Helios

Chapter 11

It had been a few days since I started staying at Acyn's place, and the feeling of being stuck was beginning to wear on me. The cabin was quaint, nestled in the woods with tall trees surrounding it like sentinels. Despite the rustic charm, I couldn't shake the feeling of being caged. Acyn had made sure I was comfortable, keeping his distance by sleeping in another room, which was a small mercy. His hospitality was undeniably thoughtful—breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always prepared with care, making my stay more bearable than I would have expected. But the walls felt like they were closing in, and I longed for the freedom to move on my own terms.

Today, Acyn had left for patrol, leaving me alone in the cabin. The silence was both a relief and a burden, giving me too much time to think. My mind kept circling back to the eerie note, the bloodstains on the paper, and the chilling message it contained. The threat that hung over me was very real, and while I appreciated Acyn's help, I couldn't just sit here and do nothing.

I reached for my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the one person I trusted to give me some clarity—Herald. With a deep breath, I pressed the call button, the familiar sound of ringing filling the quiet room. After a few moments, Herald's gruff voice picked up on the other end.

"Naomi. What's going on?"

Herald's voice, always a grounding force, now seemed like a tether to some semblance of clarity in the middle of the chaos. Without hesitation, I launched into an explanation. My pacing quickened as I moved through the small living room, a restless energy bubbling up as I told him everything.

"I'm at Acyn's place," I began, glancing at the door as if expecting Acyn to return at any moment.

"There's been a rogue attack. They left a message... for me." I paused, the memory of that bloodied note sending a shiver through me. "Someone's targeting me. Acyn's doing everything he can, but I need to know what's happening with the council. Has there been any news?"

A heavy silence followed on Herald's end. I could almost hear the gears turning in his mind. Then, when he spoke again, his tone had shifted—careful, measured, like someone trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces. "I'm glad you're safe, but you need to be careful, Naomi. Things are changing fast."

I stopped pacing, my heart sinking at the ominous undertone. "What do you mean?" My voice cracked slightly, betraying the unease building in my chest.

There was a hesitation, a pause so heavy I could feel it. Then Herald's voice dropped to a whisper, low and sharp, as though he feared being overheard even through the phone. "What I'm about to tell you... stays between us. Understood? Don't share this with anyone. Not even Acyn."

The intensity of his words was like a shot of adrenaline. My pulse quickened, and I instinctively tightened my grip on the phone.

"Understood," I said, my voice barely above a murmur, though my mind raced with questions.

"There's been a development," Herald continued, his tone dark and foreboding. "Within the council. Your father... he's challenged me for a seat."

"What?" The word left my mouth before I could process the shock. I froze in place, staring blankly at the window as if the outside world could offer some sort of explanation. "My father doesn't get involved in council politics. He's never been interested. Why would he challenge you?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Herald replied, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "This move is completely unlike him. But the timing..." He paused, and the weight of his next words seemed to hang in the air. "I believe it might have something to do with the appearance of Helios."