Season of the Wolf (The Lost Royals Saga Book 4)

by Rachel Jonas

  Someone was building an army.

  And there was no question as to who that someone was.

  It was once explained that, in times such as these, when the Sovereign sensed a threat, he’d been known to send his lycans out in droves to turn innocent townspeople into mutts. There was no doubt the coward had something similar underway.

  While other towns were dwindling, the population in Seaton Falls had exploded almost overnight, but that part was by design. It took the Council little time to realize the wait was nearly up. The war that had been prophesied decades ago was at our door, breathing down our necks, much like the savage at the very heart of this conflict.

  Shifters from all over had come here in preparation for what lie ahead. Apartment buildings in our quaint, downtown district were now filled to capacity. To offer further aid, much of the local lycan population even opened their homes to outsiders in need of lodging. Anything to up our numbers and our chances of winning the fight.

  In short, we were preparing for the worst, because the worst was upon us.

  A lot had changed since the ordeal with the Sovereign. For one, the High Council ordered the construction of that insanely massive wall surrounding our property. On it, large glowing seals and sigils only visible to a supernatural, their magic keeping unwanted visitors out. It served as an added measure of protection, on top of this place now being heavily guarded with lycans and dragons hand-picked by the Council.

  I understood why it was necessary, but hated being the cause of all this.

  In Baz’s words, no measure was too great when it came to protecting me.

  But it wasn’t just my life that needed protecting. The restorative magic that brought me back was forbidden. And while, for now, Sebastian had likely bought Liam’s story about bringing me back with the aid of the first set of Seaton Falls witches, that lie would only hold up as long as he remained unaware that Elise was alive and well. If he laid eyes on her, on Hilda … it wouldn’t take him long to realize he’d been deceived.

  After finding me in the woods that fateful day, it was obvious to him that I resided somewhere in the area, and that this was likely where I returned. Since so many of our secrets had been revealed, the Elders weren’t taking any chances. For the foreseeable future, my family and I were on lockdown.

  I twisted the knob and my skin chilled a bit as the last of the water swirled down the drain. I couldn’t move. If I did, I might fall apart and I couldn’t afford that right now.

  Warm terrycloth enveloped me when I secured a robe around my waist. Stepping into my bedroom, I expected at least a moment of solitude before inevitably having to face Elise. Only, the firm stares coming from two sets of brown eyes locked on mine meant there would be no such break.

  Hilda’s expressionless face left me to wonder what thoughts were hidden beneath it. Whereas Elise’s thoughts were painfully transparent.

  “Do you have any idea how stupid you were tonight,” Hilda asked, prompting Elise to move toward the door, latching it quietly.

  Tension had my chest in a vice, breathing like I’d run a marathon.

  “Please, Hilda,” Elise intervened.

  “You’re chastising me?” Hilda snapped, placing a hand to her heart. “This girl’s foolishness nearly got her and Dallas killed tonight. And to add to it, we can’t even say for sure she didn’t lure those beasts right to our doorstep.”

  I’d seen Hilda upset before, but tonight, she was nearly chuffing steam.

  “The guards are checking the area as we speak,” Elise reasoned. “And, based on Dallas’ account, they took care of all the mutts. Checking is merely a precaution.”

  Elise was right. The brood assigned to watch over us were airtight. I was only able to escape because I’d watched them for days, kept notes until I had their schedule down, and knew precisely when their shift changed.

  I already knew what Hilda was thinking. Knowing the Sovereign had most likely sent men this way to search for Nick and I—or at least me—I shouldn’t have risked it. I understood that we weren’t impossible to find, but she and the clan’s witches certainly made it a million times harder.

  I wasn’t concerned about mutts finding us here, but she didn’t seem convinced even knowing the brigade surrounding the property hadn’t just been selected haphazardly. When the time came, she stepped in to ensure our safety. After discovering one of the Council’s guards had been compromised and leaked information to the Sovereign, it became one-hundred-percent necessary to only employ those who’d been found trustworthy. Each had to endure a rigorous vetting process—Hilda’s version of a supernatural lie detector test. From there, the two dozen she deemed to have the strongest resolve made the cut.

