Poscunt

Mates

It was past ten in the morning. It had been three hours since Alex took Garrett. And there's not a single trace for Hoseok or Yoongi to follow.

The blow she gave each of them had been so saturated with burning Warrior energy that it activated their Cores' defense system. Meaning that they couldn't use their cosmic energy until they were calm enough for it to flow freely again.

The fear had been such that their energy had frozen up in place.

And the fear of not being able to find Garrett was such that they couldn't calm down enough for their energy to unfreeze from its place.

When they woke up again and they saw he wasn't with them, Hoseok immediately called his phone; only to realize he had left it. They didn't know if he had any other new friends, but, even then they knew, they didn't have those people's phone numbers. Hoseok then entered the university's data through his computer and found the class he was supposed to be in. It was the same as Jungkook's. But they knew he wouldn't have gone to class without even his shoes on.

Neither of them said it, but both thought the same thing: Sooner or later, they'll have to inform their superiors, starting with Garrett's father, Aureoluz. However, they didn't want to have to do it for many reasons, the first of which being that they weren't helpless little kids and therefore should be able to solve the situation by themselves. They were already entrusted with a very important plan which was to find The Rose and his mate, so how would it look if they inform them that they had lost Garrett to the hands of someone from their own tribe? The second reason why they didn't want to tell them was: What would they do even if they knew? Fight Alex's parents? They were kind people, it would simply be unfair to blame them for what she did. What else could they do? Come here? When everything was so critical at the moment and a "visit" like that had to be planned with time? No, they couldn't tell them, not even to inform them, not even to ask for help, nothing, they would tell them nothing.

And, secretly, Hoseok didn't want to tell Aureoluz.

Garrett's father had never liked him much since he stupidly tried to cross the line with Garrett at that party some years ago so how would it look if he were to lose him now?

But he doesn't need his help anyway. He'll find him, he's sure he will. Yoongi will help him and everything will be fine again.

So, since Hoseok hasn't been able to see the security cameras thru his computer, once the clock marked past eleven in the morning, they left everything, even leaving the computer on, and decided to ask the guards at every exit of the university to make sure Alex hadn't taken him out of the grounds.

- A girl with short hair and a guy without shoes on? - The big-mustached guard asked them as he bobbed on the heels of his feet and frowned. - As a matter of fact, I did. - he kept on frowning at them as if just the memory of that sight still made him queasy.

Hoseok felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach like a rock. He could barely draw breath as he asked again.

- Where... In what direction did they go? - His whole body was tense all over. How could he have let this happen?

- Over there. - The guard pointed to the right side of the long road.

They were informed, upon their arrival to Evanthe, that there was only green land all around but two large cities close by, the one on the left (Leeds) was the closest so that's where Hoseok and Yoongi always go, and the one on the right (Gerrards Cross) was a couple of hours away but still closer than the next. And he was pointing in that same direction.

- I saw them simply walking that way without a word. At first, I thought they had chosen the wrong path because you can get to Leeds in about two hours on foot, but Gerrards Cross? Even if I tried to call them back, only the guy tried to turn around, the girl kept on walking and tugging him along. It was quite strange, to be honest, but they seemed so determined that I could only watch them as they went. And they went, let me tell you; they kept on walking for the whole hour it took for my eyes to not be able to differentiate them from little ants in the distance. And it seems like they kept on walking. But I sure hope they're not trying to get all the way to Gerrards Cross by foot. That'll be a three-day journey, that will. - He finished with a definite nod while still squinting in the direction they left.

But Hoseok felt a little more hopeful. If the journey was three days, then they could catch them if they went by car.

- Is there something between here and Gerrards Cross that they could stop by? - Yoongi asked from over his shoulder.

The guard looked at the pair of them in turn and squinted his eyes.

- You're foreign? - Hoseok frowned at his question. - Of course, there is something, boy. There are at least six counties between here and Gerrards Cross. -

Hoseok felt himself starting to fume with fury. Both at himself and the people who gave them misinformation.

- Then why do they always tell new students that the closest city that way is Gerrards Cross?? - He tried to sound as calm as possible. But really, if there are at least six whole counties then why on earth was Gerrards Cross considered the closest city?

The guard pursed his lips, but not in anger, it was more in understanding. Then he nodded as he straightened his already straight hat and gave a great sigh as he continued.

- Yes, you're foreign. I'll explain it to you as quickly as I can. The north (we're on the edge of the north) and the south (starting with Norfolk) get along at a distance. And the middle (Cheshire... Notta...Worcs, etc) is a silent war-ground between the two, so that's why there aren't any main cities there, only towns or working-class cities, nothing more. I think that's also where the wealthy have their vacation houses because of all the greenery and stuff, but I tell you, there's really nothing else for hours. They tell you, students, that there's nothing else even if there is because you'll find... well... nothing either interesting or even good. Some teachers might tell their students to go there only to buy materials for workhouse projects, but really... there's nothing more than that for you lot. If you're not wealthy, of course, then that would be a different story 'cause you can buy land and stuff. But if your friends went that way in the hopes of stopping in the first city, they'll only find closed doors and not a single coffee shop in sight, you mark my words. And if that boy was really barefoot... - He hissed. - The last thing he'll get will be a cold. I won't be surprised if he gets cut with something infected. - And he huffed as he shook his head, looking in the direction he had seen Garrett being dragged away.

