Chapter Eighteen

The Journey to Lux Arcana

The road stretched long and dark beneath the moonlit sky as Cassian, Selmira, and Kaelor left Louisiana, heading toward Washington and the heart of the Lux Arcana.

The air in the car was thick with unspoken tension.

Cassian sat in the passenger seat, his fingers tapping an anxious rhythm against his knee. Selmira drove, her sharp eyes locked on the road ahead, her focus unwavering. Kaelor, sprawled in the back seat, had been the only one to break the silence since they’d left New Orleans. However, even his usual lightheartedness was dulled by the weight of what they were walking into.

“Remind me again why we’re driving across the entire country instead of teleporting?” Kaelor drawled, stretching his arms behind his head. “Seems like a waste of good magic.”

“Because,” Selmira said, not taking her eyes off the road, “we’re trying not to draw attention. Showing up in Lux Arcana through a portal might as well be announcing our arrival to the whole damn city. The Thalrasi could track the energy signature.”

Kaelor sighed, rolling his head to the side. “Yeah, yeah. But a three-day road trip? Come on.”

Cassian ignored them both. His mind was elsewhere.

The attack on Lux Arcana had happened fast. Too fast. The Thalrasi weren’t wasting time, which meant they were running out of it, too.

His gaze flickered to the glove compartment, where Elira’s note lay folded between maps. He had read her message twenty times since they’d left, and the reality of what they were about to do sank deeper each time.

He would walk into Lux Arcana, Ronan’s stronghold, and enemy territory.

And he still didn’t know if they’d make it out alive.

“You’re thinking too much again,” Selmira muttered, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

Cassian turned his head, catching her gaze for a moment in the reflection of the rearview mirror. “I think just enough.”

She arched a brow. “Uh-huh. Sure. And that’s why you’ve been staring at nothing for the past hour?”

Kaelor snorted. “He’s thinking about how much Ronan is going to want to kill him. Which, honestly, fair.”

Cassian exhaled sharply. “Not helping, Kaelor.”

Kaelor grinned. “Wasn’t trying to.”

Selmira sighed. “Look, we all know this isn’t exactly a warm invitation. But we’re not walking in there unarmed. Elira vouched for us. That’s something.”

Cassian nodded but didn’t respond. He wasn’t worried about getting inside. He was concerned about what happened after.

“Just keep your heads down when we get there,” he said finally, voice lower than before. “We’re already on thin ice. One wrong move, and we won’t make it to the meeting.”

Kaelor hummed, stretching lazily. “Then let’s hope Ronan’s in a forgiving mood.”

Cassian seriously doubted that.

Outside, the highway stretched on, the neon glow of gas stations and late-night diners passing in brief flashes as they pressed on toward Lux Arcana.

Toward whatever awaited them on the other side.

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The Tour of Lux Arcana

Elysia followed Ronan through the grand corridors of the Lux Arcana, her boots echoing against the smooth stone floor. She had seen pieces of this place before—the training rooms, the war rooms, the safe floors—but she hadn’t seen it as a whole.

She hadn’t seen it as his.

Ronan walked beside her, his hands in his pockets, his usual air of authority softened by something quieter.

“I told you I built this with all of us in mind,” he said as they stepped through towering, gold-trimmed doors. “Now, I get to show you what that means.”

The doors opened, revealing the grand casino floor.

The Grand Casino Floor – The Heart of Lux Arcana

Elysia blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer spectacle of it all.

The vast space was bathed in golden light, chandeliers floating overhead, casting a warm glow over the opulent tables below. The scent of aged whiskey, expensive cigars, and magic lingered in the air. Both human and supernatural, Patrons moved through the space with purpose—some gambling fortunes, others trading whispers of power.

Elysia’s gaze flickered to the warded VIP section, where high-profile figures lounged in plush, private alcoves, their conversations hushed but tense.

“This is what most people see when they think of Lux Arcana,” Ronan said. “But this?” He met her gaze. “This is just the surface.”

They moved past the casino floor, ascending the curved staircase to the upper levels.

The Second & Third Levels – Indulgence & Operations

Elysia’s eyes widened as they entered a high-end spa, where soft, enchanted music played, and supernatural healers worked their magic on weary patrons.

