Chapter 20: Unwelcome Truths
"I'll go with you," Liana said in a broken voice. "Just don't hurt Jace." Darius's face turned softer. "A wise choice." "Liana, no!" When Jace tried to stand up, he fell back down and blood got on his shirt. The king snapped his fingers, and two bad guys walked forward. "Take him with you. Kindly." Jace growled, "I can walk," but his legs gave out from under him. "Your pride will get you killed, boy," Darius said coldly. "Accept help when it's offered."
The rain was still pouring as they left the cave. Liana limped alongside Darius while the rogues carried a stumbling Jace behind them. Her mind spun with questions. This man claimed to be her uncle. Could it be true? "Where are you taking us?" she asked, screaming over the thunder. "Somewhere safe," was all he said. They walked for what felt like hours. Liana's ankle throbbed with each step, but she refused to complain. She kept looking back at Jace, who grew paler by the minute. "He needs help," she finally said, stopping in her tracks.
Darius looked at Jace's cuts and nodded. "We're almost there." As if by magic, the trees suddenly parted to show a hidden valley. Tents and small wooden buildings dotted the landscape. People moved around campfires despite the rain. "Welcome to Moonshadow Haven," Darius said. Rogues stopped what they were doing to stare as they entered the camp. Children peeked out from behind their parents. Liana was shocked—she'd been taught rogues were just wild, dangerous beasts. "You have children here?" she asked. "We're not monsters," Darius answered. "We're refugees. There's a difference." They approached the biggest tent in the center of the camp. A woman with silver-streaked hair rushed out. "Darius! You found her!" Her eyes filled with sadness as she looked at Liana. "She has Elara's eyes." "This is Sierra, our healer," Darius stated. "She knew your mother well." Sierra's eyes drifted to Jace. "Get him inside, quickly! He's losing too much blood." Inside the tent, Sierra worked quickly, applying herbs to Jace's cuts. Liana sat close, anxiously watching. "He'll live," Sierra finally said. "But he needs rest." Jace's eyes fluttered open, finding Liana.
"You shouldn't have given yourself up for me," he whispered. "I couldn't let you die," she answered, squeezing his hand. Darius cleared his voice. "Sierra, stay with the boy. Liana and I need to talk." He led her to another part of the tent, where a small table held a wooden box. "It's time you learned the truth," Darius said, opening the box. "Not Thorne's lies." He pulled out a silver medallion with a crescent moon circled by stars. Liana gasped, her hand flying to her neck where she wore a simple moon pendant—the only thing she had from her mother. "May I?" Darius asked, pointing to her necklace. Hesitantly, she removed it. Darius put the medallion next to her pendant. They fit together perfectly, making a complete circle. "Your mother was Elara Moonshadow, my sister," Darius said, his voice thick with emotion. "Not my lover, as rumors say. We were the last of the Royal Moonshadow Pack." "But I was told my mother was a lone wolf who died giving birth to me," Liana said, confused. Darius's face darkened. "Another lie. Your mother was murdered by Thorne's father when he found her bloodline. The Moonshadow Pack was feared for their power—the ability to command wolves with just their words." "The power I tried to use in the cave," Liana whispered. "Yes. It runs best in royal blood. Thorne's father feared our pack would rise again, so he killed us. I barely escaped with my life." Darius touched the scar on his face. "I've spent years building this community, waiting for the right time." "And my father?" Liana asked. "A good man from another pack. He died protecting your mother." Darius's eyes softened. "Elara hid you with a close friend before she was caught. I've been looking for you ever since." Liana's head swam with these discoveries. "But why didn't you just tell me all this? Why attack the pack?" "Would you have believed me?" Darius asked. "Or would you have trusted those who raised you?" Before Liana could answer, Sierra rushed in. "Darius! The boy's fever is spiking!" Liana ran back to Jace's side. His skin burned like fire, and he thrashed in pain. "What's happening to him?" she cried. Sierra looked grave. "Rogue poison. It must have been on their claws." "Heal him!" Liana demanded. "I'm trying, but the poison is strong," Sierra worked furiously, applying more herbs. "This is your fault," Liana turned on Darius. "Your rogues did this!" "I never ordered them to poison their claws," Darius insisted. "Someone's disobeyed me."
Jace's breathing got more labored. His eyes fluttered open, finding Liana's face. "Li...ana," he gasped.
"Listen...to me..." She leaned closer. "I'm here, Jace."
"Don't...trust...anyone," he whispered before his eyes rolled back. "Jace!" Liana screamed. Sierra pressed her ear to his chest. "His heart's still beating," she said. "But he's slipping away." Liana felt something stir inside her—her wolf, and something else. Selene's presence. Use your blood, Selene's voice whispered. The royal blood can heal as well as rule. Without pause, Liana grabbed a small knife from Sierra's supplies and cut her palm. She put her bleeding hand to Jace's chest, right over his heart. "What are you doing?" Darius asked, frightened. "Saving him," Liana said, closing her eyes. She focused on the power inside her, willing it to flow through her blood into Jace.
A soft silver light began to glow where their skin touched. Jace's back arched as if hit by lightning. Then, slowly, his breathing eased. The burning red of his skin faded. Sierra watched in wonder. "The royal healing. I've never seen it before." Liana swayed, suddenly tired. Darius caught her before she fell. "You need rest," he said. "That kind of power takes a toll." "I want to stay with him," she declared weakly. "You can rest here," Sierra said, setting a bed near Jace's. "I'll watch over both of you." Back at the Shadowfang Pack, chaos ruled. Kael stood in Liana's empty room, clutching the note she'd left behind. I'm sorry. I have to go. Someone will die if I stay. "How long has she been gone?" Kael required of Talia, who stood trembling in the doorway. "Since last night," she admitted. "She made me promise not to tell." Rowan burst into the room. "Jace is missing too." Kael's face hardened. "He went after her." "My vision," Talia breathed. "One of you will die if you chase her." "Vision or not, we can't abandon them," Kael snapped. He turned to Rowan. "Gather the men. We leave in an hour." As they rushed to prepare, a soft voice stopped them. "I can help you find her." Celeste stood in the hallway, her blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight. "How?" Kael asked suspiciously. "I have my ways," Celeste said with a smile.
For just a moment, her eyes flashed with a strange purple light. "After all, the Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways." Rowan grabbed Kael's arm. "Something's not right about her." "I know," Kael whispered. "But right now, she's our only lead." Outside, the storm finally broke. The moon came from behind the clouds, but its light seemed cold and distant. Something dark was coming, and they were running out of time.