334- Especially after that afternoon
POV Viktor Averwyn:
I fixed my gaze on her. A few days ago, I did not even know of her existence. Now, I would kill anyone who tried to take her away from there. It was irrational, crazy. But certain.
My heart beat stronger, her small and delicate beauty stirring every cell in my body, both the human and the wolf ones. Her red hair bewitching me.
I looked away, so as not to get distracted. It was still strange to be so affected that way.
“I thank you for being here, for this meeting. You deserve to know what is happening and what we will face starting tomorrow.” My voice echoed to the trees, loud and confident. “I have always strived to make our village prosperous for everyone. That you would feel protected and happy here. At times we had problems, when dubious character or violent instincts surprised us.”
They nodded, some murmurs spreading and then stopping.
“That was the case with Félix, for disrespecting one of our laws. And Vlad’s betrayal. Before them, the sad case of Iula, killed after her first heat.”
I looked sadly at Stoica and then at Emil beside me, her parents, their expressions heavy. Lana and the siblings, still alive, hugged their mother.
“The four aggressors had their lives taken by me, as punishment. And since then, respect and unity have reigned here. However, now we suffer an external attack. Before I continue, I need to make one thing very clear.”
All eyes were on me, waiting.
“The human among us is not the reason for the attack by Konrad Cyndrael.” I stared at Seraphine, and the curious ones did too. She was not moving, pale, quiet. Focused on me. “She is being used as an excuse. They have fabricated lies, and right now, none of the alphas nor the Elders are trustworthy.”
New surprised murmurs. I faced them until they fell silent.
“It is not just now that I have had suspicions, you know that. And I will find out what this is about, why we suddenly became targets, what they want to keep secret. If I bow my head now and obey their outrages, soon we will no longer exist. Nor our freedom. And you know me. I die for honor and honesty. I die to defend you. We will be under heavy attack, and the question I ask is: are you on my side? Will you fight with me?”
“Yes!”
“Alpha Viktor!”
“Death to the enemies!”
There were cheers and applause, fierce shouts, growls. Seraphine shrank back, moving to the side, her expression fearful.
My blood ran faster, my soul hardened. Emil, Cezar, Florian, and Lonut roared, making gestures of strength, beating their chests.
I remained motionless until they calmed down and began to fall silent.
“We are prepared. Traps, explosives, surprise attacks, secret exits through the forest, cameras, strategic observation points. Our high location surrounded by the cliff will also inhibit the invaders. We can resist for months. We have everything we need here. But each of you will have an important function during this period. You will know what it is. Other meetings will be scheduled. For now, no one can leave the village of Averwyn. Any problems, come to me. We will win this war.”
New shouts of support, the residents approaching to get my attention, confirm their participation, give testimonies or suggestions. I listened to them.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daciana also approaching from the side, with a teary-eyed Adelina. I did not see Seraphine.
She had nowhere to run, but I suspected she would try. Especially after that afternoon, when she complained about participating in the meeting and got embarrassed when I questioned her. That is why I expected the worst when I caught a glimpse of her vivid hair disappearing into the confusion, towards the castle.
My vision was much more powerful than she imagined. And her smell was ingrained in my nostrils. I would find her. In the meantime, I would let her try. And fail miserably so she would learn.
(...)
POV Seraphine Valerian:
My heart pounded like mad as I ran away from the crowd.
I was unsteady and shaken by Viktor, by his war speech and everyone’s support. By the way he looked at me, spoke of me. I didn’t know my role in that mess, only that I needed to escape as soon as possible.
Driven by desperation, I adjusted the candle and the matchbox I had stolen from a kitchen drawer when Daciana moved away. They were tucked under the waistband of my pants.
I had to be quick, before they noticed I was missing.
When I got near the castle, I hid in the shadows of the trees so the guards in the tower wouldn’t see me. That’s how I moved along the side, speeding up again towards the rocky walls of the old mine.
Panting, sweaty and nervous, I came upon the old gate blocking the hole. I pulled it aside and slipped through, stopping, a little frightened by the darkness beyond the entrance. I didn’t like enclosed, lightless places. But I gathered my courage and faced it. I was fighting for myself, for my life.
“God help me...”
Inside, I put the gate back in place. Then I lit the candle, tucking the matchbox back into my waistband. The path ahead of me was a little over two meters high and about one and a half meters wide. A small tunnel carved into the rock.
I plunged into the darkness, smelling dampness and rotting leaves, my hand feeling along the wall that the sparse light revealed. The floor was damp and dirty.
“Calm down... it’s going to be alright,” I whispered to myself.
I started to hurry. I didn’t have much time. My footsteps echoed, joining the sounds of dripping water that grew closer. It became narrow and uneven, then widened into a slow descent. Everything black, gloomy, swallowing me whole.
I ran. I don’t know for how long, the light flickering, my left hand always making sure the wall was near.
“Ow!” I screamed, jumping, when something ice-cold fell on my head, until I felt my arms wet.
Shit! It was just a hole, where water from outside was seeping through.
That was all.
I gasped, checking that the candle hadn’t gone out. I kept going forward.
The path serpentined left, then right. It went down, then up. More water trickles, turning the ground muddy and slippery. I almost fell in one part, terrified, shaking. The air was scarce, seeming thin. I feared encountering some beast hiding there.
I didn’t stop. I heard only my desperate breathing, my heartbeat, and my footsteps. Until the width expanded and, with the help of the candle, I realized the passage split into two paths. Which one to take?
“Saint Sara, help me!” I begged, my legs weak, a layer of cold sweat covering me.
What if it really was deactivated and at risk of collapsing?
I lit the irregular ceiling, with more drips. Everything seemed fine.