Borderland Rhys Novels & Stories

Theon and Rhys ran over. “We have reports from the boarder” Rhys said looking a little nauseous “It’s bad. It’s the witches. They blew up several trucks at the border. All but one of the guards in that vicinity are dead.” He glanced at Naomi clearly not happy with what he had to say next. “They kept one alive with a message. They are on their way here and they said they are coming for you Nai”

His men said he carried the weight of three packs on his shoulders, but in truth he carried something heavier the ghost of a woman’s scent, still fresh in his mind after so many years. The pines rustled. A darker shape came through the trees, all restless strength and wild eyes. Rhydan. He didn’t bother with a cloak, his chest bare, skin marked by claw scars that told stories of battles he refused to hide. His growl rolled low before words came. “She’s close. I feel it in my blood.” Kaelor did not move, though his hand tightened at his side. “Patience, Rhydan. Feeling is not finding.”

This is madness. As the moon rose, we reached the edge of Rhydian's territory. A narrow, rushing river marked the border. On the other side, the trees looked darker, older. Rhydian stopped at the water's edge. He turned to face us. "Across this river is unclaimed land. Then, the Northern Marches. The Council's eyes are everywhere there. From here on, we are hunters and prey. Stay sharp. Stay quiet." He stepped into the cold water, not hesitating. We all followed. The water was freezing, shocking my legs. I slipped on a rock, but a strong hand grabbed my elbow. It was Leo.

The stars are coming out now, the same clear, cold spread of them I remember from the night everything between us first cracked open, and I find something fitting in that, this evening bookending that one, an ending that's really just the shape of a new beginning wearing familiar clothes. "The border land," I say eventually. "Corwin still says it's only partially healed." "I know." Rhydian's arm settles around my shoulders, steady and warm. "We'll keep watching it. Together, this time, not as a burden either of us carries alone." I lean into the warmth of him, letting the weight of the evening finally settle into something like peace, however temporary I know that peace might prove to be. "S

“You’ve searched every corner. You tell me.” The agent nearest to him stepped closer, his body language bristling with irritation. “You’re not helping yourself, Mr. Alcatraz.” Rhys’s lips curled into a faint smile, his calm demeanor unshaken. “And you’re wasting my time. If you’re done, leave.” The agent jabbed a finger toward Rhys’s chest. “This isn’t over.” For a moment, the air seemed to freeze. Then Rhys moved, quick and precise, brushing the agent’s hand aside and leaning forward. The cigar in his hand smoldered as he blew a steady stream of smoke directly into the agent’s face.

"The southern border is completely silent," Selby Adelle West reported, tracing a slender finger along the jagged ink line of the boundary. Selby was one of Cullen’s most trusted logistics commanders, a tall, sharp-eyed woman with braided dark hair. "Bronson Riordan has locked his territory down tight. Our scouts haven't seen a single Silver Moon patrol in hours."

Elara joined them sometimes, just to sit, to listen. One evening, a girl failed a fire-summoning. Eluna did not scold her. She knelt. “Try again,” she said. “And when it doesn’t answer, ask a better question.” Elara watched from the gate, smiling. Rhys had vanished for two days. When he returned, he wore a red thread woven through his wrist—a peace offering from the nomadic tribes beyond the Crescent Vale. “I’ve been… negotiating,” he told Lerder. “With who?” Maerra asked, eyeing the thread.

Her wolf whispered again, calm and steady. They will come again. They will come with teeth and fire. Seraphina looked up at Darius. “What is happening at the border right now?” Darius’s jaw tightened. “Rhyden is speaking to their leader. I told him not to engage unless necessary.” Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. “They won’t leave with words.” Darius’s gaze sharpened. “No. They won’t.” The door opened again and Rhyden entered, blood on his blade.

Kieran would lose his mind. “I know,” he replied, his voice a low, smooth rumble. He pushed the door open further, stepping inside, his movements fluid and silent. He closed the door behind him, the soft click a stark contrast to Kieran’s slamming exit. “But I had to see if you were alright. That… scream. What was it?” I shook my head, walking away from him, needing space. “I don’t know” I turned to face him. “What was that thing at the border, Rhys? And how did you just… make it disappear?”

Blood is dripping from her neck, ruining my floor. “She crossed the border” Lori responded. “Now, why would she do that?” I mumbled, inspecting the girl. Her eyes lightly flutter open and as if on instinct the two warriors tighten the grip on her arms. She lets out a groan before her head slightly lifts and when her eyes fall on me, they instantly go wide. “Alpha!” she said, her voice actually clear. “Well if it isn’t our little escapee” “I… I…” “You sure know how to create trouble for yourself don’t you” I lift her chin up with my fingers, inspecting her scared, but somehow determined face.