The fresh air out of the cavern hit like a truck, almost painfully so after days of being underground. Even though the ventilation was adequate, it still felt different. The sound of crickets and birds even though the land was as abandoned as it could be.
We were to et Darek under a makeshift canopy that had been part of the abandoned quarters for years. It was the only place we felt would be safe enough if any of the Lycans from Parthenn were still loitering around, or expecting us. We couldn’t take any risks.
The entire morning was spent making the arrangents, but as the ti to speak to Darek drew closer and closer, fear and dread began to boil in my stomach.
What could he possibly do?
By the ti everything was ready, the sun had already set, and everyone was gathered around in anticipation. It had been decided that I would be the one to talk to him in private but the others would still be around...just in case.
The canopy above us swayed with the wind. It wasn’t much of a cover but Avelora had promised it would shield us. The area it stood on was safe enough.
A dozen or so Lycans surrounded the clearing and I could sense their unease, their hands gripping their weapons. Valden looked especially stoic.
I still didn’t get a chance to talk to him. He didn’t co to our room in the cavern last night. He didn’t even seem to be looking at now.
I promised myself I’ll talk to him after the whole thing with Darek was over. I didn’t care if Valden was going to run away from again, I’d catch him by the collar if I must.
I stood at the centre, a few tres away from everyone else. Suddenly I could feel the unrest. Weapons were raised and everyone got that look of cautiousness that was so familiar by now.
It was Darek.
He was finally being escorted in, his hands bound by even more chains than before that must have made even a normal Lycan stumble in their feet. But he walked in as easily as he ever did with the sa calm, asured look on his face as if he was eting for tea and not standing in the middle of a ring of ard Lycans who were ready to kill on command.
His face was clean now, his silver hair neatly combed back again with a few strands falling over his forehead. He was wearing new clothes, not torn or bloody anymore but still as black as the night. He cleaned up good, but it only made him look even more dangerous.
He was flanked on either side by another two Delta guards.
He tilted his head up, inhaling deeply and stretching the muscles in his arm. "Fresh air," he murmured to himself. "Oh God, I had almost forgotten how it feels."
I kept my distance even as he walked closer, my fingers twitching with the new surge of energy that lived in my veins now. My powers humd beneath my skin, ready to strike as and when needed. I should have felt safer because of it...But I didn’t.
Darek’s eyes locked on mine and his lips curved into a satisfying smile. Sothing about it, told that I was not the only one who had co prepared.
The Stargar Stone.
He had used it the last ti he tried to thwart my powers. Who knew if he didn’t still have it on him? I’m sure the guards’ trembling hands must not have made a thorough enough search of his body, weak body or not.
I was almost certain he had it on him, even now, so he could use it to dampen my powers as well.
His movents quickened as he walked straight for , not caring if the guards were trying to control him.
"Stop right there," Valden barked from behind us.
And Darek ignored him completely.
His eyes never left mine, not even when one of the guards grabbed his shoulder and he brushed it off with a shrug.
"You look even better than the last ti we t, Maeve," he said softly. "The power suits you."
I guess it had been so ti since he had seen with my powers without his control over them.
I clenched my jaw. "That’s not what we’re here to discuss. Let’s get straight to it."
"Yes, of course," he said, his tone casual. "By all ans, ask what you ca to ask if you really don’t want to waste ti on pleasantries."
"Tell about Parthenn. Tell us how to infiltrate the area and what the scientists are planning out there in secret."
"I’ll be honest. There’s no way you can infiltrate Parthenn with a bunch of weak rebels like the ones surrounding you. It’s heavily guarded day in and day out; guards are working the caras at all tis, and it’s pretty much impossible. But you, Maeve. That would be a completely different outco for you."
"What do you an? You think I can do it even if the others can’t? If so, then why? What is it about ?"
"Yes, you can. You’re more powerful than any of us combined. Don’t ask how or why. I don’t know that either. But you are a very valuable asset. If you used your powers right, you can do anything."
"What about the scientists? I need to know if any of them are responsible for the mist."
Darek exhaled loudly like he was already tired of the questions. "The mist has turned the humans into powerful beings like us. We have strength beyond our ans, we have beastly powers, and extended lifespans...the scientists are trying to study these changes and make sure every one of us can live like it. They want these sorts of powers themselves, except they don’t want to go out into the mist and risk becoming Varcolacs. That’s all there is to it. But who wouldn’t want this kind of power? The study was inevitable."
I pondered over what he just said. I wasn’t sure if that made them evil and it didn’t explain how the mist ford in the first place. But it was still sothing no one knew about. We had all thought that the scientists were only working day and night to cure us of the mutations.
"Okay, but why–"
"That’s enough for today," Darek cut in abruptly.
"What?" I protested. "We were just getting started!"
"I’m tired. I think I’ve given you enough for everyone here to think twice about their goals. You can ask the rest of it later."
He really was stalling. And it was as infuriating as it could be.
It was hard enough seeing him again today. I don’t think I wanted to do it anymore.
I was about to ask him to cooperate again when Avelora’s eyes caught from behind. She was the closest to Darek and had probably listened in on the conversation.
"Don’t push him."
She mouthed from behind and I closed my mouth before more words spilled out. So this would keep happening again then.
"I’m not here to fight, Maeve," Darek whispered so even Avelora couldn’t hear what he was saying. "I just really wanted to see you today. And tomorrow. And the day after that."
"That’s not happening. I really hope we don’t ever have to see each other again after this is over."
His eyebrows raised in amusent as if he knew this was far from over.
I didn’t care.
I would find a way not to have anything to do with him soon.
Darek extended his hand towards .
"See you soon, Maeve. I really wish you didn’t hate like this. We could have been so good together."
I ignored the last part but nodded anyway.
His extended hands still stayed the sa. Waiting.
For a long tense mont, I didn’t move. The guards around us shifted uneasily, and I could hear Valden growling, a low, threatening sound that didn’t even make Darek flinch.
My fingers brushed the lines of his palm as I took it, and before I could pull back, he lifted my hand, his swirling eyes never leaving mine, and pressed his lips against the back of my hand.
A jolt of warmth spread through , and I blad it on the weak bond I still shared with him. Behind , Valden’s growl deepened, and everyone else waited with bated breath.
Then his lips began to trace lower, along the edge of my hand and right to the ends of my finger. My breath caught in my throat.
He kissed the tip of my index finger and then another until my pulse raced and I thought I would pass out. I wanted to draw my hands back, I wanted to swat his hands away but I couldn’t.
The bond between us roared to life, and my powers, thoughts, and heartbeat all seed to lt into static. There was no one else in the world except him.
And just as suddenly he let go and stepped back.
It felt like a fog was suddenly lifted from my head.
The other guards imdiately ca to escort him back, and he silently complied, the sa smile stuck on his face like before.
My heart was still racing, my eyes were still blurry but I checked myself. It was all because of the goddamn bond. I needed to get rid of it fast.
All of us waited until he was escorted back to the cavern, his heavy chains clinging against the ground as he walked slowly back.
I didn’t et Valden’s eyes. I didn’t want to anymore. All the resolve I had about talking to him before the night ended was gone by now.
Maybe...tomorrow.
We finally walked out of the thick canopy and into open ground, the moon hanging full and heavy in the sky.
It was enormous and luminous, bathing the ground in a devastating glow. But not silver.
It was green. A bright and gleaming unmistakable green.
My stomach dropped.
It was the night of the Green Moon.
The night of the mating ceremony.
I stared at the finger where Darek had kissed . A single dark drop of blood was oozing from a prick over the pale skin.
Oh God, no.
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