Eldric led the soldiers—about nine men in uniforms, armed—through the unkempt streets of Lumere's resistant citizens.
The few people outside scrambled to hide in houses with peeling paint.
But they were not here to force loyalty—only for answers, following the trace of the vehicles used to aid the escape of the kings' guests.
They were headed for the bar—a place that fed men not only drinks, but their egos, letting them feel higher within the kingdom's hierarchy.
As they approached, Eldric noticed something off.
Though it was already evening, the lights inside were out.
The worn wooden door hung open, swaying faintly in and out.
Then the smell hit him.
Putrid.
Rotting.
Human remains.
Eldric stopped. The soldiers behind him halted as well.
He listened but there was no sound coming from within.
Odd because the bar was hardly ever closed.
"Four men stay here," Eldric said, extending his hand. A soldier placed a rifle into it. "The rest, come with me."
He glanced around again. His eyes caught movement—a pair of hands quickly shutting a window in one of the taller houses.
His gaze returned to the bar entrance and he swallowed.
This better not be an ambush…for the sake of the families of these men.
He advanced, grip tightening around the trigger though he wasn't aiming like the soldiers behind him.
Eldric pushed the door wider and stepped inside.
The smell worsened instantly, clawing at his senses and stirring something he didn't want to name.
Fear.
But a soldier should have no fear.
Zelda flashed across his mind.
Had Sirence been peaceful for so long…that he was losing his courage as a soldier?
He swallowed it down and moved deeper into the darkness.
His footsteps and those of the men behind him were the only sounds until his boots struck something.
Wood.
A chair upside down on the floor.
"Jack," Eldric called, the name of the bartender.
No reply.
"I command you to come out in the name of the kings, or this place will be shut down for good," he said again.
Then his ears caught a low, distant growl.
A dog?
"Captain…" One of the soldiers called from behind him.
Eldric turned.
Every rifle was already aimed at the entrance before his eyes caught the silhouette of a man standing there, barely upright.
One arm missing. The other braced weakly against the doorframe. His clothes hung in tatters.
"P-please," the man rasped. "Help…help me."
"What happened here?" Eldric asked, almost relieved that what might have happened was already over.
"Animals…" the man began—
—but in the next instant, a massive wolf leapt over him and began tearing the man apart.
Gunfire exploded.
The soldiers fired without hesitation.
But Eldric's skin prickled as he watched.
The bullets struck, but the creature didn't stop.
It kept feeding, only slightly flinching from the impact against its skin.
His fear grew more as he properly registered the size of it.
Too large, too tall for a normal wolf.
The firing slowed, then stopped.
They had all realized it too.
The bullets did nothing.
The creature ignored them, still feeding on the now lifeless man.
Its massive frame blocking the entrance as it fed.
Eldric swallowed again as sweat broke across his skin.
And then he heard the growling sound again—no longer faint, but closer, almost as if it came directly behind him this time.
**
King Victor was already awake long before the cock crowed to announce dawn in Lumere.
He winced slightly as subtle pain throbbed through his ribs.
The thick smell of mint ointment wrapped in bandages around him filled his nostrils.
He had not slept well, he rarely did.
Regret kept him awake more than pain ever could.
He wasn't ready to let Cara go.
At least she wanted to remain in Lumere.
There was still a chance—to reach her, prove he was now different.
The door creaked open, pulling him from his thoughts.
He raised his head.
The young nurse assigned to watch his health stood at the doorway, her white nurse cap faintly glowing in the early light.
"Your majesty?" she called softly.
"Come in, Gina," he said.
She stepped inside, her slim figure clad in a white nursing uniform, leaving the door lightly closed.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so early, my king," she said with her head lowered. "But there are soldiers outside with urgent information that you must know about."
"Let them in."
She bowed and left.
Moments later, two soldiers entered—a captain and a subordinate.
They saluted.
Both had been part of the forces left behind to protect Lumere.
Lucky them…they hadn't seen the terror beyond the forest.
"Speak," Victor said.
