Chapter 5 - The Woman in the Hidden CryptFrostmir's guards formed ranks.

Fifty enemies stood in the corridor.

The hunter stepped into the light.

“My name is Lucien Vale.”

Darius raised his sword.

“I don't care.”

Lucien smiled.

“You will.”

He looked at Alona.

“Because your mother asked me to find you.”

Alona's voice shook.

“You knew her?”

“Yes.”

“Did you kill her?”

Lucien's smile vanished.

“No.”

That answer hurt more than a lie.

Alona stared.

“Then where is she?”

Lucien did not respond.

Darius attacked.

The battle exploded.

Steel struck steel.

Fire flashed across the corridor.

The three baby dragons fought beside Alona despite their tiny size.

The golden dragon spat fire.

The black dragon summoned smoke.

The silver dragon bent the light around them.

The enemy soldiers screamed in confusion.

Alona suddenly realized something.

They weren't attacking her.

They were protecting her.

She ran toward the hidden staircase.

Darius followed.

“Where are you going?”

“My mother told me not to hatch the fourth.”

“That sounds like a reason to stay away.”

“I need to know why.”

They descended.

The deeper they went, the colder it became.

Strange symbols appeared on the walls.

Three dragons.

Then four.

Then only one.

A woman.

Alona's mother.

She stopped.

The hidden crypt was enormous.

At its center was a stone coffin.

Behind it stood a mural depicting the Dragon Mother.

Alona approached.

The face was unmistakably hers.

Not exactly.

Older.

More regal.

But the eyes.

The same.

Darius stared.

“This cannot be.”

Alona touched the mural.

A door opened.

Inside was a room preserved from centuries ago.

There was a wooden cradle.

A red cloak.

A metal pendant.

And a journal.

Alona opened it.

The first page contained one sentence.

If you are reading this, they have failed to kill you.

Her hands trembled.

She turned the page.

Your name is Alona Mercer. Your real name is Alona Whitlock.

She stopped breathing.

Darius stepped closer.

“Whitlock?”

“The royal family…”

“Yes.”

Her knees almost gave way.

She kept reading.

You are the hidden daughter of King Ronan's older brother.

Alona stared.

Ronan?

Her eyes filled with disbelief.

“No.”

Darius looked stunned.

She read on.

The throne was stolen. Your father was murdered. I took you and ran.

The room seemed to spin.

Then another line.

But blood is not the reason the dragons chose you.

Alona turned the page.

You carry the final blood of the First Dragon Mother.

Darius looked toward the three baby dragons.

The golden one pressed against Alona's leg.

She whispered.

“Why didn't anyone tell me?”

A voice answered from the darkness.

“Because I made them promise.”

Alona froze.

Darius drew his sword.

A figure stepped from the shadows.

A woman.

Silver hair.

Pale skin.

Blue eyes.

Alona dropped the journal.

“No…”

The woman smiled sadly.

“My little girl.”

Alona couldn't move.

“Mom?”

The woman walked forward.

“I am sorry.”

Alona's voice cracked.

“You're alive.”

“Yes.”

“You let me believe you were dead.”

“I had to.”

“Why?”

Her mother looked toward the floor.

“Because they were searching for the fourth egg.”

The heartbeat returned.

THOOM.

Everyone froze.

Lena's expression changed.

“It's awake.”

Darius looked at her.

“What is beneath the palace?”

Lena whispered one word.

“Your father.”

Alona's blood ran cold.

“My father is dead.”

Lena shook her head.

“No.”

“He was murdered.”

“He was…”

She looked at Alona.

“…bound.”

The fourth heartbeat sounded again.

THOOM.

Then the crypt door exploded.

Lucien entered.

His soldiers raised their weapons.

Lena immediately moved in front of Alona.

Lucien lowered his sword.

“Lena.”

“Leave.”

“No.”

His gaze shifted to Alona.

“You promised me she would never know.”

Lena looked furious.

“I promised to keep her alive.”

Lucien's eyes softened.

“Then you should tell her the rest.”

Alona stared at them.

“What rest?”

Neither spoke.

The golden dragon suddenly began trembling.

The black dragon hissed.

The silver dragon cried.

Then a voice echoed from beneath the crypt.

A man's voice.

Deep.

Broken.

Furious.

“Daughter.”

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Alona's heart stopped.

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