The Lunar Crest Academy: Marked by The Lycans
Chapter 124: Unspoken Terror

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Unspoken Terror

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The iron bar doors clanged shut behind Adrian Vale with a finality that echoed through the stone corridors like a death sentence. The dungeon was damp, the scent of mildew thick in the air, and chains clinked with every breath he took as his wrists remained bound above him.

He groaned softly, blood trickling from the corner of his lip where one of the guards had struck him during the march down here.

"I’m not part of the Crimson Hunt," he repeated for what felt like the hundredth time, his voice raspy but steady. "You’ve made a mistake. You’re arresting the wrong person."

Magnus Thorn stood just beyond the bars, arms crossed, a flicker of both interest and boredom behind his cold eyes.

"We’ll investigate that... later," Magnus said flatly. "Right now, you were named by a suspected crimson hunt associate, we will see what the truth is once we dig deeper, but for now, you will be locked up here."

With that, Magnus turned and left, heavy boots echoing away until the only sounds were Adrian’s breath and the faint dripping of water from the ceiling.

But Astrid Voss didn’t leave.

She remained where she stood, quiet, almost too quiet, until she stepped closer, her heels tapping sharply on the stone.

"I heard what you said to Lorraine," she said, her tone smooth and cutting. "You told her to find the Ghosthound."

Adrian blinked up at her, confused but wary.

"So?" he replied, lifting his head as best he could. "It was just a name."

Astrid’s eyes narrowed.

"No one just says that name, Adrian. Most people in this academy don’t even know what that name means. So tell me, how the hell do you know it?"

Adrian smirked, even though the pain in his jaw screamed at him for doing so. _{fr\eewe.bn(o)v\el.c(o)m}

"I read."

Astrid frowned.

"I read a lot," he continued. "And recently, while I was snooping around the Dark Archives, you know, that locked-off part of the academy library no one ever goes to?, I came across a very old book. Dusty. Bound in something that looked like dragonhide. It had no title."

He paused, watching Astrid for a reaction. She gave none.

"But inside that book, there was a passage. A legend. It spoke about the Ghosthound. A being of shadow and flame, wolf and wraith. Something ancient, powerful.... and apparently here, somewhere in this academy."

Astrid’s mouth tightened.

"Those books are restricted for a reason."

"Yeah, because they tell the truth," Adrian said. "And the truth is, this academy is cursed with secrets. Students are dying. Feral blood spills like rain and no one bats an eye. You want to know why I told Lorraine? Because she deserves to know. Because if my friends and I are going to survive whatever game this academy is playing..."

He leaned forward, the chains pulling taut.

"...then having the Ghosthound on our side would change everything and better our chances of survival."

Astrid studied him in silence, but her jaw ticked. Something about his words had struck a chord. A memory? A fear?

Or maybe a warning.

"You think the Ghosthound would help you?" she said finally, voice low. "You have no idea what you’re meddling with."

"No," Adrian replied, meeting her gaze with unwavering defiance. "But I’d rather take my chances with the Ghosthound than trust the academy’s lies."

Astrid didn’t say another word. She turned sharply and walked away, her coat sweeping behind her as she disappeared into the shadows.

Kieran’s POV

The sound of her breath hitching was the first thing I noticed. Subtle.... desperate.

Then Elise’s eyes fluttered open.

Felix was the first to reach her, nearly stumbling over himself to get to her bedside. "Elise," he breathed, collapsing to his knees as he grabbed her hand. Tears were streaming down his face, his voice cracking under the weight of fear and grief. "Elise, it’s me. You’re safe now. You’re okay, you’re....."

She suddenly screamed.

The sound tore through the room like a blade.

Elise’s entire body convulsed as she shrieked and yanked her hand away, thrashing violently. Her eyes went wide with terror the moment they locked onto Felix, her head shaking in panicked denial. She tried to press herself into the headboard, nails scratching at the sheets, legs kicking beneath her, as if she could dig her way out of the bed.

"Elise?" Felix froze, visibly shattered. "What.... what’s wrong? It’s me. It’s Felix..."

But she wouldn’t stop screaming. Her voice, rasping and broken from days of unconsciousness, cracked and trembled, but it didn’t stop. The sound was raw, guttural. And the tears flowing down her face weren’t just tears of confusion or pain...

They were tears of fear.

"Felix," I said firmly, moving around the bed. "Step back. Now."

He didn’t move.

"Felix," I said again, sharper. I pushed past him and gently approached the side of the bed, hands raised slightly. Elise’s wild eyes shifted to me, but she didn’t scream. Her breathing was still ragged, but she didn’t push me away.

I sat beside her slowly.

"Elise," I said quietly, keeping my voice low and steady. "You’re safe. You’re in the academy hospital. You’re not alone. No one’s going to hurt you now, alright?"

She shook, the sobs wracking her small frame. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came. Just air. The result of a cruel silence carved by whoever had cut her tongue.

Her pain was loud even in her silence.

Felix moved again. "Elise, please...."

She screamed again, arms lashing out in fear.

I didn’t wait this time. "Varya," I snapped, and she was immediately by Felix’s side.

"Take him outside."

Felix looked at me like I had driven a dagger through his chest. "What? No, what are you talking about? I didn’t, she’s confused, she’s hurt. Kieran, I would never...."

"I know," I said. "Just go."

Varya led him out, her hands firm on his arms. He didn’t fight, but the look in his eyes.... it wasn’t defeat. It was devastation.

Once the door clicked shut behind them, I turned back to Elise.

Her body trembled violently, but she didn’t scream anymore. She watched me. Her eyes were glassy, overflowing.

"Elise," I said gently. "Everything that happened to you... the pain, the chains, the wolfsbane. The person who did that... was it Felix?"

She hesitated.

And then, slowly... shakily...

She nodded.