Chapter 10 Drums of War
Amara’s POV
The wind was the first warning. I wrapped my arms around myself and stood in the chilly night air outside the great hall of the Obsidian Pack. However, there was a bad odour. The breeze carried the smell of ash and blood. My wrist was scorched with my mark, alerting me. I turned and hurried inside.
The council had already met and was debating. Kian's voice was tight with rage as he stood at the table with his palms flat on the carved wood. “She is accumulating rogues. Maybe fifty, at least. “A complete battle camp was reported to be growing close to the boundary woodland by scouts. They're not merely rogues, either. They are accompanied by witches, cursed ones who are subject to her will.”
Beta Ren let out a low-pitched growl. "Dark magic." She is no longer even attempting to conceal it.
I entered the room covertly at first. Rowan was also there, leaning in the shadows against the wall, arms folded, his eyes glaring at Kian. His jaw tensed at the sight of me, but he kept his eyes fixed on me.
Elder Thorn, the Alpha of Obsidian, smashed his hand against the table. "So, for one girl, she's bringing open warfare to our territory? A single priestess?” He pivoted and gave me a fierce look. "You, Amara."
Although I recoiled, I straightened my back. "I didn't request this," I said. Despite my heart trembling, my voice remained steady. "But I refuse to be her pawn."
Thorn's mouth twisted. "If she brings that army down on our heads, we might not have an option."
Kian's tone was cold. "Yes, we do have an option. We battle. His face softened as he turned to face me. "You are protected by us."
Rowan moved away from the wall with a push. He spoke in a dangerously composed tone. "Or we end it and send her back."
Like a hammer, silence fell. My stomach turned over. I stared incredulously at Rowan. He wouldn't say that, would he? His uneasy look met mine. There was nothing more from him.
Kian blew up. "You are a jerk. You would give her up now to protect your reputation after everything you've done to her?”
Rowan's tone faltered. “Do you believe I want to part with her? Before I allowed her to perish, I would set fire to every forest from here to the sea. However, whether it's her or a whole pack—
"Enough!" I yelled. They were both silenced by the sound of my voice. I didn't cover up the fact that my hands were shaking. "You no longer have the authority to decide for me. Both of you.”
Rowan's mouth was gritted, but his look softened. Kian moved to ground me by caressing my shoulder.
With trepidation, I inhaled. "I refuse to return. I'm not going to be her weapon. I refuse to allow her to remove my soul and display it like a trophy. She will have to kill me if she wants me. I won't make it simple, though.”
Thorn's eyes shifted back and forth between us. "Brave words. However, you are only one girl.
I gave a headshake. "No. The Moon Priestess is who I am. To complete her spell, she needs me alive. Her vulnerability is that.” I felt the pulse of the mark as I touched my wrist. "I am capable of fighting her. I need time to learn, though. I also need assistance.”
Once more, there was a thick, tight silence. Kian turned to face Thorn. "That time will be given to her. Obsidian supports her.”
Rowan remained silent. His eyes blazed with fury and disappointment. "I'll fight her too," he mumbled at the end. “Do not misunderstand me. If I can, I'll kill her myself. His voice cracked. However, Amara, I will not witness your death. Not even if you despise me indefinitely.”
Painfully, my heart twisted. I blinked back tears as I turned away. That wasn't appropriate at this moment.
Elder Thorn let out a deep sigh. “Then, we get ready for battle. Get the warriors to train at daybreak, Beta Ren. You manage the border patrols, Kian. We'll train you with our witches and seers, Amara. Any advantage we can obtain.”
I ignored the panic swelling in my chest and gave a firm nod. Here, I wouldn't display it. Not right now.
I couldn't sleep that night. I lay in bed and looked at the shadowy rafters. My mark burned and itched. My thoughts wouldn't stop. My mind was flooded with visions of Lilith—her icy smile, her crown of darkness. My name was spoken in the wind.
After a while, I got up and sneaked out. The camp was peaceful but not quiet. With their torches dimming, the guards moved in pairs. I imagined war drums in the distance.
Kian discovered me using a dull blade to practice stances by the training circle. At first, he remained silent. Simply mimicked me while brandishing another blade.
The chilly air frosted our breath as we sparred in solitude. Every blade-to-blade collision was a query. Each step was an admission.
At last, he brought his sword down. In the moonlight, his eyes gleamed. He said, "You're too good for this world."
I gave a headshake. "I am not good. All I'm doing is trying to live.”
He stepped closer, dropping his weapon. My cheek was clasped by his hand. "You're no longer by yourself. Do you not see that? I'm yours. We are yours.”
My heart pounded. I put my forehead against his as I leaned in. I briefly allowed myself to dream of safety, calm, and someone who saw me.
Then I thought about Rowan's face. The chains. The voice was a broken apology. The coerced bond.
I swallowed and retreated. "I can't, Kian."
He touched my lip with his thumb and groaned. "I understand. I'll hold off. for however long it takes.”
Tears pricked my eyes. I loathed this. This decision. This suffering.
But a chill went through me before I could respond. Ice cold flared at my mark.
"Amara?" Sharply, Kian inquired.
I gripped my wrist tightly. "She is present."
The surroundings appeared to grow darker, with denser shadows. The wind died. Each torch sputtered and extinguished. There was such a total silence that it crushed against my ears.
Then I heard her. In my head, not with my ears. In all of our minds.
Burn or bring me the Priestess.
Her voice could be heard everywhere.
Kian grabbed his head in a flinch. Warriors screamed and clutched their temples all around us.
Burn or bring me the Priestess.
The darkness was divided by Rowan's shout. He had been observing from the periphery of the training circle. With his teeth exposed and his eyes gleaming, he charged forward.
"Enough!" He yelled to the heavens. "Enough!"
However, the voice merely chuckled.
“Little Alpha, I see you. I can see how ashamed you are. I see that your heart is breaking. You can't keep her away from me indefinitely.”
Kian growled. "Leave her head alone!"
I sank to my knees and started crying. I had the voice inside of me. Causing everything to twist.
Priestess, I own your soul. I'll have your power. Or your entire universe will burn.
Then there was quiet.
Total, terrible quiet.
Everyone was panting heavily. Faces were dripping with sweat.
Shaking, Rowan dropped to one knee. Kian knelt next to me and protected me by putting his arms around me.
I was numb.
However, my inner wolf snarled.
I won't be with her.
I looked up. I forced myself to speak even though my voice cracked. "We battle."
Kian clenched his arms. "We battle."
With anger and a hint of hope, Rowan's eyes met mine. "We battle."
However, I heard Lilith's last whisper, as silent as death, at the back of my mind:
Burn or bring me the Priestess.
And I was aware.
The war had started.