SOMEWHERE IN THE SHADOWS
Queen Vespera sank deeper into the heated pool, letting the flower-infused liquid cover her sagging shoulders. Steam rose around her while servants fanned her with giant leaves. Drones hovered near the ceiling, their red eyes recording everything.
She hated being watched. But she hated being forgotten more.
Connie knelt at the edge of the pool. Her pale blue scales trembled. She had just returned from the long journey across the great river, and her body showed it—scratches on her arms, mud caked between her claws, exhaustion darkening her eyes.
"Report," Vespera whispered.
Her voice was dry and rattling, like bones shaking in a leather bag. But it carried across the chamber like a blade.
Connie bowed lower and her forehead touched the stone floor.
"My Queen, Alpha Kayden has injected himself with a test serum. He held his human form for eight hours. His scientist claims that with more lycan blood, the curse can be broken permanently."
