Girls of Shadows

Chapter 24- Lina

As we trudged the last few miles back to camp, I couldn't help but feel exhaustion run its way through my bones. The fine snow that littered the ground crunched beneath each step I took, but my footsteps were probably one single trail from dragging my feet. After searching for Grace nearly the entire night before, Malise and I didn't get much sleep before our trek back to camp, and it was a full day's hike from the city.

Malise lumbered next to me in her panther form to scout ahead for predators, but now her sleek white form barely moved any faster than me.

Dagen started humming a couple hours back, despite stopping every so often to save his voice. As he started again, I leaned into it, letting my thoughts escape with the tendrils of his voice.

He was actually a really good singer.

The gate to the camp came into view. I nearly cheered. Malise let out a huff, sniffing the air around us with earnestness. Looking at Dagen, I saw he was just as confused as I was. Malise tilted her head, then stopped. She stared dead ahead at the gate for a few seconds, before she took off at full run.

I took off behind her. I engaged my feline eyes, trying to see what she saw, but all I could make out was the bodies of three people standing outside the gate. It wasn't until Malise tackled one of the figures could I make out who it was.

Lochlan, now rolling on the ground with Malise. Beau, using the reins to lead his horse through the gate. And next to him, was Kai, standing tall and strong beside him.

As we approached, I tried not to let my excitement show. But when Kai turned around and smiled at me, I couldn't help but jump into his open arms.

"Thank the Gods you're okay." I breathed into his neck, smelling his pine scent waft over me. I didn't want to let go. I wanted to hold him to me, safe and intact, for as long as I could.

"It almost sounds like you were worried about me, kitty."

I smiled despite myself. "Hardly."

I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell him that I want our spark to reignite brighter than ever, and that I wanted him to be with me for as long as war will allow us. I wanted him by my side for every battle, every disaster, but also every smile and reprieve bestowed upon us.

I didn't though. Honestly, I was so damn scared.

But friends don't look at me like he does.

When he put me down, he held me at arm's length, surveying my body as if he could see every battle etched on my skin. My side had been stitched up before we left Whitehall, but my shirt still had old rusty blood on it. The wound underneath was almost healed, thanks to some magic balm, but it would probably scar.

"The goods are fine," I teased, spinning in a circle. Kai barked out a laugh, and pulled me back into his side. I leaned into him, wishing more than anything I could stay there forever. Kai's solid body led me in through the gates and gave me the warmest welcome to camp I could've asked for.

➰➰➰➰➰

The last trial was here.

Our Alpha led us into a stadium, one I've never seen before. There were hundreds of seats, milling with people, surrounding an open pit at the bottom. We were herded into one of two rooms off to the side of the pit. It was dimly lit, dank and held nothing but a few wooden benches.

Lochlan gestured for us to sit.

Beau sat down beside me, resting his hand on my thigh. I took it, squeezing, feeling my palms grow sweaty with nerves.