Evangeline
It eased my mind to know Mother was safe and the rest of the feline shifters who called this mountain their home had emerged unscathed. Zara’s unwavering resilience had proven superior amidst the chaos that had enveloped us. In the face of danger, she had protected my home, my sanctuary, and in turn, my family.
My heart swelled with gratitude for Zara, her unwavering strength becoming a beacon of hope in this dark world. Her presence ignited a fire within me, a determination to uncover the truth, to seek justice for my fallen sister and our endangered race.
When I gazed at Zara, her resolute expression mirrored my own determination. Her eyes held a flicker of pain, a reflection of the losses we had both suffered. But there was something else, something unspoken yet palpable—a bond forged through shared experiences, through a primal instinct that tethered us and threatened to unleash the chained.
As my comrades paid their respects to the fallen, I found myself drawn to the scene of the ambush. My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of this cruel puzzle. How had the hunters managed to overpower Zara’s troops so easily? It couldn’t be mere coincidence; there had to be a traitor lurking within our ranks, a shadow conspirator planting the seeds of destruction.
The waterfall oasis, nestled amidst the towering snowy mountains, stood as a testament to nature’s resilience. Its cascading waters whispered secrets of ancient tales, their soothing melody mingling with the whispers of the wind. This place, where Zara and I had unleashed forbidden passions and delved into them, now held the key to unraveling the sinister web that entangled us all.
I sat in front of the cascading falls, listening to the rush of water, the whistle of wind, and the crisp snow kissing my bare flesh. Closing my eyes, I focused on the memory of my sister, Amara. I could still picture her smile, her unwavering support. The memories that followed pained me. She’d been stolen from me by the hands of the night stalkers. The night of the merciless attack burned a bright frost fire within me, embers filled with rage and sorrow, bleeding through the wound that refused to heal.
Concentrating on my ability, I detached from my consciousness, my snow leopard phantom gliding through falling snowflakes. Through the bond that sisters shared, a link that can never be severed, not even in the afterlife, I sensed her presence. I could feel her, her spirit lingering within the ethereal realm, a wisp away from my grasp. Although my astral form was a tether to that ethereal spirit realm, it’s still far from my grasp, forbidden from reach. Following the whispers emanating from the enchantment of the waterfall, I allowed its crystalline song to lead me.
As I approached the edge of the falls, my paws hovering over the rushing currents, a shimmering figure emerged from the cascading depths. The form appeared spiritual, yet it interacted with its surroundings as if it were solid. The cascading falls, once a force of nature, seemed to bow in reverence, creating a path for the entity’s entry.
The veil between worlds lifted, and as the face of the entity materialized, my heart seized its beating. Right before my eyes was the ethereal apparition of Amara, her otherworldly beauty crossing the boundaries of life and death, stuck in a limbo.
“Evie,” her whispered voice spoke, bringing tears to my eyes as my leopard whimpered in my sister’s presence. “My Blizzard.”
“Amara.” I gasped. “You’re in purgatory.”
“I can’t rest, not while knowing the truth.” Her voice carried a weight of sadness, a hint of resolve and desperation. “My spirit refuses to transcend into paradise while I hold this burden.”
“What is it? Tell me.” I urged her.
“Treacheries lie in our midst. The plot that led to my death runs deeper than we could have ever imagined. Omegas, our blood are not the only targets. It was a mere piece to the extensive puzzle. King Daitari’s life hangs in the balance, and with him, the fate of our entire race.”
“Amara, that is a grave accusation. How are you sure?” I gasped.
“Celestial Peak holds the key to Dawngarde, a realm of untold magic, where our bloodlines originate from and where our souls are destined to return. Our family—mother—has been the guardian of the portal leading into the realm for generations.”
“I don’t understand, Mara.”
“The portal to Dawngarde can be sealed only with Omega blood from the Winterthorne family.”
“That’s why we have no female betas?”
“Yet your spirit burns like a beta’s.”
Amara’s words hung heavily in the air, reverberating through my being with profound meaning. I was struck with realization—the responsibility of protecting the portal to Dawngarde will rest upon my shoulders. Clearly this duty passed down from mother to daughter, an ancestral legacy I had no idea about until now. Years I’d gone unaware. With Amara gone, the weight of this responsibility reaches me, the mantle passed down to my entity.
