With the slight flick of her hand, Nyara summoned a swirling portal before her.
Her gaze lingered on Ryder. "Your daughter walks a path now forged in prophecy. She will need you, more than ever. It's time to stop running. Time to unearth the bones you buried. The past you fear…may not be the truth you remember."
Without another word, she stepped into the portal and vanished.
Only then were Blake and Ryder released from her spell, muscles loosening as the magic lifted.
They hadn't even shifted back when Logan stepped out of the cave, arms folded and eyebrow raised. "If the two of you are done trying to kill each other," he said dryly, "maybe we can have an actual conversation now."
Before Blake or Ryder could respond, a whisper slid into Blake's mind.
Blake.
It was Jace. His voice sounded faint…strained.
Blake's body tensed. Jace?
Something's wrong, Ryder said, catching the transmission. Jace, what is it?
It's Mira. His breathing was ragged. Something was definitely wrong. That thing in the clearing…it found her.
Panic flared in Blake's chest like a lit fuse.
Where are you? Blake demanded.
I'm almost… The connection faltered. …I'm on my way up to Ryder's. On the slope…
Then…nothing.
Jace?! Ryder's voice barked through the bond.
Silence.
They didn't wait.
Together, Blake and Ryder tore down the mountain. Wind lashed through their fur as they pushed their wolves to full speed. Prepared to face whatever they had to when they got to Jace.
They caught Jace's scent not far down the slope. His body was crumpled against a tree trunk, barely conscious.
His body bore no wounds, nor was there any blood present.
Blake. Ryder's mind-voice was tight. Transform. You ride with Jace. I'll take you both back.
Without hesitation, Blake shifted beside his cousin. Jace groaned as Blake carefully hoisted him, draping him belly-down across Ryder's massive wolf form. Blake climbed on behind him, gripping fistfuls of black fur.
Ryder didn't wait. He lunged forward, racing up the mountain, back to the cave.
When they returned to the cave, Logan moved quickly, helping ease Jace off Ryder's wolf form and carrying him inside.
Ryder shifted back into human form and began to follow, but Blake caught his arm. Ryder faced him, tense.
"I'm sorry about earlier," Blake said, sincerely.
Ryder exhaled, then nodded. His eyes held understanding as he spoke. "I know. I would've done the same for Liora. We're brothers, we're bound to clash. Let's check on Jace first, then sort the rest out."
He clapped a hand on Blake's shoulder. Blake nodded, and they entered the cave together.
Jace was laid out on the sofa, pale and unconscious, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.
"Should we call Nyara?" Logan asked, brows drawn tight.
"No need to call. I'm already here."
Ryder and Blake spun around. They hadn't even heard her enter.
Ryder stepped forward, worry etched in his features. "What's wrong with him?"
Nyara moved closer, calm as ever. "He's linked to Mira, deeply. They're twins, born of royal blood. Their bond is ancient, and stronger than most. Her pain echoes in him."
"Is there anything we can do?" Blake asked.
Nyara pulled a small vial from her robes, filled with a clear, shimmering liquid. "Give this to him. It won't fully restore him, but it will stabilize him. He wouldn't be at his full strength until Mira recovers."
Ryder took it carefully. "Thank you."
Nyara's eyes flicked to him. When she spoke there was an edge on her voice that made all eyes in the room lock on her. "Many things are set in motion, Ryder. My fate is woven into this prophecy just as yours is. My allegiance is now with you, my King. I stand ready to serve you and your bloodline until the prophecy fulfills its course."
Blake and Ryder exchanged a look, confusion flickering between them, but neither questioned her words.
Blake's thoughts stirred. He wanted nothing more than for his brother to reclaim what was once his. But with their father still on the throne, how would that even be possible?
"Thank you, Nyara," Blake said.
She gave him a small nod, then turned and slipped quietly from the cave.
Ryder knelt beside Jace and uncorked the vial. Gently, he lifted Jace's head and pressed the vial to his lips. Surprisingly, Jace's mouth parted just enough to swallow the liquid.
When it was done, Ryder set the empty vial on the side table and stood.
Silence fell across the cave. No one spoke. They simply watched as the colour slowly returned to Jace's face and the sheen of sweat faded.
Then, with a slow, deep breath, Jace's eyes fluttered open.
"Thank you," Jace said faintly.
"Don't worry about it," Ryder replied.
"Help me sit up. Besides Mira getting attacked, we've got another situation on our hands."
Ryder helped Jace into a sitting position while Logan fetched a glass of water. Jace downed one, then another. He shook his head as though he was trying to get the fog out of his brain, then fixed his gaze on the others.
"Elder Alaric," he began slowly as though he was still trying to compose himself, "stormed the Sanctum of the Silver Moon, with his High Advisor Malachai."
"Shit," Blake muttered, sinking into the seat beside Jace.
The Sanctum of the Silver Moon was the most sacred place in all the seven realms. Its name was given by the First Ancients, and had never made sense since silver was poisonous to werewolves. Yet no one dared change it. To question the Ancients was to tempt fate.
It was where the Ancient Laws were written, and where the very first werewolf, Ulfric - House of Vargos, was laid to rest in the tomb beneath the Sanctum. Legend says he was buried with the most valuable prophecies, ones that can only be revealed during the darkest hour, when the moon weeps silver.
No one has ever witnessed such a phenomenon. Some claim it's only a myth.
The fact Elder Alaric had breached the sanctum meant only one thing: desperation. And Blake understood it...maybe too well. But still, one of the sacred laws forbade any species from entering another's territory uninvited. Violating that law could turn a leader into a Shade, or worse, invite further punishment from the Ancients themselves.
And yet...Blake couldn't shake the guilt twisting in his gut. If he had been able to protect Sarah, get to her before that thing did, then Elder Alaric's hand wouldn't have been forced.
Jace continued, "He said First Claw Magnus' son caused the death of his first daughter, and now that Blake was also missing, it couldn't be a coincidence. He's demanding Sarah be returned within three days. Or he's declaring war."