Chapter 294
AURORA
The woods brooded, a dark ocean of shadows and tangles. The air inside was damp with the faintest scent of moss and decay. The undergrowth crashed harshly against my boots, while every step fell with resolution and fear. Beside me, Evelyn walked wordlessly, her face a mask of determination, though I could glimpse tension in her facial lines.
“Keep your wits about you,” I whispered to her slowly. “We don’t know what’s coming for us.”
She silently followed, along with the warriors who came with me, each having volunteered for this mission, knowing full well the dangers. Still, I couldn’t shake that nagging voice in my head telling me I was walking them into an ambush.
My thoughts drifted back to Dane, lying pale and still in his quarters. His weak voice replayed in my mind: Don’t leave me. The memory twisted my heart, guilt and frustration warring within me.
Trajan broke the silence. “You’re quieter than usual.”
I glanced at him, the concern in his eyes piercing through my defenses. “Just thinking.”
“About him?”
I didn’t answer, but the tightening of my grip on my dagger was enough of a response.
“He’s tough, Aurora,” Trajan said gently. “If anyone can fight through this, it’s him.”
“I agree with Trajan, don’t worry much about him,” Evelyn added as she nudged me slightly.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Let’s hope so.”
With every step we made, the forest grew denser; the canopy blotted out most of the moonlight above. Darkness danced across our path, and every time a twig snapped, I felt my heart jump. Then one of the warriors muttered, “We’re being watched.”
“I know,” I replied, using the same words but in a totally different tone, a shiver running down my spine.
A sudden whistle of air was the only warning before a trap was sprung. A net launched from the ground, ensnaring one of our group and hoisting him into the air.
“Hold still!” Trajan shouted, rushing to cut the ropes, freeing the warrior.
I scanned the area, my senses on high alert. “This isn’t random. They knew we’d come.”
“Of course they did,” Evelyn muttered, looking around. “The question is, how ready for us are they?”
We walked more carefully then, the tension growing thick between us. My mind raced with thoughts, each heavier by the minute. I couldn’t lose Dane. Not like this.
Trajan’s voice cut into my thoughts again. “You’re not just doing this for him, are you?”
His gaze locked on mine, and my breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
“It’s not about saving Dane, but you carry the future of this pack on your shoulders. You can’t afford to let your emotions cloud your judgment.”
I shook under his words, though I knew how right he was. “I know what’s at stake, Trajan. But don’t tell me not to care about him. He’s…” I caught myself, shaking my head.
“He’s what?”
“Everything,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Trajan nodded, his face softening. “Then let’s make sure we bring the antidote back.”
Evelyn was quiet, her eyes keen as she observed the area as we moved on. The forest was closing in around us. The distant drip of water indicated a stream nearby, and I signaled to stop and reorganize.
“This way,” I said, leading them toward the sound.
As we reached the stream, I saw a glow. I froze, gesturing for the others to stop.
“What is it?” Trajan whispered.
I gestured ahead, and through the trees a small campsite flickered into view. Firelight danced across the treetops, throwing weird shadows, and around the fire were wolves, armed and watchful.
Then I saw her.
Kaida stood in the middle of the camp, bow in hand, relaxed. Her curvy figure was wrapped in her golden armor, her movements as fluid as the flames dancing behind her. She turned, and her dark eyes locked onto mine, a slow smirk spreading across her face.
“Well, well,” she drawled, a mocking edge to her voice. “Look who decided to join the party.”
My heart raced as she raised her bow, the arrow glinting sinisterly in the firelight.
“You came to beg?” she jeered, the edge in her voice acid with scorn.
The army behind her stirred, their eyes on us. My hand clamped hard on my dagger, and I stepped forward, meeting her gaze with all the resolution I could summon.
“Hardly,” I said, chillingly. “We’re here for the antidote.”
And then, laughter sliced through the tense air, its sharp, cruel edge cutting like a knife.
“And what makes you think I’ll give it to you?” she said, the words dripping with disgust.
Evelyn stepped forward. “Because if you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.” Her voice was even, but my heart thundered against my ribs.
Kaida cocked her head, the faint amusement in her eyes fluttering into something colder. “Oh, Luna keeper,” she said, stretching out the title with deliberate disdain, “you’re out of your depth.”
Behind her, the army stirred, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons, their eyes fixed on us. I glanced briefly at Trajan, who gave a slight nod, his hand tightening on his blade.
“We’ll see about that,” I said, stepping forward beside Evelyn. My voice sounded very confident, even as my stomach curled in a knot.
Kaida’s smirk deepened, and her bow dropped just a fraction, though the threat in her gaze didn’t soften. “This should be interesting,” she muttered, her voice dripping with mockery.
The fire crackled between us, the light casting dancing shadows across her face.
“You came all this way,” she went on, circling slowly, “desperate and outnumbered, hoping what? That I’d change my mind? Take pity on you and hand over the cure?”
“You underestimate us,” I shot back, meeting her tone with one of my own. “You are underestimating your leverage, overestimating it.”
She laughed, the sound weird.
“Bold words for a woman who’s so close to losing it all. Tell me, Luna, how far for him would you go? Where does your breaking point lie?”
I balled my fists and struggled against lashing out. “You’d find I don’t break that easily,” I replied, stepping closer.
She stopped, her smile not quite so wide. “Perhaps,” she said, more subdued, “but that is not to say you would not bend.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. The silence drew out, disturbed only by fire crackles and leaves rustling softly in the wind, until she leaned forward, lowering her voice almost to a whisper.
“Make your choice, Luna. Tick tock.”