Because that's what it had been. He had been dragged away by a crazy bitch.

- May I ask... - Hoseok started slowly. And Yoongi gently but securely took hold of his shoulder from behind. - ...why'd you let them go? -

- Well, it's really not my place, to be honest. - The man shrugged, puffing up his mustache. - I'm only obliged to make sure nothing dodgy gets in, not out. -

Hoseok took a deep breath.

- And what if he had been... I don't know, kidnapped? -

The guard looked at him, stayed silent for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

- HA! By a girl? What a lucky one, ain't he? Hey, hey lads, come listen to this, listen, - The man turned around and opened the door to the guardhouse. - there's a champ who'd just been kidnapped by a girl. -

Laughter boomed from the inside, there were at least three or four people inside.

- The pair we saw about an hour ago? - Someone asked.

- Yes, them. - The guard told them in a fit of laughter still.

So... they knew.

They've seen it happen and do nothing to stop them for a whole hour.

- Naaaaaaa, he wasn't struggling. He wasn't kidnapped. -

- Yeah, I saw him tugging along just fine. -

- He didn't even ask us for help. - Another one scoffed. - You would think if he had been kidnaped, that he would be screaming and shouting, wouldn't you? -

- "Kidnapped by a girl", I ask you. - Another one laughed again. - He could've beaten her if he wanted to, the big bloke. Really. "Kidnapped" - He laughed again, making absolute fun out of everything.

And the guard they had been talking to, without another glance at them, without even caring about the situation at all, without even caring enough to even fake worry, entered the guardhouse again, laughing fit to burst, and resumed playing cards with the rest.

...Hoseok felt like murdering somebody.

But Yoongi had him by the shoulder this whole time and now was tugging him back, so he couldn't do or say anything else.

- Come on. I brought the keys just in case. - Yoongi started to run towards where he had their car.

And Hoseok could do nothing more than to swallow down his anger and start running with him.

As if being kidnapped by a girl was a joke.

As if being kidnapped at all could be stopped if you're a "big bloke".

As if it was impossible for a guy to be kidnapped by a girl or impossible for a girl to commit kidnapping or impossible for a kidnapper to be so frightening that their victim would never attract attention even if they were passing beside a guardhouse.

As if...

Hoseok was so angry that it was maddening. And, on top of that, they lied to them about the nearest city that way being Gerrards Cross. Seriously.

The pair of them entered the car as soon as it was unlocked and, immediately, Yoongi started the engine.

- So... - Yoongi started, talking calmly as he maneuvered fastly to get out of the parking lot. - ...She finally did it, didn't she? -

Hoseok sighed and buried his face in his hands.

- She's crazy. - He shook his head and then looked up to see them getting out of the grounds by the same exit they had just been talking to that guard with. And veered right. - She's insatiable, volatile, violent, can't keep any friendships, doesn't care about anybody but herself, and she treats Garrett like her personal plaything that no one else can even breathe close to. Bitch. - He swore as he hit the door with a fist.

Green fields flew by on each side of the road with distant spots of bit houses but all Hoseok could care about was just how grey the sky was, and how Garrett was both barefoot and coatless.

- What the fuck drew her to this extreme this time? - Yoongi breathed out, completely disbelieved as he held the steering wheel to strangle point. - Cause it's not the first time she does some shit like this with Garrett. Don't you remember that time she wouldn't let him get out of her room? Not even her parents could get inside to persuade her, she literally kidnapped him then as well. -

Yes, that time had been bizarre. Hoseok was remembering with a shake of his head as he folded his arms over his chest. Nobody at the time knew what to do or even what was happening so that's why no one saw it as a "real" kidnap; because it was on the clan's grounds and Aureoluz was there along with Aloisia and Alex's parents so, it was just a matter of time before she would let him out.

Hoseok pursed his lips and tightened his arms over his chest.

- I'm going to stop this nonsense even if I have to shackle her myself. - He muttered with gritted teeth.

- Don't say that. - Yoongi said with a frown but in low tones. - Do you know how much energy it takes to keep someone in shackles? -

To shackle someone is a way for their people to "incarcerate" someone. They put invisible bindings around the person's Core so that person is shut away from their cosmic energy, that way they can learn about what they've done in seclusion, and only when they prove they've changed, the shackles are taken off. But these have to be placed by somebody, and this person has to continually give a percentage of his own energy away so these bindings stay in place. That's why the task of shackling somebody is done by a very powerful individual who truly believes that person deserves such punishment.

Hoseok knew he was not that powerful. He knew he could barely even keep himself healthy most of the time and needed all the aid mother nature could give him to stay strong, so, in these conditions, he wouldn't be able to shackle even a little kid, much less the Warrior on steroids that is Alex.

But Aureoluz could.

Just the thought had Hoseok grunting loudly. That would be a terrible low blow for him, to have Aureoluz both save and avenge Garrett after he hadn't been able to do either.

But...Wait... Hadn't they been driving for far longer than it would've taken the pair of them to walk?

- Stop the car. - Hoseok muttered with his wide-eyed stare, lost up ahead and his arms loosening their hold around him. Yoongi did just that, stopping as fast as he could without having them hit the dashboard.

