Chapter 92: Chapter 92

DARAN

As the sun was setting on the horizon, I sat behind the wheel of my car, staring down at the report that had just landed in my hands. It wasn't just any report—it was the result of one of my shadow hunters managing to sneak in and snag a classified document from the dragon police. Carefully, I flipped through page after page, my eyes scanning every word and line on each sheet.

When I reached the final page, I froze. A subtle yet undeniable pattern stood out. Every victim was a woman. Not just any women—they were lycan women who once worked for me. They were lycans I had freed from slavery.

I'd spent so much time and effort freeing them from the chains of bondage, giving them a new life in the human world, where they could pass as hybrids and live in peace. But now, one by one, they were being hunted and killed.

With a trembling hand, I gripped the report, clenching it tightly as anger and worry took over. This wasn't just random murder—it was a message. Whoever was behind this knew the victims’ histories and likely knew about me too.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check, and floored it toward my art gallery on the edge of town. The gallery was closed to the public tonight, but I'd arranged to meet someone who could shed more light on this case—Eve.

The gallery was silent when I arrived, and the dark sky only added to the tension. I walked into the wide, dimly lit room, heading toward where Eve was already waiting. She stood in front of a painting of a battle between dragons and lycans, her expression serious yet graceful as ever. When she saw me, she turned, giving me her full attention.

"What did you find?" she asked, cutting straight to the chase.

Without a word, I handed her the crumpled report I’d been gripping. Her eyes narrowed as she read, and her expression grew graver with every line. When she finished, she looked up, disbelief written all over her face.

"What?" she asked, her voice low and stunned. "So these women were connected to you? They're not human, but... why are they being targeted?”

I took a deep breath, meeting her eyes. "That's right. They're not human. They were lycans I saved from slavery, gave them a new life. But now, it looks like they're targets."

Eve furrowed her brow, struggling to understand the logic behind the murders. "But why them? And how could they not fight back? They’re lycans, after all."

I shook my head slowly. "Don’t be fooled, Eve. The killer isn’t a lycan. This isn’t some routine hit."

Her eyes went wide, her gaze hardening as if trying to find answers in my own. She was starting to piece things together. She sighed, then spoke with a face that grew more anxious.

"So, you’re sure the killer isn't a lycan or werewolf? Then who else could pull off something like this?"

I paused before answering, feeling the weight on my chest get heavier. "I think we’re dealing with someone far stronger than a lycan or werewolf. The only creature capable of this… is a dragon."

Eve was silent, her gaze distant as she processed this new reality.

"A dragon?" she whispered, her voice filled with dread. "But why would a dragon go after the lycan women who work for you? Could this… have anything to do with Luke Draken?"

That name set my blood boiling, sparking a flare of anger I’d been holding back. Luke Draken, the dragon king who ruled the Sapphire Blue territory now. A cunning, ruthless figure who'd do anything to serve his own agenda.

"Maybe it’s Luke, or maybe it’s not," I replied, my voice sharp. "But if it’s dragons, it can’t be a coincidence they’re targeting women who were once close to me."

Eve went quiet, deep in thought. "But, Daran… if dragons are behind this, that’s a serious threat. Dragons wield immense power and influence in this region. If they’re after you, they probably know you’re here. So why target those women instead of coming straight for you?”

I met her gaze, holding back the fear roiling in me. “That’s just it. If they know I’m here, why not come directly for me? Why go after these innocent women instead?”

Eve bit her lip, staring at the floor with a tense look. She shook her head slightly. “I don’t know. But it feels like a message, or maybe a warning to you. They know about you, and they know about those connected to you. But this isn’t just a message, Daran… it’s a threat.”

I nodded slowly, the threat painfully clear in every wound, every mark left on those bodies. They were murdered brutally, as if to show off their power.

"So, what will you do now?" Eve asked, her voice heavy with concern.

I thought for a moment before responding. "We need to find whoever’s behind this before they claim another victim. If dragons are involved, this is no small issue. We need to secure everyone who’s ever worked for me and get them somewhere safe."

Eve’s expression grew tense as she thought hard. "But, Daran… if these dragons are really targeting women linked to you, who else might be next?"

Eve’s question stuck in my mind, intensifying my anxiety. I knew exactly who she meant, but I didn’t want to say it out loud. If these dragons were going after people close to me, then one name immediately came to mind.

I swallowed hard, trying to calm my racing heart. But I couldn't calm down. There was someone I couldn’t bear to lose, someone I had to keep safe no matter what.

Eve looked at me as though she could sense how deeply I was affected by this. She stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Daran, I know this is tough. But if we don’t act quickly, we might lose her.”

I nodded, unable to deny the truth in her words. But that thought kept circling in my mind—the thought of who might be next. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to fall.

With a soft but firm voice, Eve whispered, "Daran, you know what they want, don’t you?"

I met her gaze, unable to answer. But deep down, I knew. And that truth was scarier than anything I’d ever faced.

“The blood of the red moon...” my voice trembled.