Page 138 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Jayce

As I observemy comrades slip beneath the murky surface, a wave of revulsion washes over me at the thought of plunging into the stagnant depths. The air is heavy with the scent of decay, and I can practically taste the musty, earthy odor that emanates from the water.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I watch as Aurora stands at the mouth of the tunnel, her gaze fixed on Klaus as he disappears beneath the surface. A shiver runs down her spine, visible even from a distance, as she contemplates the dark, forbidding waters before her.

In the dim light filtering through the trees, the water takes on an ominous hue, its surface rippling with unseen currents. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath, hidden from view but ever-present in the depths below.

“Need me to go first, my love?” I speak softly as I approach Aurora. She pivots to face me and smiles.

“I’m good, Jayce. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. My gut tells me Vladimir is in a tower watching everything. But for the lack of a better reason, we need to clear the castle out. I can’t stand to think that those leeches have infested my mother’s home allthese years.” Aurora’s beast makes itself known to punctuate her agitation.

“Then that’s what we shall do.” Gently, I caress her shoulder then pull her in close for a hug. My Queen, my love, my life, I would move heaven and hell for this woman in my arms. I may not be the warrior my brother is, but I’m deadly in my own rights.

Aurora looks up to me, and a smile slowly creeps its way across her crimson lips. Her eyes are that of her beast and slowly fade to their human steel-grey. “I love you, Jayce. Thank you for being my rock and my comfort.” I watch her raise up onto her tippy toes and place a feather-light kiss on my lips. I sigh softly at the emotionally tender moment and smile at her. “Let’s get going, love, time to fuck some shit up!” Aurora says as she starts to bounce her way over to the tunnel. There’s the take-no-prisoners mate I know and love.

As I watch Aurora gracefully slip beneath the surface of the water, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins. With a deep breath, I steel myself for what lies ahead and plunge into the cold embrace of the water below.

The sensation is jarring, the icy chill seeping into my bones as I begin to descend into the murky depths. My senses come alive as I immerse myself in this underwater world, my eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through the water.

Around me, the underwater landscape unfolds in a mesmerizing display of color and movement. Algae-covered walls line the tunnel, swaying gently in the current like ethereal dancers. Delicate underwater plants reach out with tendrils, their forms twisting and undulating in the water.

Amidst the foliage, tiny fish dart and weave, their shimmering scales catching the faint light. Their movements are swift and graceful, a testament to the vibrant life that thrives beneath the surface.

As we navigate the twisting tunnel, each bend revealing a new vista, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty that surrounds us. Despite the darkness and the chill of the water, there is a sense of serenity in this hidden world beneath the waves.

Eventually, we reach a small chamber, a sanctuary of sorts in the midst of our journey. With a sigh of relief, we surface, our lungs grateful for the precious air above.

As we hover in the cool night air, a sense of tranquility washes over us, a welcome respite from the tension that has gripped us for so long. Each breath we take is crisp and invigorating, the night air tinged with the scent of pine and earth. In the darkness, we can hear the faint rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Amidst the calm, we check in with our bond mates, the connection between us strong and reassuring. Arnulf’s voice cuts through the stillness, his words carrying a weight of authority and urgency. He confirms Aurora’s suspicions, informing us that Vladimir has indeed taken refuge in the eastern tower of the castle.

The news sends a shiver down my spine, a palpable sense of unease settling over me. But amidst the apprehension, there is also a glimmer of hope. Desi’s small group of Merlin Falcons have provided invaluable intel, their keen eyes spotting the figure of an aged man in the solitary tower.

As we digest this information, a sense of determination settles over us, driving us forward in our mission. With each passing moment, we draw closer to the confrontation that will determine the fate of our loved ones and our pack.

Aurora’s eyes flicker and glow; the crackle of purple energy races over her skin as well as a light sheen of frost. Aurora slowly turns and looks at all of us as she’s embraced by the ethereal glow. “The Wyvern has been removed from the equation, as well as most of the Lycan force. Our only remaining hurdle is howmany Strigoi are left roaming the grounds.” Aurora steeples her fingers in front of her, closes her eyes for a moment, and then opens them quickly.

“Once the castle is empty, I will raze the majority of the courtyard and outer towers to the ground with the help of the dragons. When it’s time, Jayce, love, I need you to summon all the venom-bearing wolves and Dom. We won’t leave Vladimir any possible escape route.” Aurora breathes in a slow, measured breath then smiles. Her beast’s vicious teeth have descended. “Vladimir is mine.” Our team nods slowly, agreeing with Aurora before we start to swim again.

As we navigate through the murky waters and navigate the labyrinthine caverns, the air grows thick with the scent of damp earth and mildew. The sound of our splashing footsteps echoes off of the stone walls, creating an eerie symphony that reverberates through the cavern.

Finally, we reach our destination: an old armory hidden deep within the depths of the cave. The air is heavy with the musty aroma of rust and decay, mingling with the metallic tang of old weapons. With each step, the water laps at our legs, sending ripples cascading through the dimly lit chamber.

Aurora’s movements are deliberate and purposeful as she surveys the remnants of the armory. The dim light casts long shadows across the room, adding to the sense of foreboding that hangs in the air. Despite the destruction wrought by years of neglect and moisture, the remnants of the armory still hold a haunting beauty.

As Aurora reaches under a ragged cloth, a glimmer of excitement dances in her eyes. With a sense of reverence, she retrieves two large maces from their resting place. The weight of the weapons feels solid and reassuring in my hands as she passes one to Klaus and the other to me.

In this moment, surrounded by the relics of a bygone era, I can’t help but feel a surge of determination. Armed with these ancient weapons, we stand ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead, united in our quest for justice and redemption.

“Arnulf, love, can you take a quick flight through the lower level and let us know what we’re dealing with down here?” Arnulf simply nods and starts to strip. I can’t get over the lithe planes of his body—he’s defined and sleek like most flight shifters. His skin is sun-kissed and bears very few visible scars. I hear Aurora giggle and realize that I’m busted; she’s caught me staring at Arnulf. Klaus also looks quite sheepish as he tries to act like he wasn’t looking either.

Out of all of us, I believe that Arnulf has the most beautiful shift. His bird seems to just emerge into existence, unlike the rest of us where our beasts break our bodies. Aurora is left holding Arnulf’s belongings while he goes and scouts ahead for us. We remain still standing in the knee-deep water. Every movement sends out ripples, traveling who knows how far through the water.

It seems like forever before Arnulf returns and shifts back to his human form. Aurora helps him dress before he starts speaking, “For the most part, we are alone down here. I did, however, find a mass grave in one of the chambers. It appears it’s one of the burial sites for the Strigoi. Light covers the entire room so they cannot rise if they wanted to. Unfortunately, for our teams outside, the trees provide enough cover for the leeches to move about.” Arnulf digs in his bag and pulls out herbs and bottles. “We need to fill these bottles with water and put the herbs in. The herbs are blessed and will kill the Strigoi in their slumber. We will sanctify the earth, thus killing them in the process.” Arnulf nods, sure of his statements.

“You heard the man.” I say, then look toward the door and make a sweeping motion. “Lead the way, Arnulf. You’re in charge.”

Arnulf looks at me, shocked, and then begins to move forward. Klaus quickly grabs him by the shoulder and stops him. Klaus makes the shh motion with his index finger to his lips. My eyes fall to the water, and I watch the ripples moving toward us. Someone, or something, is walking around down here, and it’s not one of ours.

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