- What is it? Did you see something? - Yoongi squinted in the same direction Hoseok's unseeing eyes were directed towards, but Hoseok simply looked at him and frowned. - What? - Yoongi asked urgently.

- Shouldn't we have seen them already if they had only been walking for an hour? -

Yoongi stared at him as he thought. And then shook his head.

- That guard must've been mistaken then. They were playing cards, they would lose track of time. What if Alex took him out of the grounds while we were still unconscious or... I don't know, hours ago. - He waited for a moment, but Hoseok still felt something wasn't right. Yoongi clicked his tongue. - Your gut feeling must still be in shock because of her hit. Come on, let's keep looking. - And he started the car once more.

It's part of the Wisdom Core to have a very accurate intuition, but, given the current circumstances, Hoseok found himself so overwhelmed that he simply had to believe Yoongi because the latter looked surer than Hoseok felt at the moment.

- Alright. - He nodded and went back to fold his arms over his chest.

And Yoongi blew out a deep breath as he tried to rid the stiffness of his neck.

- What a fucking morning. I don't even want to think how it would've been if that little Rose bastard hadn't kept his promise last night. -

Hoseok gave a humorless laugh and nodded earnestly.

Neither of them knew that Jungkook hadn't kept his promise. Neither of them knew that he was just about to do it again. And neither of them knew... that Hoseok's intuition had been right and they had passed the hidden, shabby shed where Alex was keeping the pair of them from view.

She had known they would come looking for Garrett, so he took him out of the forest and out of Evanthe's grounds. And she also knew that they would come after them with a very fast car, so she went out of the road and into the wilderness to hide them in a shed she spotted until that one car had passed.

She had known because Warrior Cores had the great ability to be one or more steps ahead of the enemy.

- ...alex–

- SH! - She hadn't even turned from her kneeling position by the crumpled window to look at him, she was too busy watching the distant road to see when that cursed car would appear. Because she knew it would appear, she knew it.

There it was.

- ...alex–

- Shut...up. - She breathed out with a triumphant smile as she saw that black car appear to one side...and stop? She turned around to glance at Garrett and saw him trying to crawl closer to her because his feet were sore or whatever. She put a hand over his head and forced him down to stop him. She didn't care if the wooden ground was cold, wet, dirty, and old, she only cared about looking out of the window again, which she did.

She looked at that car, still stopped in the middle of the road. She heard Garrett complaining and grabbing her wrist, trying to get it off the back of his head. But just the thought of letting him have his way had her tightening her grip, causing him to moan with pain.

Finally, she saw the car start again and continue. And then her face blossomed into a huge smile. She let go of Garrett and stood up to give a little jump as he laughed. It was simply so exhilarating to play hide and seek, and even more so when it was at such a big scale as this one.

She was still smiling widely as she saw Garrett lifting himself up by his elbows and then getting on his knees to clean his face with the hem of his shirt.

The sight of those scratched abs (scratches done by her own nails) immediately made her bite her lip. Her emotions were so heightened that this sight had simply begun to heat up her skin.

She went over to him.

Garrett was still rubbing the fabric against his eyes when she suddenly pushed him back to make him fall on his bum before she straddled him, grabbing him by the shoulders. In a surprised gasp, he let go of his shirt and grasped her hips for support. And then she noticed...

Again??

- Why are you crying again? - She gave a little chuckle, not understanding why he would do this. But the corners of his eyes were red and tears were falling, his mouth shook, and his hands trembled on her before letting go altogether. And, trembling he pressed his arms tightly over his chest as if it were a shield.

He shook his head, tears falling faster than before, and then he managed to mutter,

- I don't want to be here. -

...he looked like a scared, little boy.

Alex grimaced and let out a humorless laugh. Her previous excitement was ebbing away and she wasn't liking that.

- Umm... Garrett, honey, I still don't understand why you're crying. - She gave another little laugh. - You're with me. It's not like we're going to stay here. We'll just–

- I want to go back. - He sobbed. He hadn't been able to look up at her for hours... and she wasn't liking that or what he was saying.

- This is just completely unnecessary. - She said. No amusement this time. - Are you really that spoiled that you can't stand a little shed like this one? - She scoffed. - You really skipped Warrior training, didn't you? -

It really was just a Warrior characteristic that's instilled in them since they were young: The place doesn't matter, only the circumstances. And that simply became part of their everyday life.

So this attitude of his was really beginning to piss her off.

- Snap out of it, Garrett. - She said, slowly and clearly.

But it only made him close his eyes tightly as tears kept on falling.

- I want to go home. -

She saw red.

- What, you want your daddy to take you away? Huh? You want him to lock you away so you don't have to see me? Is that it? Is that why you never tried to break out of the house every time he did that? Huh? -

- He never–... He never locked me away. - Garrett sobbed.

But this only enraged her even more.

- ¿¡So you were deliberately not coming to see me!? - She pushed him, slamming him against the floor to pin him there by the wrists.

- ¡NO, PLEASE, I DIDN'T MEAN THAT, I PROMISE! - He sounded desperate; terrified. - Please get off. Please. I don't like this, please. - But she didn't move. - You know I can't push you off, Alex... please... - He pleaded. - Please... Please get off. Please, no more, please... - He begged as he stared up at her thru continuing, falling tears. - I'll tell them not to hurt you, I promise, just... let me go, please, let me go. -

She knew he couldn't hit her away. It wasn't gallantry or love, it was all those attempted mating bonds they've done. When a mating bond wasn't a mating bind it was a claiming mark, but a claiming mark was also a bond with its own meaning and magic, and this ancient magic was preventing Garrett -the marked one- from ever being hostile to the one who marked him.

