Crimson Bonds

Chapter 63: A Betrayal Unveiled

The tension in the Council chambers was suffocating. The air buzzed with the weight of distrust, the once-unified supernatural factions now splintering under the strain of secrets and the looming threat of the Leviathans. Babe stood beside Billy, his hand wrapped tightly around Billy's wrist, sensing the storm that was about to break.

"You can feel it, can't you?" Babe whispered, his voice laced with unease. The dark energy hanging in the air was unmistakable, its source hidden somewhere within the very people they had trusted.

Billy's jaw tightened.  "Something isn't right."

The Council members argued, their voices rising as the accusations began to fly. Elara, the ancient witch who had always tried to guide them, now stood at the heart of the chamber, desperately trying to restore order. But the factions were too far gone—whispers of betrayal, of corruption, filled the space.

"I'm telling you," one of the Council members shouted, slamming his hand down on the table, "they've hidden the truth about the prophecy! Babe and Billy's child is a danger to all of us!"

Billy's grip tightened on Babe's hand, and he felt the tension ripple through him. It was all unraveling. He had known that the Leviathan energy still lingered, still had a foothold, but seeing it corrupt someone so deeply shook him. And now, the Council members' fear of their child was becoming more than just whispers—it was a direct attack.

As the room descended into chaos, a voice cut through the shouting, cold and measured. "Enough."

The chamber fell silent, all eyes turning to the figure who had spoken. Draven, one of the eldest vampires on the Council, stepped forward. His gaze was sharp, his presence commanding. For years, Draven had been a neutral voice in the Council, but something in his eyes now spoke of deeper motives.

"It's time we stop pretending," Draven said, his voice low but filled with venom. "The Leviathan influence hasn't been eradicated. It's alive and well." His eyes flickered toward Babe and Billy. "And it's tied to them."

Babe's breath caught in his throat. He could feel the weight of the accusation settling on his chest. This was it—the betrayal they had sensed, the one that could destroy everything they had fought for.

Billy stepped forward, his voice firm. "What are you trying to say, Draven?"

Draven's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "The prophecy spoke of a child with power great enough to either seal the Leviathans or unleash them. You've hidden the truth about your child's role in this, and now we're all paying the price."

Babe's heart pounded. "That's not true—"

"You knew," Draven interrupted, his voice rising. "You knew the Leviathans would use your child, and you let it happen."

The room exploded into shouts again, Council members taking sides, some in defense of Billy and Babe, others agreeing with Draven's accusations. The factions were splitting, and the balance of power teetered on the edge.

In the chaos, Billy's eyes never left Draven. He could see it now—the way the dark energy clung to Draven, the way it twisted his words, his motives. The Leviathans hadn't just influenced Draven; they had corrupted him completely.

Babe moved closer to Billy, his voice low and urgent. "This is what they wanted—to divide us."

Billy nodded, his voice tight. "And they're succeeding."

Before either of them could react, Draven stepped forward, pulling something from within his cloak—an ancient artifact, its surface pulsing with dark energy. The room went deathly quiet, all eyes on the relic that seemed to hum with power.

"This artifact," Draven said, his voice like a cold wind, "was created by the Patchanon family. It's the key to controlling the Leviathans' energy. But instead of using it to stop them, your family tried to hide it."

Billy's stomach dropped. He had heard rumors of such an artifact, but its existence had always been shrouded in secrecy, even within his own family. And now, in Draven's hands, it felt like the final piece of a dark puzzle.

"If you truly want to protect this world," Draven continued, his eyes locking with Billy's, "you'll use this artifact to harness the power of the Leviathans and control it. But if you refuse, you'll be allowing that power to destroy us all."

Babe's grip on Billy's hand tightened. "We can't trust him," Babe whispered. "That artifact... it's been tainted."

Billy's mind raced. The decision he faced was impossible—use the artifact and risk corrupting their child's power, or destroy it and leave the world vulnerable to the Leviathans' lingering influence. It was a no-win situation, and the weight of it pressed down on him.

"I won't let you do this," Billy said, his voice firm.

Draven's eyes narrowed. "Then you're condemning us all."

Suddenly, the air around them crackled with energy, and the room plunged into chaos. Draven moved to activate the artifact, but before he could, Babe stepped forward, his blood magic surging to the surface.

"No!" Babe shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.

The ground beneath them trembled as Babe's power collided with the dark energy radiating from the artifact. For a moment, the room seemed to freeze in time, the magic swirling between them like a storm about to break.

Billy was at Babe's side in an instant, his hand on Babe's shoulder, grounding him. "We're in this together," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos erupting around them.

Babe nodded, focusing his energy. Together, they faced Draven, their combined strength pushing back against the darkness.

But the battle was far from over.