It was all just an illusion, I shouted in my mind to Reece, who was busy fighting off anything that tried to kill me during the time-out period I'd had thanks to Kintar's illusion. Though he'd not physically harmed me, I assumed it had been his intention to dismantle my resolution and reduce it to nothing but fear. He was a manipulating piece of shit, and despite the cuts he'd given me still tingling on my unharmed skin, he hadn't had the influence he'd aimed for and I'd tried hard to let him believe he succeeded.

I searched for Emmet then and thankfully it did not take long to spot him protecting Reece's back.

You figure anything out yet, Em?

Emmet sank his teeth into an Immortal, arched his neck, applied all the force he could muster and snapped it. Rolling to the ground, one Immortal less roamed the earth.

It's kind of hard thinking when everything else requires my attention, Catherine, he said distractedly, turning around as white arms wrapped around his body, trying to crush him with brute strength. Emmet winced, trying to find a part of the Immortal to sink his teeth into. I would have aided him, had I not suddenly been touched by the cold grip of the undead.

Spinning around, I managed to snap for a leg and as soon as I felt fabric between my canines and soft flesh underneath, I used all the power in my jaws and just rowed my head into one direction. The smell of blood instantly shot into my nose, blood spraying all over my face as I quite literally ripped off a limb. Disgusted and revolted I tried not to let the sight get to me, or the fact that I'd just done something as gruesome as tearing someone apart, I blocked out any reactions and focused on why I was doing this.

A scream erupted right behind my right ear, belonging to the female Immortal that just lost a leg. She crumbled to the ground with high pitched wails echoing through the battlefield.

For a split second I wondered if I should let her live or end her suffering.

Reminding myself that she'd probably already lived much longer than even Madame Esmara, I made a split-second decision.

I ended her suffering along with her life.

I'd imagine he'll be trying to bypass all of this chaos in order to get to the queen, Emmet finally shouted, and my blood ran cold.

That means while all of us are distracted here, he's going for the queen, I repeated and something chilled ran through me.

She's protected, Catherine, don't worry. Worry about getting there unharmed, Reece interjected, and we tried simultaneously to get out of the mess.

We managed to fall back eventually, surrounded not by blood-suckers but by fellow shifters that were all pushing forward to get to the front.

The farther back the three of us managed to get, the greater the feeling of abandoning our cause. I felt like we were hiding, letting others fight for us.

But I tried to keep in mind that we were going for the snakes' head in order to weaken the tail. If we managed to get to Kintar before he made it to the capital, his army would be that much weaker. Then the dragons could rain down on them without any obstacles but the Inniks. I had faith that though not many dragons were alive, they would be enough to eliminate the Inniks together.

Kintar was my main focus.

As Reece, Emmet and I exited the crowd and found space to breathe within the swamp we had come through earlier, we picked up our pace and ran as fast as we could. We weren't even sure what Kintar looked like, or how he would cloak himself. The first and only time I'd ever seen him was in Everett Valley, as a hooded figure with shadows hiding away his face. He was tall, however, very tall.

My gut told me however that I would feel if he was physically near even if I couldn't be sure what his appearance would be.

Emmet, if Kintar were to go through this swamp, would those gas-pockets be activated?

No. The gas-pockets are for larger numbers. We figured Kintar would be smart enough to shield himself from booby-traps and it would be wasted on him. But if the activator were to spot him, the others would be alerted.

I wondered who he meant with 'others' but there was no time to ask, because the familiar feeling of dread loomed over us like a cloud moving to block the sun, only it happened so suddenly that it came out of nowhere.

The atmosphere shifted from being damp, to going ice cold.

Though Kintar's illusions had already brought that cold feeling, his actual presence was tenfold worse.

I heard plants wilt and crackle as the life was literally sucked out of them. I barely turned around when a crashing force hit me and sent me flying backwards. Colliding into a thick weeping willow, the bones in my body cracked painfully upon impact, air knocked out of my lungs. Snapping my eyes to where I had just been running, I saw a tall, hooded figure amongst hanging vines, slithering towards Reece who'd just watched me slam into the bark. To my absolute and utter disbelief, Emmet noticed the ambush and ran right off. He disappeared from my sight only seconds later and I wasn't sure if I began imagining things.