Claiming marks were not accepted in their tribe. It served like the venom of a snake; to paralyze the victim.

All her previous pent-up frustration about their mating never being able to happen, overflowed inside of her. She has always known it was his fault because she did indeed want their mating to happen, so, if it didn't, then it wasn't because of her. And just the sight of him like this, begging and crying, terrified and trembling under her, made her think for the very first time... "What if he didn't let the mating happen... because he wanted someone else?"

She greeted her teeth.

- Let you go... where exactly? - She began, fuming. - Back to that university where you would be chased after by that sick Wisdom Core? Back to bicker back and forth with that Shadow Core only to end up giving him your energy? Huh? Is that why? You like throwing yourself around like that? Is that it? -

Skepticism grew inside of her as if it had always been there.

He shook his head vigorously.

- It's not like that. We're just friends, only friends, I promise–

If it's not them then it is someone else but she was sure he was being disloyal. How else would he have grown so distant? If he had truly wanted her then he would've been with her, but he wasn't, he was crying and trying to get her off of him.

She got even angrier.

- Or is it that you want to go back because of that bitchy little princess I have for a roommate, HUH!? - In a hard tug, she pushed his arms up his head and pinned them there with one hand while the other grabbed him by the jaw. Keeping him in place like she would to an enemy. - You think she's prettier than me, don't you? -

- No... - He sobbed, unable to shake his head.

But she had enough. Three years of this she had to endure and she officially had enough. She exploded. And nothing he said would return things to where they once were.

- You liar. - She hissed. - You hate being with me, you would rather study two whole majors than to spend time with me, you're always more preoccupied with homework or the clan or your brothers than me, you never think of me, you never went out of your way to see me if it wasn't because there was a party to go to. - She didn't realize it, but she started crying too. - You used to always be with me, you used to love going on adventures with me, you used to cook for me and sing for me and brush my hair and write me letters and take pictures with me and make me crowns made of flowers while you called me your queen... Where did that guy go, huh? - She sobbed, greeting her teeth and blinking the blurriness away.

- You said we would be together forever, you agreed on becoming my mate before the coming of age ceremony, we were together thru the whole fucking ritual, we were together that night... And then morning came and you weren't there, you motherfucking piece of shit. - She slid her hand down and grabbed him by the throat. He gasped but still said nothing. - You had gone back to your daddy and you simply locked yourself up entirely. You simply stopped coming back to Warrior classes, you stopped coming to my house, you stopped seeking me; you stopped, Garrett, you stopped. You said we would be mates but the bite never sets in place, does it? You say you want me to be gentler but what about you, huh? I want my Garrett back. I want my mate back. - She could see her tears sliding off Garrett's cheeks after they fell from her agonizing eyes.

Finally, he opened his mouth to whisper and her heart stopped. Despite her determination, there, deep inside her, lived a tiny speck of hope...

- I-I'm sorry... - His voice quivered dew to the hold she had on his throat.

And that final speck of light... died away.

He was simply afraid of her. He just wanted her to get off of him. Her Garrett was not there anymore.

He was someone else's.

Alex frowned deeply and tightened her hold on him.

He had lied to her, betrayed her, dared to ask for her gentleness while seeing someone behind her back, he deserved to be used, to be bitten and scratched and abused; he deserved it.

- I don't care if you're sorry. - Her voice trembled. - Just tell me something... and tell me the truth or I swear... What happened that night? - She felt him swallowing and saw his breathing stop. - I know you know what night I'm talking about; the night of the coming of age ceremony, the final stage of the ritual where it was just you and me. I want to know right here, right now, why the fuck did you start crying back then? - Garrett closed his mouth and swallowed again. She grew impatient and tugged him up by the throat only to slam his head against the floor. - ANSWER ME. - He sobbed and moaned in pain, trying to shake himself free of her hold. - It was the middle of the night, you should've been asleep beside me. Why were you crying as if I had forced you to do any of it, huh? WHY? -

She just wanted the truth for once, and she wanted the truth of that specific night. Their first night together. He had been acting strange the whole day of the ceremony but it wasn't until she felt him crying beside her that everything they had, started to crumble until it was what it was today.

She wanted to know why the mating has never come through.

But once again, it looked like he wouldn't answer. So she slammed his head back down again.

- AH! - He screamed in pain. - It–It didn't feel right. It didn't–I didn't–... In my heart, I felt–... It wasn't right. It wasn't you. It wasn't us. ¡But I can change–

She turned her palm around and pressed it against his mouth, shutting him up.

- So... - She whispered with her eyes wide open. Barely breathing. And he was looking up at her, terrified. - What you're telling me is that... only after we had tried to mate in ritual ceremony did you... realize... that you didn't feel that way about me? - She was speaking calmly, but his eyes simply went wider with fright. However, that was all he did. She didn't feel any attempt at shaking his head. - Huh... And... now... only after three years of... this thing between us going on, did you finally tell me that you've never felt that way about me? - He started to sob again. But, once again, nothing more than that. - Hmm... You always took my bites and scratches without a word... because you felt guilty? That sounds like you. You felt you deserved the punishment? Huh? You knew what you were doing was wrong and still, you did it so that's why you took your punishment like a good boy, didn't you? Didn't you, Garrett? -

Sobbing behind her hand, he finally nodded.