“Spas?” she asked, arching a brow.

Ronan smirked. “You think warriors don’t need recovery?” He nodded toward one of the private treatment rooms. “Some of the best healers on the continent work here. Some use magic. Others use old-world potions. I wanted a place where our people could recover in more ways than one.”

Elysia nodded, understanding more than she had expected. She had spent years feeling like she had to be strong every second of every day—she hadn’t thought about recovery.

They moved past several high-end restaurants, the scent of charred steak and spiced wine filling the air. Then, past private offices, where Ronan’s most trusted allies worked behind illusion-sealed doors.

“This is where we plan,” he said. “Where Nyx, Dorian, Astrid, and I make sure we’re always one step ahead.”

Elysia glanced inside one of the open rooms, spotting maps, surveillance feeds, and stacks of enchanted documents. The weight of it settled in her chest.

This wasn’t just a casino.

It was a war machine.

The Two Wings – Residential & Guest

They passed through a hidden corridor, and suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.

Gone was the luxury of the casino floor. The space was quieter, the halls broader, lined with intricately carved doors.

“This is the Residential Wing,” Ronan explained. “Everyone who works for Lux Arcana, everyone in the resistance who has nowhere else to go—they live here.”

Elysia looked at the doors, noting the small charms and runes carved into each one. These were personalized wards, marks of ownership and identity.

“You built them a home,” she murmured.

Ronan exhaled. “They needed one.”

She turned to him, studying the quiet intensity in his expression. He was so different from the ruthless leader people assumed him to be. He hadn’t just built a fortress. He had built a sanctuary.

They moved through a mirrored passage leading into the Guest Wing.

“These rooms are for the supernatural elite. Humans, too, if they can pay for it.” He shrugged. “Some come for protection. Some come for power. Some come because there’s no place safer than Lux Arcana.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Elysia frowned. “And they don’t know what’s happening beneath them?”

Ronan’s smirk was sharp. “Some suspect. But it doesn’t matter. As long as they pay their way, we let them believe what they want.”

She didn’t miss the ruthless edge in his tone. Lux Arcana gave sanctuary—but at a price.

The Subterranean Levels – The Resistance Stronghold

They descended a narrow, spiral staircase leading them into the depths of Lux Arcana.

The temperature dropped. The air grew heavier, thicker with magic.

Elysia stiffened as they reached the bottom, stepping into a space completely separate from the world above.

“Here,” Ronan said, voice lower, “is where the real work happens.”

She took it all in—the guest safe rooms, hidden beneath layers of protection, warded to keep even the most potent beings inside.

The war rooms are lined with enchanted maps and flickering screens, displaying Thalrasi’s real-time movements.

The training grounds, where warriors sparred under dim lighting, their weapons crafted of silver and spell-forged steel.

And finally, the armory—a massive, reinforced chamber lined with blades, firearms, and relics of untold power.

Elysia swallowed. This wasn’t just a stronghold.

It was a declaration of war.

She turned back to Ronan. “This is what you built?”

He nodded. No hesitation.

“For all of us,” he said. “For you. For me. For everyone they tried to erase.”

Elysia exhaled, her fingers brushing against one of the weapon racks.

“And now we fight back.”

Ronan’s smirk returned, but it was softer now. “Now, we make sure we win.”

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Preparing for the Unknown

The moment the tour ended, Elysia bolted toward her suite, eager to change for training. Despite her exhaustion from yesterday’s session with Ash, she felt different now. Seeing Lux Arcana in its entirety had solidified something inside her. This wasn’t just a place of refuge—it was a war machine, and she was a part of it.

She would be ready.

No more hiding. No more hesitation.

As she rushed down the corridor, the energy of Lux Arcana pulsed around her. The walls, lined with enchantments, thrummed with unseen power. She passed warriors sparring in an open training hall, their weapons clashing in bursts of silver and steel. She saw resistance members gathered around maps, whispering about the next move against the Thalrasi.

She was part of this now.

And she would not be left behind.

She reached her suite, yanking open her wardrobe and pulling out a fresh training outfit. As she changed, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her body was sore from yesterday’s training, and her mind burned with unanswered questions. But none of that mattered. What mattered was getting stronger.

With one last deep breath, she turned on her heel and disappeared out the door, ready for whatever Ash had planned next.

