Page 5 of The Dark Rising
Darius was shocked when he took in my markings. Which makes me think that the Heir to Cazier before him hadn’t shown him his own markings, or was he even around Darius? I hadn’t ever met Cazier’s Heir, all Mom told me was that he was probably hiding too.
Then there was me being locked inside Darius’s mind, seeing his wolf. Watching as his wolf drained and consumed a large amount of my power. It drained a lot from me, and I have no idea how and why that even happened. Either way, he’s an Heir, and the problem is, he knows I am too. We have more than a simple connection, one that is as old as the creation of the lands.
And he betrayed me.
I should have known better. He’s the Alpha of the Elites, and Elites were specifically made to hunt and capture Heirs. Does he know that? Do the Elites and the Highers know he is an Heir?
I rub my temples. “We need to move; we need to find somewhere to rest before deciding where we go from here. It may be best if you guys continue on without me and find somewhere safe. They are going to hunt me, and I’ve been accused of treason. Everything and everyone will be on the lookout for me, word will spread fast.”
“One,” Josh growls, coming to stand in front of me, anger spreading across his features. “You haven’t done anything wrong, never mind causing a curse for the rogures to plague the lands, and two.” He pauses, giving me a hard look. “We are not splitting up, no way. We stick together, as always.”
“You know we stand with you,” Taylor says, arms folded.
“We’re going to get Kade back, going to get our pack back, no matter how long it takes,” Hudson tells me.
“Of course we are,” Seb says, and they all nod.
“We are a pack, a family. We don’t turn our backs on family,” Colten murmurs, and more tears spring to my eyes at his words, as Anna nods her head.
“Arbiel canna,” Josh whispers and I close my eyes, letting the words sink into my bones.
We made our own family, our own life and home. I will get it all back, I swear it on Zahariss herself.
Everyone murmurs the words back, and I can’t help but sag in relief. I wouldn’t blame them for leaving me, it’s too dangerous, too deadly. I can’t say I’m not glad they won’t leave me though; I don’t want to be on my own. I wouldn’t know where to go or what to do. Edward could help me, but I don’t know how I would contact him now.
“Let’s head southwest to Witches Rest. They have no alliance with the Highers, and I know someone there,” Anna says.
“You do? I thought you lived with a small coven in Aliseon?” I ask, my brows creasing.
“I did until they turned on me,” she mutters and shakes her head. “My grandmother is at Witches Rest. She was still there before I left for Eridian anyway.” She clears her throat and I blink at her words. Grandmother?
“I don’t see any other option and we can’t stay out in the open like this.” Taylor looks up at the night sky, tracking the stars. “Southwest is that way.” He points behind us.
“How long will it take to reach them?” Colten asks Anna.
She looks in the direction we need to go. “About ten days, with rest.”
I nod. “I guess we’re going to see some witches and hope they don’t boil our blood then,” I mumble and head off in the right direction, feeling the numbness start to trickle its way back inside of me.
Josh slings his arm around my waist, supporting me as we walk in the silence of the night. We enter the trees, our pace as fast as we can go with our injuries, and I run my hand over the light brown bark as I pass them. I feel a small tingle of warmth through my palm, and I can’t help but sigh at the feeling.
Being able to still feel life around me brings me a small comfort. I just wish I was back in Eridian, next to the lilk trees as Solvier tells me one of his many stories through the night, knowing Kade is asleep at home. Safe.
I tentatively reach out down the blood link for him, but it’s not there, my silly heart hoping there is a thread to be felt. I block it out and press on.
I dread to think what’s become of Eridian, but I have to go back one day. If nothing else, to honor Solvier and the people we lost at our graveyard.
Then, I’ll rebuild our home with the Highers blood on my hands.
Nothing less will satisfy me now. War will come now between me and those who did wrong, I just hope to find allies and pray not everyone is fearful of an Heir that has a thirst for blood and destruction.
Maybe I should have been Cazier’s Heir instead.
Three
Rhea
Mistcurlsalongdampblades of grass as we walk through the woods. Sounds of creatures’ squawking and chuffing can be heard in the distance as we continue forward toward Witches Rest. Thirteen long days it has taken us to reach here, and since we left Wolvorn Castle and left Kade behind, along with Josie and Danny’s bodies.