- Yes... - She sighed deeply. And her tears stopped falling abruptly. It was like... something had snapped. - Well then... Look's like I've been trying to be good for nothing since you're telling me this thing between us was never real, hm? I tried to make my parents happy by coming to uni instead of joining the other Warriors only because I thought I had to make myself a bit more deserving of you, but... That doesn't matter anymore, does it? - She gave a little laugh. - I don't care anymore. I don't care about the stupid uni, I don't care about a stupid Rose, and I really don't care what anyone will think of me for what I'm going to do to you. - Garrett gave a strangled, little scream and began to breathe fast. Since Alex didn't care anymore, she began using full force on him. And laughed. - Yes, I don't care. I don't care about you anymore, Garrett White. I don't care. You know what I do care about? Your wonderful Healer seed. - He gave another scream and tried to tug himself free again and again. - Oh, yes, that seed of yours, do you know what it does to me? Mhhh, it's what I assume getting high feels like, it's just... so relaxing and cooling and... good. - She laughed again as she saw him crying hysterically behind her hand. - I can get your seed however I want and you can't even refuse. - She laughed and laughed. - I don't even have to ask you for it or be gentle at all. -

She let go of his mouth to grab him by the side of his throat, and bit him hard, breaking the skin and ripping a scream of terror and agony from him. A scream that had her firing up with terrible rage.

He had simply lost his head completely and shouted at the top of his lungs,

- ¡LUUUUUUUUUUZ! -

She tore herself away from his flesh and hissed at him with a crimson mouth,

- ¡Shut up! - Then she slammed her hand back down against his mouth while he went on shouting muffled sobs. She had been in the task of giving him a very deep claiming mark simply to keep him obedient, however... now that she passed her tongue through her lips and swallowed... the coolness that took over her was like ice to a wound.

So relaxing.

But then... that means that she doesn't even have to get his pants off for his Healer energy to calm her down. It wasn't only in his seed, it was in his whole DNA.

The taste wasn't that good. It was blood.

But the effect... The effect had her tilting her head back down and licking his wound. She moaned against his torn flesh without caring if he was screaming or sobbing. And she sucked and sucked, drinking the warm liquid like it was honey while she relished in the glory of its calming remedies.

And she kept going, without ever noticing that his screams were turning to mere sobs, and then his sobs turned into little whines, until, finally, there came no other sound from his unmoving body.

He stopped fighting.

Did he deserve this? If he did, why didn't he know the reason for his punishment? Was it because he had never been able to fall in love with her? Was it because he loved another? Was it both?

Whatever it was, the only thing he wanted to know was if he truly deserved this treatment, for, if it was true, then he would be able to take every drop of pain without much complaint. But, if it wasn't the case and this was mere injustice, he would keep hurting like he was right now.

He wasn't only in physical agony but also, the pain of the injustice of it all was like a dagger to his heart. And he couldn't move to take the pain off of him.

She had reduced him to nothing more than a thing for pleasure and relief. She will claim him over and over, making him unable to fight back while she drains him of any hope. She will take him away and hide them so no one would be able to save him from his misery. She will always know when someone will come too close to their hiding place and, that way, she will always know when to run. And she will always keep him silent like he was right now.

If he really didn't deserve that fate... all he could hope for was that she would get carried away and no more blood could reach his heart.

If he really didn't deserve this... he wanted to die.

Many things happened in quick succession. First, terrible pain in the middle of his shoulder blades made Aureoluz arch his back in pure agony as he fell to his knees. Then, when Elliot saw this happening in the distance of Aloisia's garden, he bolted through the back doors towards him, alerting everyone inside. And lastly, the moment Elliot arrived by his side and crouched down, he saw him pressing his phone to his ear, breathing fast and looking terrified.

- Dad, what is it? - Elliot tried putting his hand on his back to comfort him, but the latter hissed and twitched terribly as if he had just touched a terrible injury. - Dad... - Elliot began to breathe fast and hard as well, not knowing what was happening and trying his hardest to keep his head.

- Shit, not again... - Aureoluz hissed as he tore his phone away from his ear and pressed another number. He was heaving by now, trying to catch his breath.

At that moment, Rixon arrived at the scene and threw himself onto his knees by their father's other side. Elliot looked up and saw Aloisia by the door, giving instructions to a number of the people present before hurrying over with her husband and her two sisters.

- What the... - Rixon exclaimed, catching Elliot's attention. And once he saw what he was looking at... a chill ran down his back.

A patch of blood started to dampen their father's shirt from the middle of his shoulder blades.

- Shit! - Aureoluz punched down on the ground and once again tore his phone away from him, but before he could choose another number, Rixon took his phone and threw it to the side, catching him by the shoulders to make him look up.

- ¿¡What the fuck is going on!? - He shouted at him in his worry.

Aureoluz grabbed him by the forearms and greeted his teeth in utmost pain.

- Something happened to him. - Then he shut his eyes, trying to breathe through the agony.

Rixon frowned at Elliot but the latter didn't know what to do.

- What happened? - Aloisia asked once they arrived by their side.

