Book To Read
93
KNIGHT
I quickly mind-linked everyone down the bunker. “Get out of there now! All of you.”
My heart hammered in my chest. What terrified me was they were my best enforcers. Cyrius was targeting them. He knew exactly how we think.
Then it hit me. It was probably true that he could get into the infected brings’s mind to control them.
I went down with my superspeed. I found Luka was still inside, while Gage seemed to be terrified. His eyes widened as if he felt something happening inside him.
“Oh, shit!” Luka saw it, too. He was just staring there, rigid, somehow shocked even to move and follow my order.
“Luka!” When my adrenaline kicked in, I completely forgot that Luka and I had almost the same weight. I gripped his arm and pushed on his chest outside the vault room, landing him at Uncle Lennox’s feet.
Then, I rushed out and pushed the door quickly.
McKaye was fast, and his mind worked better in desperate times, just like his training and expertise in mixed martial arts. He came to help and rotated the gauge to seal the door locked. And then bang.
Gage just exploded.
I tried to block that sound off in my head, but it still echoed. Nirvana came down, meeting my gaze, and I saw the pain in her eyes, too.
As my knees weakened, I dragged myself down the floor. When everyone depended their lives on you, then you failed them, it fucking crushed you.
How many more lives should die? How many more of these people should suffer?
“I’ll decontaminate the room.” Kailin pressed the red button to clean the room, but I wasn’t sure it would work when dealing with a deadly incurable virus.
“We did what we could,” Uncle Lennox said, gripping my knees.
“Did we, Uncle? Because, as far as I know, I failed to protect him. I failed everyone. How many of you guys can be infected before we stop him? Can we stop him? He is wreaking havoc, and we’re not sure if our plans will work. And I’m fucking terrified for all of you. I don’t know what to do anymore. These aren’t some pack issues that I have always encountered. This evil is an ancient being whose limit no one knows. And I’m helpless.”
“Hey.” Nirvana sighed, came to me, and gripped my hand. “I know this is terrifying. You have no idea how terrified I am every single day, every time I hear someone got the virus, but this is not the time to lose hope. I know that sometimes, giving up is easier than fighting when things get tougher. If there’s one thing I learned since I met you, we’re stronger together.”
“I don’t know, Nirvana. I feel like I’m drowning and helpless right now.”
“Maybe we should think like him. Why is he not coming back to find me? Why is he just spreading this plague? Because he can’t get what he wants. He wants to break me, to let me watch everyone I care about die until I give him what he wants.”
“What he wants from you, Vana?” Lennox asked. I didn’t realize he hadn’t known it until now.
“You haven’t told him?” Nirvana asked through our link.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“I didn’t tell the elders. Just us and the guys.”
“I’m a descendant of Katzius, a powerful warlock. Dylan, too. Ambrose is also one.”
“Katzius? He’s a myth.”
“Trust me. He sounds like a myth, but Katzius is real. He and Cyrius had been enemies for eternity. When Ambrose couldn’t kill him, he locked him up for years, but he somehow got away. There’s a story that only a female descendant of Katzius can defeat him. That’s why he killed every female descendant he had ever known. He came after me weeks ago and tried to kill me, but I have a feeling he wants more than that. He wants me to join his parade.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Lennox faced me, feeling betrayed. “Are you planning on telling us?”
“Zarah, Lycans, and Vampires are working together on how to defeat Cyrius. When he came after my mate, it became more personal to me. I only told everyone to be careful with the virus. I didn’t tell you it was not because I didn’t trust you, but I didn’t want you involved, or he could use everyone to come after Nirvana and me. I didn’t mean to offend you because you’re one of the elders, Uncle, but you’re also my father’s brother. I can’t risk you.”
“You already did, Knight. I wish you could have been more upfront so we know what’s happening and how to deal with it.”
“I’m so sorry, uncle.”
“You didn’t realize you put me and the entire pack at risk. I’m an elder, for Goddess’s sake, and I have a say in this. I may have known something that could help you, but you chose to work with them and with vampires. Really?”
I dropped my gaze as I breathed deeply. I felt ashamed and hurt that I hurt the person who trusted me and who never gave up on me when my parents were gone.
“Elder Lennox, we found a book that said something that may help defeat Cyrius. The reason why we work together with the vampires is because we may need our blood to create a weapon.” Nirvana chose her words carefully, and I admired that she considered my uncle’s feelings.
“What book? Where did you find it?”
“After I died, Ambrose-”
“Ambrose? The same Ambrose?”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. “My great great great grandfather.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to disrespect you, Alpha and Luna, but I don’t wanna hear it anymore.”
Lennox was about to leave when Nirvana held his arm. “Elder Lennox, please? I’m so sorry we didn’t let you get involved. Knight and I were trying to protect everyone in this pack. I know I just became a part of this family, but we did what we thought was good for everyone. It was in our good intention.”
He looked at his arm in Nirvana’s grip. “Do you realize people out there were dying because of you? You bloodline?”
“Uncle, I suggest you respect my mate, who happens to be the Luna of this pack. I know I hurt you, but that is not her choice to be born into that bloodline. She has been cursed since her birth. She’s also a victim of this long cycle of war. She has nothing to do with this, and she died and paid for the thing she hadn’t done wrong.”
“Dad, please, don’t blame Nirvana.” Kailin came to her father.
“Oh.” Lennox snorted. “So you knew? My twins knew, and you didn’t give a damn telling me?” He spat out his words at McKaye and Kailin. “Do you realize what you all have done?”
“I know this a family matter. I know what it’s like to feel betrayed.” Zarah also joined the conversation because I felt we just lost my uncle’s support.
“Stay out of this, woman.” He pointed at Zarah, throwing her daggers.
“This woman you called might be the only person who could help end this. I want to stop this plague as much as everyone, but you have to set aside your anger so we can work together-”
“So, now, together, huh? Where was I when you started this plan? How are you doing so far?”
“It’s not that simple, Dad,” Kailin said. “We’ve scoured the world to find something.”
“Maybe you should just let her go with those sick mutts.”
“You didn’t just say that to my mate, Uncle. For once, set aside your grudge against me and my mate. If you want to help us, help us. If not, then stay out of our way. We’re good without you, and I’m sure we’ll succeed without your help.”
“Knight.” Nirvana narrowed her eyes at me. “This is exactly what Cyrius wants. He wants us to fight one another. He wants to tear us apart because he knows we all are stronger if we work together. This is not the time for your pride to get in the way.”
Nirvana was right. Cyrius wanted to tear everyone apart, and I wouldn’t let this happen to my pack and family.
I breathed deeply. “Uncle, I’m talking to you as your nephew. I’m so sorry. As your Alpha, you deserve to know. I admit I made a mistake keeping you, all elders, in the dark. Since you’re the head of Elders, you decide whether to tell them, and you can tell them the decision came from both of us. But I want to know if you’re on board, and I’d love it if you are.”
Lennox breathed deeply and looked at everyone. “When do we start?”
His children sighed. Kailin hugged her father and muttered a thank you. Nirvana and I shared a look and smiled.
“I never doubted you’d make a good Luna, Luna,” Kaleb said.
When I opened my mouth to say something, my phone buzzed, as everyone’s.