War

Malik

I barely registered the trees blurring past as I pressed my foot harder against the accelerator. My mind churned with conflicting thoughts, Luna's warning echoing in my ears.

"There isn't much time. Acheron is preparing the ritual soon."

A war was looming on the horizon, and every second Audra remained in that hellhole, she slipped further from my grasp. I should have done this months ago. Jaw clenched, I forced myself to focus as I pulled into the long, winding driveway of the castle. The moment I parked, I was out of the car and bounding up the stone steps, throwing open the heavy double doors. The grand entrance hall loomed before me, its chandelier casting fractured light over the polished floors. Ajax and Isla were waiting. Their faces were unreadable, but the tension in their stances spoke volumes. "Malik?" Ajax's voice was calm but edged with concern. "What did Luna say that has you so on edge?" I met his gaze, my fists tightening at my sides. "She said we don't have much time. Acheron is going to perform the ritual soon." My voice was gritted steel. Isla stepped forward, her hand wrapping around mine in a firm but gentle grip. "It will work out, Malik," she murmured, though her eyes betrayed her. Fear flickered beneath her words, raw and unhidden. Ajax, standing beside her, wasn't as subtle. His jaw tightened, determination darkening his expression. "We'll help," he said, "but we have to think it through first." I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to nod. He was right. If I let my emotions control me, I wouldn't just fail—I'd get my warriors killed. I needed a plan. A solid, ruthless plan. "Ok then lets go to the war room," I commanded, and they followed without question. Inside, a large map dominated the table's surface, depicting our lands and the supernatural territories that shaped our world. The different factions were marked with colored pins—some allies, some enemies, and some who were neither. I grabbed a red pin and slammed it into the fire region. "This is where they have her." Another pin in a darker shade followed, marking a specific point. "And this… This is the only altar strong enough to handle a ritual of that scale." Ajax's brows furrowed as he studied the map. Isla leaned in closer, her fingers hovering over the markers. "If we move fast and stay quiet, we can reach her before the ritual begins," I said, voice sharp with urgency. "Acheron doesn't know we're coming—that's our only advantage. If we lose that, we lose her." Ajax nodded, following my strategy, but before he could speak, the war room doors burst open. A deep, commanding voice filled the space. "Malik. What you're doing is a mistake, and a war waiting to happen." I turned, schooling my face into an unreadable mask. My father. His presence was heavy, his gaze assessing as he strode forward, his boots echoing on the stone floor. "You're wrong," I said evenly. "Acheron's strength lies in his preparation. If we strike before he expects us—before he even senses a threat—we can take Audra and get out before he retaliates." My father moved to the table, adjusting the pins representing our forces and Acheron's. Then, without hesitation, he removed all our markers, clearing the board. "You may have some of the elementals on your side," he said slowly, "but even with our warriors, you don't have enough to match his army. If you go through with this, you won't just fail—you'll doom us all to a war we cannot win." He straightened, meeting my gaze. "You may be close to taking over the throne, but you are not ready." His voice was eerily calm, the finality in it making my chest tighten. "Until you learn to think rationally, this discussion is over." Then, just like that, he turned and walked out, leaving nothing but the cold truth in his wake. Silence stretched between the three of us. My breathing was ragged, my pulse a drumbeat of rage. Ajax finally spoke, his tone careful. "He's right, Malik." I snapped my gaze to him, but he held firm. "Your plan is solid, but we don't have enough forces to back it up. Charging in recklessly will get everyone killed—including her." His words barely reached me. A low growl vibrated in my throat as my wolf clawed for control. My vision blurred, edged with crimson. My nails elongated into claws, my breath turning into ragged snarls. Ajax knew what was coming. He grabbed Isla's wrist and guided her toward the door, protecting her from the inevitable. My wolf and I fought for dominance. His raw anger and emotions beating me. I lost. With a roar of fury, I slammed my fist against the table, splitting the wood down the center. The sound echoed through the chamber, but it was distant, drowned beneath the primal instinct raging inside me.

All I could see was red.

All I could think about was Audra.

And nothing—not my father, not reason, not even the war that threatened to consume us all—was going to stop me from getting her back.

Sylvin's POV

I couldn't take it anymore. As the days passed, Acheron grew more impatient. He was pushing Audra too hard, forcing her to wield magic before she even had time to recover. It was making her weaker, not stronger. My footsteps echoed down the corridor as I approached his office, hesitating only a moment before knocking. "What?" Acheron's voice was sharp, agitated. I rolled my eyes. If I weren't his brother, I'd probably be dead for disturbing him like this. I pushed the door open, stepping through stacks of disorganized papers. "What is it, Sylvin?" He didn't even glance up from his work. "It's about Audra," I said carefully. "I don't think you're giving her body enough time to regenerate magical energy. That's why she's still behind." He scoffed. "Fine. I'll let her rest for the remainder of today. But if she doesn't improve by morning, she'll train through the night." I exhaled a quiet breath of relief. It wasn't much, but it was something. As I left his office I wondered what she was up to. I rerouted and head toward Acheron's bedroom. I pushed the door open without knocking, scanning the space. It was empty. The balcony doors stood open, the thin curtains billowing from the midday breeze. My heart kicked up in my chest. I stepped out onto the small platform, my breath hitching as my mind jumped to the worst conclusion. I gripped the railing, scanning the ground below. Nothing. She wasn't there. Panic tightened around my lungs. Damn it, Audra, where are you? I tore through the room, checking every possible hiding place. The bathroom—empty. The wardrobe—empty. Then why were the balcony doors open? I swallowed hard, pushing down my rising anxiety as I turned back into the hall. If she had left, then there was only one place she would go. Please let me be right. I quickened my pace, moving toward the gardens. The koi pond came into view, its water still and undisturbed. Empty, save for the fish. I clenched my fists. Damn it. There was only one other place. If she wasn't there, I'd have no choice but to tell Acheron—and that would make things worse for her. I bolted past the gates, heading toward the lake. As I neared the clearing, movement by the water made me stop in my tracks.

Audra.

Relief crashed into me like a wave, so intense that I almost staggered. She was standing at the lake's edge, her hands hovering over the water. But something about the way she moved made me hesitate. She wasn't just watching the water. She was shaping it. Her expression sad. I took a step forward, curiosity replacing my panic. The liquid twisted and morphed, smoothing into a distinct figure—broad shoulders, strong stance, familiar features.

Malik.

Her lips parted, her expression distant, lost in the image she had crafted. I clenched my jaw.

Even now… even after everything Acheron had done to her…

She was still reaching for him.