Cutting through the silence of revelation, Amara continued. “I believe in you, Evangeline. From the beginning, I had faith in you. You’ll keep the portal safe and concealed, hidden from malevolent forces seeking to misuse the power found within it.”
Now having delivered her message and unburdening herself, Amara’s spirit let out a sigh of relief. Her ethereal glowing eyes holding thousands of stars fluttered shut as she tossed her head back.
“I love you, Amara.” I cried, sobs raked through my chest as I heaved. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Like a gentle passing breeze, her translucent fingers brushed my cheeks. “You’re my guiding star in the night sky, Evie. In the realms of the beyond, our love will shine a constellation forever bright.”
As if she were a mere figment of my imagination, Amara’s spirit began to fade into the cascading falls. Her form merged with the embrace of the afterlife, leaving no reminiscence of her departure. As her form dissipated, a fleeting vision of the veil appeared, and the realm it concealed unfolded before me—a realm of breathtaking beauty and unparalleled wonder. Its vibrant colors and ethereal landscaped shimmered with a majestic aura, a true testament to the magic that resided within.
Tears welled in my eyes as I watched Amara slip away, leaving me with a renewed determination to honor her memory. With the truth etched into my heart and the weight of our people’s survival resting upon my shoulders, I knew that time was of the essence. I had to find answers, uncover more of this profound puzzle and piece it together.
Silently, and with a bleeding heart, I merged with my physical form, rising onto unsteady feet. A surge of urgency propelled me forward, my footsteps merging with the echo of the rushing oasis. The beauty of the crisp waterfall, once a symbol of tranquility and shared passions, now served as a backdrop to the storm that brewed within the midst.
As I entered the moist atmosphere of the jungle, the air crackled with tension, my sights set on the palace on the horizon. The revelations about the plot to assassinate King Daitari and exterminate the feline race, our kingdom, weighed heavily on my mind. It was no coincidence that my sister had been caught in the crossfire, a casualty of this wicked scheme.
***
The outside of general Eesha’s office stood in front of me. A lavish wooden door that reached the ceiling, adorned with overgrown foliage from the jungle which had grown to wrap around the castle, nature claiming the expansive structure. It was beautiful, regal in its own way.
Inside the office I had the gnawing suspicion that I’d find clues, a semblance of evidence that’ll lead to connecting this puzzle. The General could be elusive, keeping to herself and only whispers to those closest to her in blood, not even those beneath her rank are allowed to indulge in her findings. It’s strictly between the King and the General, cousin to cousin.
Knowingly, I’d all but been forbidden to step foot anywhere near Zara’s office let alone the General’s, but the General’s office was my best bet at finding answers. I might not have had the key to get in, but I had something better, the ability to whisp my astral form inside to observe.
I chose to sit a few steps down the hall to my destination, hidden within the shadows just as Zara’s panther would do. The only difference was my start appearance stuck out, Zara’s dark panther easily blended in with the darkness. No matter, I’d still get shit done. Closing my eyes, I delved into the snow-kissed part of myself, detaching my spirit from my physical form, and my head slumped back with a thump against the wall. Oops.
My snow leopard glided through the corridor, then passed through the General’s front door. Her office was dimly lit by a lamp, illuminating shelves supported by vines, framed maps of the feline and human districts, and dark wood armchairs upholstered in royal blue velvet. I came across her expansive mahogany desk occupying the center of the room, loose documents strewn across it. Carefully coming to a stop in front of her desk, I hovered over the files, taking in their information.
One document read “Rogue Hunter Dossiers” and I briefly skimmed over it. Before executing the hunters, the General Eesha had allocated their leaders’ names into a list and where they could be located, jotting down their abilities and deadly qualities. Beside those files were “Ambush Tactics and Countermeasures” detailing the strategies hunters used, “Decoy and Flank” and a list of devised actions to thwart these threats. But what drew my attention was a file beneath the pile as I caught a brief glimpse of information.
