Chapter 76 Seventy-Six.

Chapter 76 Seventy-Six.
KYLE’S POV.

At the mention of Orion, my mind clears just a little. Orion is back. Which means he might have news about Olivia.

I stand up immediately, my muscles stiff but I’m completely uninjured. Katniss stands next to me, almost as if she is scared I would collapse so she wants to be there to catch me.

‘Did you figure out where the bathroom is?’

She points at the only door in the room. “If you need a change of clothes, which you clearly do, there are clothes in the wardrobe too. You shouldn’t keep wearing clothes riddled with holes.”

I say nothing as I head to the wardrobe and pick a set of clothes. I wonder who they belong to, but I do not dwell on it as I head to the bathroom. I relieve my bladder and then proceed to wash my face with the cold water from the ceramic basin in the corner, trying to scrub away the lingering traces of sleep on my face. Then I change my clothes.

Once I feel somewhat presentable, I follow Katniss out of the bedroom and down the short hallway.

The main room of the cabin is filled with the rich, savory scent of roasted meat and stew, a smell that immediately makes my stomach roar with hunger. Orion is sitting at the head of the long wooden table, a heavy midnight-blue cloak thrown over the back of his chair. Helios is standing by the hearth, stirring a pot, while Toby is already shoving a piece of bread into his mouth.

“Ah, the sleeping beauty finally decides to join us,” Orion says, a faint, amused smirk playing on his lips as he checks his pocket watch. “I was beginning to think you are a Fae who specializes in hibernation.”

Katniss walks over to the table, sliding into a chair next to Toby. “And what is it to you if he does? Leave him alone.”

“You act like his guard dog,” Toby jabs, his mouth half-full.

“And how is it any of your business how I act?”

“You might be the spiciest Omega I have ever met,” Orion chimes.

Katniss says nothing to that as she picks up a plate.

“Also, Toby, be nice to the girl,” Orion orders.

“I probably would if she was mute—”

“Toby, chew with your mouth shut, you’re acting like a wild animal, where are your table manners?” Helios grunts from the hearth, slapping Toby’s hand away as the younger wolf tries to steal another slice of bread from the prep board.

“I am a wild animal, Helios. That’s literally shifters whole thing. Table manners be damned!” Toby defends himself, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Then go eat outside like wild animals do. Go eat carcass, not cooked meat or bread,” Katniss shoots back, but I can tell she is being playful. She reaches across the table to snag a piece of bread before Toby can get to it. “And your hair still looks like a bird nested in it.”

“Hey! We talked about this! It’s the trendy style in the South,” Toby protests, dramatically flattening his messy brown hair.

I sit down across from Orion, ignoring their bickering. My focus is entirely locked on Orion. I raise my hands, keeping my movements sharp and urgent ‘My sister. Did you see Olivia? Is she safe?’

Orion stops smirking, his expression turning into something far more calculating. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “I did see her. More precisely, I spoke to her,” the table is suddenly silent as he speaks. Everyone listening. “She is currently alive, but I highly doubt she would survive her next match.”

Katniss drops a piece of meat onto her plate, her playful attitude vanishing instantly. “The Dance of the Dead?”

“Yes. And I heard one of the contestants is the ripper ghost who has taken out his opponents in the tournament in one swipe,” Orion replies, his ocean-blue eyes scanning my face to see my reaction.

Dread runs through me, but I do not let it show. The ripper ghost… no one across all kingdoms haven’t heard of that name before. An unstoppable serial killer.

“She won’t survive,” Katniss says with an air of certainty. Her food long forgotten now.

And she is right.

My sister might have survived her previous battles, but against the ripper ghost? That is suicide.

Orion moves his gaze to Katniss. “First time putting your thinking skills to use. Impressive.”

“We need to help her,” She says, ignoring the dig.

“I wish I could—” he begins.

I cut him off, hitting the table to get his attention as I sign rapidly. ‘But you said you can help me and my sister on the condition that I work with you.’

“That was before I met your sister tonight— what is your name?”

“He is Kyle, and I am Katniss,” Replies Katniss almost immediately. “Go on. What did she say when you met her?”

“I offered her a trade for her cooperation regarding Sven’s true nature in exchange for smuggling you safely across the Southern border and… to also save her. But your sister is stubborn. She denied everything and refused to sell out the King.”

Frustration flares deep in my chest. ‘Why would she refuse to sell out a King who ruined our lives? Who fell the walls of Eris?’ I sign frantically. ‘What is it you ask of her? Perhaps I can help.’

“Can you though?” Orion asks, resting his hands on his chin.

‘I cannot promise you anything, but I can try,’ I sign.

“Tell me, Kyle,” he leans forward on the table, every eyes in the room on us. “Have you awakened your Fae energy? Besides you and your sister, is there any other Fae in the Kingdom?”