Streak And Pack

Chapter 16 - Identity

Zarina remained at the city to recover from the pain. She remained sad throughout her stay there.

Weeks passed and she didn't hear from Merlara or Matrius. She only saw the faces of Dracyian and Vossler, showing her who hold the necklace at the moment. She also felt somehow drained. Amaris also told her that Lexer went back to the shifter world and he's the one who tells her the updates of what's happening there. Lexer updates the two that there was complete silence between the lines. Zarina remembered that she placed a temporary seal to guard the power of the necklace and no one can use it for a while, and so, she feels complacent. Lexer also updated that he's noticing something strange about the Lycans: the number of their warriors continues to decrease for unknown reasons.

Somehow, the band is also silent. Neither of the four other members messaged the group for practice.

Until a week passed.

One night, Zarina was sitting in her room, composing a song. Suddenly, there was a knock and she heard sobs. Worried, she immediately opened the door, revealing the sad Lexer, Amaris and Akila with the crying Kiara.

"Zarina... We need to sit down for this talk." Akila said. It was the first time Zarina saw his brimming tears.

Zarina let the three inside. Lexer asked for a glass of water for Kiara who is crying so hard and so Zarina grabbed a pitcher and some glasses for the four. She sat down to begin their conversation.

"What's the matter?" Zarina asked. Kiara suddenly stood up and grabbed Zarina's throat, lifting her up and pinning her against a wall nearby. The two men cannot even stop Kiara. Amaris holds Kiara back but she's way too strong, filled with pain and sorrow.

"YOU KILLED AILEEN AND ERIS! IF YOU DIDN'T GIVE THE NECKLACE TO THE LYCANS, THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE RIGHT NOW! IT'S YOUR FAULT! IT YOUR FREAKING FAULT!" Kiara said as her grip continued to tighten. Her eyes and stripes glows so bright and the energy and scent that she emit is strong and is getting more stronger.

Zarina processed what Kiara said. The two men asked Kiara to let go and she did, slumping back down to the couch while Zarina fell to the floor as blood drains from her face. "They're... dead?" She muttered numbly. Akila stood by Zarina and Amaris holds her close as Lexer gave comfort to Kiara.

"H-How... How did they-" "Vossler knows our band. Dracyian wished to test the necklace to humans. Since I, a human, is involved in your battle, they also involved other humans in this battle and... he led Aileen and Eris to the shifter world through the necklace and they... killed them. Also, they plan to start a war against humans too." Akila explained. "They didn't only test the necklace's power to humans but to the Lycans too, explaining the sudden decrease of the number of their warriors." Lexer added.

Zarina crumbles. She's so broken. No wonder why she saw Dracyian and Vossler's face before and why she felt drained.

Silence filled the room but Kiara snaps once more. "It's all your fault." The chief huntress buried her face on her palms. "Kiara, no. Don't provoke he-" "Or what, Amaris?! She's just going to sit here?! Hey you, get up and come with us to stop Dracyian and Vossler! Get up, you-" "Kiara no!" Akila held Kiara back. 

Zarina remained slumped down, staring at the floor while breaking down inside. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You monster! Snap back on your senses and do your responsibility!" Kiara shouted, rushed to Zarina, turned Zarina to face her and slapped the Ailuran hardly.

Zarina's face violently turned to the side.

"Kiara! Oh dear heavens, just stop!" Amaris shouted, pulling Kiara but Kiara kept her gaze to Zarina.