The document read “Ambush Reports and Tactical Assessments” and included several analyses of ambush tactics employed by the hunters. It boiled my blood as I read over the names of the perpetrators, dates scribbled down beside them. For the most part, the General’s efforts kept them at bay with minimal lives lost on our side. It was clear what these strewn files were for, the critical understanding of the evolving threat of the rogue shadow stalkers. General Eesha appeared to strategize to remain a step ahead of them, but clearly a few hiccups slipped through.
I so desperately wished to comb through the documents, to flip them over on their backs and sort through them properly. But I was only allowed a glance, a mere glimpse at the information. Without the use of my physical body, I was unable to touch anything, a hindrance of my ability.
The sound of footfalls drew my attention, and my snow leopard took a step back at the sight of the second soul in the room with me.
“Oh, don’t mind me, keep doing what you’re doing.” Saira, Eesha’s wife, chuckled humorously, holding both her hands up. Draped in a lehenga choli, her royal blue ensemble flowed with regal elegance.
Lost in my thoughts and the heat of the moment, I failed to notice the entry of a person. My heart palpitated, and if I could breathe air, I knew I’d audibly gasp. It was far too late to turn invisible to keen eyes, she’d already seen me.
“I can explain.” I gulped, my leopard’s ears pulled back.
Saira appeared taken aback, her eyes widening as my voice permeated through her mind. Sure, the entire feline kingdom was united into a single link, a tether between minds, but my ability to speak into the minds of other souls while in my astral form lied solely in the magic of my ability.
“You’re Evangeline, the Whiskerling Eesha reprimanded, right?” Her eyes narrowed.
“I’ll pay you if you don’t tell your mate I was in here.” I chose the route of negotiation as a way out. Sure, I didn’t have much to offer to the actual wife of the General, a lady living in the most lavish castle and kingdom in the country.
“Do tell what you’re doing in here.” She laughed. “Eesha’s affairs can get quite boring and repetitive. But if you dig just enough, you might find something interesting and worth your time.”
“I’m just looking for answers.” I shrugged. “During that ambush, I nearly lost my mother. She’s all I have left, besides my brother.”
“Oh.” Saira frowned. “No, I totally get it. Eesha has been stressed out lately after all those attacks. It looks like the fire of purpose still burns bright in the hunters. It’s crazy to think I used to call myself one of them, part of that…family. Now look where I am. Within enemy lines, married to the forbidden, claimed by the monster.”
“You’d think their forces would crumble at the collapse of the Gladsheim.” I chuckled dryly. “There’s something we’re missing and I need to piece it together. That’s why I’m here. We all want answers, and I know General Eesha has them.”
“Interesting.” She walked around me, surveying my figure with interest in her dark eyes.
“What?” I snorted.
“An omega with that much drive. I’m intrigued.” She smiled.
“So you won’t kick me out?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Saira laughed. “Get your uh…solid ass in this room. I doubt having paws that slip through wood is much help in this search.”
“You mean that?” I gasped, taken aback as I fully expected her to toss me out, or find my body and impale me with a knife as punishment. What else would I expect from the woman that could face the wrath of the general head on and come out unscathed?
“Yes, I’ll help.” She winked. “Now go. Before Eesha gets back.”
With haste guiding my every step, I dashed out of the room, tracing the tether that bound me to my physical form. As my spirit reconnected, a gasp of air rushed into my lungs, steadying me on wobbly legs. Without delay, I navigated the hallway's length, urgency propelling my movements through each corridor. I found Saira, casually leaning against Eesha's desk. Her arms were folded, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
“Hey.” I smiled.
“Let me show you where she hides the classified shit in here.” She gestures for me to follow her behind the desk, kneeling to come face to face with an obscured drawer that blends in with the craftsmanship of the mahogany. Saira’s slim fingers trail over the wood, before delicately pressing into it, and she finds a lever that pops open the drawer.
“I won’t even ask how you found this out.” I chuckled.
“Hmm? Oh she draped me over her desk, and when I began to slip, my fingers wrapped around the lever.” Saira replicated exactly as it happened, her fingers gripping the lever, causing the drawer to smack her pelvis.
A vivid image formed in my mind, and I couldn't help but swallow hard. It stirred my primal omega instincts, reconnecting me with that raw essence. It had been a while since I had engaged with the alpha who held a powerful grip on my heart, and now, an unspoken desire emerged for her to awaken those sensations within me.
