Fangs and Roses

Chapter Twenty-Four: Mismatched Painting

Sapphire Nightborne

Angel, Jared and Chloe stood waiting for us, at the main entrance to the stronghold, the air thick with uncertainty and paranoia. Chloe stood with clothes in her arms while Jared and Angel paced in and out of the doorway. The both of them ran towards us the moment they caught sight of us.

"The guards told me that mother and father are on their way back. Did the convoy alert you of anything? They should not have returned till two months from now, Xander!"

"I have already briefed a team to meet them enroute, to make sure that Damien's pack does not ambush them and to guide them away from Sapphire's traps."

*"Good. Angel and I will join them, while you and Sapphire stay here to listen to the scout team's report. Getting the Luna Convoy back to Shadow Mountain safely and knowing what changes have been made at Black Blood are our highest priorities as of now, and I want them dealt with properly. Angel, follow me. Jared, I will let the guards know that we are on the way."*

He softly pushed his nose into my shoulder before taking off into the forest, Angel shifted into a large chocolate-brown wolf and ran off to follow her brother. Jared stared at their disappearing forms till they were undetectable amongst the dense forest, my eyes followed them as well, hoping that this would not be the last time I see them alive.

"Let's go, Sapph."

I took the clothes from Chloe to change before joining Jared in Xander's study where the scout team was waiting for us. Jared had instructed for extra chairs to be placed in the study to allow them to rest after such a journey. I was suprised that they were able to speak as it would have taken them at least two days to go to and fro from Black Blood, and yet they had forced themselves to do so in the span of mere hours... they should have passed out from the extertion...their urgency made my throat dry with worry.

I watched as they tried their best to sit straight in their chairs, exhausation just an inch from taking over their bodies, their eyes fighting to stay open. They bore scratches and bruises which Jared had assured me were the result from knocking into low branches and bushes in their haste to reach and come back from Black Blood, he had asked them to go to the Healers but they had insisted in getting an audience with me first.

"Before we start, I'd like to say that I am extremely grateful for the risk you both took to scout Black Blood and am extremely happy to see you back home safely."

They gave small smiles, slightly bowing their heads, an empty pitcher of water in both of their hands. I motioned the guards at the doorway to get them more water.

"It is an honour, Ma'am. We will do anything to protect our family."

I smiled, reaching for one of Xander's notepads and pens. It was now time to learn about what had changed in the home of our favourite neighbour.

"How long did the vials last you?"

"Two hours a vial, Ma'am."

That means that it would take three to four vials a person to go undetected if they ingested it right before they crossed our borders. We needed to increase the number of patrol warriors at our borders, and rig the forest with more traps.

"Any lasting effect--"

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, Ma'am, but there is something much more important that we need to tell you."

Jared and I shared a look before turning back to the scouts, gesturing with my hand for Reilla to continue.

"The whole of Black Blood is deserted."

I shot up from the seat, Xander's chair crashing as it hit the floor. Jared slammed his hands against the wooden table causing it to groan. The scouts jumped in shock from our outburst, the water jugs shattering against the ground. They hung their heads, hands wringing as they avoided our eyes. Jared and I stared at each other, the same thoughts running through our minds.