The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Twenty One - The Dark Bond

- RYON'S POV -

I figured that I had taken the news pretty well. It made sense, didn't it? She was the Lost Princess, the Shadow Warrior, and the Maiden of the Pack. If I had escaped the palace, I would have needed some different identities too. It was expected that she would have joined the Resistance, considering what her uncle did to her. Especially Lani. How could her own family have forced something like that on her? I still don't understand how Sindri could have survived so many horrible things.

"So, Prince Tristan is really your twin?" I asked for the fourth or fifth time. Once again, she nodded, completely tolerant of my confusion. I had a feeling that she had had this conversation before. She leaned back on a thick tree. Lani was in the care of Tristan for a while. He had said that he wanted to spend some time with her after missing her for so long.

"Is it true that you have storm powers?" I asked.

"Not anymore." she said. "They were taken when-" she cut herself off and looked around. "Shit. Ryon, take me to my pack. Now." Sindri ordered calmly. I was confused, but helped her to her feet. She immediatley cried out and fell to the forest floor, writhing in pain. Her loud screams shattered any illusion of peace the woods had. Her words echoed in my mind.

Take me to my pack.

Despite the agony I knew it caused her, I lifted her into my arms and began to run through the trees toward camp. Her wolves were somewhere among the wool tents. I sprinted down the hill as fast as I could. Her ear-piercing wails turned terrified heads. She screamed at me to stop and put her down. I followed the order obediently. I watched in pure horror as blood soaked her dress just above her heart. Her left forearm was dripping the scarlet fluid. My tunic was wet with her hot tears and royal blood.

The wolves howled as they sprinted toward her. They circled us while the white wolf came forward. She sat above Sindri and howled along with the others. Wondering what the racket was, Prince Tristan emerged from a tent. He tried to get to his sister, but the wolves kept him from her. He continued trying to push through them, but the beasts always blocked his way. any who tried to go to her had the same problem. 

After about twenty minutes, Sindri went silent. Her eyes were closed, as if in sleep. It seemed that there wasn't a single sound in the universe. The wolves stopped circling us and came to sit around her. I checked her pulse. Faint, but there. I looked up to Prince Tristan.

"She's alive, but she might not be for long." I informed him. Once again, I picked her up from the dirt. Together we ran as fast as we possibly could to the infirmary. Once there, she was taken from me and brought to a wooden bed in the far corner. Prince Tristan and I followed.

"Tara!" I called. The ten-year-old girl ran over. She gasped when she saw Sindri on the bed.

"Where did you find her?" she asked. I looked to the prince for confirmation. He nodded, indicating that Tara knew.

"In the valley just south of here. Sindri is the Maiden of the Pack." I replied. Tara looked to her in shock, then got to work. She placed one hand on each bloodied area. They began to glow, then stopped. Tara frowned.

"I can't heal her." she said. Prince Tristan looked furious. He raised a fist to strike her, but I held it.

"Because?" I asked, wanting her to elaborate.

"There's nothing to heal. There's no injury. You're going to have to get my father. It seems that this is magical, not physical."

"Fetch him. Quickly." I ordered. She curtseyed and scurried off to find Dimitri. I sat and watched Sindri. She seemed so peaceful, and if it hadn't been for the blood, I would have thought she was sleeping. I heard a muffled laugh. Looking up, I saw Prince Tristan smiling.

"What?" I asked.

"She so kicked your ass in that ring." he chuckled. I laughed.

"And didn't hesitate to bring it to my attention." I added. Tristan shrugged.

"That's Sindri for you." he said. Dimitri ran into the room. Without a word of greeting to any he passed, he stopped when he got to us. His brow wrinkled at the sight of the scarlet stains, but he closed his eyes. I knew he was tapping into his power. When he opened them again, his eyes widened.

"In the name of Maldien..." he trailed off. "What have you been up to, Sindri?" I looked back and forth between the two.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's dark magic. I've never seen so much in one place." he noted.

"What branch?" Prince Tristan questioned.

"The ninth. The most dangerous and evil of all."

"But what is it?" I asked again.

"Judging by the physical damage, it's a Dark Bond. I'm surprised I didn't catch it before."

"What do you mean?" Tristan asked.

"I mean that this isn't the first time this has happened." The prince's eyes widened in understanding. I, on the other hand, had no idea what they were talking about.

"It probably won't last longer than tonight." he informed us.

"But dark magic doesn't wear off." Tristan pointed out. We both realized what Dimitri was saying at the same time. Tears threatened to spill over.

"Enjoy her company while you can, boys. She won't make it to morning."

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Sad face. ;(