“I’m not done,” I frantically looked around. “We need a distraction.”
He tilted his head, a low growl vibrating through the floor. His thoughts brushed mine again—gritty, savage, but curious.“What do you intend, little heir?”
I pointed across the corridor. Rows of cages lined the walls— lesser creatures used for training or blood sport. Hybrids. Things that had been alive too long in the dark.
“They deserve out,” I said. “Or at least a chance to run.”
Vee’s nostrils flared, that low thunder rumbling again—amusement? Approval? Hard to tell.“Then break their chains.”
Together, we moved. I used my ability to break the sealed locks; he tore through bars with raw strength. The moment the third cage gave, a shriek ripped through the tunnels—part bird, part nightmare. Then another. And another.
Soon, the corridor seethed with movement—scaled bodies, fur, wings, claws scraping stone as the freed creatures surged toward the stairwell.
The alarm bells hadn’t even started ringing yet.
Vee turned toward the sound of approaching guards, the glow of his eyes catching the torchlight.“You should run now.”
“I’m not leaving until you're out of here.” I was filled with adrenaline as I searched for our way out.
“You already have.”He lunged forward, slamming his claws into the ceiling arch. The stone cracked, collapsing into the passage just as shouts echoed above.
The impact threw me to the ground—dust choking the air. When I looked up, he was gone, vanished into the shadows beyond the rubble.
Screams rose through the tunnels—the freed beasts tearing through the guards' ranks.
I staggered to my feet, heart hammering. I’d done it.
My friend was free. Now I needed to get out of here before I was discovered.
I couldn’t imagine my punishment for this level of destruction if Selene found out what I’d done.
Chapter 15
Oren
“Shut the fuck up!” Nathan yelled at everyone sitting at the large table.
Sylvester, one of the longest-running council members, narrowed his eyes at him. “You can’t speak to us like that.”
Nathan’s entire body lit up with flames, “Why the fuck not?”
Ever since his ability had leveled up, he never missed an opportunity to “flame up”, as he liked to call it. It was a cool look, but I’d never admit it out loud to the idiot.
I blew out an exasperated breath. “What my Faction brother is trying to say is that none of this is productive.”
“That’s not what I was trying to say at all,” Nathan muttered.
I narrowed my eyes at him, then turned back to Sylvester. “You can understand his frustration. We’re trying to explain that we need to get organized so we’ll be ready for the attack on Langley. It might be a chance for us to jump through a portal earlier and get to our Nexus.”
“Langley isn’t our concern,” Claudia Louting, another long-standing councilwoman, spouted. “We have enough on ourplates keeping Aurathion towns safe from attack. And frankly, your Nexus isn’t on our list of priorities.”
My jaw flexed, hand curling against the stone of the table. “Rescuing our Nexus aside, if Langley falls, your towns won’t matter. The country most of us were born in will be no more.” I scowled. “Where do you think they’ll strike next?”
A few eyes flicked toward me—disapproval emanating from their faces. But I saw the flicker of truth there, too. They knew I was right. I was beginning to wonder just how many of these council members were actually on our side.
“The council will deliberate and get back to you promptly.” Randell Hunter said, trying to keep the peace.
I leaned forward, voice low and dangerous. “Then take this as a warning. My Faction will not miss this portal, and we won’t leave our allies to defend themselves.” I curled my lip at Councilwoman Louting. “My Nexus is at the top ofallour lists, and if this council doesn’t see fit to help us get her back, then the next time it reaches out for help, we’ll be unavailable.” Put that in your pipe and smoke it, bitch.
