Page 33

Lilith

I groan as I stretch, tucked safely between Callum and Daemon. I can hear the faint rumbling of engines echoing through the trees as I am pulled out of my sleep. I gasp as I sit up suddenly once I realize the sounds are getting closer. My heart begins to race, terrified that we may be under attack again. Thuly is lying on his back, in the middle of the entrance to the tent, purring in his sleep. If he doesn’t seem to be bothered, I should trust his instincts. I take a deep breath in an attempt to relax my nerves.

“Daemon,” I say in a hushed whisper as I nudge him.

“Huh?” he says groggily, shaking away the sleepiness. When he sees that I am sitting, he moves to sit up. “What is it, Lilith? Everything okay?” I can hear the concern in his voice as the rumbling gets closer.

“What’s that noise? sounds like engines?”

“ATVs, it sounds like,” Kael yawns as he sits up and rubs the sleep from his face as he looks around.

“What?” Callum asks, sitting as he joins us.

“What would people be doing out here? Let’s go see who it is,” I say as I stand up.

“Woah… Hey! Slow down and wait for us,” Daemon whispers harshly as I move to the door.

“Thuly,” I call out in a sweet voice. I kneel next to him, rubbing his belly, rousing the critter out of his sleep. “Want to go for a walk?” He sluggishly sits up but quickly jumps to his feet when I stand and head outside. “See? I have the attack otter with me.” I giggle as I take a step outside, just in time to see five men ride up on ATVs. My mates are quick to stand behind me. Daemon grabs me and tucks me behind them as the men stop in front of us. I see that we weren’t the only ones woken up by the sounds of their arrival.

“Draik,” Daemon says, almost relieved, when one of the men walks over.

“Daemon,” the man says warmly. “It’s good to see you. We noticed the abandoned bus with the blown-out tires. We were out here seeing if anyone needed any help. Is the bus yours? What brings you out this way?” he asks casually.

“Just needing to take care of a situation,” Kael says vaguely.

“Right,” Draik says, giving Kael a side-eye.

“Who are they?” I ask Daemon quietly now that he has relaxed. I step to stand between him and Kael.

“My Queen,” Draik says as he kneels, bowing slightly.

“Lilith,” I say softly. I don’t think this is something I could ever get used to. I have been regarded as less than for so long that when people still use my title, it freaks me out.

“This is Draik Hellfang. He is the representative for the Hellhounds,” Daemon introduces.

“Ah. I see. Well, it’s nice to finally meet you,” I say, returning his smile.

“We don’t see much of you these days,” Callum remarks.

“No, those meetings aren’t really my thing,” Draik lets out a boisterous laugh as he stands. “We just try to stay out of the way. We are more behind the scenes, if you know what I mean.”

“No,” I say. “What do you mean?”

“Well, we’ve been running a safe haven for the less desirables of society. The Firefangs and I have been helping rescue and taking in any foxes and witches in need of help,” Draik begins to explain. He sounds proud of his group and achievements. I had no idea such a group existed. “Funny thing,” He chuckles. “I met my mate on a run. She’s a fox shifter who was running from her assigned manor when we found her.”

“So, why don’t you come to meetings?” I ask, slightly annoyed. “When I made the broadcast calling for allies, you didn’t respond, excuse me if I find it hard to know where you stand.”

“Relax,” he says calmly, raising his palms up and facing me. “We have always and will always stand with the foxes and witches, Lilith. We have been out here for years. Before you made that call, my father and his father before him would help where they could. I mean to carry on their mission. No one deserves to be treated like they don’t matter.” His words are filled with passion. “When you made that broadcast, we were already out there,” he gestures behind him to emphasize his point. “Trying to help keep the order because the laws changed. I am sure you are aware that some of the wolves and lions aren’t exactly… happy and are less than compliant.”

“Well, son of a bitch, if it isn’t Draik Hellfang,” Vash says while making his way towards us and shaking Draik’s hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, man. It’s been a while,” Draik says, as he pulls Vash into a hug.

“It has, man, it really has” Vash agrees as he slaps him on the back and takes a step away.

“We’re here now. Is there anything we can do for you all?” Draik asks me.

“We have just stopped to rest. Vash’s mate, Leli, hurt her ankle,” I answer. “She’s also my sister.”

“I’d be happy to take a look. We have a first aid kit with us,” Draik says.

“That’s up to her,” I shrug. I don’t want to be the one to tell her what to do.

“I’ll go and get her,” Vash says before walking to their tent.

“There is an orphanage not too far off the end of this trail. We were heading that way when we came across the bus. We do supply runs to make sure they have everything they need. We’d be happy to get some more vehicles out here to get you all to the end. It’s quite a hike otherwise,” Draik says.

“Is that the one for foxes?” I ask, interrupting him.

“Yeah, it is. Why? Do you know it?” he asks.

“I grew up in a fox shifter orphanage in Estroria,” I say. “It was run by a woman named Brenna.”

“Yeah. That’s this place. She’s still got a few kids there that she’s taking care of. So far no one has bothered the place, but they’re basically cut off from getting supplies out here. We’ve been trying to talk her into moving but she keeps saying she wants to wait. So we’ve been helping them out until she feels it’s safe to move the kids,” Draik explains.

“We could send the foxes that Zypher is holding there,” I say, thinking out loud. “Then we could move the kids to the Capitol.”

“That would be a great idea if she’s okay with it. It’d at least get the kids out of the area until things can settle down,” Daemon agrees.

“I’ll give Vruna a call. She can get some people out here,” Draik says. “We’ll drop you all at the orphanage then head back so we can grab more of the supplies. We will grab some extra for anyone who ends up there. Especially if you’re planning on setting up a base. How many foxes should we plan on?”