  Upset by being quieted, Hilda glared from the seat she’d taken on my bed.

  Elise took a step closer. “You’ve been increasingly …”

  “Stupid.”

  When Hilda interrupted, Elise passed a hardened glare in her direction before going on. “The word that comes to mind is reckless,” she amended.

  There was a depth to her wandering gaze that told of the grief she too felt when considering Liam’s current state.

  “No one faults you for breaking down, for … losing yourself for a bit. Liam is important to you; important to all of us. But, if anything, these are times we ought to ban together, to keep our minds and hearts focused on the task at hand.”

  I glanced up, trying to figure out how one would go about doing such a thing—stay focused on some elusive task at hand while a precious life hung in the balance mere feet away.

  “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” The blunt question came from my outspoken aunt—no hint of jesting in her tone whatsoever.

  I suppressed an eye roll, knowing it would only provoke her further. So, instead, I muttered a halfhearted, “Of course not.”

  In response, she scoffed, and my blood heated to near boiling. Still, I kept my head while explaining.

  “If I die, there’d be no one to save him. I’m the only one immune to magic, the only one who can find the witch and …”

  “Do you hear yourself?” Hilda interrupted. “Have you truly convinced yourself you’re some half-cocked superhero?”

  Elise placed a hand on Hilda’s shoulder, encouraging her to ease up, but the gesture went ignored.

  “Your silly antics are going to get us all killed.”

  “I never asked Dallas to follow me,” I exploded. “I never asked for anyone’s help.” It should have been obvious I was perfectly willing to do this all on my own.

  That loathsome scoff left Hilda’s mouth again. “Says the girl who barely even understands what she is, how to shift on her own.”

  A stifling silence crept into the room as each of my breaths came in deep, heated gasps. Both fists clenched as I did all I could to bridle the fury building within.

  “Hilda … I think that’s enough,” Elise intervened. “It’s been a long night. Perhaps we should leave Evangeline for now and discuss this later.”

  “Don’t bother,” I rebutted through clenched teeth. “I’ll go.”

  With that, I nearly ran from my bedroom, a large space that now felt like a shrinking box with one visit from those two.

  I didn’t owe them an explanation for what I did tonight. I didn’t owe anyone an explanation, nor would I apologize for my conviction. If helping Liam required me to walk through hell and battle the devil himself … there wasn’t a soul on Earth who could stop me.

  *

  I’d been with Liam the whole time. The thought that made it bearable to tear myself away and head north was that it was necessary. Deciding to make the journey was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, but after having watched his lack of progress the past few weeks, I’d found a way to rationalize.

  I guess you could say I got tired of leaving his recovery to chance. Going to the Sovereign’s camp had seemed like the only thing left to do. The odds seemed promising enough that I gave it a shot. I hadn’t come up with much of a p
lan, though.

  Days earlier, I’d done a test run, stashed a bag with two changes of clothes on the outskirts of the woods and paid bus fair in advance. It would have taken me to Charlevoix, the small town near the Upper Peninsula where I would have then caught a ferry across Lake Superior. From there, I would’ve been on foot.

  It was dangerous, yes, but he was worth it.

  If Hilda thought I was stupid for that, I’d make a mental note never to put my neck on the line if her life was ever in danger. Wouldn’t want her thinking I convinced myself I was a superhero …

  The thought of the conversation I walked out on made me tense all over again. To control it, I focused on the back of Liam’s hand, traced the compass tattooed there as I held it. There was some small comfort in the warmth of his flesh. It meant he hadn’t left us.

  Even if he wouldn’t open his eyes.

  I’d done all my studying right here in his bedroom, following the hour-long tutoring sessions that had been forced on me. However, any activities I could get out of, I did—the sessions with Hilda, combat training, socializing. Nothing was more important than being with him, praying he’d be well enough to wake up soon.