“She nearly spanked my tits off when I asked her about what she hides in there. I figured it’d be classified information.” She shrugged, and when she pulled out a massive folder, written in red ink read just as she suggested — Classified Conspiracy Evidence.
“Woah.” My brows raised as she handed me the folder to clear the mess Eesha left on the desk. “Do you think we’ll find our ancestry in here? This thing is massive.”
“You’ll find something useful in here, no doubt about it. We could split it.” Saira suggested, peering at it over my shoulder as I nestled it on the desk. She pried it open, gripping a handful of allocated tabs before handing me the front pile.
With the documents in her hands, Saira nestled herself into one of the armchairs, sitting sideways so she could drape her legs over the side of the armrest. I made myself at home in Eesha’s desk chair, tugging myself closer to the desk as I spread the documents across the desk. The folder held an array of photographs, sticky notes labeling them. My fingers trembled as I saw the faces of dead felines, some in mid shift, others in their feline forms, beady eyes dilated from death with tongues hanging limply. I flipped those photos over, a pit settling in my belly, and I came across photos of burned foliage, sigils carved intricately into wood, blood painting them.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Saira comments. I look up at her, rolling my eyes at her expression.
“Real funny, huntress.” I picked up a photograph of the runes, turning it toward her. “These are different from the ones our witches use.”
“No kidding.” She mutters, hugging her documents to her chest as she moves off the couch to inspect the photos with me. “What do you think? Could they be a connection?”
“These were from the night the canopies were invaded. Obviously they hold a connection.” I frowned, my brows furrowed as General Eesha scribbled nothing more than the word “runes” on the sticky note. “Why wouldn’t she investigate these? They could be the answer to the attacks.”
“That is odd.” Saira remarked, a frown knitting her brows together. She peeled the sticky note off, her concentration evident as she worked to connect the dots. “I know someone who can help us in terms of the witchy shit.”
The queen and her connection to the shadow manipulator witch flashed in my mind, then King Daitari and his tiger’s ferocity. I’d be torn to pieces if they found out.
“We cannot involve the queen,” I urged.
“No, not the queen. The light wielder, Valerie. Have you met her?” Saira met my gaze with curiosity held in hers.
“Doesn’t seem that way,” I replied. “All I know is she’s mated to the Lieutenant, the Goldenclaw jaguar alpha. Won’t that be an issue?” Concern bit at me as I considered the possible complications. Pressing my lips together anxiously, I scanned the office, my keen senses honed at any presence lurking outside the door, waiting to bust us.
“Yep, she is, but that won’t be trouble. She’s safe, I promise.” Saira reassured, her laughter like a sparkling bell. “Just wait here while I find her.”
Amid an air of anticipation, the subtle echo of footsteps approached. A cascade of untamed curls framed the woman’s round face, her hair an intricate dance of textures and shades. Her smile, gentle and inviting, played upon her lips in response to my intrigued expression.
“I heard you’re in need of some witchy help?” She laughed as she approached the table, stopping short to hold out her hand. “I’m Valerie.”
Subtle energy seemed to emanate from her, a palpable aura that whispered of hidden abilities. And then, as if my shifter senses were attuned to realms beyond the ordinary, I noticed intricate patterns etched onto her skin, concealed beneath her attire.
“Evangeline.” I smiled, taking her gesture. “And yes, we found these photos.” I turn them around to face her, and her brows shoot up to her hairline as she examines them.
“Runes?” Her lips pursed, and she grabbed the photo. “Dark magic runes.”
“How can you tell?” I came around the table, taking the photo from her and examining it at an angle.
Valerie chuckled and began to sort through the rest of the photos, silently regarding them with pursed lips. She stacked them up together and approached me, taking the photo from my grip. With her slim finger, she pointed at the carvings. “Look at their structure. The edges are jagged, a bit chaotic.”
“They look like lightning carved them.” I muttered, tilting my head.
“Exactly. They’re what we call destructive runes, crafted by dark wielders.” She explained.
“Aren’t all runes the same though?” Saira lifted a brow.
Valerie chuckled, waving a hand, then pointed a single finger toward a bare wall within the room. She muttered beneath her breath, and I watched in awe as the atmosphere around her physically lit up with the power emanating from her entity. A tether linked from the single digit reached the wall, revealing a rune crafted by the light witch herself.
