“What happened to you, Vicky?” Derek asked.
I waited until I’d hugged everyone before replying. I glanced back at Bastien, who was still looking cautious as he gazed at this crowd of strangers. I took his hand and brought him forward to introduce him. Like Corrine, they too suspected he’d kidnapped and had been abusing me in some way. I quickly quelled their misconceptions as I’d done the witch’s, before they explained to me the reason they’d thought Bastien was a scoundrel. Detrius. My blood boiled at the thought of that man badmouthing Bastien even now, after everything he’d done.
Then Corrine made me sit down so she could tend to my ankle while I recounted everything that had happened since we parted ways. I put particular emphasis on how much Bastien had helped me, as well as in describing the atrocities the hunters were committing in this realm. I concluded, “We must help these wolves defend their land against the hunters. It’s barbaric what they are doing.”
Uncle Derek and Ben exchanged glances.
“Tomorrow the wolves will hold a final meeting before choosing a course of action. They’re desperate, and the ideas they shared earlier tonight all sounded shaky. You should attend the meeting and offer to help,” I pressed.
Bastien cleared his throat before anyone else could respond. “Victoria, I don’t know how open the assembly will be to outside help, especially help from vampires—despite how desperately we need it. That said, it would be sheer foolishness to not try to convince them. We will be far stronger together.” He looked straight at Derek. “Sir, if you are really willing to help us, I will go to speak to my uncle immediately so that he can converse with the other tribes and see where they stand on the matter.”
I looked with wide eyes and hopeful expectation toward my parents, Derek and Ben. To my relief, Uncle Derek replied, “We would be willing to attend the meeting and see if there is a way we can assist you.”
Bastien’s eyes glistened with gratitude. “Thank you,” he breathed. “Thank you.”
Bastien
As I left Victoria with her family, it was the strangest feeling to be walking away from her. I’d gotten so used to her being by my side. I had been with her nonstop of late, with barely even a minute apart.
At least now I might not have to watch her go so soon.
After Derek Novak’s agreement to help us, I needed to immediately speak with Sergius. Shunning aside the anger that still traced my mind after learning about Detrius’ lies, I sped up to a run and entered the tunnel leading to Rock Hall. Let him and his blind father rot in that mountain. I have found better company to keep.
I wound around the tunnel and raced to the residential quarters. I realized only now that I did not know exactly where Sergius and Brucella were staying, so I was forced to knock on several doors—thankfully none of them inhabited by Bonereavers—until I found my way to their room. I could hear their voices behind the door. I was glad that I would not be forced to wake them. I knocked loudly three times.
“Come in,” came Sergius’ growl.
I entered to find my uncle and aunt resting on the floor. They shared the same look of surprise on seeing me. Then Brucella’s eyes lit up. “Has your friend changed her mind? Would she like to return to the portal sooner?”
I gave her a dark look before shaking my head. “No. There has been a change of plan. Her family from The Shade has arrived. About an hour ago. They have agreed to help us come to a—”
Brucella leapt to her feet, looking stunned. “What?”
“We have help,” I said, trying to keep my calm. “From The Shade. They’re willing to attend our final meeting tomorrow morning and help us find a viable solution.”
“How can you trust them so easily?” Brucella hissed.
I gritted my teeth, wishing she would keep her mouth shut. “I already assured you that Victoria has no connection to the hunters, and neither does her family.”
“They could be in alliance with the hunters, for all we know,” she pressed. “And why would they offer their help to start with?” She turned on Sergius. “I don’t feel comfortable with this, Sergius.”
I gaped at Brucella. Is this still all about separating Victoria from me? As desperate as she was to marry her daughter off to me, I had not thought that she would stoop this low. We wolves were in dire need of a solution—something we were clearly inadequate at finding on our own, to say the least. The League would be invaluable to us. They had witches and dragons, amongst many others who could assist us in battle. I couldn’t believe that she was letting her bias against Victoria get in the way of even this.
Drawing my eyes away from her, I set them on my uncle. I looked at him with urgency, praying that he would see sense.
“Uncle?” I said, deadly serious.