Chapter 24 : My Reckless Jay…

"You should rest," I tell Jay, gently lowering his hand. "You need to heal."

He tries to protest, but exhaustion is already pulling him under again.

I wait until his breathing evens out before I slip away, needing space to think, to plan.

I find myself in what's left of the eastern reading room, staring out through a gaping hole in the wall at the darkened forest beyond.

The night sky is clear, stars glittering coldly above the canopy.

Somewhere out there, Ephraim is regrouping.

Calling for backup.

Plotting his next move.

And I'm here, with a wounded mate, in a sanctuary that's barely holding together.

Evelyn finds me there, her footsteps nearly silent on the debris-strewn floor. "The sanctuary isn't safe for you anymore," she says without preamble, coming to stand beside me at the broken wall. "You need to leave by morning."

"And go where?" I ask, not looking at her.

"Let us say I ended up finding the crown, using it and stabilizing myself. It won't make any difference... Everyone will just keep hunting me."

She's quiet for a long moment, contemplating the stars. "I have another safe house," she says finally. "It's not as... extensive as this one, but it will give you time to plan your next move."

I turn to her then, studying her face in the dim light. "Why are you helping us? What's your stake in all this?"

Something flickers in her eyes; an old pain, perhaps, or a secret kept too long.

"Let's just say I have my reasons for opposing the coven," she says carefully. "Reasons that align with keeping you alive, for now."

The qualified nature of her support isn't lost on me, but beggars can't be choosers.

"For now," I echo.

She pauses, seeming to weigh her next words. "Find the crown before they do, Olivia. It's your best bet and the only way this ends with the odds a Little bit in your favor."

The crown. The artifact that might be the key to understanding my hybrid nature and possibly controlling it.

Evelyn's expression remains unreadable. "I know where to start looking."

Before I can press her further, a groan from the other room reminds me of more immediate concerns.

"I'll tell the others in the morning," I say, already turning back toward Jay.

"Don't wait too long," Evelyn warns. "Your display of power today will bring more than just Ephraim down onyour heads."

The implications of her warning follow me back to Jay's side, where I settle in for a long night's vigil.

As I watch the rise and fall of his chest, I can't help but wonder… How many more people will get hurt before this is over? And if I find the crown, will it actually help me control my power, or just make me an even bigger target?

…

Dawn creeps in through the shattered windows of the sanctuary, painting the debris-strewn floor with streaks of pale gold.

I haven't slept, keeping vigil by Jay's side through the long night, watching each labored breath, counting them like prayers.

His color is better than it was, the black tendrils of the curse receding from the edges of his wound, but he's still far from healed.

Thalia finds me there, offering a chipped mug of something steaming. "Evelyn made it," she explains, pressing it into my hands. "Says it'll keep both of you on your feet."

The brew tastes like bitter herbs and something metallic, but warmth spreads through my limbs as I drink it. Thalia settles beside me, her eyes on Jay's sleeping form.

"Thia 'mutt was always the reckless one," she says softly. "Even when we were kids. Always jumping into the deep end, literally and figuratively."

When she leaves to help Evelyn, Jay stirs, his eyes fluttering open to find mine.

The relief that floods through me is almost painful in its intensity.

"Morning," he rasps, trying to push himself up.

I gently press him back down. "Easy there. You're still not done healing."

He ignores me, of course, struggling to sit up despite the pain that flashes across his face. "How bad is it?" he asks, looking around at what's left of the sanctuary.

"Bad enough," I admit. "Evelyn says we need to leave today. The barriers won't hold if they come back in force."

Jay's hand finds mine, his grip stronger than it was last night. "Where will we go?"

I tell him about Evelyn's other safe house, watching his face carefully for any reaction. "She says it'll give us time to plan our next move."

"You mean find the crown," he says, ever perceptive. "You think she knows where it is?"

"I think she knows more than she's telling us," I say, keeping my voice low. "But right now, we don't have many options."

He studies my face, reading the worry there.

"Hey," he says, squeezing my hand. "We'll figure this out. Together."

"You're injured.." I start.

"And I'll heal," he interrupts, determination hardening his features. "Werewolf, remember? Besides, someone has to watch your back the next time you lose your temper."

His attempt at humor falls flat, the memory of yesterday's destruction still too raw. "That's not funny, Jay. You could have been killed."

"But I wasn't," he says simply. "And next time, you'll have more control."

"How can you be so sure?"

His eyes hold mine, unwavering. "Because I know you, Olivia. This power in you ; it's growing, sure, but so is your ability to handle it."

I want to believe him, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Before I can argue further, Evelyn appears in the doorway, her expression grim.

"Can you move?" She asked Jay… who nodded without hesitation "Pack what you can carry," she says without preamble. "We leave in an hour."