Saira took the lead and I followed suit, observing the sigil. The rune displayed a balanced, sort of symmetrical design, symbols gracefully intertwined and forming a harmonious pattern.
“That’s a Harmonizing Rune. It’s meant to restore equilibrium.” Valerie stepped between us, holding the photo up beside her rune for comparison. “The runes in this photo are Destructive Runes, capable of unleashing chaos and malicious forces.”
“That’s how the hunters got in.” Saira muttered.
“That’s the issue.” Valerie sighed. “The rune would have to have been made from the inside.”
“So a treacherous witch here?”
“No.” Valerie shook her head. “This rune isn’t the problem.” She strode back to the desk and picked up a photo from the last pile. “It’s the Forbidden Runes that are the problem.”
She overturned the image to face us. The appearance of these runes were ominous and foreboding as I observed the carcases of dead animals, strewn corpses of deer, antelope, and a couple bunnies. Sure, I’ve hunted them in my lifetime, but for sustenance. We gave back what we take from nature. This? These were deprived acts.
“They were gutted alive.” Saira read off the sticky note.
“That’s barbaric.” I growled.
“The runes were branded into their skin and bones. The blood used to prepare the portal.” Valerie explained. “The forbidden practice of a Blood Mage.”
“Are there no Blood Mages associated with the felines?” Saira asked.
“It’s a forbidden art.” Valerie frowned. “Punishable by death.”
“So if not a witch, then who?”
“A feline within our ranks.” I scoffed, my fists curling as my blood boiled. “Unbelievable. One of our own betrayed the palace, our fucking sanctuary.”
“Relax.” Saira draped an arm around my shoulder, attempting to ease the tension from me. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”
“We need to dig more.” Valerie suggested, walking back over to General Eesha’s desk. She pried open the classified folder, flipping through it.
My senses perked, as if there were an itch I couldn’t reach, so i strained my hearing and neared the door. The sound of muttered conversation and distant foot falls reached me. We’ll be caught if we waste another moment in here.
“Pack it up. Now.” I turned to the girls, urging them with a gesture of my hand. They both straightened, sharing a glance. “I hear company in the hall. Wrap it up how you found it before our asses are plastered to that damn wall.”
“Crap,” Saira muttered.
“Shut up and show me where this shit belongs.” Valerie groaned.
I grabbed the remaining documents written in red ink and placed them into the classified folder, quickly wrapping it in the rubberband. Saira pried open the drawer and I settled it inside. We were in such a rush that the folder was much thicker than it was before and barely fit inside the drawer. With a groan, Saira jammed her hip against the wood so hard that the entire desk rattled, but she got it to shut with a click.
Just as we straightened, the door swung open, and General Eesha took a step forward before realizing our company. She schooled her expression, narrowing her eyes at us before settling on Saira.
“Eesha.” Saira called out, her tone even and unwavering. She appeared relaxed, even let out a breath as if the tigress had eased all the tension from her body with just her presence alone.
“What’s the meaning of this gathering?” Eesha chuckled, inviting Saira into her embrace.
“Just training tactics.” Saira shrugged. “Valerie wanted to show us how we can hone our skills on the field with magic.”
The general looked between me and the witch as we stood beside one another with our hands clasped behind our backs.
“In my office?” The general appeared skeptical, but a smirk crept on her lips.
“I don’t have an office, so I decided to use yours to plan.” Saira chuckled.
“Uh huh.” General Eesha wrapped an arm around the huntress’s waist, pulling her forward and into a kiss. It became passionate easily, the tigress easing the woman into her sensual embrace.
My stomach stirred as I broke my gaze from them, a heat overtaking my skin. Flashes of Zara infiltrated my mind, the way she’d handle me, take from me. She was in no way the type to ease into a situation, especially sensual. She’s demanding and dominating. Under the pressure of her passion it’s as though a primal aspect of myself unlocked.
Valerie took my arm to lead me out of the room, chuckling.
“That was a close one.” She whispered through her fits of laughter. “Thankfully it’s easy to distract an alpha when you’re mated to them. Am I right?”
“Oh, I’m not—” I began.
