Chapter 96: Missing

Chapter 96: Missing
Cameron’s P.O.V

“Both Alex and Mirage?” Alpha Charles, my father, clenched his jaw. “And we’re finding out about this only now? What on earth had the guards been doing at night?”

“Lucas and Dylan at the front gate said that they were at a daze,” Sarah reasoned with my father and I was glad that she was still here because she was the one of the people he still listened to. “Around three at night…it got really foggy and they went out to check. After that, they don’t remember much of what happened. It was all foggy and unclear. The next time they returned, over an hour of time had passed and they couldn’t remember anything.”

“Definitely magic, but I’m finding it hard to understand how a witch can cause time lapses or make people lose sense of time,” Freya shook her head, rubbing her hands up and down her arm. “The time when my coven came to take me away, they had used fog as well, mixed with a sleeping spell. But this was different. This was just…I don’t even know how to explain it.”

“Honey, if you’re worried about why the barriers didn’t work…” my mother came forward to wrap an arm around Freya. “You know it’s not your fault, right?”

“That’s not what I’m worried about mom,” Freya looked up at all of us, a kind of guilt in her eyes. “The day before yesterday…Mirage suddenly started training really hard, trying to master her powers. And then yesterday, I found her in Julian’s room. I heard from Candice later on that she promised him that Julian will wake up soon.”

“So?” Sarah tilted her head to the side. “You think it’s…somehow connected?”

“I know it is.” She nodded her head frantically. “I…Alex told me that Mirage had a bad dream two nights ago. She saw him die in that dream, but when he asked her if there was more to that dream, she kept denying it. I tried asking her about it too, but she didn’t answer me either. Thing is…for Mirage, her dreams have always been significant. They had always had hidden meanings. So…what if…”

Father held up his hand, telling her to pause as he listened in on a mind link and then his phone started to ring. He answered it as soon as possible, answering in yes and no’s as his face looked more and more tense as the seconds ticked away.

Once he was done, he ended the call and turned to us with a sigh. “The Vampire Queen found someone who was more than willing to help us. They’re on their way now and should reach within the next hour or so. However…I was told that there was a…surprise waiting for us…and they should be arriving with the vampire.”

“I don’t know if I like the word ‘surprise’ anymore.” I shook my head before turning to Freya. “You were saying something?”

“It’s just a theory.” She told us unsurely.

“Anything would work at this moment, my child.” My father looked defeated as he sat down onto his chair, massaging his temples with his fingers. “Alex had been growing distant for a while now and if anyone knew what was going through his mind then it would be the three of you. As for Mirage…that child is truly a mirage. She hardly let’s others know about her inner turmoil…”

“Well…the thing is, we’ve been waiting for Alistair to contact us about a bargain for Julian, right?” Freya looked at all of us before turning back to my father. “But what if we’ve been looking at the situation the wrong way? Alistair doesn’t really know any of us and neither does he have a need to contact us when he can just contact Mirage directly? I mean…he had…physical contact…with her for two years and it…that kind of contact sometimes forms connects, even if we don’t want to.”

“So…what you’re saying is…Mirage’s dream two nights ago, the one Alex told you to inquire about…” Sarah’s eyes widened in horror as the rest of us understood what Freya was trying to tell us.

“Alistair had already contacted her and that’s why she’s missing since last night.” I cursed under my breath. “Alex must have felt something, so he followed her. Maybe he didn’t inform us because he couldn’t?”

“But we can still track him.” Father suddenly got up from his seat and reached for his laptop. “He still has his tracker on his wrist. If we can fin-”

“Alpha!”

Daisy burst in through the door right then, ignoring protocol and without knocking.

“Daisy? Is something the matter?” Father frowned at her but didn’t say anything harsh as she was the pack healer.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but this is important.” She came forward and bowed her head. “I’m sorry for withholding information.”

“What information?” The Alpha asked.

“This morning…the guards at the front gate found a vial lying on the floor, right outside the gates.” Daisy told us. “I had been doing my morning rounds and I happened to see them first. I took the vial from them for inspection and forbade them from telling anyone until I had evidence to confirm my suspicion. Especially since I heard that Mirage and Alex have gone missing.”

“And have you found it?” Father asked in a rigid tone. “Evidence to confirm whatever it is that you were suspecting and a reason for withholding information from your Alpha?”

“Yes, Alpha.” Daisy looked up to face my father, her hands behind her back. “I have. I tested the vial and it came back positive. It’s the cure for Julian’s sickness.”

I felt Freya’s mind go blank and caught her just in time as her legs gave away.

Sarah and my mother were both by her side in an instant, supporting her as she drifted in and out of consciousness.

“Freya!” I took her face in my hands, making her focus on me. “Look at me. Can you hear me? Freya?”

“Mirage…” it was the first thing she said as he eyes focused on my face. “She’s gone because she made a deal…she saved Julian.”

“I think she’s right.” Daisy confirmed what Freya had just said. “I had that suspicion as well, especially after the way she was acting yesterday, in Julian’s room. At first I had thought she missed him, just like everyone else did. But when she disappeared today, I saw it in a different light. And then a vial of liquid just magically appeared in front of the door…”

“Are you sure it can help Julian?” My father asked yet again. “It’s not a poison in disguise?”

“No, it completely neutralized the black substance that I had extracted from Julian’s hand and it left his blood clean.” Daisy confirmed. “I kept it aside for two hours in an isolated test tube, fearing the same, but the blood sample remained fine and acted naturally. It is the cure.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Save Julian!”