Elysian House: Silver Bullet (2)

Chapter 19: One Last Time

Today was the final day. Winter would be leaving back home to America and leave me here with Elpis Zoe and Snow. I was glad, in a way, but also sad. Even though she was always pushing me, always telling me that Snow was a monster, I couldn't help but feel this sadness in my chest that she was going to leave. I mean, even though she raised hell for me, she was family to me. 

The docks were filled with people. Humans and Vampires alike. Snow was somewhere, conversing with a human, probably using her Vampire charms to convince them to come to the castle with her and be her thrall. 

Winter was standing beside me and we were both facing out toward the horizon of the sea. Boats were coming in and going out. I turned to Winter as we saw the ship she would be boarding to get back to America in one piece. 

"Are you sure you won't come?" She asks me, without taking her eyes off of the boat. 

I nod my head. "I'm needed here. I have to protect Elpis Zoe."

Elpis Zoe joins Winter's other side, as if she heard her name and placed her hand on Winter's arm. Winter and Elpis Zoe were always much closer. I watched Winter turn to Elpis Zoe and actually crack a smile. I think she always had a soft spot for her instead of me. 

"We'll miss you here, aunty," she says and presses her cheek into Winter's shoulder. "Come visit again soon."

She chuckles. "Hm... maybe."

"I'll write to you once you're back home, aunty," Elpis Zoe says. "So be safe while you're on the sea."

"I will, my dear," she gives Elpis Zoe a one-armed hug and then turns to me. "Remember what I said, Rowan. If you want to protect anyone, remember what I said."

For the first time, I finally nod my head. I didn't want to believe Snow was a terrible person. But I nodded my head anyway. 

And while Winter boarded the ship, it became clear why I was so sad. It was because I realized I'd be stuck here alone with Snow. And Winter wasn't here to protect me.

---

As soon as I was about to leave Elysian House to find my family, something bad happened. Elysian House became overrun with wolves. The doors were knocked down and wolves came pouring within the walls. I immediately thought of Ricky and quickly made my way down the hall, in search of my little brother. 

Annika was yelling at students to hurry back to the dorms and not far away from her stood Del. She had her spear in both of her hands and she was searching up and down the halls for any signs of the wolves. 

"Riley!" Maya came rushing through the stream of rushing students, toward me. "What's going on, Riley?"

"Wolves," I answer. "They've come here, to find the shield." 

She freezes and her blue eyes bounce across my face, examining my features. "Hey, what's wrong with you? You don't look so good."

"I'm fine, look, get out of here. I'm gonna go take care of these wolves," I jog down the hall, ignoring Bradley as he rushed over, and kept going down the hall, against the current of students. 

A moment later, I find Brandon with a frantic look in his eyes. As soon as he saw me, I watched him cower. He knew. "Brandon, your wolf buddies are here."

"Y-yeah, I know..." he lowers his eyes to the floor. "They've come for the Scudo di Aura."

"I need your help. You have to push them back."

"I don't think... that's necessary."

"What do you mean?" I question.

"We... worship the Darkness."