Trusting the Devil

Chapter 15: Sage

Sage

A few hours shy of dawn, Logan and I led the way through the jungle to Bemilis as troops followed behind. Nina and Thomas had to cancel last minute for no reason. I didn't mind. It kept me from worrying about Nina's safety.

We were both silent as we crossed into the neon world. I could feel his anger, his worry, and his fear. Fear for me. He hated every bit of this plan but it was necessary to secure alliances. Bemilis was the only realm that wasn't against vampires: Icyln was already on board–obviously– vampire hunters populate Vras as it is the place my parents came from and Nevrala was the outcasts' land. Unpredictable, high temperatures and crazy people. All outcasts of all creatures lived there. No way in hell would we make a deal with people who broke the laws of Nature. Bemilis was our last thread of hope and I intended to cling to this thread with all my might. My parents had to be stopped and I had to protect my loved ones. This list was growing and with it, grew my anxiety. Keeping my sister safe would've been so much easier but I didn't regret falling in love with Logan and his family and with Choufu and my aunt. Leaves rattling brought me back to reality as I remembered that I had to summon a wolf cub. I closed my eyes and the first hit of magic hit me from Luna. She was so powerful it consumed all my senses with light. Beneath me, she grew taller and her coat shined in the light. I quickly acknowledged her presence and focused back on my mission.

I felt a family of wolves not too far from here. Reaching with my mind, I connected with the spirit of the mother and immediately bowed and was eager to talk to me.

"Your Highness. How may I be of service?" Asked the black predator.

" I need you to give up one of your cubs to me. I will try to keep them safe as they would have an important mission to fulfill."

Silence.

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I continued to count the seconds as I waited for the wolf's response. She had to obey, but it didn't mean that she wasn't wounded by my request. As I went back to researching for another family, she responded:

"Of course, Your Majesty. I am honored that you chose my family to help you through your journey. How will my cub approach your army?"

"Wound him."

Another silence. Suddenly, she cut the link between us.

Sweat beaded my forehead. I quickly glanced to my side to look at a worried Logan who had already been observing me. I set my gaze on the road ahead, hyperaware of my mate's gaze burning through my right side. My plan wasn't going to work. No mother would submit their child and put them in harm's way. Animals had feelings. Just like vampires had a life outside of being called creatures who suck blood.

My ears were deceiving me. I thought I heard a howl of pain. It couldn't be. She cut me off. I looked at Logan. He looked back at me from the space behind, confirming that the sound wasn't an illusion. I nodded. He nodded back. He knew what my plan was.

With the lift of mine and Logan's hand, the sound of muffled paws on the dirt road stopped.

"Stay here," I ordered to the soldiers. "Luna and I will go see the source of the sound."

"But, Your Majesty, what if it was an ambush? At least take two men with you." Said Logan's chief commander.

"Are you questioning my choices? I said I will venture off with Luna and that's final. It's a cub's whaling sound. Nothing scary. I would've felt evil if anything was there to harm me. To harm us." I stated while gesturing at Logan.