Apparently even Kintar noticed my shock because his snarling laughter bellowed towards me. "Oh, did the little wolf get ssssscared," he hissed, his face masked with smoke-like shadows that constantly moved but hid his features from sight.

When my eyes found Reece's, something in them glistened, the stare intense with a hidden meaning.

Emmet didn't run off because he was afraid. He ran off seeming like it, either to attack Kintar from behind or to get back up. I wasn't sure what he was up to, but I knew that Emmet would never abandon us.

Though it calmed me to realise that I tried to keep the shock in my face. I wore it like a shield, hiding away my true feelings. I didn't trust Kintar not to be able to at least sense certain things. Who knew what he was capable of.

Kintar's body loomed over Reece as he neared him.

Reece growled threateningly, soaked in the blood of Immortals, and bared his canines. Flicking his tongue over his teeth, he barked loudly, building himself up.

He looked terrifying.

But Kintar's height and his shadows overpowered even Reece. Getting onto my legs, I sprinted over to them as fast as I could. Without even turning my way, shadows erupted from beneath Kintar's cloak, snaking towards me like extended arms. As the smoke touched me, I curled together as my fur burned off.

Howling, I saw Reece charge at Kintar. But he too was slapped aside with barely any effort at all, bones cracking painfully. The sound echoed through the swamp, making a shower of fear wash through me.

We didn't stand a change against him with our physical abilities.

Just as I prepared myself to channel my powers, Kintar vanished into thin air.

Where did he go? I shouted, looking around, panicked, because he could reappear in an instant and we had no means to detect him first. His presence was still here, but I wasn't sure if it was because his power still lingered as the death his touch brought or if he was indeed still here.

When a few minutes passed that felt like an eternity, his dark, deadly presence wasn't as intense as before and it almost felt like I could physically breathe clearer now. Though my body hurt, parts of my skin scorched off and scarred, it did not cripple me yet. The adrenaline rushing through me was too intense to succumb to the pain, though I would surely feel it once all of this was over.

I think he's gone, I said and Reece nodded, trotting over to me with a limp in his leg.

He's probably still trying to get to the queen. We need to find him before he finds her.

Agreeing with him, we both took another minute to recuperate from the broken bones. I heard both his and mine crack as they sew themselves together, quicker than they'd ever been capable of before. Ryker had handed out concoctions to each shifter for exactly this purpose. It would wear off after around 3 days. What hurt the most, actually, was the burned off skin since that healing process took longer than any cuts or broken bones.

Feeling the exhilarating vibrations of magic go through my blood stream, I reveled in how quickly his concoction was already proving extremely valuable.

Though it didn't numb the pain, at least the healing-process wouldn't slow us down.

Why's he going for the queen anyway? I wondered.

Reece answered quickly. Because she's the only living vessel of the Ancients that hasn't gone mad, he explained, and I remembered the conversation I'd had with one of them at my reception.

Why would others go mad just talking to them?

Reece looked over to me as we trudged through the swamp as fast as we could. I'm not sure. I only heard that they possess an ancient magic which differs from what we've experienced so far. The Ancients come from a time that surpasses even Queen Amalfi. They go back to the beginning of everything. Emmet thinks that the connection of those two types of magic has a negative effect on us. That's why we weren't allowed south of Everett Valley, to the seaside. The remains down there also have a maddening effect, especially when grinded into powder.

We swam an entire section of swampland, the water up to our throats. It did require a lot of energy, but as soon as we were back on solid ground and the consistency of it was hard and firm, it was like our muscles could recuperate solely through the decrease of unstable footing.

How have you and Emmet learned all of this?

We've been a part of a few meetings in which he was able to ask a lot of questions, Reece answered, and I was uncertain whether to be glad that they had or offended I was only learning of this now.

Why would one want to grind down the Ancients' bones?

I remembered having a conversation with Reagan about this when I'd first seen the remains of the Ancients sticking out of the sandy beach. A moment of silence passed in which I began to dread the answer.

