"I’ll get it checked. Besides, a Sentinel already went there, I’ll ask Caleb for further information," Lucien said. He didn’t want Ronan to panic.
"But I should still look into it," Ronan countered firmly. "I slept earlier in the day, so I won’t be able to sleep now anyway. Better to use the ti for work. You two stay ho. I’ll see you in the morning."
"Ronan, the nights are cold," Lucien reminded, his voice carrying concern. "Wear sothing warm before you go."
Ronan gave a short hum of acknowledgnt before disappearing into the night.
The silence lingered for a mont before Kieran spoke. "His birthday’s coming up. Leia wants to celebrate it."
Lucien shook his head lightly. "You know Ronan—he doesn’t like birthdays."
"I told her that," Kieran said with a faint sigh, "but she insists this ti will be different. She thinks we should make it special."
Lucien leaned back, his brow arching. "And what exactly would make a special gift for Ronan?"
"That’s the problem," Kieran admitted with a wry smile. "He already has everything."
"Well, there’s still over a week. We’ll think of sothing nice by then. Go to bed," Lucien said.
Kieran humd and pushed himself upright. As he moved away from the couch he paused and looked back. "Lucien, I hope things start going right from now on." Then he was gone.
Lucien frowned, puzzled by his younger brother’s tone. Before he could dwell on it, Ronan returned, wearing a jacket and bike keys jingled in his hand.
"Ronan, don’t stay out too late," Lucien called, rising. "And I don’t think this was a coincidence. Leia’s being watched, I’m sure of it."
"That’s why I need to check everything before sothing worse happens," Ronan said firmly.
"Sure, go ahead." Lucien nodded toward the door, his tone calm. "By the way, did you sense Leia’s wolf? Were you able to reach her?"
"Not yet. You?"
Lucien hesitated for a heartbeat before answering, "No." It was a lie. He didn’t want Ronan worrying more than he already was, his brother had a tendency to overthink.
"I should go now. Good night, Lucien." Ronan turned and disappeared down the hall.
Left alone, Lucien made his way to his room. He pulled out the ancient tos scattered across his desk, flipping through brittle pages lit by the dim glow of the table lamp.
Why couldn’t Ronan connect with Leia’s wolf? That bond should have co naturally. Ronan loved her deeply, yet that bond was failing to form.
Lucien settled into the chair, skimming the brittle pages of the old texts, desparately hoping that sothing within them might explain Ronan’s situation. Minutes blurred into an hour, but nothing useful revealed itself. With a weary sigh, he shut his eyes and leaned back, fingers tapping restlessly against the chair’s armrest.
Then a thought struck him. His eyes snapped open.
In the next instant, he rose and teleported to the prison. The guards at the gate straightened imdiately, bowing before they hurried to open the heavy doors.
Lucien strode inside, his steps echoing down the dim stone corridor until he reached the dungeon where Delia was kept. She lay on a cold slab, appearing to sleep. Lucien cast a brief glance at the guard and lifted his hand in a silent order to wake her.
But before the guard could act, Delia stirred awake. Her eyes opened as she sat upright and fixed her gaze on him.
"I knew you would co," she said. "You can’t leave Leia unprotected. She’s in danger."
Lucien didn’t react. "I’m not here for that," he replied.
"Then?" Delia’s brows furrowed in confusion as she studied him.
"I’ll spare your life if you give the truth," Lucien said, his voice calm but edged with steel.
"I already told your brother," Delia replied quickly. "I don’t rember what Aaron looks like. It’s been months."
Lucien’s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "You dare lie to my face? You know exactly who I am. I am Lucien, the one who will never fall for a witch’s words. The only reason I’m giving you this chance is because you’re still useful to ." His voice dropped lower, cold as ice. "Is this the life you wanted for yourself? If you had chosen to stand with Leia instead of against her, things might have been very different for you today."