Meanwhile, Ronan, Dorian, and Nyx stood in the war room, reviewing final security preparations. The guests from Louisiana were due to arrive within the hour.

A large, enchanted map of Lux Arcana and its surrounding forest was spread across the long mahogany table, its surface glowing faintly as magical sigils flickered across it. The main entrance, side tunnels, and hidden escape routes were all marked, and every point of interest was reinforced with layers of protective spells. The air in the room was thick with tension.

“The wards are set,” Nyx reported, adjusting the small enchanted dagger at her hip. “If any of them are Thalrasi, they won’t make it past the threshold.”

Dorian exhaled, swirling his glass of whiskey. He lounged in his chair, but his gaze was sharp, his usual smirk more subdued. “And if they aren’t Thalrasi? What’s the plan then?”

Ronan leaned against the long conference table, his amber eyes sharp, unreadable. “Then we see what they want. But we trust no one. Not yet.”

Nyx crossed her arms. “We have to assume they know more than they’re telling us. No one just finds Lux Arcana. Someone pointed them in our direction.”

Dorian set his glass down with a soft clink. “I assume that means no introductions to Elysia?”

Ronan’s jaw clenched slightly. “Not until I’m certain they’re not a threat.”

Dorian tilted his head. “That could take time. You know she’s going to ask.”

Ronan exhaled through his nose. “I’ll handle Elysia.”

Nyx arched a brow. “And if they are a threat?”

Ronan’s expression didn’t change. “Then they don’t leave Lux Arcana. Ever.”

Silence stretched between them, the moment’s weight settling over the room. The truth was, none of them knew what was coming. The Thalrasi had made their move. Now, it was their turn.

Dorian leaned back in his chair, considering, before letting out a low chuckle raising his drink. “Well then. Let’s welcome our new guests.”

As if on cue, a soft chime echoed through the war room. The security feeds flickered, showing a black SUV approaching the private road leading up to Lux Arcana’s hidden entrance.

Nyx exhaled, cracking her knuckles. “Showtime.”

Outside, storm clouds gathered, rolling in over the ocean. The wind picked up, carrying the scent of rain and something else—the unmistakable weight of destiny.

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The True Prophecy

The black SUV rolled to a slow stop just outside Lux Arcana’s hidden entrance, its tires crunching against the gravel. Cassian, Selmira, and Kaelor stepped out, immediately greeted by several armed enforcers. Their glowing sigil-lined armor and motionless stance gave away nothing of their thoughts. Still, the tension in the air was palpable.

Cassian kept his posture relaxed, but his senses were on high alert. They were being watched—not just by the guards but by something else.

Nyx and Dorian waited at the grand entrance, flanking Ronan, who stood like a silent storm against the backdrop of the sea cliffs. His amber eyes burned, unreadable, as Cassian approached.

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind and distant crashing waves.

Then Ronan spoke, his voice a quiet warning.

“Why are you here?”

Cassian met his gaze evenly. “Because we don’t have much time. And because you and Elysia deserve the truth.”

Nyx tilted her head, studying him like a puzzle she had yet to solve. “What truth?”

Cassian exhaled, glancing toward Selmira and Kaelor before focusing on Ronan. He had to do this carefully.

“The prophecy the Thalrasi have spread, the one they used to justify centuries of war? It’s a lie.”

Dorian chuckled darkly, arms crossed over his chest. “And you expect us to believe that?”

Cassian’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t expect anything. But I know the truth. The real legend was buried deep within Thalrasi strongholds, hidden so well that most of them don’t even know it exists.”

Ronan narrowed his eyes. “Then tell us what it says.”

Cassian inhaled slowly, knowing there would be no turning back once the words left his mouth.

“The legend the Thalrasi fear is not about their rise to power. It’s about their downfall.” His voice was steady, deliberate. “They twisted the prophecy to convince their warriors that the Eclipsed One and the Phoenix were a threat to the world. That if you were allowed to live, all would be lost. But that’s not what it says.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Cassian continued, his voice edged with certainty. “The real prophecy foretold that when the Phoenix returns, and the Eclipsed One stands beside her, the old order will crumble. The war that the Thalrasi began will finally end. Not in their victory, but in their annihilation.”

