Kado turned Isaac's ring between his fingers. The deep red facets caught the light from his hearth. He glanced around the den—his den. After the announcement that they were at war, Silver had brought him to a newly constructed den, conveniently near Katrine's.
He was not blind to the Alphena's plan. Katrine was pretending to be his friend, but she was little more than a spy—a puppet for the Alphena to make sure he stayed close, where he could be used. At least he could be alone in here.
He lay down on his pallet, still holding the ring to the light. It felt warm between his fingertips.
Now that Fenear was officially at war with the Republic, he would be under more pressure to control his abilities as the fabled white wolf. He wanted revenge on Terayan more than anything. Perhaps aiding his enemies would achieve that. But still, Kado could not get over the pit of rage in his stomach at the thought of being used again. He dropped the ring on his chest.
Part of him wanted to believe that Katrine, Rayna, Silver, and the others were telling the truth, that they cared about him because he was one of them, not because of his potential powers. The Fenearens were his mother's people, after all.
Quella had loved him. She had loved him so much it cost her everything.
But he was not like her.
Kado closed his eyes, as if he could hide from his own mind.
No, he was not like his mother. There was too much of his father in him. Which father—Enzo Aronak or Nero Geddeont—he could not say. But there was a darkness in Kado his mother could never have felt.
Isaac had seen it, but it had not disgusted or scared his mentor. No, Isaac saw the potential in his rage. It was the key to defeating Terayan.
Kado did not need a pack, or a family. All he needed was vengeance.
He craved one last fight. Kado longed for the taste of Terayan's blood on his lips. He would make the arrogant bastard suffer.
“What's pure as snow on the outside, but rotten to the core within?” Kado whispered.
“Kado Aronak.” A harsh whisper came from somewhere within the den.
Kado sat up. “Who's there?” He cast his gaze around the den, seeing no one.
“Kado, my boy! It is you.”
“Isaac?” Kado recognized the elderly man's kindly voice, but it was not possible. Terayan had killed him.
“Indeed. The ring, my boy. I told you to keep it close.” Isaac's voice was close, as if they were standing side-by-side, though it had a strange echo.
Wondering if this were all a dream, Kado lifted the garnet ring. It had a subtle rose glow, and was hot to the touch. “You're speaking through this?”
“I have its partner,” Isaac explained. “The rings are enchanted to allow communication. That's why I wanted you to keep it, in case we ever escaped Terayan.”
“He told me you were dead.”
For weeks, Kado had believed he had failed to save Isaac, but now it seemed he had another chance.
Isaac scoffed. “You know Terayan lies. But there's no time to explain. You must return to Halmstead at once. I can show you how to control your abilities.”
“What?” Kado jumped to this feet. “I can't. The water Priestess says Terayan intends to use me for some ritual.”
“Which is why you must kill him!”
“But—”
“I can keep teaching you, Kado.” Isaac sounded frenzied, almost panicked. “I can help you unlock your powers, and use them to destroy Terayan and all those who have wronged you.”
Kado pinched himself until he bled. This was no dream. “Where are you?”
“A safe house in the Lower City. I'll guide you to meet me here, and together we can defeat Terayan and end his war before it begins.”
End the war.
Kado exhaled as Katrine's face filled his mind's eye. Why was he thinking of her? Why could he not stop hearing her tell him how she'd lost her parents, brother, and everyone she ever knew.
What would this war cost her?
Kado did not believe in destinies. He saw only choice. And now he had the choice—the power—to stop Terayan from ruining more lives.
“Tell me what to do,” he whispered into the ring.
Rayna and Channon ran as wolves ahead of Marielana's horse.
Ayalah followed on her sturdy, chestnut pony.
Unlike Marielana's mare, Celiope, Ayalah's mount whinnied uneasily in the Fenearens' presence.
Despite the pony's nerves, they still managed good time over the day and a half of travel. After they crossed into Fenear and stopped at a small tributary of the Camilar for a drink, Rayna and Channon shifted.
Rayna sat down and stretched as Channon collected mulberries from a nearby tree.
