Page 105 of A World of Ruins

Darius keeps a firm grip on Cutler. ‘Is that so?’

‘I didn’t mean it,’ Cutler blubbers out. ‘I promise!’

Truth be told, I believe him. Cutler has always been a menace, ever since I first met him at the den. His mouth gets him into trouble more often than not.

I sigh, deciding I want this all to be over. The remnants of the nightmare stick to me like a second skin, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth and an aching throb in my temples I wish I could shake off. The sooner this is settled, the sooner I can rest.

Mounting one of the tables, I clear my throat, gaining everyone’s attention. My brothers appear then and flank me, with Ruvyn standing sentinel by the doorway.

Suddenly, I’m out of words to say. All I can see is Aurum’s face, his laugh ringing in my ears and his promise to ruin my life.

My breath comes out fast, and it is not until Darius releases Cutler, his concern etching a direct path to me, that I realise I’m on the verge of unravelling. But Freya gets to me before him, climbing onto the table and looking at me with a reassuring smile.

Gathering courage, I nod at her, turning to everyone else. ‘After Aurum’s defeat,’ I swallow at the name, ‘I thought we had all moved past this feud that separated the Venators from the shifters.’ I shake my head. ‘I guess I was wrong to think that.’

Disappointment washes over their faces, both shifters and Venators I once worked with.

‘The world of Zerathion needs more than just Darius and me healing it,’ I say, more to myself than to them. ‘It needs unity against other threats, because they will never go away.’ I look at as many faces as I can. ‘There will always be something, and I needallof you to be here to protect what is ours.’

My eyes land on one of the Venators I knew through Erion: Niamh. She survived through Sarilyn and Aurum’s rule. Now she seems rougher around the edges and less timid than when I first saw her, following Erion about with her big, round eyes. A scar runs across her pale cheek as she turns her head to the side and looks at the others silently for a moment, considering my every word.

‘Then what do you suggest we do?’ She speaks up, narrowing her eyes at me.

At least this is a start.

‘Talk,’ I say, then look towards the rest of the shifters merging with the Venators. ‘Get to know each other as a person, not as a shifter or a Venator. Train together, show the other what you know. Become allies rather than rivals.’

A little girl, her pigtails frayed at the edges, emerges from the throng, her eyes wide and hesitant as she tiptoes closer to the woman beside her. Her gaze flutters towards me before it settles on Darius. As I look at him, the smile he casts at the little girl, so tender and imbued with hope, tugs at my heart. It seems to put the girl at her ease, and she flashes him a toothy smile.

‘What if that doesn’t work?’ Roman, another former Venator, interjects, shattering the fragile bond of unity in that fleeting instant.

‘It will.’ I glance at the shifters. ‘And if you doubt my words, you can always listen to the beat of my heart and tell me if I am lying.’

There are a few who widen their eyes at my abrasive words.

Some individuals are taken aback by my direct words. Others smile.

‘And the Rümens? Are they—’

‘Most herds were killed after Aurum returned,’ Lorcan joins in. ‘You would be lucky to find any still alive.’

The thought makes my chest ache. Rümens might have been vicious creatures, but they deserved to live, including those who became Erion’s victims.

‘All right, then.’ Roman doesn’t look too convinced. ‘What about a leader? We still need someone to guide us as your future warriors.’ He lifts his chin. ‘What say you, Deputy? Ready to come back as General this time?’

We all focus our attention on Lorcan, and I search for any reaction that might tell me he still wishes for that title.

His gaze briefly slides over to mine. ‘No,’ he says, looking back at Roman. ‘But I do know someone who is worthy of that title.’ He glances at Freya and smiles. ‘Freya Demori.’

Freya’s eyes widen as everyone turns to look at her.

‘I think she would make an excellent leader,’ Lorcan says, ‘far better than her father did.’

I look at Freya, her surprised expression making me smile as I grab her hand and give it a good squeeze. Her mouth opens then closes, unsure of what to say, but I know she would make an excellent leader. She already is one.

The pack of shifters and Venators mesh as one, glancing up at Freya curiously.

She slips free from my grip, and as the crowd erupts into discussions, I go up to Lorcan.

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