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“Darrius and the Lord are the only two vampires with any kind of real strength that we should fear, and neither will harm me. Darrius won’t even lift a finger. If he took only the strongest from the mountain and left behind the weak then it’ll be tougher than what we just did, but not impossible. Wolves have defeated halflings before, we will again.” Carmen brings the voice of certainty out, somehow finding that inner fire I know is always just within grasp, even when she wobbles. The quiet nods of agreement seal our fate, as we all understand and agree what’s to come.
She seems somehow stronger in this second, determined, and there’s a look in her eye that tells me she isn’t about to go down without a fight. A moment hits me in the stomach, a tiny little tremor that had I never come back to Colton, I think she would have been a Luna in her own right. She maybe isn’t the warm and approachable Luna in the traditional sense, but maybe in time she might have grown that way if she had felt secure in her mates love. She’s a warrior for sure.
The pack isn’t done fighting yet and tonight, before we even have time to catch our breaths once more, we will face a battle we’ve been putting off for months. It’s time to go home and save our people, and maybe this time, the problem that is Juan might get some sort of resolution.
“Witches are no longer an issue; my only responsibility is what the vampires first asked of me…. To get Lord Varro to give up this vendetta and go back to where he belongs to begin learning to rule. I can achieve that tonight, and your people, will see an end to a twenty-year fight once and for all. So, I’m coming, and I can possibly offer a little protection where it’s needed.” Leyanne’s voice cuts in from the open doorway, surprising me, and I realize that despite her leaving, she didn’t actually go far or she’s come back. She is lazing against the frame, seemingly bored and looking out of place in such a casual manner.
Despite not being sure about Leyanne, I feel like we can rely on her and trust is growing when it comes to which side she fights for. She keeps people at a distance much like Carmen does and she has an aura that she doesn’t care too deeply, but I guess at three thousand years old she has cared about many and had to watch them die. Maybe the repeated loss of people growing old and fading around you made her not want to soften towards anyone anymore. She doesn’t seem bad; she seems disconnected, lacks feelings, yet helpful because its suits her to be. I cannot imagine the loneliness of her existence at all and I could maybe forgive her lack of heart when I think that maybe she’s just bled one too many times.
“I guess we do this. Meds call an early meeting in the hall; we need to see what numbers we’re taking and prepare. Radar, you are the commander of the Luna’s guard and that’s what I need now. Form the ones you want to shield Lorey and my mom, make sure they’re worthy. I don’t want any mistakes… she stays safe in this. They both do. Matteo, go sort out transport for as many of us as possible, the rest will have to travel on foot. We need a map of the mountain and a tactical plan of where we wait and where we launch an attack. That’s on you Cesar. I have to go see my mom…. Leyanne you do what you need to do, we appreciate the help. I guess we just…. hope and fight and see where this ends.” Colton scrubs his fingers through his hair, his voice strong but I can feel the tiredness in his tone, his fatigue obvious and stress weighing heavily on him. This is what he was born to do and I doubt anyone else would be able to do it the way he does. I know his father is sitting heavily on his mind, because either way, tonight Juan will be the focus and finally this will be the end. It’s why he wants to see his mom, because he knows as well as I do that she will want to be there whether he wants her to or not.
She was his mate; she is linked to his soul and she has just as much right to hate him and want to see him suffer as I do. She lost a decade of her life as his silent prisoner and her future is empty because of her bond to him. It’s only fair that she gets a chance to see him shackled and caged and led away by a species that will make him live in agony without death for as long as he breathes. She wouldn’t want to stay here and see everything she suffered for happen without her.
“There’s one thing… I have a possible solution to a problem of yours Colton. Seems I do have a trick up my sleeve. I’ll have it ready by the time we need to leave. I just need to make a few adjustments.” She holds up a book she didn’t have with her before and I guess it’s where she went. To get it from the grimoire library and came back because she found something. I eye her with interest and let my gaze sway to the leather-bound ancient book held loosely by her side with interest.
“What solution to what problem? Colton blinks as he stares back at her, also flicking a glance at the aged book in her hand. Leyanne moves to leave and stops with a self-satisfied smile and gestures towards me with a flourish.
“A life bound…. only mates should hold that power. It wasn’t ordained by the fates, but by magic’s touch and with magic’s breath it can be undone. Especially when the source is standing right here. Although I don’t think you want to tell your mother about it…. who knows what ideas she might get if her life no longer endangers yours.” She shrugs with one shoulder as my mouth falls open and I gasp in realization at what she’s saying.
“You mean unbind me from Sierra? So that her death is no longer mine?” That means Juan’s death would not take us from this world…only Sierra.
My blood runs cold as I realize why she doesn’t think Sierra should know and Colton looks instantly afraid. His mind going the same place as mine and coming to the same conclusion. To rid the world of Juan, and to end her bleak future, she would sacrifice herself. Like she once did to ensure my survival. We both know Sierra would do it without hesitation and the sudden chill of Radar’s aura sweeps my way as his emotions overwhelm the space with the same realization.