“Ayalah dear,” Marielana said to the Soulousian as they watered the horses, “I know your visions have been difficult to read, but can you tell me again what you have seen of late?”
“I thought it was a nightmare.” Ayalah shook her head. “The same one, every night for the past six months.”
“Six months?” Rayna asked. The Soulousian had not mentioned the timing in earlier discussions.
“Aye, almost to the day. Is that significant?”
Channon returned with a satchel full of berries to share. “I was hexed six months ago.” He eyed Rayna. “You think it's related?”
“Perhaps.” She turned back to Ayalah. “Describe what you saw again, if you can?”
Ayalah sucked her lower lip. “Some nights are clearer than others. But, I've seen the Soulousian woman with a shaved head, shouting, like she was trying to tell me something.”
“The goddess Camila,” Rayna confirmed. “She is the one who told me where to find you.”
“If you say so.” Ayalah shrugged. “But after that, it's hard to describe. Darkness, but light, too, like a storm? Laughter, golden eyes, and the man with yellow hair and a vial of blood around his neck.”
“Councilor Terayan.” Marielana stared at the ground, her face stony.
“So you said.” Ayalah squeezed her eyes shut. “I saw him in a chamber filled with smoke. There are other people there, but I couldn't see most of their faces, just the boy you say is the white wolf, covered in blood. There are flashes of other places, too. I saw a forest in the fall and these horrible, monstrous faces. Dead faces.” She opened her eyes, revealing pupils wide with terror. “Other things, too, but I can't find the words to describe them.”
Marielana patted the Soulousian's back. “Now that you have stopped taking the sleeping potion, the visions should clarify in time, as they did for Rayna.”
Channon caught Rayna's gaze. His frown mirrored her own. The truth was, they did not have time. “
There are creatures beyond words,” he said. “When I was...” He swallowed hard. “When I was in that other place, I saw things that I still can't describe—creatures unlike anything of our world.”
Rayna nodded, remembering the monsters she'd encountered in her brief time along Hell's black shores, as well as those she'd glimpsed in her own recent nightmare.
“If this vision did start when Rhael used the Sionic Hex,” said Rayna, “perhaps it's warning us that Terayan is going to do something similar, but on a larger scale?”
“I fear you may be right, Rayna.” Ayalah stroked Celiope's neck. “The Hex did more than send Channon to Razorn's realm. It tore a hole through the veil to do so, opening up access to Demonic forces unseen for thousands of years.”
“Demonic,” Ayalah echoed in a whisper. “Whatever I saw, it was evil. I heard Terayan say Ascension. And each time I have the dream, it seems like the Ascension's getting closer and closer.”
“How can we stop him?” Rayna asked no one in particular, but Marielana replied.
“I believe Kado is the key. Ayalah's vision confirms that Kado is there when Terayan performs this Ascension. If Terayan is seeking to channel magic enough to dominate this world, he will need god-like power. As a reflection of Lumae, Kado can give him that.”
“Like a sacrifi
ce?” asked Rayna. Marielana had voiced similar concerns when she had explained the origin of Kado's magic to him and Rayna.
“Indeed. With the right spell, it is possible Kado's sacrifice could allow Terayan to channel all of Razorn's power.”
“Then it's simple, isn't it?” Ayalah asked, her voice full of hope. “We keep Kado from falling into Terayan's hands, and then he won't be able to bring about what I saw in my vision.”
Could it be that easy? Somehow, Rayna did not believe that. Where Terayan was concerned, there were no simple answers.
That afternoon, Rayna, Channon, Marielana, and Ayalah arrived in Fenear.
Not a moment after they crossed the densite's border, Silver appeared. She must have been waiting close by in expectation of their arrival.
The relief that spread over Silver's face melted Rayna's heart and she broke into a run.
Her aunt gripped her fiercely when they met.
“I am so glad you're back before I left for Maenor.” Silver pulled away but kept hold of Rayna's hand.
