37| The One-eyed Raven

CEDAR BLAKE

“You can stop following me now,” I told the Guardians when we were out of earshot, still sauntering further into the woods. “I can protect myself.”

“Sorry, but we can't,” Vanus replied, following closely behind me. “We take orders from our King. If you are who we suspect you to be, then it is our duty to protect you.”

His words sent goosebumps to my body as chills that had nothing to do with the cold night air course through my body.

“I don’t even know who I am!” I spun around to face them, sniffing back tears that stung the corners of my eyes. “I don’t know anything and I don't need anyone following me right now! Please!”

The rain fell very lightly now and the storm was long gone, as if the heavens were done mocking me for all the years I've spent being who I am not. And deep inside, I knew that I had never been in control of my own life.

Not once.

And I probably won't in this lifetime because this was the beginning of my journey in the realm.

Maybe who or what I am doesn't matter, but serving the purpose I was brought back for does. After that, what's next?

“You need space, we'll give it to you. But know that we're never far from your side, Cedar.” Ursa resigned, waving at the other two to back down.

“Brother, what are you doing?” I heard one of them ask as I turned off into the dark woods, relishing the chilly weather.

“Obeying the king in a bearable manner. She's the…” Ursa’s voice trailed off and I knew they were gone, whichever way they'd done that.

Or maybe they aren't.

But I didn't care as I broke into a run, transforming before I could run two miles. I howled into the moonless night and continued racing towards a cliff nearby. Before I could make it to the edge, another wolf blocked my path and I put in a lot of effort not to crash into the huge beast.

It is a moonless night and I can barely see anything, but the familiar scent and features of Deklan reached me. It is confusing, but I figured it is the passing storm.

Now it seemed the days I didn't exist were over because I keep attracting trouble, but his presence was reassuring. That didn't blind me from being suspicious because the last time I'd been too excited to see him, I’d almost fallen into the wrong person’s arms and be doomed for good. As if the beast could read my mind, it shifted just before I became more curious.

I shifted as well and watched him for a while before I broke into tears. He gathered me into his arms and rubbed his hands over my back, whispering soothing words to me.

“It's okay, now. I'm here.” He repeats the words until I calmed down.

“Where is Sammy?” I asked once I was calm and he was taking me to shelter.

“She cannot be trusted.” He answers as if he's been holding his breath.

“Why?” I asked, almost bumping into his broad back when he suddenly stopped walking.

“She has been proving her worth to us and we need her. I especially need her help to figure something out. Her gifts will serve a great purpose to me right now.”

“I'll tell you all about her betrayal, but not right now. I need you safe and protected before I can.” He responded softly and took my hand in his, then continued stomping towards a thatched house with lamp lights hung on the front door.

“Where's that place?” I stared curiously at the thatched entrance with yellow lights spilling out to where we stood.

“A surprise, trust me.” He slowed down to take my hand firmly and started to go towards the entrance again.

For some reason, my fifth sense snapped into action and my body recoiled, making me resist his grasp as he tried to pull me along.

Deklan would never ask me to trust him. In fact, he told me never to trust him if he ever asked me to, and he'd just lead me right inside if it was truly him.

“Did Ursa betray us too? Why's he not with you?” I asked sharply, holding my breath so I don't give off my suspicion.

“Yes, I think he's working with Sammy. We'll deal with them later, let's just go.” He shrugged as if he just told me nothing but the truth when I am certain history was unfolding before my eyes.

I took two refined steps back at once and bared my razor-sharp teeth, a low growl vibrated in my throat as I shot him a deadly glare.

“Who are you?” I roared with clipped teeth, ready to tear him limb to limb if he's done anything to Deklan.

For one, Ursa and the other guardians left me a couple of minutes ago, so this is a fake Deklan, again. How the hell do they keep doing this and I keep falling for it?

If this man knows me, he'd be praying for Deklan and Sammy to be in one piece.

“That was quick.”

He immediately switched right before my eyes to his original form. He's a huge man too, the light glowing from the thatched house cast shadows across his face so I see his round face and one big eye sitting right on his forehead. He has the innocent face of a boy if he has two eyes, but the body of a man that is committed to massacre.

“If you want to see him again, you'll have to follow us.” He responded, and before I could reply, I heard the shuffling of the grass and sensed the shift in the air.

I am surrounded by the goddess knows how many beasts, this is really going to be a long night, just when I thought I could have some alone time.

I shouldn't have sent the guardians away. Damn!