Valerie appeared taken aback, her lips parted as if to voice her questions.
“I know, an unmated omega, strange right?” I laughed.
“Certainly you must have alphas lined up to set their claims on you.” She joked.
Zara’s face flashed from my memory, followed by the sensation of her bare skin on mine, the feel of her lips on my throat and the scrape of her fangs. Goddess, had I wanted her to claim me?
“Let’s head outside. The troops are training. It’s worth a try to search their tents while they’re distracted.” I suggested, rolling my eyes and derailing from the subject.
“You think it’s one of your comrades?”
“Who else could gain access to sacred grounds?”
“A number of shifters,” she muttered beneath her breath.
Stepping forward, I crept along the threshold of the tents before Valerie’s hand latched onto my wrist.
“Wait,” she whispered.
“What now?” I sighed, annoyed.
“You’re seriously about to expose yourself like this?” she lifts a brow, lips pursed with amusement.
“What? There’s no one out there.” I shrugged.
“You think they’ll be okay with returning to their tents to find an omega’s scent in it? It’ll drive them mad.”
Shit. I didn’t think of that.
“I’m not in heat.” I furrowed my brows.
“Think it matters?”
“What do you suggest then? I can’t touch shit when I’m astral projecting.” I rolled my eyes, defeated.
Valerie appeared taken aback by that as shock widened her eyes.
“Who told you that?” she smiled as though she knew something I didn’t.
“I–” I was at a loss for words. “Never tried it.”
“You have one of the most powerful abilities in this world and have not a single clue about how to use them.” she chuckled.
“Get on with it.” I urged, sitting in a corner and closing my eyes.
Envisioning my spirit separating from my body, untethered and ethereal, slowly , a sense of detachment washed over me, and I could feel myself rising above my physical form. Soon enough, I transmitted into my astral form, my long bushy tail swishing from anticipation.
“What’s going on?” Saira said as she appeared behind Valerie. We both quieted her at the same time.
“We might have a lead.” Valerie explained, never taking her attention from me. “Eyes on me little leopard.” she instructed. “This’ll come with some risks, but it must be done, alright.”
“Fine.” I grumbled.
Valerie’s fingertips lit up with her magic as she etched onto the floor a mystical circle with symbols of ancient power. It surrounded my vacant body, and I watched as the symbols reached my skin.
“Now, imagine a veil of shadows surrounding you, making you invisible to the physical world.”
Taking a puffed breath, I pictured a dark smoky cloak enveloping my astral form. It took a moment before I really felt anything. To my amazement, a flutter took over, making me ruffle my pelt. I paced in a circle, then looked over at my body. It appeared as if I were made of smoke, my white fur fluttering like a shadow. The sensation was thrilling, almost surreal.
“This feels strange.” I commented.
“She did it.” Saira chuckled, peering into where my head is, but looking straight through it as her eyes searched around it.
“Listen carefully, Evangeline,” Valerie called out. “In this state you’ll be able to interact with the world as you please,” she explained, her eyes filled with wisdom. “But you have to be careful. The longer you remain in this form, the more energy you’ll expend.”
“How long do I have?” I reined in the thrill coursing through me, knowing very well that we’re on a mission with a time crunch.
“It depends.” Valerie frowned. “Your ability is a delicate balance between the physical and astral planes. Only the user can know their limits. When you feel yourself starting to deplete, your astral form becoming less stable, you find your way back to us.”
“Got it.” I replied, then took off in a run toward the tents.
***
Swift and elusive, my snow leopard prowled through the camp, searching for the nearest tent to venture into. The moonlight shone across them, creating a silvery glow that cast elongated shadows across the foliage decorating the ground. The gentle glow guided my path, my senses on alert as the tents beckoned me like sentinels, waiting for me to divulge their secrets.
My astral form quivered with anticipation as I passed through the zipped fabrics. Once through, I concentrated on channeling my energy, melding with the physical realm in a dance of ethereal interaction.
A delicate shiver rippled through me as I reached out to touch the fabric of discarded uniforms. It was an otherworldly sensation, like tracing the boundary between dreams and reality. With a surge of will, I let my presence settle deeper, forging a connection with my surroundings within the tent.
