ShadowBound: The Need For Power-Chapter 298: Exchange Of Intel

Mystica had brought Liam to her private chamber—the most secure place they could speak without fear of eavesdropping.

"Go on, have a se—" she began warmly, but Liam was already dropping into a chair before she could finish.

"Well, that's new," Mystica said with a teasing smile as she settled into her couch, one leg elegantly crossed over the other. "You usually insist on standing. Guess the exhaustion all over your face isn't just for show."

She picked up a glass of deep red wine, took a sip, and set it down lightly on the side table. "So," she said, folding her hands in her lap, "what exactly did you do to end up in this state? And feel free not to tell me."

"If it were just my issue, I wouldn't have brought it up," Liam replied, rubbing his left eye again. "But it involves what we talked about last time. And honestly... I think it's time I raised my demands on that little deal we made."

Mystica arched a brow. Only one possibility crossed her mind. "Don't tell me… you engaged with a hybrid you discovered?"

Liam scoffed. "Why would I do that? Fight someone carrying Demon Lord blood? Yeah, no thanks—not at my current level."

"Then what?" Mystica asked, a rare flicker of concern behind her eyes.

"Watching over Sheila," Liam said simply, rubbing his eye again.

Mystica blinked. "Watching over Sheila? Why?"

"I found another hybrid. Someone besides Gordon," Liam said flatly. "Lady Ember... she's one too."

Mystica froze mid-breath. Ember's name hit her like a chill. They weren't as close as she was with Seraphina, but there was still trust there—shared missions, quiet conversations. And worse, she'd just spoken with Ember before heading to Liam's class.

She took a moment, her voice calm but careful. "I hate to doubt you, especially considering how sharp that nose of yours is... but are you sure?"

"Positive," Liam said. "I overheard her speaking with Gordon."

He leaned forward just a little. "But before I get to that... has Ember ever seemed more... comfortable when it's just you and her? Like, away from public eyes?"

Mystica tilted her head, considering. "Not really. Around me and most others, she's shy. Quiet. Doesn't matter how lively the room is. She's always on edge... except when she's with Regulus. She opens up to him. Honestly, I think she has a crush."

Liam gave a brief nod. "Makes sense."

"Alright," Mystica said, swirling the wine in her glass. "Tell me what you heard."

"Ember and Gorgon were talking about getting Sheila to Sylvathar," Liam said. "They said the faster she gets to him, the faster his grand plan can begin." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Mystica's eyes narrowed slightly. "So Sheila's more than just a target... she's a key."

"Exactly," Liam muttered, leaning his head back against the chair. It seemed to ease the pressure behind his eyes a little.

Mystica set her wine aside. "Then Lucy will need to double her protection around Sheila immediately…"

She paused, then looked at Liam again. "So how did you end up hearing all this?"

"I spotted Ember after school. She and Sheila looked like they were headed somewhere together. But Charlotte got in the way—dragged Sheila off for food. So I used the opportunity to follow Ember and see if anything interesting turned up."

"Well, something did turn up," Mystica said with a faint smile. "I'm glad you went above and beyond our arrangement. I know you tried to contact me that day and then chose to protect Sheila on your own. Thank you."

Liam kept his head tilted back, eyes closed. "Keep your thanks. I don't need it. Just know I'm raising the price of our deal. Nothing in mind yet... but go ahead and add it to your debt list."

Mystica chuckled softly. "Consider it added."

There was silence for a brief moment before Liam spoke.

"You said you had something to tell me?" He asked calmly.

"I do," Mystica replied in a composed tone. "It might sound a little off to you, but you'll have to go along with it."

Liam cracked one eye open, head still leaned back. "Is this one of those things where we have to make another deal?"

Mystica smirked. "Seraphina's class is definitely starting to shape the way you think. That's good."

She leaned back. "But no. This time, you don't get a choice."

Liam sighed and finally brought his head upright. "Alright. I'm listening."

