Chapter 25

Chapter 25
Secrets and Flames(Kael)

The scent of blood and sweat still lingered in the room. Not fresh blood old, and metallic, the kind that clung to your skin long after the killing was done.

I paced the edge of the concrete walls, my boots hitting the ground with hard, measured thuds. I didn't know what this man’s deal was. I don't know if this was a set up of some sort but I had every plan to get to the bottom of this issue.

The Lunari scout sat shackled to the chair, head bowed, wrists bloodied where the silver cuffs bit into his flesh. He hadn’t spoken in twenty minutes.And that pissed me off more than anything. I was alpha. He should know better this to keep me waiting, yet…I slammed my palm against the wall. “You crossed into our border. You knew we’d catch you. What was the plan?”

The scout lifted his head slowly. His eyes—sunken, almost hollow—met mine, and a crooked grin spread across his cracked lips. “She shines too brightly, that I'm sure even the gods envy her.”

What did he mean by that?I stilled. “What did you say?”He chuckled. “The goddess must bleed to awaken.”My heart beat once—twice—hard in my chest.“What goddess?” I demanded, though the answer was already crawling its way up my spine like ice.

The last thing I need is anybody making my mate suffer because she needs to awaken. I would rather have her the way she is than watch her suffer to become someone else.He tilted his head. “You already know. She is beginning to remember you. Even now.”I lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar. “You’re not making sense. Speak plainly.”He didn’t flinch. “She will rise. But not untouched. Fire and pain are the key.”A low growl tore from my throat. I let go and stepped back, breathing hard. Sweat slid down my back.

I’d heard riddles like this before—whispers from the old texts, warnings buried under dust and war. But this wasn’t just prophecy. This was a threat.And I didn't take threats well.The door creaked open behind me and I turned on instinct.Clara slipped in, her eyes serious. “Kael. Alice is here.”“What? No. Get her out of here.” I said with a wave of hand.

“She asked to come.” Clara’s voice was low, calm, but her jaw was tight. “She said she needs to see him.”I turned toward the door just as Alice stepped in. What was it and her being stubborn.She never listened.

She looked pale, but not fragile. Determined. Eyes sharp despite the lingering fatigue in her posture. She ignored me, walking straight to the scout. I didn't know what she had in mind but I just watched.“Why were you looking for me?” she asked, her voice steady.The scout's smile widened. “You burn. Even now. I feel it.”

Alice reached out and my heart nearly stopped. The Sect were unpredictable and could have anything up their sleeves especially if they do easily sent one of their own to his death.“Alice, don’t—” I moved toward her, but it was too late.Her fingers brushed his shoulder.

A flash—silver light exploded from his chest like a firework in reverse. He screamed, or maybe we did, I couldn’t tell—then his body burst into silver flame. The heat was instant and unbearable. I shielded Alice with my body, dragging her back as the fire swallowed him whole.And then—nothing.

Just ash and smoke.The chair, scorched and black. The cuffs melted.Alice swayed in my arms like she was about to faint.“Alice,” I murmured, “stay with me.”

She looked up at me, eyes unfocused. Her lips trembled. “Kael?”“I’m here.”She blinked slowly. “No. Not Kael.” She touched my face with cold fingers. “Vaelen...”The name. My old name.I froze. She was really remembering. It seems things are changing faster than I anticipated.“How do you know that name?”

Her lashes fluttered. “The dreams and flashes. You were there. Before... before everything changed.”She passed out in my arms.I lifted her, one arm under her legs, the other around her back. She was warm and light, and something in me shifted the way it always did when she was close. The hallway outside was quiet. Clara trailed behind, her face pale.“She’ll be okay,” I said, mostly for myself.“I don’t know.” Clara sounded scared. That wasn’t a good sign.

I carried Alice down the corridor, ignoring the stares from the guards and passing pack members. Her head rested against my chest, her breaths shallow but even.That must have taken a lot out of her. But why did she burn him on contact?“She called me Vaelen,” I muttered.Clara looked at me. “That’s... that’s not possible. That name—Kael, what does it mean?”“It means her memory is returning.” My grip on her tightened. “And if she remembers who I was... the Sect may already know.”

We reached her room. I set her down on the bed gently. Her lips were pale, a sheen of sweat on her brow. I brushed the hair from her face. Her skin trembled under my touch.“I thought I lost you,” I whispered.

I sat beside her, unable to leave. I didn’t care what rank I held, or how many warriors bowed when I passed. Right now, I was just a man terrified he was too late.I don't know what I will do with myself if anything should happen to her again. I certainly don't want to find out.“Do you remember me?” I asked softly.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Then—“I saw you. Before the fall.”That fall. The war between moonlight and fire. The breaking of packs. The first burn of betrayal. She remembered.I leaned in and kissed her forehead. Just a whisper of skin on skin, not daring for more. Not yet.She was too weak for me to go beyond that. And I didn't believe that was the right time.“I’ll protect you this time,” I said. “Even from yourself.”The door creaked. I looked up and my features haddened.Darius stood there. His expression was unreadable. My hand was still on her cheek. Her head still rested in my lap.And his eyes were burning with intensity.