"Your majesty," the captain began, "the soldiers positioned at Syrus's home have been found dead. There were also signs of a break-in."
Victor's fists clenched.
That manipulative bastard…Syrus and his magic.
"The forest is dangerous," Victor said. "We can not risk sending a search party."
"My king…" the subordinate spoke, a young boy with low-cut brown hair, clearly trying not to tremble. "The dead soldiers…they appeared to be…to be eaten."
Victor's head snapped up. "It wasn't magic?"
"We're not certain," the captain continued, calmer. "The citizens around said they had witnessed horrific animal sounds and were too scared to check while they hid and hoped not to be attacked next."
"The door," the boy quickly added, eager to voice his fear. "The door was ripped off its hinges. It's a very sturdy door."
The captain side-eyed the boy as if telling him to get a grip of himself.
Goosebumps broke out on Victor's skin.
Had the nightmare with the wolves in the forest followed them back, just as the Ancient had?
The answer was obvious.
"Did you investigate the break-in?" Victor managed despite his nerves.
"Yes, your majesty," the captain said, returning his gaze lowered before Victor. "The place was wiped clean."
Victor swallowed. His fear doubled.
What could the wolves possibly want with a mage's equipment?
In all honesty, he wouldn't be surprised if Syrus was connected to this.
"I have stationed men at all major entrances and exits of the city," the captain continued. "We will ensure that the city remains safe from any future attacks like this."
Victor inhaled, almost scoffing at the captain's statement.
He had no idea what they were up against.
This was a situation that could definitely cause the entire kingdom's migration.
"Do what you have to," Victor said. "But no one enters the forest. Protect the city. That is the priority."
"Yes, your majesty."
They saluted and left.
Victor turned his gaze toward the window beside the bed, at the far end of the room.
Dawn was breaking.
His regret grew heavier.
This was not the end of the consequences of his greed.
Besides losing the majority of his troops and his dignity as a king,
the possibility that he might lose his kingdom next looked glaringly unsettling.
**
Theo's eyes found Eira the moment he entered the tavern room.
Darker now as day rose outside.
She sat on the chaise lounge, her pale skin glowing faintly against the darkness.
A loose black linen dress draped her frame, stopping mid-calf.
Her scent filled the room, tempting him.
A cup rested on a silver tray before her as her crimson eyes followed him.
Theo nearly salivated, he had missed her.
"Mistress," he said, not bothering to kneel immediately as he always did.
His legs only urged him toward her.
She lowered her gaze, lifting the cup.
"Anything new for me today," she asked before sipping. "I won't tolerate wasted exchanges."
"Fen abducted a human," Theo said.
Eira lowered the cup.
"A mage," he added and her head snapped up.
"What?"
"Yes. I believe he was taken from the recent war in Azael's territory. Originally from Lumere."
Her expression hardened.
"What could that power-hungry bastard want with a mage now?" she gritted out.
"I also entered the hidden rocks," Theo continued quickly, eager to arrive at another bargaining point. "I stayed a full night but there was nothing unusual. I was skeptical about moving around, given that it was a garden with thick vegetation that could hide even myself for such a long time without being noticed."
"So, it's just a garden?" she asked, irritation lacing her tone.
"I'm certain it isn't just that," he said. "The mage was taken to dwell there for now. The possibility of knowing Fen's plans clearly lies within it, but it'll take more than a night for me to gather any useful information."
Eira's eyes met his, knowing but still hesitant.
"And you're here because?"
Theo stepped closer. "I couldn't stop thinking about you."
He knelt before her raised feet, eager to kiss her cherry-red toenails.
"I thought this was a one-time arrangement, Theo," she said, frowning slightly as she shifted.
"The memory of your body is my motivation," he replied, anticipation slowing his tone. "I only wish to be loyal to your purpose completely."
He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her ankle.
She shifted again.
"And next time," she said coldly, "bring clearer information. My patience is thinning."
But Theo only grew bolder.
His lips trailed slowly up her calf, reaching her knee.
Then he lifted his head, eyes meeting hers.
"I will not fail you, Mistress."