Because as powder, it can be used for very bad things. The council was trying to harvest them but was never successful. Why they even attempted, we don't know. Everyone that went missing was probably used to try to grind the bones and if they went mad, nobody would ask any questions.

Reece and I maneuvered over countless vines, concentrated not to lose our footing. The ground beneath us was strange here, as though we were being held up by a net of plants.

So, what did Reagan make out of the powder and why didn't he go mad?

Reece seemed taken aback by that, shock floating towards me.

How do you know Reagan was involved in the grinding process?

Because he told me.

Reagan didn't go mad because he was doing it with a lot of caution and never for a very long time. Little by little. As to what they used it for...

A feral growl interrupted our conversation and a dark sense of alarm settled in my stomach. The growl was scaringly familiar and instantly triggered my memory. A dark brown wolf emerged from behind a curtain of vines, canines bared, covered in blood. His back was hunched, giving him the appearance of being bigger than he was.

I did not need to feel Reece's emotions to know he too remembered the same thing I did.

You, I growled, hatred burning in my veins at the wolf that had attacked my brothers in our own home.

Hollow laughter resounded in my head, an ugly sound that chilled me. Do you even know who I am?

Even his voice seemed vaguely familiar, though I couldn't quite place it right. All of him reminded me of someone, but I just couldn't think of who.

He came towards us in slow steps, his claws emerged, canines still on full display. Reece built himself up in a similar matter next to me, while I emanated a calm meant to disturb this traitor. He went against his kind. Against everything that allowed his existence to be possible. And he'd nearly killed Reece.

You are nothing but a traitor to your kind, I said, my voice void of any emotion. The amount of disgust I bore for this creature was immeasurable.

And that suddenly triggered something and I knew who he was.

How is this possible? I asked, shock filling me. I'd smelled Sulphur back in the house when we were attacked. It had masked his scent. Looking into his emotional signature, I saw anger and hatred rule over him, and it was suddenly as clear as day.

Keeth Dust has many abilities if mixed with the right ingredients, he snickered, pleased with himself for pulling off a stunt I would have never thought him capable of.

It was then that another wolf walked forth from behind a curtain of vines and her presence made everything inside of me go cold with fear and blind with disdain.

Nice to see you two again, Shyla said, her fur not a silvery gray but the same shade of brown that Tyler's was. Both their eyes were red, ruled by anger in the purest form.

Can't say the same, Reece answered.

Shyla's chuckle traveled towards us and it made my blood sizzle with rising anger. The presence of these two traitors made me wonder about the third.

Where have you left Holden? I asked, not expecting an answer.

Surprisingly enough, Shyla actually gave me one. Didn't have the stomach. Not that it matters, since he's dead now.

Drawing a sharp breath, I tried not to show how unsettling that made me feel. Holden? Dead?

Funny that you seem to assume you won't be too when we're done here, Reece threatened. But before he could launch an attack, I needed some answers. As many as they would give.

Why are you siding with Kintar? What have we ever done to you?

Shyla's icy stare pierced right into me and for the first time since I'd known her, her emotional signature was not gray and stale but drenched in hatred. It refleced in her eyes as she looked at me. I curse my blood more so than yours, she said, disgust leaking out of her.

Tyler and I were born to vermin. Lesser creatures. It was Kintar who gave us a purpose after living, she shared and surprised me by letting honesty guide her words, as unsettling and dark as they were.

So you were not born in Everett Valley?

Shyla shook her head. No. Everyone just thinks we were. But enough chit-chat. You won't be able to stop Kintar. Not with your bone-powder traps around the palace nor with any gifts you lot have. He's more powerful than the Ancients' themselves.

And that was where she would be wrong because no matter how much power ran through Kintar's veins, he had emotions like everyone else. Even if his soul was shredded and nothing about him was good, it didn't need to be. Just like good could be corrupted, so could evil.

And I would prove that, even if it would cost me my life.

Without a moment's delay, Reece and I attacked.

