Chapter 62

I stood up as everyone else did, looking away from Xen. Everyone stood up, bidding farewell to each other.

"We will meet back at the outskirts of Oak Woods," the chief announced, glancing at Xen, who nodded. He picked up the small map at his side, his eyes moving through it as everyone left one by one, muttering their farewells. Elder Hilda reached for the door after giving me a polite smile, but Xen called out first.

"Elder Hilda, if you don't mind, Rose and I would like a word."

"Yes," Elder Hilda said to him. "What can I help you with, my Lord?"

Xen looked at me, and I couldn't figure out why he mentioned my name. Before my mind could conclude, Xen smiled.

"Rose and I were thinking that it is not good for the victims, who have no family, to be alone. Without children, they might do something desperate."

Right, I told him about this yesterday. The odd and ominous feeling of seeing those parents lost and alone gave me a sense of foreboding.

"Oh, yes, of course, you're right. I will see what I can do. I can find volunteers who can check on their houses from time to time," Elder Hilda pondered. "I was going around to examine a few of them anyway."

"Good," Xen said.

"I have one more question, if I may?" Elder Hilda looked at me inquisitively.

"With you both arriving in our village, morale has spread, giving people hope. If you can come with me and visit them, not for investigation but for support," she asked.

For a moment, her words didn't quite sink in as to what she was asking of me. But when they did, I frowned. I had gone with Xen to investigate, but she was asking me to show an act of compassion. I didn't know if I was capable of comforting someone.

"It seems like a good idea, Rose. What do you think?" Xen asked, shaking me out of my thoughts. He must have noticed that I hadn't answered.

Saying no would be rude, so I suppose I can try. I had been there yesterday, but mostly Xen did the talking.

"I don't know what I can do, but I will accompany you," I agreed.

Xen looked at me. After last night, it seemed a little more distant. More likely, it would be torture.

"Lovely," Elder Hilda said, giving me a kind smile.

"I will meet you outside," I said, and Elder Hilda left.

Xen took my hand and pulled me to the parlor, where we ate.

"I won't mind if you want to come with me, but we're going deeper into the woods."

"And I won't be much of a help," I said, feeling ill-equipped. The truth is, I didn't know much about the extraordinary beings that lived on this island. One of them was Xen. I couldn't help him if I didn't make an effort to understand his world. Right now, all I wanted was for him to stop having that frown on his face.

"I don't mean that."

"You don't have to. It's true, and I'm not hurt. I don't know anything about tracking in the woods, and I would probably hold you back. You should go, and I will..." I didn't know what I would do if I wasn't with him, and it struck me. Had I gotten used to him this much?

"I will accompany Elder Hilda, but what about the message?"

"Don't worry, I have a plan. I will send Brian—" Just as He said that two sharp knocks on the door interrupted us, and Xen opened it.

Brian entered. He was about the same height as Xen, with light golden hair. I had only seen him in his wolf form, and we hadn't interacted before. But why would Xen send him? Xen closed the door.

"Alpha, you have summoned me?" Brian bowed and clasped his hands behind his back, standing straight. With a serious look on his face, his demeanor was completely different from Lief and Alkin, who were always goofing around and at ease around Xen.

"You are the only one who can pass as me in wolf form. I need you to set off for Dragonstone. Remember, the enemies' eyes will be on you. When you reach the Dragonstone, give this to the vampire king directly. No one and I mean no one, should see this letter before he does." Xen's sharp eyes were clear in their intent as he commanded.

"You can trust me, Alpha. I will do as you say," Brian said in a deep voice, taking the letter from him. Brian turned and opened the door.

Alkin and Lief were waiting at the door. Xen looked at Brian.

"Take Alkin and Lief with you," Xen said.

"Where?" Alkin asked.

"To the Dragonstone," Xen said.

"That would only leave you with two wolves, and both are young." Alkin frowned.

"We have to risk it. We have to make it convincing," Xen said.

"But, Alpha," Leif started to protest, looking at Brian and then at Xen.

"Do as I say," Xen said in a voice no one seemed to defy. His eyes almost turned to stone. The three of them bowed and left silently. I put a hand on Xen's shoulder, and he let out a breath.

"They're right. You're putting yourself in a vulnerable position," I said.

"The best way to defeat the enemy is to let them think they are winning," he said, turning to me. His eyes were tense, and I couldn't argue with that statement.

Later, as we strolled hand in hand out of the guest house, another black rider messenger approached us, guiding his horse by the reins. With a silent greeting, he bowed to Xen.

"This is for the Vampire King. Be careful on your way," he said. The black rider mounted his horse and swiftly rode off into the distance.

"Two letters?" I whispered, leaning in closer to Xen. I knew one of them was meant to mislead anyone attempting to intercept it, while the one with Brian held the true message. "Don't you possess any of those invisible inks?" I raised an eyebrow teasingly.

"You are impressed with Silas?" Xen playfully narrowed his eyes.

"Of course," I replied.

"Silas always complicates things," he deadpanned, turning to face me completely. I could detect a glint of annoyance in his eyes, which only made me bubble with mirth.

"So, you don't have the invisible ink, do you?" I giggled.

"No," he admitted with slumped shoulders.