The room went still.

Nyx’s expression darkened. Dorian sat up slightly straighter, swirling his whiskey but saying nothing.

Ronan finally spoke, his voice quieter this time but no less lethal.

“They’re afraid of us.”

Cassian nodded. “More than anything. That’s why they’ve spent centuries trying to erase Elysia from history, why they tried to kill you as a child. They knew that if you lived long enough to meet her, people would start asking questions. They knew the prophecy would come to light.”

He let out a slow breath. “That’s why killing you both is their top priority.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. The weight and the enormity of what had just been spoken could not be ignored.

Selmira shifted slightly, stepping forward. “Not all of the Thalrasi believe in their cause, Ronan. There’s a resistance within their ranks. A small one, but growing. They want the truth to come out.”

Cassian nodded. “That’s where I come in. My job is to make sure you and Elysia stay alive long enough for that to happen.”

Ronan studied him for a long moment, his wolf’s instincts reading everything beneath the surface.

“Then prove it,” he finally said, voice edged with warning. “Because if you’re lying, you won’t leave Lux Arcana alive.”

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The True Prophecy

The black SUV rolled to a slow stop just outside Lux Arcana’s hidden entrance, its tires crunching against the gravel. Cassian, Selmira, and Kaelor stepped out, immediately greeted by several armed enforcers. Their glowing sigil-lined armor and motionless stance gave away nothing of their thoughts. Still, the tension in the air was palpable.

Cassian kept his posture relaxed, but his senses were on high alert. They were being watched—not just by the guards but by something else.

Nyx and Dorian waited at the grand entrance, flanking Ronan, who stood like a silent storm against the backdrop of the sea cliffs. His amber eyes burned, unreadable, as Cassian approached.

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind and distant crashing waves.

Then Ronan spoke, his voice a quiet warning.

“Why are you here?”

Cassian met his gaze evenly. “Because we don’t have much time. And because you and Elysia deserve the truth.”

Nyx tilted her head, studying him like a puzzle she had yet to solve. “What truth?”

Cassian exhaled, glancing toward Selmira and Kaelor before focusing on Ronan. He had to do this carefully.

“The prophecy the Thalrasi have spread, the one they used to justify centuries of war? It’s a lie.”

Dorian chuckled darkly, arms crossed over his chest. “And you expect us to believe that?”

Cassian’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t expect anything. But I know the truth. The real legend was buried deep within Thalrasi strongholds, hidden so well that most of them don’t even know it exists.”

Ronan narrowed his eyes. “Then tell us what it says.”

Cassian inhaled slowly, knowing there would be no turning back once the words left his mouth.

“The legend the Thalrasi fear is not about their rise to power. It’s about their downfall.” His voice was steady, deliberate. “They twisted the prophecy to convince their warriors that the Eclipsed One and the Phoenix were a threat to the world. That if you were allowed to live, all would be lost. But that’s not what it says.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Cassian continued, his voice edged with certainty. “The real prophecy foretold that when the Phoenix returns, and the Eclipsed One stands beside her, the old order will crumble. The war that the Thalrasi began will finally end. Not in their victory, but in their annihilation.”

The room went still.

Nyx’s expression darkened. Dorian sat up slightly straighter, swirling his whiskey but saying nothing.

Ronan finally spoke, his voice quieter this time but no less lethal.

“They’re afraid of us.”

Cassian nodded. “More than anything. That’s why they’ve spent centuries trying to erase Elysia from history, why they tried to kill you as a child. They knew that if you lived long enough to meet her, people would start asking questions. They knew the prophecy would come to light.”

He let out a slow breath. “That’s why killing you both is their top priority.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. The weight and the enormity of what had just been spoken could not be ignored.

Selmira shifted slightly, stepping forward. “Not all of the Thalrasi believe in their cause, Ronan. There’s a resistance within their ranks. A small one, but growing. They want the truth to come out.”

Cassian nodded. “That’s where I come in. My job is to make sure you and Elysia stay alive long enough for that to happen.”

Ronan studied him for a long moment, his wolf’s instincts reading everything beneath the surface.

“Then prove it,” he finally said, voice edged with warning. “Because if you’re lying, you won’t leave Lux Arcana alive.”