250- The Weight of Unspoken Fires
POV Aldren Valmorin:
“Do you trust Konrad, Aldren?”
“Neither him nor you. It’s no secret that the only one I’m friends with is Edric. We only need to maintain a peaceful relationship among ourselves.”
Viktor did not seem offended by my answer.
“And I don’t have that,” he said quietly, studying me.
“You don’t make much effort, especially with Konrad and Sullivan. Is that why you stopped attending the meetings? To avoid fighting with them?” When he said nothing, I pressed on. “Why come back now?”
“That’s a lot of questions.”
“Is it a secret?”
“Have you ever wondered how we came to be here? Each of us in our own territory, raised by the elders?”
“Of course. It’s a fact that none of us remembers family or childhood.”
“You don’t remember anything?”
The question echoed and unsettled me. My mind was invaded by images of fire, by nightmares with no explanation.
“No.” My answer did not fully convince him. “And you?”
Viktor ran his ring-adorned fingers through his mahogany-brown hair, tense.
“Maybe.”
“Why do you never answer a question directly?”
“Perhaps I don’t have the answers.”
I had grown used to his manner—unsympathetic and indifferent to anyone’s opinion. But this time, he was stranger, as if he wanted to read what was going on inside me. As if he had something to reveal.
“What memories do you have?” I asked.
“Blood. Fire. Crying.”
I didn’t move, stunned. His memories resembled my old nightmares. I imagined they came from the hardships we endured, some trauma we might have developed. Whatever it was, Elowen had made me forget.
Then he stood, ending the subject.
“We’re done for today. And about Konrad—he made a joke, asking if I was at the festival to kill another female. I preferred to answer by punching that greasy face. Some words are unnecessary at certain moments.”
Viktor was right. If Konrad had thrown a joke like that at me, he would have found my clenched fist on the path to his nose. We parted cordially, and I headed for the exit, escorted by his men.
On the way back, I tried to forget that conversation with Viktor and asked Orion to meet me in the forest so we could discuss the plan being drawn up for the supposed traitors in my territory. The conversation would be brief, because Edric was waiting for me at the laboratory.
I spotted his shadow running between the trees until he stopped in front of me.
I greeted him with a hand on his shoulder and kept walking, with him at my side. I fixed a calm expression on my face, even though inside me a war was being waged.
“Tonight, we’re going to the bar together,” he told me.
“Is my presence really necessary? I don’t want to go to a bar.”
“I meant that I’m going with Felibér, my friend.” Orion seemed anxious.
“I see. And what’s the plan?”
“That’s the problem…”
I turned my face to look at him, trying to understand. His expression didn’t suggest anything major—just apprehension.
“Speak.”
“I know you don’t suspect anyone in your household, Aldren, but I recommend reactivating the cameras. What if he goes after one of your employees?”
“My guards will handle it.”
“All right—but what if it’s your guards?” His sober tone put me on alert. I stared at the trees along the path, searching for clarity.
I hoped not to be disappointed by someone else so close, but Orion was right. Having a remnant of something good in my life—Elowen—was softening me, even though I needed to understand that her safety, along with that of my people, was also at risk.
Regardless of who it was or how much it would hurt, the evil had to be cut off at the root. The truth was that I was tired of giving everything of myself and still failing.
I should not have failed. Ever.
“Let me know what time you’re going. I’ll reactivate the cameras.” Orion let out a sigh of relief.
“Perfect. We’re going to succeed.” He sounded optimistic. “Where are you headed now?”
“To meet Edric at the laboratory. Elowen is with Lunara.”
“Is that good?” he asked, uncertainty in his tone.
“It is.” I kept myself from giving further details.
...
“When will the elders meet her?”
“Why do you want to know?” I turned to look at him as we walked.
“She’s important to you, so she will be to them as well. You know how protective they are.”
“I know.”
After the tragic incident in my village, the elders imposed harsh restrictions on accepting new members into the packs, in addition to placing themselves at risk to save us from whatever danger might arise.
“Are you going to the next Festival of Lust? I truly miss that chaotic atmosphere, but I’ll only go to look—no one else interests me.”
“I plan to go, yes.”
“Alone or accompanied?”
“I’m starting to think you’re jealous of Elowen, Orion.”
He laughed.
“You’re my friend. Your life matters to me.”
“I plan to take her, if she wants to go. If she doesn’t, I’ll stay at least for a while, to make sure everything is as it should be.”
Even knowing her so little, I doubted she wouldn’t want to go.
The problem would be if she woke up decided to go to Eldoria, to live with her sister. If that happened, her name would certainly never appear on future guest lists.
I could burn alive any male who came near her.
“I’d like to meet her too, maybe to change my opinion.”
I wrinkled my nose, displeased.
“Your opinion about Elowen is the only one that doesn’t interest me.”
“I know that, and I’m not offended. One man in love understands another—we go blind.”
“Orion, watch what you say.”
And then our dialogue turned unpleasant.
“Don’t get irritated with me. I’m just a concerned friend.”
“Worry about doing what I ordered—find out Felibér’s plans.”
I slapped his back twice before using my speed to move away and reach the laboratory.
My strength and agility surpassed that of all my men. Among those closest to me, only Edric and Viktor could compete with me on equal footing, whether in battle or in races.
Kehin lagged behind, but his effort made up for what he lacked in strength. Since he was a disappointing stain on my life, I needed to bury him once and for all in my memories and look for someone better—or at least equivalent—so I could train.
Seeing Edric’s figure in my secret laboratory, one of the few people I allowed inside, gave me a brief sense of relief from my worries, but only until I remembered the matter that united us at that moment.
“My friend,” he greeted me with a hug, now that I was indulging his partner’s wishes. A surrendered dog.
“I’m your friend again?” I mocked, making him break into a wide smile.
“You never stopped being.”
“I allowed you in here because I needed to restock your injectables, but then I remembered I kept them with mine, at home.”
“You’re getting old and forgetful.”