Chapter 5 Blood ties and Bone Truths

We left before dawn.

Leon had made all ready: horses, cloaks, a map, and a pass through the misty backbone of the mountains into no-man-s-land, wild country, where no pack had ever set foot.

He made no conversation on the ride. I could see he was angry,--not at me, but at what I represented. A war that he did not seek. A war at his doorstep.

Due to my fault.

Because of this baby.

The more we went the colder it became. Snow was dancing in the air like ghosts. I had a sore bellyful of the ride, and every few minutes Leon would look round, his jaw set in anxiety.

He at last paused when we came to a cliff-side covered with pines, and looking down upon a frozen lake.

Here we will camp, he said.

I nodded, and dismounting, leaned against a tree. The nausea had increased. The baby turned around more frequently. Stronger. A reminder of what I threw against my shoulder - of what I had to be.

He made a fire and I reclined upon the pine needles and saw the sky grow gray and then orange. It would have been quiet.

Until I heard the howl of it.

Low. Far.

But unmistakable.

Leon froze.

A cold chill came to my blood. "Damien."

He nodded his head slowly. "They followed you."

"How?"

I do not know. His voice Strained. "He is near, though."

Then we must run.

"We don't."

I looked at him.

He stood, slowly, like a soldier walking toward war. "Let him come. I'm done hiding."

They arrived after sunset.

Twelve wolves in blood-coloured cloaks. All armed.

And in the midst, mounted upon a midnight-black horse, was the monster who had broken me.

Damien got off with planned nonchalance. His eyes fastened on mine at once. Cold. Possessive.

"Hello, Ivy."

I made no reply.

His eyes went to my stomach.

I suppose you have been getting busy.

Leon interposed between us. Get away, Damien.

Damien did not even flinch though. You have stolen something belonging to me.

Leon struck in with, "She belongs to no one but me."

"She was destined to me.".

"Thou didst reject her."

Now I take her for myself again.

I stopped breathing.

Damien spoke more softly, almost tempting. Ivy, come home. No more dungeons. Never again punishment. I will make you my Luna. Properly."

I folded my hands into fists. "You have already decided."

He said: I was wrong. The friendship never died. As soon as I released you it began to choke me. I believed I would be able to fight it. I cannot, however. I want you.

My heart stopped.

Then I thought of the chains. The cold. The manner in which he spat my name as though it was dirt.

I did not want to be needed, I whispered. I want to be desired.

Leon growled. "She is pregnant with my baby. No claim have you.

The eyes of Damien hardened. She belongs to me still. And when you do not move out of the way I will rip your pack to shreds.

He added, with a vicious smack, "Unless she chooses me herself."

Everybody looked at me.

Time stopped.

The fire popped.

The baby kicked.

and I knew what I must say.

But scarce had I opportunity to open my mouth--

The earth shook.

The wind hit me and I was thrown backwards, then a white light exploded out of my skin, gold, burning, radiant. Everyone staggered away.

Leon was calling my name.

Damien gazed open-mouthed.

Then --

I heard a voice in my head.

Thou art not a weakling, child. You are selected. A healer. A queen."

I sink down on my knees.

The agony rose.

then I caught sight of her.

An image of a woman - dressed in silver, with moonlike eyes.

My mother.

Alive.

The vision went, and I sat gasping, the perspiration streaming off my face.

Leon was down on his knees beside me, holding my shoulders. "What happened? What did you think you saw?"

I gasped, and stared up in surprise.

I whispered, "my mother. "She is not dead."

then I said, trembling with my voice:

"In the dungeons of Damien she is."