  Today had been just like the day before, watching as he slept through yet another beautiful sunrise and sunset. His comatose state was once magic-induced, meant to keep him comfortable until the hex was complete. It was all Hilda could do, seeing as how no witch can reverse the curse of another, but … he should have been awake by now. The spell she cast had been lifted once he healed. Now, it was all up to him.

  Nothing I’d done seemed to make a difference, because despite whatever special abilities I had, despite the wolf and dragon within, tonight I felt very … human.

  Human.

  That word hit my heart like a ton of bricks. Once, being normal didn’t seem like such a bad thing. Only now, I knew what sorts of beasts were out there, roaming the Earth, preying on the weak. Now, with my new awareness, being anything but a supernatural made a person vulnerable … temporary. Two attributes I couldn’t stomach assigning to Liam, my warrior.

  My gaze drifted to the band he still wore, the one that was supposed to mean we had forever, but … being mortal now, the possibility of keeping that promise had been stolen. Forever didn’t exist for him anymore, didn’t exist for us.

  A newly-familiar feeling rose from the pit of my stomach and I had yet to master the art of suppressing it—anger. It’d become my default emotion.

  Anger that I hadn’t been able to do more to stop Sebastian and his men from taking Liam that day.

  Anger that I was powerless, forced to sit idle, watching him transition.

  Anger that the witch I knew to be responsible was still out there, breathing.

  I’d seen her do this to him with my own two eyes. Only, at the time, I didn’t know what to make of the purple powder she blew in his face; didn’t realize what damage it would cause.

  “She’s been in there for hours. Should we check on her? Apologize maybe?”

  Elise’s muffled voice seeped beneath the closed door of Liam’s bedroom. She did little to conceal her worry.

  I pressed my cheek to the back of his hand now, aware of how long it’d been since he held mine in return.

  “Let her be,” Hilda replied. The fight had left her voice from our earlier conversation. Actually, listening now, it seemed she might even be remorseful.

  It shouldn’t have surprised me she’d be so cutthroat. That was always her way, and while I’d gotten used to it for the most part, tonight simply wasn’t the night I needed her uncensored thoughts hurled at me.

  A third voice approached, and with its familiar, Southern dialect, I recognized it as Dallas’ right away.

  “Heard from the guards. The perimeter and surrounding area are all clear now. They put down a dozen or so additional mutts, so … things are definitely heating up. If I had to guess, from a military standpoint, they’re hunting in a grid formation to cover the most ground in a short amount of time.”

  Dallas paused and I held my breath.

  “Sebastian has definitely not decided to let bygones be bygones. He’s at least partly sure Evie’s still residing in the area.”

  “Then we should leave,” Elise said resolutely.

  “A pointless maneuver,” Hilda interjected. “Wherever she goes, he’d hunt her down. To the edges of the Earth,” she added solemnly.

  My heart sank at those words, at the realization that the Sovereign would stop at nothing to end me.

  “She’s right,” Dallas answered. “Here in Seaton Falls, we’ve got allies, the premises is secure, and the High Council has stuck around for more than a month now for the sole purpose of making sure Evie’s safe. The last thing we should consider doing is leaving that behind.”

  The three outside the door were quiet again.

  “Then we’ll need to do more,” was Elise’s suggestion. “More security, more magic to conceal the house, more … everything.” The end of her statement was shaky, like it’d been uttered through quivering lips.

  “I can’t believe it’s come to this,” her voice came back. “Mere months ago, it felt as though we were making progress, like we might actually win, but … now it just seems all our efforts are only delaying the inevitable.”

  I shuttered at that word—inevitable.

  “I can’t help thinking how different things would be if we had the boys here, how different things would be if Liam was awake.”

  When she said his name, I moved my cheek across his hand again, forcing myself to recite silent words I wasn’t even sure I still believed.

