Washed Away

Chapter 12 - The Rescue Plan

Step, step, step, turn.

Step, step, step, turn.

Step, step, step...

"Ky! Will you please stop?" Syrena hissed, stroking Ilaria's hair. "You are driving me insane!"

"Sorry." Ky mumbled, instantly ceasing his pacing and collapsing into a seat next to me. I comfortingly placed my hand over his and squeezed it. He gave one in return but it didn't stop him huffing in annoyance.

"Tell me why Austan is allowed in the meeting and I am not?" Ky asked Syrena, his annoyance clear as crystal.

"Austan is 18 years old." His mother replied. "Since he is an adult your father and I can not make his own choices. Believe me, your father does not want him to go on this mission just as much as I do."

Currently, Syrena; Ky; Amara; Milo; Ilaria and I were seated outside the Community Meeting's Office where Hadrian and Austan were discussing the matter of the Shadow attack with the Dux - the community leader - and the officers of the Servatores. Hadrian was also the Deputy Dux and they'd been in there for the past hour, causing Ky to become increasingly agitated.

"How much longer are they going to be?" Amara growled, tapping her foot on the floor impatiently. "I just want to get Lena back!"

Lena's name seemed to be taboo at the moment, as everyone - including myself - flinched at her name. It turns out that Lena wasn't the only one who got taken, as there were many reports of others going missing as well. I'm just praying that the Shadows haven't... consumed her soul yet.

My thoughts wandered over to Frost who I'd had to leave back at Ky's house because the Dux wasn't happy about having him here. Frost's howls of anguish had echoed through the house as we left for the meeting and I was half-tempted to smuggled him in under my hoodie.

The familiar feeling of pins and needles started in my foot and I uncrossed my legs, stretching them out. Suddenly, the door swung open and Hadrian marched out with Austan at his heels. We all jumped up from our seats, despite the numbing pain in my foot.

"What is the verdict?" Syrena asked, rushing to her husband's side in worry. He placed an arm around her waist and smiled in reassurance.

"They are going to send out a platoon by the end of today and will try to rescue the captured civilians." Hadrian said, his once booming voice now quiet and soft. Hope rose in my chest and I couldn't help a small smile bloom on my face.

The tension which had filled the room like thick smoke was released and everyone sank back down into their seats, emotionally drained. All of a sudden, the door swung open once again and the Dux strode out.

Everyone immediately sat up straight and any chatter in the room instantly ended, letting silence fill the empty void. The Dux's long, white robes swept along the floor, the gold trimmings shimmering with the movement. His old face plagued with wrinkles turned to each of us in turn, his eyes piercing your very soul.

As my turn to be observed came, he stopped in his tracks and his eyes racked me from head to toe in curiosity. I shuffled nervously in my seat and dipped my head in respect.

"You must be the Human." He stated, his voice surprising strong for an old man. "What is your name?"

"Elaina." I replied.

"She is staying with my family due to some personal issues." Hadrian cut in. The Dux nodded and turned his attention to Hadrian, much to my relief.

"I expect you to arrive by the City's gates in 3 hours, as well as Austan." The Dux commanded. He glanced over at Ky.

"How old are you, boy?"