Elara POV
“Braden and I need to leave now and prepare for the fight ahead,” Malachi says, and I glance around at everyone. They all look exhausted and defeated.
“What do you an you’re leaving?” Kane frowns, looking at Malachi. “How the hell are we supposed to find the twins. You were the one tracking Father, and now you’re leaving again.”
“Unfortunately, I never located the twins,” Malachi explains. “And the treaty established in the Great Wars provided for a truce but now it has been broken with Orion’s murder. Plus, there are living guards who witnessed what happened here.”
A shiver runs down my spine. Does that an they will tell everyone that we are responsible for starting the next war?
“Can’t you just burn Orion’s body and destroy all traces of us ever having been here?” I ask. “The guards can’t act without proof.”
“It’s not that simple,” Gabriela sighs.
“Gabriela’s right,” Malachi replies. “At the end of the last wars, the leaders of each species agreed to have a spell cast over us that would alert the Council if we or our packs or covens ever violated the treaty.”
“Shit, that ans the Council already knows about Orion,” Axel states.
“Yes, which is why it is imperative that we split up and all leave here,” Malachi explains. “They will be hunting first, but they won’t rest until all of us pay for what we’ve done today. It’s a good idea to burn the evidence, but it won’t stop them from coming after us.”
“We should all leave right now,” Mason says.
“Hold on to the walkie, and update us if you can,” Kane says to Malachi. “I’ll take care of the evidence.”
“No, I’ll do it,” I shake my head, stepping forward.
“It’s okay,” Kane smiles. “I can do it.”
“I know you can,” I whisper, stroking his cheek lovingly. “But you shouldn’t have to. He was your father, and nothing can change that.”
Kane’s eyes fill with tears, and I pull his face closer, kissing him softly.
“Co on, Braden,” I look once more at Kane and Axel before I turn away. “You’re helping .”
“Elara,” Malachi calls aside, and I follow him away from the group. “Before I go, I need to tell you, keep trusting your instincts. What you did back there in the cabin just proves how strong you are. You’re more like than you know.”
“Is that a good thing?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“I sure as hell think so.” He smirks. “Tell Braden to et when he’s done.”
I nod and run to the cabin. Braden has already dragged Orion’s body into the cabin and is pouring gasoline over the body.
“Are you okay with this?” I ask sympathetically, as I pick up a can and sprinkle liquid over the walls.
“It’s just stuff,” he mumbles. “I can replace it.”
“I’m sorry about ... all of this,” I say, placing the empty can down.
Braden drops his can, looks at intensely, before he pulls into a tight hug.
“Thank you for being my friend,” he murmurs in my hair.
“Thank you for being mine,” I hug him tighter. “You have sacrificed a lot for .”
“You’re worth it,” he pulls away. “Be safe.”
“You too,” I reply emotionally. He is my best friend, and I pray to the goddess that he makes it out of this.
He looks at , smiles and leaves the cabin.
Kane POV
My mind is in turmoil. Things are happening too fast and too slowly. I want the twins, now! But I need a mont to process the alpha situation and Dad’s death.
“Where are we even supposed to start?” I ask, running my fingers through my hair.
“I know where,” Mother says. “The hybrid testing facility. Orion is dead. The first thing the Council will do is rush to build their hybrid army so they can win the next war. No more treaties and hiding; they want the shifters to reign supre.”
Elara walks out of the cabin, carrying an empty gas can.
“What’s happening?” She looks at us curiously.
“The twins are at the hybrid testing facility,” Axel brings her up to speed.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. “How do we get there?”
“We need Rhiannon,” Mother replies.
All eyes go straight to Rhiannon, who is still bound by chains that cannot be broken with magic.
“Hell no,” she shakes her head. “Cut free and let go hide. I’m not going to be accused of taking sides in the next war. I will not be the reason all of us witches are wiped out for good.”
“Why can’t Axel and I just sneak into the facility and grab them ourselves?” I ask impatiently.
“Because you two are the most wanted wolves in Constantine,” Mother answers. “And that was even before Orion died.”
“But if Rhiannon can give us a transmogrifying potion,” Mother turns to her. “That’s another story.”
“A what potion?” Elara frowns.
“It transforms the drinker into soone else entirely,” Mother explains. “If one of us can transform into one of the guards at the facility, that’s the surest way of getting in and rescuing the twins.”
“Fine, then I’ll do it,” I volunteer.
“I’m not sticking around and risking my neck,” Rhiannon scoffs. “I told you I’m not taking sides in this war. I’ll never do that again.”
“Then make it for ,” Elara says. “I’m a hybrid, so you wouldn’t technically be taking sides, would you?”
“You’re reaching,” Rhiannon rolls her eyes.
“Not really,” Mother argues. “The Council needs Elara alive, and they need her delivered to the facility. If the potion fails, you will be doing just that. And if it succeeds, we set you free, and you can run as far away from this as you want. It’s a win-win.”
“Fine,” Rhiannon huffs. “But only if Elara agrees to be the one to take the potion. She’s my insurance.”
“Good,” Elara nods. “Let’s do it.”
I bite my anger. I do not want Elara to do it. It is too dangerous. I appreciate that she is willing to risk her life for the twins, but I do not want to lose her. Rhiannon is making it sound like taking the potion and waltzing into the facility is the easiest thing in the world.
“I’ll need at least twenty-four hours to brew the potion,” Rhiannon says. “And I need my hands.”
“Oh, shit, sorry,” Axel kneels at Rhiannon, and just like Mason, he snaps the chains like nothing.
“Damn,” he looks at his hands. “I’m going to miss this once it wears off.”
“We need a place to hide in the anti,” Mason says.
“Mason’s right,” Mother nods. “Rogue territory is our best bet.”
“Then I guess we’re going back to Stillwood,” Mason nods.
“Everyone gets in the car,” Elara orders, holding up a match. “I’m going to light this, and then we run.”
We all pile into the SUV and watch as Elara throws the match and dives inside.
“Go,” she screams at Mother in the driver’s seat.
We peel off, and I look back in ti to see the cabin exploding in orange flas.
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