☼

Teeth clashed against teeth, claws ripping through flesh as the stench of blood wafted through the air. It was the first moment since the battle had begun in which I let out all my emotions, letting them leak out of me in form of physical strength. Pouring everything I had into my bite, into my claws and into the way I moved, the entirety of it seemed to happen in a blur. I faintly registered Reece snapping for Tyler's neck, howls and barks filling the otherwise calm swamp that did not move with us but remained rather still, despite the brutality that we brought on.

I wasn't sure how I managed it, for my conscience was as though it had been pushed to the background and instinct had taken over nearly fully. It wasn't until Reece and I reached the other end of the swamp that I found myself again.

We were both silent, neither of us uttering a word. We'd done something so profoundly wrong, even if it had been in self-defence.

Taking the life of a shifter was a ghastly act and it broke something inside of me that I could barely let myself think of what had transpired. Flashes of my teeth ripping through skin fluttered before me and my stomach recoiled. I was going to be sick.

Reagan's influence was quick to prevent my stomach from emptying its contents––and the serenity his soul brought mine as our minds connected felt warm against the chilling feeling that slowly began to freeze my blood and turn my heart dark with despair.

I had just killed one of our own.

You did what you had to do, his voice soothed, and I tried holding on to them as Reece and I made our way through the grasslands. I needed to focus on the task at hand. Everything else could be dealt with later. And Reagan was right­­––I did what I had to. Imagining what would have happened if I'd been killed before I had the chance to reach Kintar made me feel better about it.

Tyler nearly murdered Reece back home. They aided and abided Kintar. They were traitors to their own kind. They deserved death.

So why did I feel like crying?

That's when the Ancients' words hit me with a resonating emptiness.

'Blood will flow as tears are spilled...'

Where do you think he went? Straight through the entrance? I asked, steering my mind back to our main task, wishing Emmet was here to answer since he was nearly always right.

Reece thought for a moment until he answered. If I were an evil waste of space than I'd probably try to remain undetected. Do you know of any ways inside without drawing attention?

I let a picture of the entire estate swim in front of my mind as I tried analysing everything I'd seen of it so far. The stairs leading into the towers on the backside of the palace, which was facing the horizon and the forest on the other side, came to my mind. The many times I'd trained in those fields I'd barely ever seen anyone pass by there.

I think I have an idea where he could go, I said and lead Reece across the fields that were below the hill the palace stood upon, a mighty sight.

It would still take us a while to get up there. Speeding up our pace, we both ran as fast as we could.

Reece do you know where Emmet went? I asked, uncomfortable not knowing in how much danger my younger brother was. He'd just run off and still hadn't returned. What was he up to?

Don't worry about him. Let's get to Kintar before he gets to the queen, he answered, and I tried to let go and solely concentrate on the matter at hand.

Once Reece and I finally circled around the palace and ran up the hill on the backside of it that overlooked the forest in the horizon, I saw a shadowy figure sneak along the palace walls and knew instantly that it had to be him. There was one dead beast hanging over the wall and one on the bottom. Seeing those dead dragons brought tears to my eyes instantly.

They were such magical, proud and impossibly beautiful beings.

Seeing one with a broken spine, wings hanging limply from each side over the edges of the palace walls... It was a grotesque scene that made my blood run cold with an anger that chilled me to the bones.

How could he do something as atrocious as killing something so pure?

They were both dark blue dragons, their colour indicating that they were guards. The dragon lying motionless on the ground had its throat slit, its head barely hanging on. It reminded me of the death back in the caves of Everett Valley and my stomach churned in dread, lined with disgust.

The sight of Kintar's brutality made me mad with rage.

I suddenly felt something in my mind shift and a slight film cover my sight.

I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Reagan had just looked through my eyes and as he saw what I saw, probably worried about my shift in emotions, a wave of blind anger went through me that wasn't my own. It intensified my will to get rid of Kintar, no matter the cost. He would die for taking away the purity of our world as if he was more deserving of living on it than they were.

If anyone had a right to walk this earth, it was them. The Ancients and their descendants.

Not the Heretics.

And as a Sentinel, I would make damn sure that fate would be on our side.