  You are here. You haven’t left me.

  “Maybe it’s time we … explored our options.” I was surprised to hear such a thing leave Hilda’s mouth. She’d been the one to pound in our heads how the only way to bring them back was if I miraculously lucked up on some magic. All the while, reminding us how impossible that was.

  And yet …

  “I know what you’re suggesting,” Elise commented, “And … a decision of that caliber would require a lengthy discussion. One I don’t think any of us are prepared to have tonight.”

  What could be so bad, so grave as to make her shoot down an idea to bring back my brothers?

  “It’s been a long day. I think we’re all a little delirious,” Dallas sighed. “Why don’t we all just get some rest and … revisit everything tomorrow.”

  Elise agreed, but didn’t move right away. “You go ahead. I’ll be there in a moment.”

  With that, it was just her and Hilda again. Their voices picked up once more and I focused on their conversation when it came full-circle, right back to me.

  “Don’t you think it’s time we put a stop to this? She’s not doing herself any good just sitting there, watching him like that,” Elise remarked. “It’s all she does—day in, day out. I worry.”

  A short, cynical laugh left Hilda’s mouth before responding. “Sitting with him seems to be the only thing that keeps her out of trouble,” she joked. “But in all seriousness, if you want to try prying her away, you go right ahead. But you know as well as I do, she isn’t going anywhere. As long as he’s confined to that bed, Evangeline may as well be, too.”

  My eyes shifted toward Liam.

  There was silence outside the door. I leaned my ear that way, realizing the two hadn’t gone anywhere. They were either waiting for signs of life here inside the room, or they’d run out of things to argue about.

  For now.

  “Have you ever wondered about these two?” It was Hilda who posed the question, causing my brow to quirk when she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  There was a brief pause after Elise’s reply while I guessed Hilda gathered her thoughts. Meanwhile, I counted Liam’s breaths, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath a white blanket.

  “It’s just a theory I have, that souls exist long before our physical bodies. This theory extends to include the idea that some are even
tied to their mates before they meet … before they’re born.”

  A light chuckle marked by Elise’s soft, bubbly tone filtered beneath the door. “And on what have you based this theory?”

  “Observation,” Hilda quipped. “You’ve never wondered what made Noah lower his sword that day? When he journeyed to Egypt for the cleansing?”

  The cleansing … I could only guess she spoke of the mission my father and his soldiers embarked on centuries ago. They were called in to rid Egypt of feral shifters—the result of a rising epidemic at the time. Dragons had gone on a rampage, impregnating hundreds or thousands of women, only to leave them for dead when their frail bodies didn’t survive giving birth. No, the children hadn’t transitioned, but with there being so many, and no Elders to oversee their upbringing, it was handled in the most efficient way possible for those times.

  The children were slaughtered.

  Except one … Liam.

  Hilda’s voice came back. It was softer than usual, quiet as I watched him sleep.

  “So, you’re suggesting that Evangeline had something to do with that? Before she was even thought of?”

  I noted that some of the sarcasm had left Elise’s tone, signifying the moment she maybe started thinking Hilda’s theory might not be so farfetched.

  “Think about it. Noah killed hundreds during that mission. I know because he came back to camp each night, silent, broken. If there’d been another option to clean up the rogue dragons’ mess, he would have gladly taken it. But … on that particular day, when he and his soldiers rode in, something was different. I knew it even before I noticed the small bundle in his arms.”

  I pictured it as Hilda spoke—my father returning that night with Liam tucked against his chest, probably confused as to why that one boy had been spared the fate the others shared.

  But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. That’s the story I’ve been told.

  “Their bond is special, even beyond being mated, tethered,” Hilda added.

  My thumb stroked his forearm as I swiped a tear with the other.

  “To me, it’s not so strange to think that, maybe her soul was with Noah that day. Maybe hers was that still, small voice in his subconscious, petitioning for Liam’s life to be spared,” Hilda concluded thoughtfully.