Chapter 19: Detour
Castiel knelt in front of the pup, examining the bruising around. Patches of blue and violet covered her skin as she continued to lie there, convulsing and struggling to shift back to her normal state.
He hit his scepter on the ground, sending powerful waves of blue light across the mountains. Each wolf hit by the energy fell on the ground, succumbing to deep slumber. The barrier around us went down as Castiel went back to his car to grab his bag.
“The Dark Moon’s curse?” Kieran asked. “No sorcerer powerful enough could pull that off, Your Eminence. Let alone to an entire pack!”
I clenched my teeth as I continued to drop blood into the pup’s mouth. The Dark Moon’s curse was a powerful spell often used before to control a Lycan into becoming a mindless puppet of the caster. They don’t eat, drink, or need anything. A Lycan’s body afflicted by the curse would rot while they were still alive, but would retain their power for the benefit of their new owner.
The pup’s skin was still normal, saved from a few wounds, and her body hadn’t started to go into rigor mortis. If this was the same with the other Lycans that came with her, then…
The curse must still be fresh.
“But the proof’s right in front of our eyes,” Castiel argued. “This isn’t a rabid infection.”
“Is there a way to reverse the curse?” I asked him as I picked up the child. “We can’t just let an entire border pack get annihilated like this.”
The five border packs supplied the kingdom with the finest Black Wolf warriors for centuries. While the conditions up in the mountains were harsh, they’ve been loyal to the crown.
It wouldn’t be ideal to leave them alone like this.
“There’s a way,” Castiel affirmed. “I’ve encountered a similar case before when I was still studying for the priesthood. However, I’ll require the help of a divine wolf.”
“My men are waiting for help too, Your Eminence,” Augustus butted in. “We are on the verge of another massive Red attack, and we can’t delay any further.”
“Augustus is right.” Medea finally said something after being silent for Goddess-knows-how-long. She walked towards us, looking at the pup in my arms. “The military unit has far more importance than this…”
“So you mean to tell me that we should let an entire pack suffer from a curse, just because you deem them unimportant?” My voice rose. “Aren’t they the same subjects you vowed to care for when you get crowned, my dear sister?”
“I’m just saying my thoughts here, Hestia. There’s no need to be aggressive.”
“Why are you all claiming that us helping the Nightfall Pack would delay anything? We have three divine wolves, two Vassals, and healers at our own disposal,” Kieran chimed in. “One Queen candidate can be powerful enough to heal hundreds. Unless…”
He gazed at Medea. Her face twisted, and avoided his eyes. “What? We’re just concerned about our men, you hound,” she stuttered. “Do you have any idea how hard it would be if we lose more of them?”
“I might’ve knocked my head pretty hard earlier, but weren’t you almost a Queen, Medea Locke? That would mean that your powers are far superior to Castiel and Hestia combined. Surely healing your own men won’t be that hard, yes?”
I caught that familiar glint in Kieran’s eyes. He had noticed something and was testing the waters around us.
I remained silent, letting him push Medea further. Augustus decided to call the base to assess the situation there.
I glanced down at the child in my arms. While her convulsions have subsided, the pallor of her skin hasn’t returned to normal. My heart broke as she coughed, with blood spluttering from her mouth.
“I can teach Hestia the spell she needed,” Castiel proposed. “With her abilities, the cleansing won’t take too long. After she finishes her duties at the Nightfall territory, she will follow us at the base to help with the outbreak. It might not sound fair with you, Hestia, but I hope you don’t mind…”
“It’s fine. I insist on helping them anyway…” I glanced at Kieran. “I’ll take my Vassal with me, as well as Lind. They’ll be more than enough help to me.”
Castiel pulled me aside to teach me about the things I needed to know about the curse. Kieran and Lind began to prepare for our hike, which might take about an hour from where we were.
Castiel was confident enough to send me alone because he knew he had taught me well when we were young, as I often followed him around whenever he was learning his spells.
“I’ll give you two days, Hestia,” Castiel cooed as he placed the spell book into my hands. “Consider this as a part of your trial. Don’t worry, I’ll reward you as I see fit.”
“Understood, Your Eminence…”
His fingers subtly brushed against my cheek. Castiel let out a deep sigh as he made me look into his eyes. “Will you be alright, dearest?”
My eyes roamed around. Saved from Kieran and Lind, everyone was in their own little world…
“Hestia,” Castiel called once again, his voice filled with worry, “Please assure me you’ll be safe.”
“I will, don’t worry. I have a trustworthy Vassal. Lind’s capable as well. We’ll be back as soon as possible—”
We both fell silent when Augustus approached us, followed by his Gamma, Dion. “Alpha,” Castiel greeted.
“Your Eminence, I propose that my Gamma accompany them on their journey to Nightfall. He told me that his sister and brother-in-law live within the territory, and he’s quite worried about them… that is, if you don’t mind, Hestia.”
He gave me a hard look, as if calculating whether I would accept his request or not. I’ve known Augustus enough to see through his act, and I know that Gamma Dion has a different purpose than what he claimed.
“I don’t mind,” I affirmed, before turning to Kieran. “We might need some spare hands.”
Augustus smiled, seemingly pleased with himself. He then left us alone, as we prepared for the trek. Kieran glanced at me once again, his eyes casually pointing at the military-grade rifle slung across Gamma Dion’s shoulder as he led the trek up the mountain. He was carrying the pup we saved, and his body language…
They did not speak of urgency nor worry, as Augustus claimed.
You want to play, huh? Fine, we’ll play your game, Alpha Augustus.