Chapter 463: He’s Obsessed With Me

"And the other forty percent?" Lilith asked, though she already knew the answer.

"They’ve decided you’re too dangerous," Dorian said. "That the risk of you becoming more powerful outweighs the risk of the curse transferring if the direct line ends. So they’re joining Keres’s attack. They’re going to help him destroy Blackwood estate and eliminate you before you can threaten the family."

Silence fell over the hall.

Lilith felt something cold settle in her chest. Her own family. Blood relatives. Coming to kill her because they were afraid of what she might become.

"How many?" Sebastian asked.

"Twenty witches," Dorian said. "Powerful ones. Second branch has been gathering strength while the direct line died off. They’re not as strong as direct descendants, but they’re skilled. Coordinated. And they’re bringing artifacts. Magical weapons specifically designed to counter Morvaine gifts."

"Weapons that can disrupt bonds," Victoria said quietly. "I’ve heard of them. Haven’t seen one used in decades but....yes. The second branch would have them. Legacy items from before the split."

"So we’re facing a vampire lord who slaughtered an entire coven," Lucian said, ticking threats off on his fingers. "Coordinated demon brokers. Dark covens. And twenty witches from Lilith’s own family. All attacking simultaneously."

"In three days," Dorian confirmed. "Keres has set the timeline. He wants Elena. He’s willing to coordinate with factions he normally wouldn’t touch to get her. And he’s given them all three days to prepare and mobilize."

"Why three days?" Lilith asked. "Why not attack immediately?"

"He wants you weakened," Dorian said. "Wants you to spend three days dreading the attack. Preparing defenses. Exhausting yourselves with training and fortification. He’s hoping by the time the attack comes, you’ll be mentally and physically depleted."

"Psychological warfare," Elena said quietly. "Make us afraid. Make us second-guess. Make us so focused on preparing that we don’t think clearly."

"Exactly," Dorian said.

Sebastian looked at Lucian. Then at Lilith. "We need to make a decision. About Dorian’s offer. About accepting help from the second branch."

"The ones who aren’t coming to kill us, you mean," Lucian said.

"Yes," Sebastian said. "The sixty percent who want to help. Do we accept their reinforcements? Or do we refuse and face this alone?"

"How many reinforcements?" Victoria asked Dorian.

"Thirty witches," Dorian said. "Combat specialists. Ward crafters. Healers. And me. I’ll fight alongside you if you accept the alliance."

"Why?" Lilith asked. Looking at Dorian directly. "Why are you doing this? Your bride is dead. You have no obligation to my family. Why risk yourself?"

Dorian was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Because Celeste believed in the direct line. Believed the Morvaines who carried the curse were the true leaders of the family. And before she died, she made me promise that if anyone from the direct line ever needed help....I would give it. So I’m honoring her last wish."

He looked at Lilith with something like respect.

"And because you’re not what Keres and the hostile branch think you are," Dorian continued. "You’re not a monster or a weapon. You’re a woman trying to survive impossible circumstances. And I’ve seen how you fight. How you saved Elena’s life during the demon attack. How you’re training to master power that would destroy most witches. You deserve the chance to live. So I’m offering help."

Lilith felt unexpected emotion tighten her throat.

"We accept," Lilith said. Looking at Sebastian and Lucian for confirmation.

Sebastian nodded. "We accept. But Dorian....we’re not pawns. We’re not letting the second branch dictate how we fight or what we do with Lilith after. This is an alliance of equals."

"Understood," Dorian said. "And be aware....some of the reinforcements will be testing you, Lilith. Seeing if you’re worthy to eventually lead House Morvaine. The direct line carries the legacy. If you survive this, if you master your power, the second branch will look to you for leadership. So they need to know you’re strong enough for that role."

"I’m not interested in leading House Morvaine," Lilith said.

"You may not have a choice," Victoria said quietly. "If you’re the last direct descendant standing, if Thalia is neutralized and I’m dead from corruption, you become the head of the family by default. And the second branch will expect you to guide them. To use your power to break the curse that threatens all Morvaine blood."

"One crisis at a time," Lucian said. "First we survive Keres and the attack. Then we worry about family politics."

"Agreed," Dorian said. "The reinforcements arrive tomorrow morning. I’ll bring them here. We’ll have two days to coordinate defenses and prepare strategy before the attack."

"And Elena?" Sebastian asked. Looking at the priestess. "Keres is coming for you. What do you want to do?"

Elena’s expression was complicated. Guilt and determination warring with each other.

"I won’t run," Elena said finally. "I won’t abandon Lilith and this pack because a monster is hunting me. Keres will come whether I’m here or not, he’s using Lilith as bait but he wants to destroy her too. So I stay. I fight. And if I get a chance to end him...." Her voice turned cold. Absolutely lethal. "I take it. For my coven. For the four years I’ve spent running. For everything he took from me."

"Then we plan for that," Sebastian said. "We use Keres’s obsession against him. Draw him in. Create an opportunity for Elena to strike."

"Dangerous," Dorian warned. "Keres is old. Powerful. He’s survived centuries by being paranoid and ruthless. Getting close enough to kill him will be nearly impossible."

"But not completely impossible," Elena said. Her eyes glowing faintly with white light. "And I’ve spent four years planning how I’d kill him if I ever got the chance. I know his weaknesses. His blind spots. The one thing he cares about more than anything else."

"Which is?" Lucian asked.

"Me," Elena said simply. "He’s obsessed. Has been since the moment he decided I belonged to him. That obsession makes him dangerous. But it also makes him predictable. If I’m in danger....real, immediate danger, he’ll come himself. He won’t delegate. He won’t stay back and let others fight. He’ll come to save me."