It was as though a fluttering breeze passed over whatever I touched. From the vases to the discarded paper cups. The sensation was both exhilarating and humbling—a reminder that even in my intangible state, I could manipulate the corporeal world.
Tent after tent, I searched for any signs of the answers we sought, but it seemed that my efforts were in vain. My hope dwindled with each empty space, and a feeling of urgency knotted in my stomach.
I couldn’t give up.
Not after what we’d found in the general’s office.
A tent closest to the dense foliage of the jungle beckoned to me, a nagging instinct urging me to investigate further.
Approaching it, I sensed an invisible barrier, a ward meticulously crafted to keep intruders at bay. It was the only tent with a ward, so I felt a hunch, almost a foreboding sense.
I knew then I had to tread carefully, for if the caster detected me, our mission would be compromised.
Just then, without warning, Valerie’s presence reached out to me, her light magic pulsing through the astral realm. I knew it was her, for it did not feel hostile, but the presence alone was enough to startle me. The sensation of her magic made the fur at my neck stand as I wasn’t expecting it.
“Shit, Val.” I yelp. “You fucking scared me.”
“Relax, it’s just me,” she chuckled, her voice echoing in my mind.
“There’s a ward.” I sighed. “I can’t get through.”
“Step back,” she instructed. “I think I can break through it. Just be prepared for whatever might be inside.”
“Ready as can be.” I took a step back.
In astonishment, I watched as Valerie’s magic surged around me, illuminating the tent’s entrance. Then, with a rumble and a shatter, the ward cracked and splintered, disintegrating into thin air.
Without a moment to waste, I slid my astral form inside.
The interior of this tent was stark and austere, unlike the others I’d just slipped into. Carefully stalking around, my senses picked up a familiar beta’s scent. The very one I’d battled for the position of Lead Pounceguard.
As I approached a small wooden table, I noticed a tether of magic beckoning from the obscure object resting upon it. On closer inspection, it appeared to be a book, ancient by the looks of it. It was bound in dark leather and adorned with strange symbols.
My vision began to waver as I summoned for my entity to react with the physical world, determined to examine further.
Nearby, several inscribed stones lay strewn around the book, their surfaces etched with intricate patterns that hummed with suppressed energy.
My stark white paw hesitated above the book, torn between my curiosity and the sense of danger. It was clearly a spellbook.
The name was on the tip of my tongue.
“A grimoire.” Valerie answered my thoughts. “Evangeline, listen to me closely. Don’t touch anything. You’ve done more than enough.”
“It’s not sufficient evidence,” I urged.
“Evangeline. Get out of there.” Valerie's voice echoed in my mind, a gentle but urgent warning. “Dark magic is not to be tampered with. It could kill you. Do you hear me?”
Her words pulled me from the allure of what I’d just unearthed, and I backed away cautiously, careful not to disturb anything.
As I left the tent, Valerie’s guiding light led me back to where my physical form lay waiting.
Gasping for breath, my eyes shot open, finding Valerie hovering over me, her expression grave with concern.
“A Grimoire?” I sat up straight, my vision blurring as the world spun around me.
“You exerted yourself, Evie, take it slow.” Saira plants a gentle hand on my shoulder, pushing me back from standing up.
“What the hell was that?” I looked at Valerie, perplexed.
“Those artifacts, I sensed their immense power. What did you see?” Valerie’s expression was schooled, but the urgency was evident in her eyes.
“The spell book and a bunch of inscribed stones. I didn’t touch anything and came straight here. What’s the meaning of it?”
Valerie nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “You did well not to touch anything.”
“What the hell were those runes doing with a shifter?” I began, rising onto my feet as my thoughts raged. “They looked similar if not the exact same to the ones we saw in the photographs.”
“Remember how runes are specific to the type of magic being wielded?” Valerie recalled the runes we’d seen in the photographs, and slowly, the puzzle pieces began to align. “Well those open portals using forbidden dark magic.”
“So a shifter and a witch collaborating?” I scoffed dryly. “That explains recent attacks.” Running a stressed hand through my hair, more questions than answers coursed through my mind. “But why? Why would a shifter betray their own kind?”
With a look of disdain, Saira responded, “The same reason I betrayed the Gladsheim and killed my father. For love.”
_
This Chapter is unedited.
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