Part Four

Caelum watched as Clara sat down, trying to compose herself. She wore a pale brown gown, her hair tied back with a small scarf.

Peculiar markings adorned her hands—typical of refugees from Easthers—and the small slit on her eyebrow suggested she'd lost someone close.

Caelum knew it was custom in Easthers to mark oneself during mourning.

He grabbed a glass and placed it in front of her before walking away to fill a pitcher with water. Returning, he poured some into the glass, set the pitcher down, and sat across from her.

Clara immediately reached for the glass, drinking the entire contents in one quick gulp.

"Maybe slow down..." Caelum began, but she was already refilling the glass for another drink.

"Thirsty," she said through labored breaths, followed by a quick, nervous giggle.

"Right," Caelum muttered, trying to maintain his composure. "So..." he prompted, hoping she would get to the point.

"So..." Clara echoed, her eyes wandering around the shop. "What's it like in Faeryndor?" she asked, catching Caelum off guard.

"Uh... you said Millie was in trouble."

"Oh, right," she replied, seeming to snap back to reality.

She took a moment to recount what had happened, confirming Caelum's worst fears. He had anticipated something like this.

He had already made arrangements for Millie to reach the border once he managed to find her, securing a new home for her and keeping her far from those who sought to harm her.

"Do you know what office she was taken to? Or the guard that took her?" Caelum asked, his voice tinged with panic.

"I can probably trace them," Clara replied.

"Millie doesn't have a stable magical essence. Tracking her would be futile," Caelum said, frustrated.

He had been trying to track her for days, but her magical signature flickered on and off unpredictably.

"What is she, Caelum? Millie? Did you know she's Esme's daughter?" Clara asked, her eyes narrowing as she studied him intently.

Caelum's expression shifted, unsure how to respond. How did Clara know so much already? Millie had always been so guarded with him.

"If I remember correctly, Esme was a witch who was banished for using dark magic. Wouldn't that make Millie a witch or sorceress too? Sorry if that's offensive," Caelum said, feigning ignorance, hoping to deflect Clara's probing. The fewer people who knew about Millie, the better.

"I don't think so. Her magic's different. She repaired Reed's core instantly," Clara pressed. Caelum had hoped the conversation would end, but Clara was persistent. She wasn't stupid—she knew something else was at play.

"Well, your guess is as good as mine," Caelum replied, standing up and walking toward his workbench, signaling that he was done answering questions.

"I know you wiped her memory," Clara said, her words stopping Caelum in his tracks.

"What?" Caelum asked, his voice tight with unease.

"When we were talking, the gaps in her memory were obvious. The faint stirrings of fae magic I felt. I've studied the Fae for years. I know about the amnesia spell used for protection when your true form is revealed to humans."

"And?" Caelum replied, unsure where this was headed.

"I don't know why you did it, but I hope you don't betray her. She really trusts you," Clara said, walking over to him and pulling out a distinct green stone.

"These are Lover's Moon Stones. Reed and I both have one. If he and Millie are still together, we can use this to trace them," she explained. Caelum nodded, but her earlier words still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

—————————-

On arriving at the station, Caelum and Clara carefully surveyed the area. The station appeared empty, and the nearest guard house was miles away—far enough that calling for backup would take too long.

They had just enough time to get in, grab Reed and Millie, and get out.

"You're sure they're in there?" Caelum asked, still suspicious.

"I'm sure," Clara replied, rolling her eyes. "Are faes always this suspicious?"

No, they weren't. The Fae were a trusting people, and that had been their downfall in the past. But Caelum was different. He had seen too much, experienced too much, to trust anyone easily.

"Millie," he called, hoping to re-establish their connection, but there was nothing. No response at all.

"On three," he instructed, and Clara nodded.

On three, they burst through the doors of the station. Inside, they found a single guard calmly reading a book.

In a cage to the left lay a battered Reed, bruised and bloodied as if he'd just been beaten. The guard barely reacted to their entrance.

"Where is she?" Caelum asked frantically, scanning the room. Only Reed was there. His heart sank at the thought of what they might have done to Millie.

Caelum's bow appeared on his shoulder, and he pulled out an arrow, aiming it directly at the guard, who remained seated, casually turning the page of his book.

"You're too late. She's already on her way to the royal palace. They should be arriving any moment now," the guard said, a cynical smile spreading across his face.

Something wasn't right. Why was he so calm, even with a magically infused arrow pointed at him? Didn't he know the power of Caelum's bow?

No—this was a trap.

Realization hit Caelum just as a shadow moved to his side. An officer, who hadn't been there moments ago, appeared out of thin air, grabbing Clara by the neck. Growls echoed from both sides as wolves emerged from the shadows, their fangs bared, surrounding Caelum.

He was trapped, and he had a choice to make. Escape to go after Millie, or save Clara and Reed, two people he barely knew.

He glanced at Clara, her face pale and terrified, her whimpers barely audible as she begged for mercy.

Logic dictated he should go after Millie. She was the only one he truly owed anything to.

Caelum tightened his grip on his bow, ready to make his escape.

"Just give it up, you can't win," the guard taunted, leaping over the counter and transforming into a wolf. His fur was a deep brown, and his eyes were a midnight black, cold and merciless.

"Just go... save her," Clara sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

Millie's sacrifice flashed in Caelum's mind. She had given herself up to save these siblings.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. He knew Millie would be nothing but trouble from the start.

Without hesitation, Caelum shed his human form, transforming into his true Fae self. Blinding light poured from his body, momentarily stunning the wolves.

Using the distraction, he shot an arrow directly into the head of the man holding Clara. Before the wolf could pull it out, Caelum loosed another arrow, then another, ensuring there was no chance for survival.

The remaining wolves lunged at him, but he was prepared. His eyes glowed with ancient power as he began to chant:

"Sivatus ilveran, terram voca, filios tuos emitte; vinctum bestiam, sugi sanguinem suum, tene donec nullum vitae manet."

(Translation: "From earth's core, call your children, bind the beast, drain its blood, and hold until no life remains.")

In response to the incantation, powerful vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the wolves' necks mid-air.

Caelum squeezed his hand tighter, watching as the vines tightened their grip, suffocating the wolves until they transformed back into human form.

Once the wolves had reverted, Caelum commanded the vines to grab the keys off one of the fallen guards and fling them toward Clara, who stared in shock. Whether she was mesmerized or terrified, Caelum couldn't tell.

"Help your brother. I'll be back," Caelum said, before flying through the roof, on his way to the castle.

He just hoped he wasn't too late.

——————————
Alright guys, thank you so much for reading. Shane's POV coming up next chapter. I know we're curious to know what happens so I'll try my best to have it uploaded early tomorrow morning before work. Love y'all and don't forget to vote and comment..........