She gestured toward the densite. “Come, you must be exhausted and starving. We've plenty to eat thanks to Alvornian aid and the slowly returning prey stocks.”
They headed toward the center of the site.
Rayna could not wait to be in her own den with Mina, Kellan, Katrine, Roxen and all her friends close by once more.
Though Ayalah had yet to provide all the answers they had hoped to find, she had at least given them something.
They had to protect Kado Aronak at all costs.
But as they approached the fire pit, Katrine sprinted wolf-formed toward them, her scent sour with fear and panic.
“Katrine!” Rayna called to her as the tan wolf slid to a halt before them.
Katrine shifted, breathing heavily. “Alphena, we have to find him! Something's wrong!”
“Find who, Katrine?” Silver steadied her. “What are you saying?”
Katrine shuddered as she caught her her breath “Kado's gone.”
Part III
The Rising Shadow
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rayna ran wolf-formed along the northern road.
Silver raced along beside her as they tracked Kado's scent.
After leaving Gar and Pike in charge of the densite, for the past two days Rayna and Silver, along with Channon, Roxen, Katrine, Mina, Kellan, and Marielana, had made their way through Fenear, following Kado's trail. With the non-Fenearens on horse-back, they'd made good time. But Kado was still ahead of them.
We're nearing the Maenoren border, Silver observed as she slowed to trot. But according to his scent, Kado veered off the path here, heading northwest.
I know. I don't understand where Kado is going, or why. Rayna gave a frustrated growl.
Silver shifted. “We should wait for the others here and decide what happens next.”
Rayna mirrored her aunt. “What do you mean?”
Silver pulled a waterskin from her pack and took a drink. “Alpha Arlo is set to meet us at the Camilar River, to accompany Roxen and I to Anhorde. Regardless of what's going on with Kado, we're still needed at the War Council. So is Marielana.”
“Oh.” In her single-minded focus on catching Kado, Rayna had almost forgotten about Seperun's invitation. “So, this is where we part?”
Silver eyed Rayna with an unreadable expression.
Rayna feared her aunt would forbid her to go after Kado, as she had when Rayna sought to rescue the Sylrians. Surely Silver could see this was about more than a rescue mission?
Marielana had explained everything the moment Kado disappeared—at least, everything they knew.
It was imperative they keep the white wolf out of Terayan's grasp, or else Ayalah's dark vision would come to pass.
After what felt like a long time, Silver cracked a weary smile. “Indeed. I know I don't have to tell you to be careful, but even so.” She pulled Rayna into a hug.
Rayna gripped her aunt with all her might. “Same to you. It would be an understatement to say political tensions were high last time I was in Anhorde. Watch your back.”
The sounds of hoofbeats and panting signaled the rest of their allies were arriving.
“I'll have Roxen for that.” They pulled apart. “He, Marielana, and I will go to Anhorde, but I want the rest of our party with you.”
Marielana pulled Celiope to a halt. “Why have we stopped?”
Silver and Rayna hurriedly explained the need to separate.
“In that case,” Marielana said as she hopped off her mare and stretched, “Rayna should come with us to Anhorde.”
“What?” Rayna turned to her sister seer. “First you send Ayalah off to Sinthahelm, and now you want me to sit out finding Kado?”
“I sent Ayalah to Sinthahelm because it is the safest place to be right now—a walled city with an army to protect it.” Marielana's voice was firm, though just above a whisper. “Rayna, we know Terayan has been after you for some time. We can only assume he has designs on you, as he has for Kado.”
“Designs on her blood, you mean,” Channon growled.
“More than likely,” Marielana agreed.
“I think it's too late for that,” argued Rayna. “Goddess knows I left plenty of my blood behind when we stormed Krymammer.”
Kellan snorted. “That's true enough.”
“The truth is,” Silver interrupted. “We don't have time for this. Every moment we waste arguing is a moment Kado gains. We don't know he is going to Halmstead. Frankly, I can't think of a reason why he would.”
“Still, Rayna would be safer with us, Alphena,” said Marielana.