“Uhm… I would say they’re holding about three hundred foxes at a warehouse based on the information we were given,” I say.

“We have some others right behind us that are also carrying supplies, so I don’t think you have to get enough for everyone,” Daemon says. “Anything you can provide would be extremely helpful.”

“We will do everything we can,” Draik says with a smile.

“Leli said you could take a look,” Vash says.

We all walk to where Leli is sitting in front of the fire. Vash and Draik go to her side while the rest of us stand off to the side.

“It’s not broken,” Leli says, dryly, as Draik takes a look at her ankle. “I can heal it when I’ve rested, but it’s pretty swollen.”

“Yeah, looks like you just sprained it,” he says. “I’ll get it wrapped up for now, it’ll help with the swelling. It might be a while before I can get some people out here to help you all off the trail, so you’ll have plenty of time to rest so you can heal.”

“Thank you,” Leli says.

“Not a problem,” Draik says with a kind smile. He goes into his bag and grabs a compression wrap to dress her ankle then moves one of the folding stools to sit directly in front of her. “Let’s see what we’re working with here,” he says while patting his knee as he waits for Leli to give him her foot. She sets her left foot on top of his knee. Vash lets out a growl, visibly tense at the innocent interaction. He steps closer to Leli, setting a hand on her shoulder as he leans down to kiss her cheek.

“Vash, buddy,” Draik chuckles, shaking his head as he gently wraps the bandage around. “As lovely as your mate is, I have a mate that would skin me alive if I even thought about trying anything with another woman. Take a breather.”

“Sorry,” Vash sighs as he relaxes.

“Don’t apologize,” Draik says “If you knew Vruna, you’d understand why I was quick to point that out. She can be a feisty little thing.”

“You mean she scares you,” Striker asks with a chuckle.

“Absolutely terrifying,” Draik laughs. “How does that feel, Leli?” he asks, securing the bandage. Leli sets her foot down and takes a few steps with Vash nearby. “Much better, thank you,” she smiles softly as she returns to her seat. Vash sits next to her, holding her hand. We all come over and sit down with them. Thuly curls up at my feet, chittering softly as Callum pulls me into his lap. Draik pulls out a phone and dials a number. “Hey, beautiful… You’ll never guess who I ran into out here in the woods. No… No… Getting closer,” he laughs heartily. “That’s right, the very same. Yeah, I told them we’d be able to give them a ride to the orphanage. Mhm… yeah, yeah. That’s the idea.” He steps away briefly as he continues his conversation with her.

“Love you too, Starshine,” he says, walking back towards us and takes an open seat near the campfire. “She said they should be here by morning,” Draik says.

“You all are welcome to camp out here,” Kael says.

“We’d appreciate that,” Draik says before looking at me. “Lilith, did you say earlier that it was Zypher Fallins holding the foxes?”

“Yeah, him and Brion Morwen” I frown. “Why?”

“Were you assigned to him when you were a maiden?” he asks.

“How do you know that?” Striker asks, his tone is icy and borders on hostile. Draik sighs and looks back at me.

“I was. How do you know that?” I answer, calmer than my brother.

“I knew what Zypher and his pack were up to,” he says as he sighs and wipes his face.

“I’m sorry?” Daemon asks, his eyebrow rising. Callum pulls me closer against him. “You knew?”

“Yeah, shit, I’m sorry,” Draik says. “We tried for years to get close enough to get to you, but I think he was suspicious and was worried about what we were up to. He never brought you out for long enough. We could never get close enough to you.”

“I think I might have only left twice in the five years,” I say, my voice sounds far away, as if in a memory. I shake my head to clear my thoughts before they haunt me. “How do you know what he was doing to me?”

“We’ve rescued a few girls that his pack got a hold of,” he says. “Zypher spoke about you enough that the girls we helped knew who you were. What you meant to him. They told me what happened to them and how Zypher was, it was enough that I knew we needed to get to you. I can’t even imagine everything he did to you.” his voice cracks with emotion.

“Uhm… It was bad,” I admit. “I’ll spare you the details unless you really want to know.” Thuly begins to stir and lifts his scaly head to nudge my hand, offering comfort.

“I know that the girls we helped were assaulted, brutally. They mentioned having to service five or six of them at a time,” Draik says.

“Five or six?” Leli asks and Draik nods. “That would be a dream compared—”

“What do you mean compared? Compared to what?” Draik interrupts her.

“I was assigned to Zypher after Lilith went to the kings. He sent that entire pack after me, on top of what he was doing. That’s what he did to Lilith for five years,” Leli says with venom in her tone.

“That’s…” Draik starts but stops himself.

“Almost forty. I know,” I say, nodding as I swallow back my emotions. “I keep catching myself almost defending it because I didn’t see it as assault at the time, it was just how life was, but… yeah. It was bad.”

“I’m so sorry, Lilith. I really wanted to get to you. I got close once when he had you out at some pack meet. I think he caught wind of us being close and took you back before we could get there,” Draik says.

“He’ll get what he deserves,” I say, coldly. “One way or another, he will pay for what he did to my sister and me.”

“If you don’t kill him… I will,” Leli says.

“Deal,” I laugh.

“As great as catching up is, It’s late. We should probably get back to sleep if we plan on moving early tomorrow,” Kael says. “Feel free to set up anywhere you can find space. We have some extra gear if you need it.”

“We have also been putting up a barrier, so we shouldn’t have to be worried about someone unwanted coming in,” Leli says.

“Sounds like a plan, guys. Get some rest. Vruna will be here with some of the others and we’ll have you get you out of these woods in no time,” Draik says.