Chapter 93

VANCE

With Leah barking out orders, the people actually start to move. I watched Kael lead Alpha Markov away, but before I could actually think about it, Lukas clapped me on the back and pushed me forward.

"Come on," he said, walking towards one of Markov's men. I followed, realizing that Leah had said something that I didn't catch.

I can see Maya and Raven leading the people away—the women and kids, to be precise.

"The warriors will use the downstairs!" Leah yelled over the chaos. The people seemed to listen as they shuffled about. If there was anything the appearance of the Shadow pack achieved, it was that I no longer smelled fear in the room. It was like we were handed a new hope.

I ended up leading four of the werewolves across the hallway to where the dormitories were. I was working mostly on autopilot. Lukas did some explaining as we went that I found unnecessary. It wasn't like we were tour guides and they were here on vacation. This was war.

Not that it meant that everybody had to be emo and goth.

I unlocked one of the doors. Inside was dusty. The room, I thought, hadn't been in use for years. There were four bunk beds beside each window and two shelves.

"There's a shower down the corridor," I explained to the men... or wolves.

One of them grunted something that sounded Russian as they began to shift back to their human forms. I shuffled through the wardrobes and laid out spare clothes. Lukas and I stepped out, giving them privacy.

I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Everything was happening so quickly. I barely had time to recover, then this. And now the Shadow pack showed up, just like that.

I didn't know one could make and remake decisions so quickly, I thought, thinking of Alpha Markov.

"Are you alright?" Lukas asked, peering at me.

I ran a hand through my hair and stood up straight. I looked at my brother. He was really worried, I thought. We shared the same blue eyes, but while his hair was brown, mine was a shade darker, easier to be mistaken for black.

We endured so much together, I thought. Was there even a semblance of peace left in this world? Eria. At least she felt like peace. But even that had been taken from me...

"Vance," Lukas snapped his fingers in front of my face, bringing me back. "You're wandering. You're not alright."

I muttered something along the lines of "I'm perfectly fine" as he pulled me into one of the spare dorms. More of the warriors were starting to show up. I could only imagine that the civilians, too, had cleared out of the main hall, everyone making preparations for the war, which I was certain would start tomorrow.

"You should rest," he said firmly.

I sighed, not bothering to look at Lukas. "Would you? If it were you?" I asked.

He seemed to think about it. "Look, you've been through a lot, Vance. Captured by Viper, which you barely escaped, Paul's death, and then Eria's marriage..."

"Don't," I cut him off, waving my hands.

He stared at me, confused.

"Just don't talk about her," I muttered. My voice came out weaker than I expected. I sat on the edge of the bed. Now that everything was over, I felt weak to the bone.

Lukas gave me a pitying look. "We need you at your best shape tomorrow. Viper is going to attack at any time. Can you access your wolf yet?" he asked.

I shook my head, watching him stand there at the door with a frown. He was the only one I told. Well, him and the doctor. I didn't know the sort of restraining binds that Viper put on me, but even a day after, trying to shift was like speaking into an unknown abyss. Empty air. The unknown only echoed back.

"Doctor Simon said I was alright though," I said half-heartedly.

"Tomorrow is the new moon. If that doesn't bring your wolf back, then I'm sorry, brother, but I don't know what will."

I winced at Lukas's words, but I knew he didn't mean for them to be harsh. He was just frustrated.

"Get some rest. A lot of it. I'm going to help Merrick with his light pen." He looked back at me like he was going to say something else but then gave me a nod and stepped out of the room.

I watched him go, then stood up myself.

Get some rest, yeah right, I thought, leaving the room. I was going to find Eria. We hadn't talked since Kael broke the news of the pack alliance and the marriage that was involved.

When I came back to the pack hall, it was nearly clear of people.

A small figure ran towards me, tackling me in a fierce hug.

"You're alright," a little girl looked up at me with wide eyes, relief spelled on her little face. I crouched down to her level. I recognized her—one of the refugee kids that the pack I saved. Damn, it felt like a long time ago.

"Hello, Emma," I smiled.

Lyra approached us. She muttered a scolding and put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, drawing her back.

I rose to my feet, my eyes meeting hers. "Lyra," I nodded.

"Everyone is scared," she confirmed, although I hadn't really asked.

"You should have left the city... Gone somewhere safe," I gritted my teeth.

She gave me a small, tired smile. "We might not be able to fight, but we wouldn't ever forget what you and the Alpha did for us. We will help in any way we can."

I knew the look in her eyes too well. It was one that said she would do just what she said, no matter what.

"As you wish, Lyra," I said, not having the strength nor the points to argue.

I expected them to go, but Lyra reached into her robes and pulled out a folded paper, handing it to me.

"The Alpha's sister wanted you to have it. She couldn't face you after breaking her promise."

I took the paper, my heart hammering in my chest. Eria, I thought, feeling dread rising in me.

There wasn't much in the paper, just a single line.

I'll make it right, Vance.

I clenched my hands into fists, crumpling the paper, but I barely noticed. I didn't notice either when Lyra and Emma muttered their goodbyes and went off.

"Dammit, Eria, where are you!" I thought, reaching out to whatever fragile bond we had left.

I was rewarded with silence. The heartbreaking kind of silence.

She didn't have to do this alone... Surely she knew that. But I knew Eria. So headstrong. Once she thought it was her fault, she would sacrifice herself to make it right. And I love her for it. But right now, I felt like punching the wall.

I saw Kael emerge with Alpha Markov, the two walking side by side. They had reached an agreement, or an understanding.

Kael patted Markov on the shoulder as Leah ushered the Alpha away.

I shoved the folded paper into my pocket and made my way towards Kael.

"Vance...?" He raised an eyebrow.

I stood in front of him. There was no going back now. "Eria is gone," I said.

Kael sighed. I felt for him. His family kept getting missing, one after the other. His eyes dimmed. "It's my fault," he muttered dejectedly.

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. That wasn't what I was expecting. Then again, I wasn't sure what to expect.

"I was too hard on her. Dammit, I should have known she would do something like this. It's all my fault..." Kael trailed off.

I might have consoled him if I didn't feel like beating myself up, too. "Permission to go after her, Alpha," I said, holding his gaze.

Kael's eyes snapped up to mine. He stepped back from me like I said something in an alien language.

"You can't do that, Vance. The war is coming. We need everybody."

"We need her too," I pointed out. I needed her at least.

Kael shook his head like he wasn't ready to accept it. "I'll go instead. You rest. She couldn't have gone far..."

"The Spire needs you, Alpha. They are barely standing on their feet. You need to be here," I reminded him.

Kael had begun pacing around the room. He turned to me sharply. "She's my little sister, dammit!"

I kept my voice level. I could see the pain in his eyes. "And she means so much more to me," I said slowly.

"Bring her back..." He nodded. "Please, Vance."

I stepped out into the damp air. It all began to make sense now. Eria was gone, and so was Merrick's pen. There was only one explanation: she portaled out when the wards were down.

She could be anywhere, I fought the defeated feeling in my stomach.

I had to find her. I didn't know how, but I had to find her and bring her back before the war.

I shivered, wishing I brought a scarf and a coat along with me.