"No. I never wanted this." Delia’s voice cracked as she leaned forward, her eyes glistening. "Lucien, I swear on my life, I’m not lying. I truly don’t rember his face. But if I see him again, I can help you with the sketch. My powers... they’ve weakened because of the potion your guards force on every day. I regret betraying Leia. She was right all along. We were sisters once, we vowed to be each other’s strength. But I failed her." Her hands trembled as she clasped them together. "Lucien, give one chance. Please. I beg you."
Lucien studied her carefully, the weight of her words pulling him into silence. At last, he spoke, "Do you know why a wolf cannot communicate with his mate’s wolf? I’ve heard witches are skilled in both curses and blessings. If you answer truthfully, I will consider your plea."
Delia’s lips parted, her eyes narrowing slightly as though asuring the risk in her answer. "The Moon Goddess governs every thread of a wolf’s life. If she places a curse, no wolf can hear his mate’s voice, no matter how deep their bond runs." She tilted her head, curiosity breaking through her fear. "Tell , Lucien... for whom are you asking?"
Lucien didn’t answer.
Delia’s eyes narrowed. "You can’t communicate with Leia’s wolf, can you?"
"I didn’t ask for myself," Lucien replied coolly. "I wanted to test your knowledge. Besides—" a low chuckle slipped from him, "—I’ve marked Leia. And that can only happen if the wolves respond to each other."
"I see..." Delia’s voice wavered with desperation. "Then... did I pass? Will you give a chance?"
Lucien’s smile lingered, though it never reached his eyes. "I’m afraid I can’t trust you." He gave a quiet laugh, colder this ti. "You think only witches know how to deceive wolves."
Without another glance, he turned and strode toward the door.
"Lucien, I don’t want to kill Leia anymore," Delia said, her voice shaking. "After our last conversation I realized what a terrible mistake I made. She had no knowledge of her father’s cris. We grew up together. I will swear an unbreakable vow to you. If I break it, may I suffer the worst death imaginable." She put everything on the line.
Lucien halted mid-step. He turned and studied her for a long, silent mont.
"Do such vows actually exist?" he asked at last, eyebrows drawn together.
"Among witches, yes," Delia replied, eting his gaze.
"I will help protect Leia," Delia said, voice raw but steady. "Test as much as you like. My witch-powers are gone, I told you why. But I was born of witches. If I break a vow, I won’t die peacefully. I will suffer."
Lucien regarded her for a long mont, then nodded once. "Fine. You’ll be the first witch I’ve ever trusted. There’s sothing you need to understand about . The witches tried to kill . They kidnapped . When my parents ca for , they were murdered. I lost control after that, I slaughtered them." He took a breath as if the mory was still fresh to him. "Don’t ever compare your mistakes to mine. What I lost... it’s beyond imagining."
Delia flinched at his words and dropped her eyes. "I’m sorry for your loss," she whispered. "I never wanted to beco evil. I only ever missed my mother. I was jealous of everyone who still had their mothers. When I learned Leia’s father did that to her to my mother, I lost my composure and it was a foolish mistake. I know my words sound hollow to you."
She stepped forward and extended her hands toward him. Lucien hesitate before he let her take his hands.
Suddenly, a light shone, surrounding their hands. "I made a vow to Lucien Calandrino that I will help him protecting his mate. If I break that vow, I will perish miserably."
Soon, the light faded and she let go of his hands. "The vow is complete. I’ll find out how Aaron Rudwig looks like. Give a day and I’ll return to you to give you his sketch," she asserted.
"You can’t teleport anymore," Lucien replied.
"Yes, but I’ve resources," Delia answered with a smile. "Also, don’t tell Leia. I know she won’t trust anything that cos from . Maybe after we protect her from the hunters, you can tell her."
"Sure," Lucien agreed. He betrayed his own words that he said to Ronan earlier. He told him not to trust a witch, but he had put a trust on Delia.
"Lucien, I saw a glimpse of that night when I grasped your hands. You’re still in pain," she whispered, "I’m sorry for what the witches did to you."
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