Page 83 of Fated for Dawn

Perfect.

Carefully, I palmed the vial and slipped it inside the outer pocket, the magic humming softly against my fingers as it activated. The spell sealed itself, undetectable to anyone except its creator.

As if sensing something, Graves’s gaze flicked back to me.

His expression didn’t change, but his eyes held an intensity that made my stomach tighten.

“You’re quieter than I expected, being Hecate’s champion.”

I smiled, feigning amusement. “I let Lucien do all the talking. He’s better at it.”

Lucien smirked, but Graves didn’t look away from me.

The moment stretched too long before he finally nodded.

Lucien wrapped their discussion smoothly, shaking Grave’s hand before stepping back. “We’ll talk again soon.”

Graves simply nodded, his gaze flicking to me one last time before he turned and walked away.

As soon as Graves was gone, I rolled up my sleeve.

Lucien’s eyes dropped to my forearm.

The tattoo binding my deal with Hades flickered once before vanishing.

I let out a shaky breath. “It’s done.”

Lucien’s fingers brushed the bare skin. “You alright?”

I nodded, but a sense of unease settled in my stomach.

“We should get back,” I murmured, forcing my legs to move.

Lucien didn’t push, but his fingers remained firmly laced with mine as we walked.

I made my way back to the discussion, feeling pretty shitty and hoping I hadn’t just done something terribly wrong, when Ryker pushed forward, his broad frame carving a path through the crowd.

“News,” he rumbled. “My guys, on the inside, confirmed Eris is building an army. Since the battle, there’s been an influx of supernaturals joining her cause.”

Alister sighed. “How bad?”

“Demons. Vampires. Worse.”

Great. Fan-freaking-tastic. Just as our numbers swelled, hers did as well.

“She’s not just collecting power; she’s making a spectacle,” Ryker said, his tone grim.

I frowned, leaning forward. “A spectacle?”

“It’s a show of dominance,” Ryker clarified. “She’s flaunting her strength—corruption, chaos, destruction—all of it is deliberate. She’s trying to draw attention and recruit more followers.”

“It’s a calculated move.” Lucien said, " Fear is her weapon. By sowing chaos and demonstrating her power, she’s positioning herself as unstoppable. Those who are afraid might decide it’s safer to join her than to oppose her.”

My stomach twisted. “So, a recruitment tactic?”

“Not just recruitment,” Rafe added quietly. “It’s intimidation. A warning. She’s sending a message to anyone who might stand against her—us included.”

I closed my eyes, picturing Lia—no,Eris—surrounded by an army of nightmares. My best friend is now the poster child for ‘Chaos: Now Recruiting’.

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