Page 37 of The Lands Defying
Darius breathes heavily, his body tense. “If you are her guardian, and you care for her. Why the fuck did you let her stay in that basement?”
Edward eyes lower, his face a show of sadness. “I didn’t know.”
“Darius, enough,” I say quietly, standing between them. “He is important to me. He didn’t know I was in the basement, just like you didn’t. He didn’t know I was alive and they were abusing me.” Darius looks off to the side, knowing I’m right. “Shall we gosomewhere less open and talk?” I look around the clearing, look through the trees. I don’t like being so close to my old home.
Darius ignores my question.
“Are you going back to the Highers?” Darius asks. “What is your position?”
I move back a little so I can see them both.
“I am still present with the Highers. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as I can so I can pass it to Rhea. So we can make a plan. We have been trying for years.” He shakes his head. “I think Charles knows I’m not fully loyal to him anymore. I cannot harm him with the Higher’s bond we have because of the instinct to protect him, but I can tell you knowledge.”
“And?” Darius says when Edward falls silent.
“And I have come with some news that is hopefully a good thing. Charles is sending me out more and more to the people, and looking for Higher Aiden who has yet to return.” Darius and I say nothing at that. “The other Highers are frantic, and Charles is on the warpath looking for you, Rhea. He is more brutal, killing innocents who dare speak against him or do not have the information he seeks.” Edward’s face crumbles. “He is completely unhinged.”
“And Kade?” I croak out, fear nearly rendering me speechless.
“I dare say he is safe there, for now,” Edward says gently. “Everyone is far too busy looking for you and dealing with the people and the rogures. I have not managed to go to him without drawing suspicion. With me being your guardian, Charles has kept me far away.”
A breath of relief comes from me. Darius is right. He is safer there than out here at the moment.
“Then how are you here if Charles suspects you are not loyal,” Darius asks.
“I was given the command to go to the Aragnis pack and see how they are fairing on behalf of Alpha Paul. His son is alsostaying at the castle with him, but there have been murmurs of some movement that I am not sure of.”
The thought of my family sets my teeth on edge.
“In the letter, you mentioned you may know where my pack is?” I ask him and he nods, but Darius speaks before he can respond.
“Come to Vokheim.”
“The wards will know I am there,” Edward replies instantly.
“I have changed them to mine.”
Edward tilts his head at him. “And Lord Higher does not know?”
Darius shakes his head. “I don’t think so. He would have questioned me on it.”
Edward nods slowly. “Then let us go.”
I watch as my pack crowds Edward in the dining room, smiles on their faces. They haven’t seen him in such a long time. It’s nice to witness.
Darius stands next to me, scowl on his face, arms crossed as he watches Edward’s every move like he will attack at any moment.
He won’t, but I understand why he’s hesitant.
His men also stay standing, alert, and ready for anything and I have to roll my eyes.
Why won’t they believe me?
I guess it didn’t help that I didn’t tell them about him being a Higher in the first place.
“Speak,” Darius commands, those two misty shadows appearing at his back.
Edwards looks towards him and nods, my pack grumbling as they take a seat at the table.