- He said, "something happened to him". - Repeated Elliot while Ylva, Aloisia's sister, got on her knees and lifted Aureoluz's shirt.

Everyone except Rixon saw it... and Elliot nearly got sick.

Aureoluz's Lover Core had torn open. It looked like someone had grabbed a knife and viciously carved the drawing into his skin. Blood was sliding down his back while he heaved and gasped for breath.

- He's in danger! - Aureoluz suddenly shouted to the floor, making Elliot, Rixon, and Aoisia's husband jump in fright. However, Maniai (Aloisia's other sister and Aureoluz's second ex-wife) went around to kneel before him and harshly took him by the chin to lift his head up.

- Who is? -

- Garrett. - He sobbed between gritted teeth.

There were tears in his eyes, pain in his features, agony in his voice; neither Elliot nor Rixon had ever seen their father like this.

- How do you know that? - She asked again, more serious than Aureoluz's first twins had ever seen her.

- I just... know... - He sobbed and twitched again when Ylva placed her Healer palms in the middle of his back to try and take some pain away by absorbing it.

However, just two seconds after she had placed her hands over his back, she hissed terribly and snatched her hands away from him. Then, astonished, she looked up at Aloisia.

- Take him to a room. - Aloisia said. - I already sent for someone to take his Healer here. -

Her husband had taken a step forward to help Rixon, Elliot, and Maniai. However, Aureoluz had suddenly grabbed the latter's wrist.

- No! I need to find him, he's in danger! -

But Maniai snatched her wrist away and grabbed him by each side of his head.

- You're in danger, you prat! Now, you'll go and heal your stupid wound and we'll find him, understood!? -

He heaved but otherwise nodded.

- Please... -

She gave him a worried kiss on his forehead before standing up.

- You two, take him. - She told Aloisia's husband and Ylva, and they nodded, folding each of Aoureoluz's arms over their necks to help him stand. - And you two will help us find Garrett. - Rixon and Elliot nodded and, once she and Aloisia started running back to the house, they followed.

- You know what this reminds me of? - Maniai asked Aloisia once they were back inside and they headed over to the library.

- Yes, I do. -

Rixon and Elliot were behind them, following along to their paces but not their words.

- He's always been struggling with that damned marking but never like this. I had never seen it bleed before. - Maniai shook her head.

Aloisia let out a deep breath as she opened the doors to the big library and they headed over to the computer.

- Well... I had never seen a marking bleed before. But I've heard about it. - Once they were beside the device, she started working on it. - You two, call Yoongi and Hoseok. - She commanded them.

- Yes, ma'am. - They answered as each took out their phones.

- I'll do Hoseok. - Elliot told him and the latter nodded. Then, they waited.

But they didn't have to wait for long.

- Hoseok! Are you with Yoongi? Rixon, hung up. - Rixon did in a flash as Elliot put his phone on speaker and Maniai walked closer.

- What is it, Elliot? -

- You sound kind of impatient, my dear Hoseok. - Maniai frowned. And the other side went silent. - Hmm... That sounds like the engine of a car, are you heading somewhere so far that you have to go that fast? -

- We... - Hoseok couldn't speak. And she grew impatient.

- Yoongi! -

- Yes, ma'am! - As the Junior assistant to the Shadow Cores, Yoongi had Maniai -the second in command to the Shadow Cores- as his immediate superior. In other words, he had to do what she said.

- Where's Garret? -

- ...he's missing. - He answered reluctantly. At once, Aloisia turned around to face the phone.

- How did he go missing? -

Rixon and Elliot meanwhile were stunned into silence.

Garrett is missing?

And how did their father know?

- Alex kidnaped him. - Hoseok answered his own superior.

- That bitch. - Maniai exclaimed under her breath with a grimace as she folded her arms over her chest. And Rixon, though he didn't say anything, reacted just the same. Elliot, on the other hand, stood even more frozen to the spot.

It can't be.

- Where are you guys heading exactly? I searched for his phone's location but--

- He left it at the dorms. - Hoseok cut Aloisia in his haste. - She just blasted us out of the way with a wall of energy and took him. She didn't give an explanation or any reason at all, she just took him. And he wasn't even wearing his shoes or a coat and the weather is getting ever darker and the stupid guards at the door simply laughed at us when we implied that he might've been kidnaped by the girl they saw him leaving with as if it was impossible that a girl like her could ever–

- Alright. - Aloisia stopped him, as serenely as possible. - What time was it when she took him?-

- ...before seven. -

- What? - Rixon exclaimed under his breath, grimacing just like Maniai was doing.

- He's been gone for four hours. - Aloisia frowned. - And you hadn't told us anything? -

- With everything that's going on, I figured this was the last thing you needed, and, after all, we're here looking for him, there was no need to worry you all. -

- You mean you didn't want to tell dad you lost him. - Rixon cut in, sneering humorlessly at the phone.

- Believe what you want. - Hoseok spat back.

- Well, I believe you really fucked up. - Rixon continued, taking a step forward as Aloisia got called by someone at the door. - Because, if you had called when it happened, there could've been a way to help and take him back before something terrible could've happened. But, because of your prideful ass, it already has! -

Elliot couldn't yet believe what was happening. Garrett... lost...?

