Chapter 84 Run

Chapter 84 Run
The alarm never stopped. Its cry echoed across the city, rising above the sounds of panic and shattering stone. Only moments ago, the streets had been alive with laughter. Now people were running. The memory surged around Rowan so completely that she forgot she was dreaming. Forgot she was watching, forgot she wasn't really there. She could feel the warmth of the sunlight. Could smell smoke drifting through the air. Could hear the fear spreading through the city like a living thing. Most of all, she could feel her mother's hands gripping her shoulders.

"Look at me."

The command cut through the chaos. Young Rowan looked up. Silver eyes met hers. Eyes that matched her own. Eyes filled with terror, not for herself, but for Rowan. The realization struck harder than anything else. Her mother was afraid. and that terrified her.

"Mom?"

Elara swallowed. The movement looked painful. As though she were forcing herself to remain calm. Around them, people raced through the gardens. Some shouted warnings. Others carried children. The city trembled beneath their feet. A distant explosion rolled through the streets. The silver leaves overhead shook violently. Still, Elara never looked away from Rowan.

"You are brave."

Young Rowan frowned. The statement made no sense.

"Mom"

"You are brave."

The words came firmer this time. As though Elara needed Rowan to believe them. Needed her to remember. The city shook again. Closer. A crack split one of the nearby walls. People screamed. Then Fenrir appeared. The massive wolf exploded into the courtyard like a storm. His fur was stained with blood, and dark streaks covered his chest and shoulders. His golden eyes were wild with fear. The sight froze Rowan in place. Fenrir wasn't supposed to look afraid. Nothing scared Fenrir. Yet here he was, breathing hard, bleeding, and terrified.

"We have to go."

Elara stood immediately.

"How long?"

"Minutes."

The answer landed like a death sentence. For the first time, Elara closed her eyes. Just once, then she nodded, a tiny movement, a terrible acceptance.

"Get everyone through."

Fenrir growled. The sound shook the courtyard.

"No."

The word startled everyone. Including Elara. His eyes locked onto hers.

"You come too."

The city trembled again. Another explosion, closer now. Yet neither of them moved. Neither looked away. Centuries lived inside that silence. Rowan could feel it. The bond between them. Not romantic. The kind of connection forged over lifetimes. Elara slowly stepped forward. She carefully placed her hand against Fenrir's face. The giant wolf immediately stille, the growling stopped, the anger vanished and only grief remained.

"You know I can't."

The words shattered something inside him. Rowan felt it. Saw it. Fenrir looked away first. Unable to bear it. Elara smiled sadly. A smile that somehow hurt more than tears.

"Take care of her."

His eyes closed. The wolf bowed his head. Defeated, not because he agreed, because he knew the decision had already been made. For several seconds nobody spoke. Then Fenrir turned toward Rowan. Golden eyes meeting hers. The look in them felt like a promise. A deep horn suddenly echoed across the city. The sound froze everyone. Fenrir spun. Elara went pale. The fear Rowan had seen earlier returned instantly. Only stronger. Worse.

"No."

The word left Elara as a whisper. Another horn answered. Then another. The city trembled violently. This time the ground cracked beneath their feet. The silver tree groaned. Ancient roots shifted beneath the stone, and somewhere beyond the walls, something roared. The sound rolled through the city like thunder.

Mine.

The word slammed into Rowan's mind, even here, even in the memory. The creature was there, watching, waiting, calling. Elara grabbed Rowan's hand. The way mothers held children when danger was near.

"Come with me."

The memory lurched. The courtyard vanished. Now they were running. Corridors flashed past. Silver lights flickered overhead. People crowded every hallway. The panic felt contagious. Yet Rowan noticed something else. Something wrong. Not everyone looked afraid. Some watched. As though they expected this as if they knew. The realization settled coldly inside her. Betrayal. The thought wasn't hers. It belonged to Elara. The memory raced forward. A massive doorway appeared. Ancient symbols glowed across black stone. Fenrir shoved it open. A hidden chamber waited beyond. Elara pushed Rowan inside. The child stumbled, turned.

"Mom?"

The fear in her own voice nearly broke Rowan's heart. Elara knelt immediately. Pulling her daughter into her arms. The embrace was fierce. The kind of hug meant to last forever. The kind someone gives when they know they may never get another chance. Tears filled Elara's eyes. She didn't wipe them away.

"I love you."

The words hit Rowan like a blade. Because she had spent her entire life without them. Without knowing they had ever been spoken. Without knowing they had ever existed, and now here they were, too late. Yet somehow exactly when she needed them. Young Rowan buried her face against her mother's shoulder.

"Don't go."

The plea shattered the room. Elara's composure finally cracked. A tear slipped free, but when she pulled back, she was smiling. For Rowan. Always for Rowan.

"You remember who you are."

The words felt important. Like a message meant to survive centuries.

"You hear me?"

Young Rowan nodded.

Elara kissed her forehead, then stood. The chamber door began to close. Fenrir remained beside it. A figure was standing beyond the doorway. Watching, hidden in shadow. Elara saw them too. Recognition, disbelief and betrayal all crossed her face. The expression lasted only a second. The realization struck Rowan like lightning. She knew them and the door slammed shut. Darkness swallowed everything.

Rowan woke with tears streaming down her face.