Faults

Chapter 30: Aydin

"Archie, you're not going to believe what I found yesterday," I say, entering my kitchen.

"What is it?" he asks.

I sit down at the table. "I was walking around the lake and I saw someone in the forest, leaning over a half-dead animal. As I got closer to them, I could see that they were holding their hands over it, like they were trying to heal it."

"And?"

"He did it. I also talked to him. His name is Dakota Kennedy, he's in Klaus' class. I think he would be quite beneficial to us," I explain.

Archie is quiet for a moment. "I agree."

Archie and I have still been looking for people to help us defeat Christian. It's been a while and we haven't come up with any good results beyond Klaus and his companions. Since my mother's death, we've picked up the pace of the search since the burns on her body resembled that of which Taylor's ability causes. It's been hard to find people that have abilities that would be useful to us, so we figured we would wait until the next Lifeblood ritual which was just over a week ago.

Finding a healer is a big deal, since Galariesse hasn't had a real healer in many, many years. "Did you ask him if he'd help us?" Archie asks.

I nod. "He was confused but he agreed since he said he doesn't have much to do outside of his classes."

"Hm, I see."

"I told him that we would speak to him again in about a week–the same time we're going to be talking to Klaus," I tell Archie. "Are we going to bring Aster and Trey with us?"

"That would be wise," Archie says. "I think it's about time we started thinking about a concrete plan of how we're going to defeat Christian and Taylor."

As much as it pains me to plot to kill my own brother, I know it's what needs to be done. The fate of the Kingdom is more important to me than the shattered remnants of my relationship with my twin, especially since all he ever seems to do is hurt me repeatedly. "How do we find them?" I ask

Archie contemplates my question. "Do you happen to remember what direction they went in right after Christian stabbed you?"

"I think they might've gone west of that location. We were right near Christian's cottage, weren't we?" The memory is still foggy in my brain. It's like I know all of what happened but can barely visualize it.

"Correct. Therefore, we head west from there," Archie says.

"But who knows how far we have to go to get there? And what if west isn't the right direction?" I ask.

With a sigh, Archie then says, "We're finding them at all costs. If west isn't the right direction, then we search all directions until we come upon their hideout. We just have to hope to the gods that they're there when we arrive."

"This is going to be a nightmare," I groan, frowning.

"A little, but we can do it. We outnumber them six-to-two now, don't we? Speaking of which, we should discuss how we're actually going to fight them," Archie says.

I rest my head on my hand. "You should be closest to them so that you're able to throw them around. I'll be near you so I can send thoughts and stop them. Aster can disappear and sneak up behind them. Trey should probably stay with Aster and he can attempt to weaken Christian and Taylor. Klaus can shift into different animals and attack them that way."

"Wow, I'm impressed. Sounds like a plan to me," Archie grins.

"Do you think we have a chance this time?"

He yawns, acting like this is going to be an easy task. "Absolutely."