- ...what do you mean? -

- Hoseok, - Maniai started, still highly disappointed. - just now, Aureoluz's Lover Core marking had cut open and all he could say was that Garrett was in danger. Right now there are Healers tending to him. Do you see the severity of the situation? -

- Yes, ma'am, we do. - Yoongi answered. It appears they had stopped the car and he had taken the phone

- I'm going to send Draven and Macaria to help you. -

Elliot and Rixon looked up at her.

Those were their younger half-siblings, her children, Aureoluz's second pair of twins, younger than Garrett by three years, and haven't even done their Coming of Age ceremony which is to be on December the thirty-first.

The ones everyone associates with a pair of wild hyenas.

- Aren't they on the front lines with Cadoc right now? - Hoseok asked, worriedly. This was the reason he didn't want to tell them. He didn't want to divert their attention from the fight.

- Yes, they are. But I don't care. You'll keep on driving south and they'll meet you halfway, alright? - As she said this, she took her phone out and dialed away.

- Wait, wait... Where will they stay? We can't take them inside the grounds without a permit or... do they even have spare clothes? What about–

- Hoseok, they're Warriors, they don't need too much to survive. Our main priority is to find Garrett and they've always been good hunters. They'll find him sooner than she can run. - She pressed her phone to her ear. - And try not to take Garrett to a hospital despite his state, your Core is in no state to make people do your bidding. Draven, mommy has a new plan for you and your sister, listen up. - And she turned around to talk to her son.

Rixon huffed, shaking his head with a grimace as he turned around as well, unable to keep looking at the phone. Elliot, on the other hand, tentatively turned off the speaker and pressed the phone to his ear.

- Well, then... good luck. -

But no answer came back. So he hung up the call and pocketed his phone, still in a daze.

He turned around and began walking towards the door when he noticed Rixon following him, so, the pair of them opened the double doors and headed straight towards their father. Aloisia wasn't in the main hall. Previously, it had been as full as was normal in these troubled times, but now, it was deserted.

- Where do you think–

Elliot's question was cut short as both of them came to an abrupt halt when an ear-splitting scream reverberated through the house.

They had never heard their father scream like this. They've heard him give a war scream or a playful scream to frighten them, but not... an agonizing scream.

Elliot took a step back, terrified. What was going on? What was happening? Why was Garrett in danger and why had his father known?

Rixon grabbed him by the wrist and looked at him intently. He was also afraid. Elliot knew it because they were twins, but how could his father have known? Garrett wasn't even his biological son.

- Come on. Move. - Rixon encouraged him in a lower voice but as serious as ever. So he did; because they had to be there; because he was their father; because he knew he wouldn't be able to rest if he didn't know what was going on.

Rixon let go of him and they followed the sound of the screams. Once they rounded a corner they saw the light coming out of an open door and many shadows walking from one side to the other as well as commands and exclamations. Suddenly, as they moved closer, they heard how the screams were muffled as if his mouth had been covered up. Slowly, they approached. And finally, they saw inside.

Elliot gasped as a chill ran down his back while Rixon pursed his lips and stood as still as ever.

About five Warrior Cores were trying to pin him down to the bed as he lay on his stomach. One for each of his extremities and one holding his hips down, preventing him from moving or turning around. They struggled as a team of Healers (including Aureoluz's personal Healer, Evulka) tried to clean away the oozing blood while others were holding their palms out, trying to stop the bleeding with their own energy. Others pressed their palms to his back, trying to absorb his pain away, but to no avail, his blood wouldn't stop pouring out of the wound and the pain was such that no Healer was able to absorb it. There also seems to be a Wisdom Core pressing their hands on his head to try to clear it, but he simply kept on screaming. And a Lover Core had his palms up, trying to calm down whatever was keeping Aureoluz's marking like this.

This Lover Core in question was the Junior Assistant to said Core and a friend of Elliot, Rixon, and Garrett. It was Kenneth. He was sweating and grimacing, clenching his teeth, just the same as the Healers and Warriors.

All the while, Aloisia was in a corner with Ylva and the heads of each core except Cadoc. They had their palm out, facing the center of their circle, and each was giving energy to a floating sphere levitating in their midst.

Elliot had only heard of that technique used in war, he never knew it could also be used to heal.

However, the head of the Healer Core, Aloisa's husband, was meditating beside them. He was leaning against the wall with his eye -the one that's not covered by an eye patch- closed.

Without entering the room or attracting too much attention to themselves, Rixon and Elliot got closer to hear them better amidst all the muffled screams. They seem to be talking while feeding the orb.

- He's been deteriorating all week. -

- Every day he got worse. -

- But what does this mean then? -

- Look... I don't know how this will go over but let me just say that his health had begun to deteriorate and his Core had been getting worse ever since... ever since Garrett went to Evanthe. There, I said it. -

- Well, it wouldn't be too far off, his Core tore open because the guy was in danger. -

- But, is he? Is he in danger? -

- Alex kidnapped him. -

A moment of thoughtful silence in which a sob could be heard in the other corner of the room. Aureoluz had begun to cry terribly.

