Chapitre 9

Dear Ephilia,

I'm glad to hear you're still alive. I still can't believe that you're gone, especially in these times...

Tommy misses you, Theo misses you and of course I miss you too. Theo is very well. He texts you about the projects he is working on. However, a few things have changed for us. Besides the store, I took another job so we can survive. It is not difficult and yet...

I wish you were here so we could talk about it. I can't confide in anyone and it's eating at me. And what worries me further is Silberblut: I can sense that something is brewing. They're still licking their wounds, but someday they'll try again...

I hope you have better thoughts and don't do so much nonsense anymore!

Lots of love and take care,

Your Lizzy

"Are you ignoring me?" Zelos asked and I gritted my teeth at his amusement. The rag between my fingers hissed over the stones and washed the dirt out of the joints. My knees were chafed, but I continued scrubbing.

Nothing.

I hadn't found anything about him at all.

“Zelos...”

I had studied every one of the history books in Theo's house. I had invested countless hours, if not weeks, and I had never even read his name.

He could not come from mountain shadows. He must have been here when humans ruled the city. And even in the book of the last king there was nothing. It was like he was a ghost that didn't exist on the surface but was buried down here decades ago just to torment me every day.

"Oh Elizabeth, now talk to me. You're the first one I exchanged more than a growl with," Zelos said, but I continued to ignore him. A few days ago I tried to get answers out of him, but he dodged them and always directed them back at me.

So what's the point of talking?

The dirty water splashed on my arms, but it didn't bother me anymore. Heat seethed under my skin and I couldn't tell if it was work or frustration.

"There's another stain," he said, breaking the camel's back. I tossed the rag aside and sat back, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

"Do you enjoy watching other people work?" I asked, and for the first time in hours I met the ruby eyes that hadn't left my movements for a second.

"Talking to you gives me more pleasure," Zelos said smiling and despite the fangs his words were balm for my heart. That was probably the nicest thing he had ever said to me.

I said nothing and turned back to the stones. Underneath all the dirt, her true color finally came out. The weeks of work paid off. I wrung out the rag, dipped it in fresh water, and crawled a little farther. My knees burned with every movement, but I ignored the pain.

“Well Elizabeth, I would do the work for you. But as you can see-", said Zelos and thundered demonstratively against his silver cell. My eyes darted to the back cells. "Don't worry, the old man is fast asleep. He wouldn't even notice an earthquake."

"An earthquake?" I asked, cocking my head. "You're not from here, are you?"

Zelos laughed and the deep melody vibrated through my stomach. I tried to keep my face cool. He couldn't be from here. Earthquakes have been there for decades-

"In what year of the old census were you born?" I asked, patting the rag on the floor. I stood up and stared through the opening.

"Why do you ask? Are you afraid that I'm too old for you? You hit me deeply", Zelos replied and put a hand on his chest. He didn't look much older than me, but looks could be deceiving.

"Even so, we're clearly on different sides of the law," I replied, taking a few steps closer.

"Oh yeah, that's why you're here. Because in your free time you love to rid dungeons of centuries-old filth. What is right is not always right, Elizabeth. Look at you. A few ages ago you would have been burned for your red hair. According to the law, you didn't have a soul and here you are, in front of me," whispered Zelos. "I can see it, your soul, how it shines at me through your green eyes. Bright, innocent, good... maybe a bit angry. But the law is not always fair."

Silence accompanied his words.

Nothing but truth was reflected in his red eyes. They were like a fire after a cold winter day. I swallowed. I was so close to him that I could feel his warmth.

"Should Silverblood defeat us, then it will be the same as before," I whispered. "We would be slaves under the rule of the wolves, more so than we already are. Just for what we are... It's not fair, right?"

His eyes hardened.

"Life isn't fair to anyone because in the end it's not about words on paper, it's about actions that follow... Look at me. I'm as pale as the moon because I haven't seen the sunlight in years."

Zelo's words brought a weak smile to my lips. But it burned up along with his.

"Do you want revenge?" I asked, cocking my head. He laughed, his warm beautiful laugh.

"To whom? The hunter who put me in this cage is underground himself," answered Zelos. "At some point, revenge will lose its appeal.

I snorted.

"A hunter locked you in here. Why?" I asked, standing on tiptoe to get a better look at his face in the darkness.

"Only for what I am," Zelos replied, but his smile remained. He was not sad, not hurt. He carried his identity with pride, even if he didn't want to reveal it to me.

"But why didn't the werewolves release you after the _Great Reversal_?"

"Let's say I had a problem with _authorities_", he grumbled. Authorities? Like an alpha? Before I could intervene, Zelos raised his hand. A mischievous grin lay on his lips. "So, I gave in and answered countless of your questions . I think it's my turn."

Only his answers had raised more questions than she could answer.

"Fine," I said, not avoiding his gaze. He was probably the first werewolf I wasn't afraid of.

"You said a personal dislike on the part of Beta Leo put you in that cell. How so?"

I looked around in all directions.

"There's no one here but us and the useless guardian... So?"

"It wasn't me he wanted to lock up here," I said and curiosity flared up in Zelo's eyes. "He wanted to punish my brother. I couldn't allow that..."

"Tommy's only six," he replied, and my heart skipped a beat.

"How do you know?"

Zelos laughed.

"Calm your heart. I'm just an attentive listener," he replied.

"Oh yeah, and what have the Silverblood prisoners revealed so far? When will the fight be?" I asked, taking a step closer. Suddenly, I felt a grip on my wrist. My breath hitched. My fingers were cold as ice, sending goosebumps running down my arms.

"What are you doing?" I whispered. The crimson eyes stared straight into me as if trying to read my insides.

“You really manage to distract yourself from yourself again and again. You act like you're insignificant and you want to let the other person do the talking. That might work for others, but not for me," said Zelos, smiling. His teeth shone in the light of the torches.

"I'm just a concerned citizen," I replied, lifting my chin.

"Oh you don't have to be ashamed. I'll tell you what I know about the prisoners. In return, I'm asking for one more favor, which I'll call in right after."

The grip on my wrist held me in place. Was it an offer or a threat? At my hesitation, Zelo's smile widened. He tested me. I could see it behind its facade. He was more serious than he let on. He wanted to see if I was scared.

"Is it worth the answer?" I asked.

"You alone decide that."

"What kind of favour?"

Zelos grinned.

"A kiss."