"Good. Before I get to the main point, there's some history you need to understand," she said, her voice steady. "Back when the Blood Demons were wiping out the dark magic users, both the Solara and Crescent Kingdoms stood by. They saw your kind as monsters too—demons cloaked in human skin."

Liam didn't react, but the room felt heavier.

"But there was one kingdom that didn't turn its back. Tempest. King Rature opened his borders to the dark magic survivors who sought refuge. The people didn't object—until their own began dying. Even then, the king didn't back down. He tried to help them fight, even stood beside them in battle. But in the end, it wasn't enough."

She paused before continuing. "Today, most of Tempest still hates dark magic users. But the Royal Family... they're different. Especially the Queen."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "So... are you saying Chris could handle my secret, or what?"

Mystica scoffed. "No. Definitely not. Neither could his father, the King. But the Queen can. Lucy Rature—the daughter of the former king. The one with true royal blood."

Liam's eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait. Don't tell me... I've been summoned by the Queen?"

Mystica nodded. "Yes. With everything happening around Sylvathar, your ability to detect hybrids is invaluable. The alliance between the three kingdoms is moving forward, and I had no choice but to tell her about you."

"Well, that's convenient," Liam muttered, rubbing his eye again. "So this semester's probably not going to be mine like the last one, huh?"

"Can't say for certain yet, but... probably not," she replied.

Liam let out a breath. 'Wonderful. Just what I needed. More people dictating my life.' The thought lingered in his mind like a sour aftertaste. 'Being controlled... I hate it.'

He straightened up. "But wait—you said Solara and Crescent turned their backs on my kind. If Queen Lucy's making an alliance with them, doesn't that mean I'll be dragged into their conversations?"

"You're right to worry," Mystica said, "but Lucy's not about to risk your life. She's been hoping for years to meet another dark magic user. She respects what you are, Liam.

"Tomorrow, the three kingdoms will meet to finalize the alliance. Lucy has a plan to use you to find the hybrids—without revealing you to the other rulers. So, for now, you're safe."

"I see. That's... mildly reassuring," Liam said. "But just so you know—my demands, and your debts, just went up. Queen or not, my service to this kingdom doesn't come free." His tone remained casual, almost lazy.

Mystica raised a brow and smirked. "Is that so? Fine, we'll talk about your terms after you meet the Queen."

"Good. Then I guess we're done here." Liam stood, hands sliding into his pockets. "Gotta get back to class."

"Hold on," Mystica said, finishing the last of her wine as she stood and walked toward him. She stopped just in front of him. "Close your eyes."

Liam blinked. "Why?"

"Stop being so rigid. I'm trying to help you," she said.

He stared at her for a beat before relenting, closing his eyes.

Mystica lifted her right hand, hovering it just inches from his face. A soft hum of energy filled the air as a glowing green sigil formed between her palm and Liam's skin. A soothing wave of myst washed over him—rushing through his body, dissolving the dull ache in his head, the sting in his eyes, and the heavy fatigue weighing him down.

As the sigil faded, Mystica turned and began walking back to her seat.

Liam opened his eyes slowly. The pain was gone. He felt light. Clear.

"Well... looks like you just paid off a bit of your debt. Thanks."

"You're definitely picking up too much from Seraphina's class," Mystica said with a smirk over her shoulder. "And don't forget—you owe me too."

"I know," Liam said. "I was just waiting for you to bring it up. Anyway, I'll need a portal out of here."

"Tricky bastard," Mystica teased as she conjured a swirling magical portal beside him. "See you later. Now get going."

"Yeah, later." Liam said, stepping through the portal and vanishing.

***

Liam stepped through the portal, emerging just outside the academy halls. The air felt lighter, his body no longer burdened by fatigue. He adjusted his collar and sighed. "Meeting a queen... great." With hands in his pockets, he began walking toward the training hall, mind already shifting gears. If this alliance fell through, things would get messy fast at the end. And he knew he was going to be at the center of it all.