- She's the one that channels too much Warrior energy, isn't she? -

- Yes. -

- Very dangerous. -

- Wasn't she in classes to suppress that? -

- She stopped going. And she wouldn't hear a word about it. -

- Well, look where that gets us. -

- Aloisia, who is trying to find him? -

- Hoseok and Yoongi and I think Maniai will also send her kids over to them but I don't know because I came here, so... - She sighed greatly. - Whatever it is, he'll be found by the end of the day, I'm sure he will. -

But a new, higher scream cut her words, and all eight of them (including Elliot and Rixon) turned to look just in time to see Aureoluz freeing his hands from those Warriors and trying to lift himself up as he shouted and cried out,

- HE'S DEAD! HE'S DEAD! -

Elliot's knees failed him and he fell.

Aloisia ran forwards as the Warriors pinned him down again, but something was happening. As he sobbed and cried out, it seemed as though the floor was beginning to shake and the temperature was beginning to rise, getting hotter and hotter.

Rixon knelt beside him and grabbed him, trying to run. But Elliot wouldn't let him. Why would they run? Their father couldn't die. Garrett couldn't be dead. This couldn't be happening.

- Luz! Luz, he'll be alright! They're going to find him! - She was right beside his head but she had to scream for him to listen. The other heads had to keep their orb stabilized as much as they could without her but they began to grimace as well. The Warriors holding Aureoluz by his wrists began to hiss as the heat emanating from his body began to burn them. - ¡Your kids will find him! ¡Draven and Macaria! ¡They'll find him soon! ¡¡He's still alive!! -

The floor was shaking even more. Things began to fall off shelves, the heat was still rising, the fear was beginning to be too much for some of them, and... without a single word, Aloisia's husband took in a deep breath, took the orb of pure energy in his bare hands, and took it over to gently place it on Aureoluz's bleeding Core.

No one spoke for a long minute as his screams died down and, with them, the shaking slowly subsided. Aureoluz's body began to absorb the sphere as his sobs died down. And the Warriors and Healers let go and took a step back as they stared wide-eyed at Bronimir who never winced, never grimaced, and still had his hands over Aureoluz's back.

- Cooling energy. Now. - He commanded in a low and calmed tone to his Healers.

At once, they took to the door and that's when Rixon grabbed Elliot and hoisted him up to slam him against the wall beside it. A second later, four Healers ran past without another glance. Once Elliot and Rixon looked back inside, Aloisia was looking worriedly up at her husband who had sat down on the bed and began to absorb Aureoluz's pain away. But then, she rounded the bed and sat down as well to do just the same. Since she was also a Healer Core.

Aloisia was every Core. And only the Leader of the Clan could possess such power.

While the other heads of the Cores walked nearer to the pair of them, Rixon took hold of Elliot's wrist again and pulled him out of there. And he didn't stop pulling him until they were back inside their house, only then did he throw him over the threshold and close the door.

- What the fuck's wrong with you!? - He bellowed. But Elliot could only turn around and look towards the right side of the door towards the living room and the television. And his eyes couldn't stop looking at the place where their father likes to sit beside Garrett. - You were so ready to die with him, you prat! - Rixon walked over to him and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him and hurting him.

But Elliot didn't try to take his hands away.

He knew he was worried. He knew the fear of losing his brother had Rixon so worried that he would become this protective. And he knew Rixon had felt they were going to die then and there because his angry eyes were getting glossy.

- ...he wouldn't have died. - Elliot shook his head, unable to even think of their father ever dying.

But a tear slid down Rixon's frowning face.

- Apparently, he will if Garrett is. - He whispered back, not wanting to say it, or even think about it.

Both were still heavily confused about it all. But just the thought of Garrett... dead... No, he couldn't be dead, not such a reliable person as he was, never him. He was the one who was always there, cooking meals or preparing natural medicine; he was always the one who would patch them up after Warrior training, he was always there on their days off with a "family activity", reuniting them to watch movies or going into the forest to go to the waterfall. He was always there. Just like their father.

He couldn't be dead.

He couldn't.

- ...he's not, Rix, don't say that. No one will die. - Elliot kept on reproaching in a low voice, not wanting to believe any of it.

But then Rixon said between gritted teeth,

- Arne is. - And Elliot had to grab onto his arms for support. Arne... He was really dead, they saw him falling to the floor as it was broadcast on the television. He was dead. - And who knows how many more. Garrett is not safe just because he's away from the capital; he's with The Rose, he's with the target, Elliot. What did you think would happen once Darkness realized The Rose and his mate are together again, huh? Did you forget the story about what happened to dad the last time? He was in Garrett's position; he was with The Rose and he nearly died. -

- But he didn't. - Elliot fought back, grabbing Rixon's arms harder and trying to swallow down his own tears. - Why do you want me to believe we're all doomed, huh!? -

- That's not what I'm doing! - He bellowed back, grabbing him even harder and shaking him in his fury. - ¡I want you to realize that the possibility of everyone dying is there but just because they could die doesn't mean we have to go down with them, you fool! - And then he pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

It had been fear. The fear of watching him -Elliot, his brother- standing frozen just waiting for the explosion to take them all at once.

Elliot hugged him back just as strongly.

He never saw it that way. He was never expecting to die with their father, he simply couldn't believe their father could become a ball of exploding energy and kill them all with him so he stayed put. But that was what Rixon had been trying to tell him. That he had to realize quickly when things become dangerous so he could run away to safety instead of staying put in his denial.

But, even if he had understood and he objectively could admit that they could all die at any moment... the idea of Garrett or their father dying was still unthinkable.                  

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🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 63 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

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