“Silver swallowed. “I know that.” She turned to Rayna. “But I also know I trust my niece. If she says this is what she needs to do, then I support her.”
Tears welled in Rayna's eyes at Silver's trust. “Thank you.”
Marielana cast her gaze around the assembly. “I see I am outvoted. I believe Terayan needs the white wolf and a twice-blessed seer to enact this Ascension. If we can stop him from gaining either it is best, but if we must choose, we must keep you, Rayna, out of his hands at all costs.”
“Even Kado's life?” Katrine asked.
Marielana mounted her horse. “Let us hope it does not come to that.”
The matter settled, Silver hugged Rayna again. “Be safe. Once you have Kado, we can reconvene at Anhorde. We might be able to prevent this Ascension, but the war itself has already begun. We must prepare.”
“I will.” Rayna embraced Roxen next. As they pulled apart, she caught his gaze on Mina where she stood making her goodbyes to Silver. “I'll protect her, Rox,” Rayna whispered.
Roxen smiled. “Not that she needs it. Thanks, Rayna.” He ruffled her hair.
Once all the goodbyes were said—and Kellan's and Mina's mounts released since they could not safely travel off-trail—Rayna looked up at Marielana atop her great white horse. “I'll find Kado.”
“See that you do. And if you don't, remember to stay away from Terayan, no matter what.” With that less than warm farewell, Marielana started down the path.
Rayna shifted wolf and turned toward the western woods.
You ready? Channon asked as he took his golden wolf form.
In answer, Rayna leaped off the road, following Kado's scent into the unknown.
Silver and Roxen stayed in wolf form most of the way to the Camilar river. They maintained a fast pace and spoke little.
Marielana kept up without complaint and did not break the silence, either.
The time for talking would come soon enough.
For now, Silver needed the release of a run and the feel of moss and dirt beneath her paws. In these times of political turmoil, it was easy to lose sight of her other side—the purer side, borne of nature. Though she knew this dissociation could not last, she embraced it while she could.
As the river’s watery smell filled her nose, Alpha Arlo’s sandalwood scent did as well. But he was not alone.
A fem
ale Fenearen was with him as well, with a mulberry and sorrel scent Silver knew—Haerian.
Roxen and Silver exchanged a glance before shifting human for their approach.
Marielana dismounted and led Celiope by the bridle.
Iron-haired Arlo stood with his back to them, overlooking the river. His arm draped around the much younger Haerian.
As Silver, Roxen, and Marielana walked toward them, the odd pairing turned to face them.
“Priestess Marielana, it is an honor.” One-eyed Arlo gave a slight smile. “Alphena Silver, Beta Roxen, I believe you know my mate, Alphena Haerian?”
Roxen opened him mouth and closed it again like a fish out of water.
Recovering, Silver returned the smile. She grasped Arlo’s offered forearm before turning to Haerian. “Of course. I suppose congratulations are in order?”
Haerian flipped her black hair. “Thank you, Alphena Silver.”
“I meant to send a falcon to inform you,”Arlo explained, “but, it all happened rather suddenly. I thought you wouldn’t mind her extra help on the War Council.”
“You thought right. I’m happy that the council of Den Alphen can count you among its members.” She gestured to the wooden bridge spanning the swelling Camilar. “Shall we?”
“Yes go on ahead. We’ll be right with you.” Arlo shifted, dipping his gray head to Silver.
Haerian took her black wolf form, and they sprinted over the bridge together.
Marielana followed.
Roxen blinked. “Alphena Haerian. That was fast.”
Silver shrugged. “I have to say I’m surprised. I took Arlo for the eternal loner, but if anyone can match his ferocity, it’s Haerian.”
“And you aren’t worried about her loyalty?”
“I believe Haerian’s challenge was made in good faith, out of loyalty to the pack. Now that she’s earned a position elsewhere, I don’t think we have anything else to worry about where she’s concerned.”
“If you say so, Alphena.” Roxen transformed.
Silver shifted, and they set off after the others.
As they traveled over the next two days, Silver’s confidence in Haerian grew.
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