Chapter#57

Chapter#57
Varian’s POV
The barracks door slammed against the wall as I stormed in. My boots pounded hard against the stone floor because my blood was already boiling. My eyes locked on Liam, that bastard, kneeling beside Selene’s cot. 
Fucking vulture, circling her like she’s prey. 
Rage surged through me like a wildfire scorching my veins, and I charged, grabbing his collar and slamming him against the wall with a force that rattled the torches. 
His head cracked against the stone, and I snarled. “What the hell did you do to her?”
Liam shoved me off. “I did nothing! Whatever happened to her it’s because of you!” His hazel eyes blazed, and his growl matched mine. “She was fine when she got here!” His voice dripped with fury, and his fists clenched, ready to swing.
My vision tunneled as my wolf howled for his blood. I can smell your lust, you filth. Every fiber of me screamed to rip him apart, to peel his skin back and watch him bleed for daring to touch her, and for breaking her with his rejection. 
I’d hated him since the moment I saw him near her. Selene was mine. She owned my heart and my soul, though I’d never let her see the depth of it. But now, seeing her on that cot, I couldn’t hold back.
I lunged again. My fist grazed his jaw as he dodged. “Don’t lie to me!” I roared. My voice echoed off the walls. “I see it in your eyes. You bastard!”
Before he could answer, my gaze flicked to Selene, and my heart stopped. She lay there, gasping. Her body trembled like her soul was clawing to stay tethered. Her skin was gray as ash, and her lips… gods, those lips! They parted with shallow breaths that rattled my chest. 
She’s dying, and I’m wasting time on this scum. 
I dropped to my knees beside her. My hand hovered, afraid to touch her. “Selene…” My voice cracked, raw with guilt. It was a sound I barely recognized. “I failed you.”
Rowan’s roar shattered the moment. “Don’t you fucking touch her!” His fist was aimed at my head as he lunged, but Caden caught his arm, yanking him back with a grunt.
“Rowan, stop!” Caden’s voice was sharp as his brown eyes darted between us. “We don’t have time for this!”
I leaned closer to her, inhaling her scent. It was mingled with Liam’s awful scent, but I now couldn’t do anything about it. I was the one who sent her to him. I was only trying to protect her. From me. But now, looking at her, I wanted to kill myself.
My voice was barely audible, “I’ll protect you. Forgive me if you can.” 
Her breaths were faint. Each one was a knife in my gut, but I realised the scent was stronger than it should’ve been. Liam’s scent came out so strong like he…
My head snapped up, and my eyes locked on Liam. My voice thundered as I let out every word like each one was a final sentence. “What did you do?”
“I told you,” Liam’s face flushed. “Nothing! I’d never hurt her!” But his eyes betrayed him, flickering with guilt, and I saw red. 
You fucked her, you coward. You think you can claim her while she’s dying?
Our voices were a storm as we clashed again. My fist grazed his shoulder as he blocked. “Liar!” I snarled, shoving him back. “I can smell her on you!”
“Varian, stop!” Caden stepped between us. “Liam wouldn’t… he wouldn’t do that.”
“You’re both filthy bastards!” Rowan hissed. “Circling her like wolves, showing your filth over my sister! I don’t trust either of you!” His words were a lash, and I couldn’t blame him. 
He’s right to hate me.
“You can fight all you want, but first we have to save her.” Liam’s voice steadied. “Caden, you were going to tell me there’s a way to save her.”
“The Legend of the Moonbinder’s Grave.” Caden started, but Liam cut him off. “I know the legend, but… I’ll never share her with him. Never.” 
As if I’d want to share her with you, you pathetic fool. 
I met his gaze, trying to steady my tone. “You think I want your stench near her? But if it saves her, I’ll choke down my hate. Unlike you, I’d die for her.” 
Rowan snarled. “She’s my sister, not some ritual toy! You think I’ll let you two touch her after what you’ve done?”
Caden grabbed his arm. “Rowan, we’ve been through this. it’s her only chance!” His eyes darted between us all. “The Ashenroot lies beyond the guarded cliffs. We need a distraction… someone to draw the sentries out, and someone to carry her.”
My mind raced with possibilities of what could happen if we got caught. And none of the possibilities were close to being bearable. “I’ll handle the sentries. Liam, you carry her. Don’t make me regret trusting you with her.”
Liam crossed his arms and scoffed. “She’s always going to be safe with me.”
“Oh, is she?” I mugged a grin.
“This isn’t a competition!” Caden finally snapped. “You both are guilty. You both did this to her. You both are to blame. Now cut the crap and work on what to do next because we’re running out of time. She’ the only family Rowan and I have, and I can’t, under any circumstances, I can’t lose her.”
Rowan muttered curses. His face was red, but he relented. “If anything goes wrong, or you don’t bring her back alive… I’ll kill you both.”
I nodded. “You have my word. I’ll keep your sister safe.”