When I returned with some apple-raspberry applesauce for the kids, Lorenzo and Scar were already sitting around the table. Angel gurgled in Scar’s lap as she tried to gnaw on the table. Charlotte watched her doing so and began to do the same.
Lorenzo sighed. “These little ones…”
I distributed the applesauce. Lorenzo aided Charlotte in eating so she wouldn’t make a mess from how enthusiastically she did everything—he was probably embarrassed enough that his daughter tried to eat the table.
Angel watched Charlotte with her intelligent eyes.
I sat beside Scar and Angel. Both excited and nervous, I asked, “So, Lorenzo, did you find anything out? Ever since we requested Raja ask for your help, I’ve been hoping you could find out any information.”
Lorenzo gave a strange gesture, like a half-shrug, as if he himself didn’t know exactly how to explain the situation. “Yes and no. Do both of you know how the Cinderhollow barrier functions?”
I nodded. Although I wasn’t as skilled of a clear magic user as Lorenzo, I knew my fair share about magic.
But Scar mumbled, “It’s been a long time since I arrived here. If it’s important to what you’re about to tell us, I could probably use a refresher.”
“That’s fair,” Lorenzo said. “The Cinderhollow barrier was created a long time ago by a dragon named Halo Fire-Eater.”
Scar nodded, eager to get to the meat of the story. “I know that part. He’s a powerful mage, he’s still alive but nobody knows where he is, etcetera.”
“Yes. Although Cinderhollow is high in the mountains where it’s difficult to reach, he created the barrier to protect our tribe from outside threats. The legend has been distorted through time, but it’s believed Fire-Eater created it many hundreds of years ago to defend the tribe from enemies. There was a lot more turmoil in our tribe’s past than there is now.”
Lorenzo continued. “Now, you asked me to find out if any outsiders had crossed in or out of the barrier anytime before you found Angel. The answer is yes.”
Both Scar and I perked up.
“Who? Maybe that person has something to do with Angel,” Scar asked urgently.
Lorenzo gazed at him. “As you know—especially you, Scar—our tribe is somewhat of a safe haven for shifters with no place else to go. Outsiders only have to ask for access and usually receive it right at the barrier from one of the guards, who alters their energy signature to allow them past the barrier’s magic.”
“They’re usually with someone from the tribe, right?” I asked. “That’s how Gabriel and Raja both got in.”
“Yes,” Lorenzo confirmed. “Scar, it must have been the same for you, given the condition you were in.”
Scar winced. “Yeah. I don’t remember her name, but a dragon shifter saved me from the human raiders and brought me here. Probably out of pity.”
I wanted to lean closer to Scar and comfort him more, but his prickly energy told me he didn’t want to dwell on it any longer.
I don’t know that much about his past,I thought.I hope one day he feels comfortable enough to tell me about it.
Lorenzo continued. “A few nights ago, he guards who were on duty said a small group of omegas from a nearby fox shifter skulk begged for entry. They said they faced persecution in their skulk from the alphas, which is a story we sadly hear often. Unfortunately, there are many cruel people out there—both shifter and human.”
Scar flinched as Lorenzo’s eyes drifted over to his prosthetic arm. Scar sunk somewhat in his seat. I placed my hand on his back sympathetically, trying to comfort him without being overbearing.
“I’m sorry,” Lorenzo murmured. “Should I continue?”
Scar nodded firmly. “Yes. I want to know everything, if it’ll help Angel in some way.”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “You saidfoxomegas?”
“Yes,” Lorenzo confirmed.
Scar leaned in curiously. “Do you know something, Ryu?”
My brow furrowed in deep thought. “Did you happen to catch the names of the omega foxes? Because there’s a good chance I might know one of them.”
“Who?” Scar asked urgently.
“Henry,” I announced. “He’s an omega fox shifter.”
