CHAPTER 33

The sky above the canyon faded into the misty gray of dawn. Dark patches denoted gathering storm clouds. The wind was picking up again, the sky churning, much like Adda's stomach.

She stood next to Scet, the pack gathered around them. Adda could feel their eyes on her, most with mild curiosity, but some more hostile.

*It kills whoever wields it*, Scet had said.

How was Adda going to use the orb if it destroyed her? Not that she had a choice, because if it didn't destroy her Nex certainly would.

*There you are correct*. Fury flooded Adda, an anger not her own.

Nex had awoken at last.

*This betrayal will be your last*.

Pain lanced through her body like fiery insects crawling up and down her skin. Her insides twisted and squirmed, as if something were trying to escape from them. Adda collapsed to the ground, unable to hold her weight.

*Stop*. She commanded, her nails biting into the palm of her hand in an effort to keep from tearing herself apart. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip until blood spilled into her mouth.

She had been right. Nex had never really *tried* to force the possession. Adda's awareness of her surroundings faded, Scet calling out her name, feet surrounding her, until all that was left was the pain.

*Nex, stop*. She pleaded now, unable to gather the strength for anything more.

*Go to the temple, forsake the others. That was the deal. You have wasted our time, the opportunity I bought us. Squandered, just like that. Foolish girl*.

*What are you talking about? It took me this long to even decipher the painting, and I wouldn't have even done that if it wasn't for the Dragon Lord*. Putting coherent thoughts together was getting difficult. Darkness gathered at the edges of her mind.* I won’t be any good to you unconscious*, Adda warned.

Actually, she had no idea if that was true, it could be he meant to complete the possession then and there. Maybe he was done with the little game that he played. What was worse was that Adda *knew* he'd win. There was no doubt. She would not withstand the torture much longer. Already, death, or whatever would come of her when her soul was pushed out of her body, seemed relieving. Anything to stop the pain.

Some outside force bound her, stopping her from ripping at herself, but she was too far gone from reality to know what.

Then, as suddenly as it began, the pain receded.

Giddy relief replaced it, followed quickly by the fear that it would return. Strong hands lifted her, pulling her into an embrace.

“Are you alright?” Scet whispered into her hair.

Adda didn't answer, she didn't know. Maybe Nex would kill her quickly.

A breath, or sigh, crossed her mind. *I will not kill you. You are right, that would do me little good now.

Then what, Nex? she demanded. What is it you want me for?

I require the orb*.

*For what*? And why not take her body and just go. Why leave her in control? Not that she wasn't grateful, but it didn't make sense.

Silence, and then,* I require the orb. And if you wish to live, then you require it, too. That is all you need know. We can trail these beings along with us if that is your desire, but we must hurry. And their lives will be on your shoulders when the time comes*.

*What time*? Why did Adda feel like she was getting nowhere?

“Adda?” Scet repeated. She looked up to him, and then around. The pack had retreated now, all of them now glancing at her with wary unease.

“I'm alright.” She was not alright. Not at all.

She looked up at him, worry and a hint of fear in his eyes. He set her on her feet.

“We seek out an ancient temple,” he announced to the gathered pack. “One with a weapon inside that might aid us against these creatures. It is, I believe, what your past Alpha wanted.”

“*Scet*,” Adda whispered a warning. It didn't seem right to so easily share secrets she had worked so hard for, that had cost her so much.

“They deserve to know.”

“And where is the Alph...Where is Moriki?” This was the warrior Scet had chosen to lead the vulnerable group from the village, the one that didn't think women made competent warriors. What was his name? Andas?

Adda shuffled uncomfortably. This is not the line of questions she was hoping for.

*We do not have time for deliberating. Vou hunts us.

If I tell them, they might attempt to kill me, we are outnumbered.

Then lie*.

Adda sighed. She could do that. It would make things easier, but lying was such a perilous tower, one was never enough and all were built on unsteady support, ready to crash down at the worst moment. Besides, Scet was right. They deserved to know.

