Chapter 18 #3
The elder studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable, those black eyes giving nothing away.
Then she stood.
She was even taller than I'd realized—over six feet easily, her presence filling the chamber.
"We have been watching," she said quietly, her voice carrying a weight that made the air itself feel heavier. "For weeks now, since the human called Hewes arrived in Fange City, we have been watching. Waiting. Assessing the threat he poses to our people and our lands."
She moved closer, each step deliberate and measured.
"Three weeks ago, he sent his followers into the northern passes. They captured two of our scouts—young warriors on their first patrol. We found their bodies four days later, discarded in the wasteland like refuse. Their deaths were not quick. Not merciful."
My stomach turned, but I forced myself to hold her gaze.
"Two weeks ago, his males disrupted the trade caravan from the eastern settlements.
Killed the merchants. Stole the goods. When our warriors went to investigate, they found evidence that Hewes intends to claim the eastern routes as his own territory.
Routes that have belonged to the Welati for three thousand years. "
The markings beneath her skin pulsed brighter, anger bleeding through her controlled exterior.
"Ten days ago, he sent males into the foothills. They attempted to capture Welati children playing near the river. Our warriors drove them back, but not before one child was injured. A girl of seven summers who will carry the scars of his cruelty for the rest of her life."
She stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I saw the fine lines around her eyes, the silver threading through her dark hair.
"Persico understood the old agreements. He knew that Fange City was his domain, but the lands beyond belonged to us.
He knew that if he pushed into our territory, we would push back.
He knew that balance was necessary for survival on this world.
Hewes does not understand this. Or perhaps he understands and simply does not care. "
"He doesn't care," I said quietly. "He thinks power means he can take whatever he wants."
"Yes." The elder's voice was cold. "And that makes him dangerous. Persico is predictable. Hewes is chaos. And chaos cannot be tolerated."
She turned, addressing the warriors gathered in the chamber.
"I sensed the darkness before Hewes arrived. Felt it approaching like a storm on the horizon. I knew that when it came, we would need to make a choice—to act or to retreat deeper into our mountains and hope the storm would pass us by."
Her gaze returned to me.
"When you arrived at our gates, I knew the moment of choice had come. I needed to assess whether you were worthy of our support. Whether your cause was just. Whether you understood what you were asking of us."
My throat tightened. "And?"
"You speak truth. You carry the stone of friendship given by a warrior we respect. You claim a Vaktaire as your mate—a species known for their honor and their warrior might. You came to us not with demands, but with humility. With desperation born of love, not greed."
She placed one hand on my shoulder, her palm warm against my skin.
"This isn't charity, human. This isn't us helping a stranger out of kindness.
This is the Welati reclaiming what is ours.
This is us defending our territory, our people, our way of life.
Hewes has violated the old agreements. He has spilled Welati blood.
He has threatened our children. For these crimes, he will answer. "
Hope flared in my chest—bright and desperate and almost painful in its intensity.
"You'll help me?"
"We will help each other," she corrected.
Her black eyes met mine directly.
"And when this is done, when Hewes is dead and Persico has reclaimed his throne, the old agreements will be restored. Balance will return. This is what we fight for."
My knees nearly gave out from sheer relief.
"Thank you," I whispered, the words completely inadequate for what I was feeling. "Thank you."
The elder raised one hand, and the warriors who'd brought me here stepped forward immediately, responding to the unspoken command.
"Gather the war party. Send word to the outer settlements. Wake the sleeping warriors. We will show Hewes what it means to threaten those under Welati protection. We will show him what it means to violate the old ways."
She looked back at me, and something that might have been approval flickered in those impossible black eyes.
"Your mate chose well when he gave you that stone. And you chose well when you came to us instead of facing this evil alone."
She placed one hand on my shoulder—her palm warm against my skin, the markings beneath her flesh pulsing with soft blue light that seemed to sync with my own heartbeat.
"Rest now. Eat. Regain your strength. Tomorrow, we ride to war."
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat, past the overwhelming flood of relief and gratitude and terror.
Ahrick.
Hold on. Just hold on a little longer.
I'm coming.