We Can't Stay Here
\[Serenity’s POV\]
I remain beside Aunt Elise as Maverick moves out into the hall and begins to engage in battle with whoever is there. Everything in me is screaming to go out there and help him, but I know right now the most important thing is getting Aunt Elise somewhere safe.
As she was, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.
‘We need to get her wolf back like we did Maverick.’ Mahogany murmurs.
‘I agree.’ I sigh and turn my gaze to the scared and confused girl beside me. ‘But will it awaken Elaenor’s wolf or Aunt Elise’s?’
Aunt Elise’s situation was special given the fact her original body died and she was reborn into a different body. As far as we knew, there were two souls residing in Eleanor’s body, which meant that there were two wolves too.
“Dammit.” I growl, causing Aunt Elise’s large eyes to come to rest on me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I respond, not wanting to concern her with my useless musings. “I was just thinking that we needed to get up and get moving.”
“But there’s danger out there.” She points out.
It’s almost painful to see her like this, especially since the Aunt Elise I knew was strong and more than willing to throw herself into danger. Hell, that was how she died in the first place. She gave her life to protect Uncle William and everybody.
“There will be danger in here if we don’t move soon.” I point out, listening intently to the fighting just beyond the door in front of me. “It’s safer to get you somewhere else.”
For a moment, Aunt Elise doesn’t speak as she stares at me, but when she nods and slowly rises from the bed she is sitting on, I know that she at least trusts me to keep her safe.
“Whatever you do,” I say now, looking from the door to the window while debating what would be the best way to go. “You have to stay with me.”
“Okay.”
Her voice is quiet and dripping with fear over what is about to happen, but even then she’s more than willing to go along with me.
Sucking in a breath, I head to the window and throw it open so I can take in the grounds just beneath. Luckily, the women’s wing was only on the second floor of New Moon’s packhouse, and there was a large tree right outside my window, allowing the perfect way out.
“Come on,” I tell Aunt Elise once I’m sure that the grounds are safe for the time being. “We can’t waste any time.”
Nodding, she moves forward, and when she reaches, I climb out onto a limb that is strong enough to hold me. “Give me your hand,” I continue, holding out my own. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Aunt Elise doesn’t hesitate to do as instructed, and once she is on the limb with me, we take in the packhouse, trying to determine exactly where to go. However, before I can make a decision, the door to my room bursts open, and a large wolf with glowing red eyes rushes in with Maverick in his wolf form on its tail.
‘SERENITY!’ His voice booms in my head, and I can feel the worry he is feeling for me. ‘GET ELISE AND YOURSELF TO SAFETY!’
At his words, I shift my gaze, and when our eyes meet, I can feel Maverick’s love and determination to protect me as if it were my own.
‘Be safe.’ I tell him before Elise and I begin to climb down the tree, opting to use the shadows of the grounds to sneak around. ‘And in return I’ll do the same.’
Finished speaking, I jump onto the ground and then gently help Aunt Elise down from the limb she is on. Once our feet are on the ground, I extend my senses, searching for anyone who may be near while trying to decide which direction to go.
From my vantage point, I can’t see to find anyone, but that simply means that they are all most likely in the packhouse or on the borders fighting.
“Let’s go.” I tell Aunt Elise, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the barracks.
I knew that they were kept locked at night so no one attempted to break in and steal personal information on the warriors or battle strategy. In my opinion it was the safety space since it didn’t have any windows and there was only one way in and one way out. And even if it was locked, I could easily pick it after years of practicing.
“Shouldn’t we go into the building?” Aunt Elise asks, reminding me again that she doesn’t know anything about what is happening or this place anymore. “What if…”
“Do you trust me?” I ask her, peeking over my shoulder so that our gazes can meet.
“I do.” She responds without any hesitation.
“Then trust that I wouldn’t pull you into any danger.”
I don’t say anything more before I continue along, and when we reach the barracks, I find that the place isn’t locked. Instantly, I go on alert, extending my senses and listening intently, and when I don’t find anyone waiting within, I slowly pull the door open and usher Aunt Elise inside.
The space within is dark, but it doesn’t take long for my eyes to adjust, and once they do, I lead her through the building until we reach an office.
“Go ahead in.” I tell Aunt Elise, opening the door for her. “You’ll be safe in here.”
“What about you?” She asks, eyeing me in confusion. “Aren’t you coming in with me?”
“About that,” I say slowly, suddenly feeling a presence behind me. “I’m afraid that I’ve got something to deal with here.”
“What?” She gasps, but I don’t give her the chance to question me further before I’m pushing her into the room and slamming the door.
Turning, I use my body to block the room as the one that snuck up on me steps out of the shadows and stares at me.
“You know,” I say, taking in her ice-blue eyes and long dark hair. “I expected this from anyone but you.”
“Why?” She asks, eyeing me. “Because I was so pathetic and weak? Poor Ellie, she was abused by Ezekial and then turned into one of his crazed beasts. Of course, no one would expect me to be the one who was orchestrating this whole thing.”
She was right. I expected anyone other than her, but after Aunt Elise’s dream I knew deep down that she was the one that was behind everything.
“You’re a great actress.” I tell her, clapping. “But you made a mistake.”
“And what’s that?”
“Attacking my family.”