“The old man will not be returning.”

The gathering of eyes turned to Adda. Even Scet raised a brow in question.

“He attacked me and I defended myself. We were in the cavern and it...collapsed. He was trapped inside. He would not have survived.”

Growls, long and angry, grew before she even finished her words.

“And what did you do when it collapsed? Nothing?” Andas stepped forward. His face twisted with bitterness. More growling followed him, supporting him.

“Enough,” Scet barked. Everything stilled at the absolute authority in the sound.

“The pack is released from my leadership,” he told them. The Shifters turned, forgetting her altogether, the shock of Scet's words echoing through the gathering. Even Andas turned pale. A pack without an Alpha was not a healthy pack. And one with so many capable warriors would tear itself apart trying to decide leadership, it is why the new Alpha was always chosen by the old.

“It was through trickery that the pack gained me as an Alpha, no fault of your own. If you want to leave, do so now, without repercussion. But you must decide where your loyalty lies.”

For a moment, nothing happened, and then a familiar figure stepped forward. Toward Scet. Kiskan. Without thought, the majority of the pack followed her lead. Only Andas and a few outliers remained undecided.

Odd. Adda hadn't pegged the woman as having such high standing, but the pack must have respected Kiskan greatly to follow her lead in such times.

Eventually, the stragglers stepped forward also, even Andas, though he did not look happy about it.

Scet nodded. “The only pack is a united pack,” he intoned. An old saying most pups learned young, a way to discourage argument and encourage cooperation and harmony.

He turned to Kiskan. “We will take a force to the temple, there is no need to place the entire pack in danger. Gather six of the most competent warriors, including yourself. The rest will seek safety, far from here, if necessary, until our task is complete.”

He must have noticed the pack's reaction to her as well, to elevate her in such a way. None protested the assignment, either, though Andas had a sour expression.

Kiskan nodded, and pointed at a quick succession of warriors, surprising Adda when Andas was one of them. Her team was chosen in moments.

Scet nodded, satisfied. “We head out immed—”

Part of the pack, those toward the entrance of the canyon, shuffled, a low unhappy grumbling coming from that area. It soon became apparent why. A blond head, taller than most, made its way through the crowd.

“Scet, you need to explain my presence to these Shifters,” Strale leaned in, complaining once he approached.

“What is there to explain?”

“That* I* am not the enemy and I'm not going to steal any of the women. Every time I even talk to one I get growled at.”

Scet shrugged, “So don't talk to them.”

“That's the problem. How can I make a case for how charming and magnificent I am if they won't listen to me?”

“They follow the old ways,” Adda told him, “try putting clothes on.”

He snorted derisively. “Those aren't clothes, they're still practically animals. If that's all that's available, I'll pass. I wouldn't want something like that marring my...attributes.”

Adda blew out a breath. This conversation was ridiculous, and it wasn't getting them anywhere.

“Strale, you flew over the entire valley seeking Morakamouth right?”

“And beyond...why? Do you think my Dragon would be better at impressing the Shifters?”

“Why do you care? I thought your *magnificence* was impervious to what others thought,” Scet muttered.

“Not when women spend their time glaring at me. That's just unnatural and it requires correction,” Strale looked at Scet pointedly.

“Which direction will lead us there the quickest? And is there any landscape we should be aware of?”

Strale shrugged and looked upward thoughtfully. “The path is fairly direct, through those mountains there, and a little beyond. There is a river that bends and winds, it has left pools and swamps as it changed course, but nothing that should divert us far.”

Scet nodded once more. Then, with a sharp barking order, the pack was on its way. Nothing more needed to be said. Adda waited as the group filed past, wanting to take a more rear position, in case Nex decided to pull another trick, and because she didn't trust the others at her back. Strale waited, too, apparently intent on his original purpose of protecting her.

As they passed, one of the warriors thrust something toward her. Surprised, she reached down and grabbed it, and he was gone, Adda didn't even see who it was. She glanced at her hands.

It was the beaded sack the old Alpha had presented her with.