Chapter 34: Shadows of War
The sprawling estate hummed with an energy that Dorian hadn't felt in centuries. His alliance was growing, bolstered by the factions Emilia and Lucien had convinced to join. Yet even as their numbers swelled, the looming threat of Viktor's retaliation grew ever more imminent.
Dorian sat at the head of his study's massive oak table, ringed by his trusted lieutenants. Great maps of the surrounding regions lay splayed across its surface, marking Viktor's strongholds and suspected hideouts in red ink.
Viktor isn't just gathering soldiers," Dorian said, his voice low but hard. "He's building weapons-things we haven't seen in centuries. Artifacts, charmed objects, and poisons that can weaken even the strongest of us. If we allow him to finish his arsenal, it'll be a bloodbath." Cassian leaned forward, his brows furrowed. "We've been able to intercept a few of his supply lines, but it's not enough. He's always a step ahead.
That's because he's using spies, Dorian said grimly. Someone in our ranks is feeding him information.
The room fell silent, heavy with tension.
Lucien, leaning casually against the wall, was the first to break the silence. Any guess as to who it could be?
Dorian's eyes swept around the room. "I have my suspicions, but I won't act without proof. For now, we circle the wagons. Only those in this room will know the full extent of our plans."
Dorian refocused on the map. "Viktor's chief stronghold is here," he said, indicating a thickly forest-encumbered castle in the extreme wilderness. "It is heavily fortified, but at the same time isolated. If we cut him from supply chains and put him into a situation where he is wholly on the defense, then a direct assault against him should be easier."
"And just how do you suggest going about that?" Cassian asked.
Dorian's face went hard. "We take out his lieutenants. One by one. Viktor's army isn't loyal to him-it's loyal to the power he provides. If we eliminate the ones keeping his forces in line, his army will splinter."
Lucien whistled low. "Ambitious. I like it."
"We'll need surgical strikes," Dorian said. "Small teams, in and out before Viktor even knows what's happening. I'll lead the first mission.
"No," Emilia said abruptly, her voice cutting through the room.
All eyes turned to her, and she colored under their scrutiny but held firm.
"You cannot risk yourself that way, Dorian," she said. "If anything happens with you, the whole alliance will break.
Dorian's eyes gentled as he looked at her. "I appreciate your concern, Emilia, but this is something I have to do. Viktor knows me. He fears me. If I don't lead, he'll see it as a sign of weakness."
Emilia opened her mouth to argue, but Lucien placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a subtle shake of his head.
"Let him do what he needs to," Lucien murmured.
She nodded reluctantly, knowing her heart ached to think of Dorian walking into danger.
His team was made up of Cassian, Lucien, and a few handpicked vampires known for their stealth and combat prowess. Their target was one of Viktor's lieutenants, a ruthless enforcer named Kael who operated out of a fortified manor on the outskirts of the city.
It was moonless tonight, and the darkness wrapped up to become perfect cover for them as they neared the manor. Dorian moved with the silence of a shadow, his every step calculated and without even a whisper of sound.
Inside, Kael held court with a circle of Viktor's soldiers, booming with laughter that filled the corridors.
Dorian signaled, and in a moment the room was thrown into mayhem. Cassian and Lucien dispatched the on-duty guards with quick grace, but Dorian went straight for Kael.
The fight was brutal but short. Kael was strong, his movements honed by years of combat, but no match against Dorian's speed and skill. It was over in minutes.
As Kael lay upon the floor, defeated and defiant, Dorian knelt beside him.
"You've chosen the wrong side," Dorian said coldly.
Kael sneered. "You think you can stop Viktor? He's already won. You're just delaying the inevitable.
Anger flashed in Dorian's eyes, but he did not reveal it in his voice. "We shall see about that." In one swift motion, he ended Kael's life.
The mission had been a success, yet dear. One of Dorian's team members had been injured, a grim reminder of the risks they faced.
When Dorian got back to the mansion, Emilia was waiting for him. She flung herself at him the moment he came through the door, her hands shaking as they touched his face, his chest, reassuring herself that he wasn't hurt.
"I'm fine," he said softly, taking her hands in his.
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "You can't keep doing this, Dorian. I can't lose you."
"You won't," he said, tugging her into his embrace. "But this is the only way. If we don't fight, Viktor will destroy everything we've built—everything which we care about."
Emilia buried her face into his chest, her voice muffled. "Just promise me you'll come back. Every time."
Dorian tightened his hold on her. "Always."
---
Strengthening the Alliance
Without Kael, spirits ran high in the alliance, but so did Viktor's rage. And he would strike back; they knew it.
"We must keep this momentum," Dorian added during the next session of the council. "Kael was but the first. We take out Viktor's lieutenants one by one, and we will have him cornered."
"But we must not forget what will surely come out of his mouth after that," mentioned Cassian.
"We will be," Dorian said. "Emilia has already proven herself invaluable in rallying support. She'll continue working with Lucien to bring in more allies. Meanwhile, we'll strengthen our defenses here."
As the council dispersed, Emilia stayed behind, her gaze thoughtful.
"What is it?" Dorian asked, sensing her unease.
"I just can't shake the feeling that Viktor has something up his sleeve," she admitted. "Something we're not seeing."
Dorian nodded, his expression grim. "You're probably right. But whatever it is, we'll face it together."