own brand of lethal grace to the meeting.
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Yveris, the strategist, her mind a labyrinth of plans within plans.
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Lorienna, the shadow dancer, swift as the wind and twice as deadly.
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Vaelora, the mistress of illusions, her magic a veil of deception.
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Elyndra, the silent blade, a master of poisons and unseen death.
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Aerisiel, the sorceress, wielding elemental forces with a mere flick of her wrist.
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Elowen & Sylvaine
, twin archers whose arrows never missed their mark. -
Theia, the warrior, her strength enough to shatter bones with a single strike.
They had gathered for one purpose—to lure Salazar Grimm Von into their trap.
Seraphis tapped her fingers against the table, her voice cutting through the silence.
"Zepharion is dead. Orpheus is nothing but ash. The Von family is crumbling."
Yveris leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Salazar will not let this stand. But he won’t act without reason. We need to force his hand.”
Vaelora smirked, twirling a dagger between her fingers. “Then we give him one. A message. One he cannot ignore.”
Lorienna raised an eyebrow. “A letter alone won’t be enough. He’s cunning. He’ll know it’s a trap.”
Elyndra, ever the quiet one, spoke in a voice as soft as a whisper. “That’s why we must make it personal.”
Seraphis’s gaze flickered toward the map laid out before them. A parchment filled with markings, each one detailing the Von family's strongholds, supply routes, and safe houses.
"We don’t just call him out," she said. "We insult him. Challenge his pride. Make him feel cornered, make him feel weak. He’ll have no choice but to retaliate."
Theia crossed her arms, her golden eyes gleaming. “And when he does?”
Aerisiel’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Then we burn what’s left of his family to the ground.”
The room was silent, save for the crackling of torches.
Seraphis picked up a quill, dipping it into crimson ink. With precise strokes, she wrote:
"Salazar Grimm Von,"
"The blood of your kin stains the earth, yet you cower in the shadows. Zepharion begged for his life. Orpheus died without a whisper. Their deaths were unworthy. Is this the legacy of the Von family? A line of weaklings who fall one by one?"
"Come to Raven Tower. Bring what remains of your dying house. Prove you are not a coward."
"Or continue to hide while I hunt your family into extinction."
"The choice is yours."
"Seraphis."
She let the ink dry before folding the parchment. A blood-red seal pressed into the wax bore the mark of the Raven Syndicate.
Lorienna tilted her head. “Do you think he’ll come?”
Yveris smirked. “Salazar is many things, but he is no coward. He will come.”
Elyndra nodded. “And when he does, we finish this.”
Vaelora leaned back in her chair. “Then it’s settled. We prepare for war.”
Seraphis handed the letter to a messenger, watching as he vanished into the night.
The trap was set.
Now, all they had to do was wait.
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