Chapter 130 Chapter 130
Chapter 130 Chapter 130
Ariel's POV
Ariel stood over the large wooden table in the Order's command room, staring at the map spread across it.
Three markers had already been placed around the eastern forest.
"They've searched the chapel," Mark said. "There's no sign of them."
Ariel's fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"Search beyond it."
"We've already sent—"
"Then send more."
Mark studied her face before nodding.
"How many?"
"Everyone who can fight."
The doors opened.
Several Alpha warlocks entered, followed by Rowan, now one of the senior commanders.
"We're ready," he said.
Ariel pointed to the map.
"Divide yourselves into four groups. The first searches the forest around Moonstone Chapel. The second checks every road leading away from it. The third searches the surrounding settlements."
"And the fourth?" Rowan asked.
Ariel looked at the map for several seconds.
"The underground routes."
Mark frowned.
"Why?"
"Because whoever took them knew enough about the Order to avoid our usual patrols."
She moved one of the markers.
"And if Ares is involved, he'll know there are routes beneath this territory."
Rowan's expression changed.
"You think Ares took them?"
"I don't think."
Ariel looked at him.
"I know."
Silence settled over the room.
One of the younger warlocks shifted nervously.
"Then shouldn't we wait for Damon and Zyran?"
Ariel's expression hardened.
"They're the ones we're searching for."
She stepped away from the table.
"We've spent enough time waiting."
Mark picked up his sword.
"What are your orders if we find Ares?"
"Don't engage him unless you have enough people."
"And if we find the others?"
"Bring them home."
Her voice softened slightly.
"All of them."
Hayley's POV
The door opened.
I looked up immediately.
Two guards stood outside.
"Move."
I didn't argue.
Not because I wanted to cooperate, but because I'd already learned that fighting every person in this place was a waste of energy.
They led me through several corridors.
And once more I kept count of the turns.
Left.
Right.
Two flights of stairs.
A long hallway.
Then another door.
It opened and my breath caught.
"Damon."
He was on his feet before I could say anything else.
"Hayley!"
Leo practically knocked over his chair.
"Mom!"
Kai was right behind him.
I barely had time to brace myself before both boys reached me.
I pulled them into my arms.
"I'm okay."
Leo squeezed me harder.
"We thought something happened to you."
"I know."
Kai stepped back after a moment and studied me from head to toe.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
He nodded, apparently satisfied.
Damon reached me next.
His arms went around me.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
I closed my eyes.
I'd spent the entire night wondering whether I'd see them again.
Now I finally could.
Zyran approached quietly.
He didn't say anything.
He simply touched my shoulder.
That was enough.
The guards closed the door behind me and Damon pulled back.
"Where were you?"
"At Ares' fortress."
Leo's face changed.
"He kidnapped me."
"We know."
I looked at them.
"You know?"
Damon gave a humourless laugh.
"We've been having a wonderful morning."
Kai glanced at me.
"What did he tell you?"
"That he wants us to help him uncover the truth about the Seal."
Zyran nodded.
"He told us the same thing."
"And he wants your positions."
"Yes."
I looked between them.
"He also said he isn't actually Alpha Wales' biological son."
"We know."
I stared at Damon.
"Is there anything he didn't tell you?"
"Apparently."
I sat beside Kai.
"I thought Ares was my cousin because Wales was his father."
"He's not," Zyran said. "Wales adopted him."
I rubbed my forehead.
"Then he said something else."
Damon's expression sharpened.
"What?"
"He said my life would've been easier if I'd let him in."
Leo made a face.
"That's creepy."
I almost smiled.
"Very."
Kai looked toward the door.
"Does he know about the necklace?"
"Yes."
Damon's face darkened.
"He mentioned it to us too."
"Then that's why you couldn't find me."
Zyran nodded.
"Celine's necklace is still suppressing your scent."
I touched the chain.
"I should have removed it years ago."
"We'll deal with it once we're out."
I looked around the room.
"How do we get out?"
Damon exchanged a glance with Zyran.
"We're working on that."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning?"
"We've tried the obvious routes."
Kai spoke up.
"The cuffs suppress our abilities, but they're not completely sealed."
I looked at his wrists.
"What have you noticed?"
"The metal weakens when we're close together."
Leo lifted his hands.
"Mine gets warm."
I examined his cuffs.
"Mine too."
Zyran leaned forward.
"That's useful."
Damon looked at the walls.
"There are guards outside this room, but they change shifts every thirty minutes."
"How do you know?"
"I counted."
I smiled faintly.
"Of course you did."
He looked at me.
"You were gone. I had nothing else to do."
A sound came from the corridor.
Everyone became silent.
Footsteps.
They stopped outside the door.
Kai immediately whispered,
"Someone's coming."
The lock turned and Damon stood.
I grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
He looked at me.
"Trust me."
The door opened.
A guard stepped inside carrying a tray.
"Food."
He placed it on the table.
Then something caught my attention.
A small metal key hung from his belt.
I looked at Kai.
He noticed it too.
His eyes moved from the key to the guard.
Then to the cuffs.
He leaned closer to Leo.
"Don't look at it."
Leo frowned.
"Why?"
"Because if I tell you, you'll stare."
Leo immediately looked away.
I almost laughed.
The guard turned toward the door.
Kai whispered,
"Thirty minutes."
I looked at him.
"What?"
"The shift."
His eyes remained fixed on the floor.
"He'll be back in thirty minutes."
Zyran understood immediately.
Damon did too.
I looked at the key again.
For the first time since I had been brought here, I saw an opening.
Small and dangerous but real.
Then the guard stopped at the doorway.
Without turning around, he said,
"Don't bother trying to escape."
My heart sank.
He slowly looked over his shoulder.
"Ares already knows you're planning something."
The door slammed shut.
We stared at each other.
Leo swallowed.
"Well..."
Damon looked at him.
"What?"
Leo glanced at the door.
"I think our plan needs a better plan.”