Prisoner

Chapter 9

The pack looks up as we come in. I notice N and Ravi standing close to each other. Leo isn't hiding in the shadows anymore; for once, he is in plain sight. His dark eyes meet mine. He knows exactly what has happened.

"Thank you for bringing me back," Ravi says before I can announce anything. He draws my attention to him by running his fingers through his bright orange hair. "I don't know what came over--"

"There has been a breach in security," I say, interrupting him.

Kris' eyes turn red. "Someone broke out?" He growls. "Is my pack in danger?"

"Who broke out?" Draco asks, curious.

"Hero," Leo says ominously.

"Hero?" Baekhyun echoes. "Who is Hero?"

I take a deep breath. "The monster from Vault 120."

Kris lets out a snarl and lunges at the bars. He is furious, but he knows he can't direct his anger at me. Instead, he targets Ravi. "Look at what you've caused! We're all in danger because of you, you weak-minded parasite!"

N bares his teeth in Ravi's defense. "It's not his fault!"

I rub my temples. This is why vampires and werewolves hate each other. "Both of you, knock it off!" I snap. Kris stiffens. His eyes still glow red. I glower at him. "We don't have time for stupid arguments. Hero has escaped his Vault, and we need to either put him back or destroy him."

"We have to destroy him," Doll-eyes says matter-of-factly. "He can't just be put back in his cage. He has to be killed."

"Who is going to help me?" I ask.

Kai glances at me. "Isn't he too strong for you? You're only human, after all."

I scowl at him. "I am the Warden! My duty is to protect the things inside this prison as well as the things outside. I can't kill Hero on my own." I wasn't even sure if I could kill Hero. "In exchange for helping me, I have decided to grant your freedom."

"I will help," Leo says softly.

The pack's eyes start to glow. "So will we."

"Aren't there conditions?" N asks.

My eyes meet his bright yellow ones. "There are no conditions to freedom."

"We'll help," Ravi replies. "In return for bringing me back safely."

Draco smirks. "I'll stay right here," he says snidely. "It's safer. Besides, if this...Hero...is as powerful as you say he is, he'll kill you and set us free anyway."

"Your confidence is shattering," Kris grumbles.

"Fine," I say. "Have it your way." My eyes narrow at the red-haired monster. "Mind you, if Hero kills us, he might kill you, too." Draco stiffens. I sigh. Mom, Dad...This probably goes against my entire lineage. I find the keys on my belt and unlock the werewolves' vault first.

Kris steps out magestically, looking like a predator. His lip curls, and he throws his head back and howls. When I look at his profile, it is that of a wolf, not a man. Kai, Sehun, and Baekhyun join in his howl. They look and sound like one, like a pack.

"If only the others were here," Kai says gruffly as he steps out.

"Others?" I echo.

"The rest of our pack," Kris says. "They are still out there; unlike us, they weren't taken by the Wardens." He smiles drily. "We weren't about to tell you and risk their imprisonment, too."

I nod. I slowly turn to N and Ravi's vault and unlock it. They come out without as much celebration as the wolves. N flexes, rolling his neck, before yawning and showing his sharp teeth.

Leo tilts his head as I approach. "Are you sure about this?" He murmurs.

"No," I reply. He still creeps me out, and I still don't trust him. But I have to.

The lock clicks open.

Leo steps out. His already dark eyes turn black, blacker than pitch. His face transforms into something harsh. His eyes are surrounded by black and seem to reflect light like a dog's eyes. His lip curls into a grimace, and he suddenly snarls, making me jump. Two black, shining wings erupt from his shoulder blades. His hair falls in front of his eye. He looks wild.

Doll-eyes blinks. "That was quite...charismatic."

"We don't have much time," Leo says. His soft voice is now alluring and brassy. "Killing Hero will be difficult."

"How is he so powerful?" I ask. "What makes him so terrifying?"

Doll-eyes' eyes meet mine. "He lures creatures to him. He has a way of penetrating their minds and making it seem like they want to go to him. That's how Ravi got out. It's why you had a nightmare about him."

I frown. "How did you--"

"It's also how he killed the previous Wardens," he finishes. "He can also...adapt, in a way. He mimics the creatures he faces--all except humans, of course. If he faces a vampire, he will grow fangs and become more powerful as to overcome his opponent. He matches the breed of monster he fights and adds his own power."

"He's practically invincible," I mutter. "He can't mimic more than one thing at once, can he?"

"I don't know," Doll-eyes says, shaking his head.

"We should face him together," Kai says. 

"Like an ambush!" Sehun agrees.

"No, not like an ambush," Leo says quickly. "He will overpower us too quickly."

"He wants the Warden," N says. "Why don't we just use her as bait?"

"He's too intelligent. He will see past us and get straight to her."

"Then how are we supposed to go about this?" I say, exasperated. "Dying definitely isn't an option. Ambush isn't an option. A trap isn't an option. What can we do?"

"Here's a suggestion," a smooth voice adds. "You can simply give me what I want."

I stiffen, freezing in place at the sound of that voice.

"Hero."