Skye POV
Adrenaline surged through my veins, electrifying my entire body. Every fiber of my being was on high alert, determined to defy any attempt to capture us. These guards, supposedly under Jade's command, felt off. I doubted Jade's involvement and feared that he too might be in trouble.
"We need to act fast," I urgently told Nyx. "Chaos won't hold on much longer. We have to use our powers, even if it means losing control."
Relinquishing control of some of my guards, I tapped into the true power that lay dormant within me as a Unicorn. It surged forth, stunning a few of the guards and throwing their minds into a chaotic frenzy. Most of my abilities were mental, allowing me to manipulate and confuse my enemies. However, there was another power I hadn't used since childhood.
As Chaos fell, along with the last warrior, desperation gripped me. We needed help, and I had to make it work. Screaming Chaos's name, I focused on my family, pleading for their aid. With every ounce of concentration, I summoned them to me. Collapsing to my knees, a brilliant light erupted from my being. When it dissipated, I saw a familiar and bewildered vampire standing nearby. Relief flooded over me.
Colson, always a pain in the ass, was also a sight for sore eyes at this moment. I was overjoyed to see him standing there. He has always had my back, acting as a loyal friend, especially when I struggled to connect with others due to my lack of control. He has been a constant presence, becoming a trusted ally to my grandmother in her time of need, and later serving as a friend and protector to both my father and mother. Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the reality that he was truly here. It was a flood of emotions, a testament to the fact that my desperate call for help had finally been answered.
"It worked," I whispered, launching myself at him, reminiscent of a child seeking comfort. He caught me with swift reflexes, careful not to touch my skin. "Skye, how... what's happening... are you okay?" he stumbled over his words, clearly confused.
"I need your help," I said, my voice trembling with urgency. I could sense his stunned disbelief, but there was no time to waste.
My gaze shifted to Chaos, sprawled on the ground in his Lycan form, unconscious.
"What the hell, did you take that thing down? That's a f*****g fur ball on steroids," he blurted out, his words laced with a mix of astonishment and amusement.
I shook my head, my focus solely on the task at hand. "No, I need your help to get him in the wagon, and we need to do it fast. He's with me." I explained, watching as he ran a hand through his hair and locked eyes with me.
A mischievous smirk crept across his face. "So, you brought me here to help you?" he asked, his tone dripping with playful arrogance. Before I could respond, he continued, laughter bubbling in his words. "Ha, I knew it! I'm the best. Can't wait to wave that in all the furry beasts' faces."
I sighed, frustration mingling with my anxiety. "I just called for help. I don't exactly have control over my powers, as you know," I muttered, the truth of my words hanging heavily in the air.
I had no idea if I could even teleport someone. It had only happened once when I was a small child and my adoptive mother needed my father. I thought it was because we shared a special connection. But then again, I guess I have formed a bond with all of my family. I was just happy it worked right now and we had help, even if it was Colson. He may not be the strongest, but he was loyal and someone I knew would have our backs no matter what.
I stumbled on my feet, and Colson caught me. "OK kid, I'm helping," he said as he helped me into the wagon. Then, he looked at Chaos again. Luckily, he had now shifted back. "So that huge thing turns into a pretty boy, go figure," Colson joked as he picked him up and carried him into the wagon, placing him down.
"I'm assuming you need to get away from here, so let's get moving and then we need to talk," Colson said, and I nodded my head. He tinkered with the wagon's controls, getting it back on track, and then he sat in a place where he could observe outside and talk to me at the same time.
"What's going on, Kid? Your family is a mess right now. The portal that leads to this realm has been blocked. Your mother and uncle even tried opening another one and can't. Jade sent a warning saying you were in danger, but that was it. We have not been able to reach him," Colson explained.
"So Jade is in trouble. I assumed he may be when we were just attacked," I sighed.
"I'll be honest, I don't know why the portals are blocked. I may have an idea, but I could be wrong," I said as I first filled Colson in on all that has occurred to me the past few days.
He then looked at Chaos. "So you have a Lycan for a mate. I guess I'm not surprised. We all knew you coming here may be dangerous, but I can't say any of us thought it would be this bad. If Rook had prior knowledge of what you are, I wonder how many others do. Jade has control of a lot of territories, but not all of them. It would seem whatever has been going on now has been well planned out. In order to block the portals, there had to be preparations, possibly a witch's help to look into the future and know you were coming, or they waited until they sensed your entrance if this is all linked to you. We know you hold special powers as your kind was hunted in the past. I wish I had more answers, Kid, but it would seem you are in a lot more danger now. You brought me here, do you think you can bring your father or uncle to help as well?" Colson asked.
I closed my eyes and focused, but the power seemed elusive. I desperately wanted to connect with it. It had been so long since I had felt this power coursing through me. "I don't even know how it works," I confessed to him. "But I won't give up."
"We'll figure it out," he reassured me. "Don't push yourself too hard. I'm here for you."
I peered out of the wagon and saw a town in the distance. "We're not far now," I said, my voice tinged with caution. "But it's not safe for Chaos to be seen. We'll have to sneak in. He's a wanted criminal here."
Colson quickly halted the wagon. "I can carry him. It might look strange, but we can say he's injured and keep his face covered," he suggested.
He then pointed out the obvious. "There may be people looking for you too," he said.
"I have a scarf. I'll cover my face," I replied, making my bag materialize and preparing myself. I handed Colson the currency I had. "We need to find an inn," I stated.
Colson nodded and carefully hoisted Chaos onto his back. He looked at me with a playful smirk. "Never thought I'd be giving a lycan a piggyback ride," he chuckled. We got out of the wagon, and I stayed close to Colson, my thoughts consumed by Jade and my family. I worried for their safety.
"Don't blame yourself, kid. None of this is your fault," Colson said, trying to lift my spirits. "Whatever is happening, it was set in motion long before you arrived."
"I know." I whispered.
"I won't stop you from finding this kingdom," he assured me. "But you're stuck with me now."
"Thanks," I replied, a small smile forming on my lips.
"I mean, you did bring me here because I'm your favorite," he teased, and we continued our journey. Even in this dire situation, his words brought a momentary smile to my face. I had no clue why my power had chosen Colson or how I had triggered it, but I was grateful to have him by my side.
Colson has always been there for my family. He stood by my grandmother's side when she was in need, and he remained a good friend to my father, protecting my mother as well. Now, he stands by my side as I rely on him for support.
As we entered the town, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that there were no checkpoints. Though some eyes glanced our way, no one bothered us as we cautiously explored. Finally, we stumbled upon a small inn and stepped inside. The owner greeted us with skepticism, a reaction I couldn't blame them for. However, they were more than willing to accept additional money without asking any questions.
Colson, being skilled in handling such situations, took charge, and soon we secured two connecting rooms. Once we entered the rooms, Colson gently placed Chaos on a bed and closed all the curtains. "We need to be ready to leave at a moment's notice if trouble arises," Colson said, and I wholeheartedly agreed.
"For now, it's best to avoid reaching out to Jade or venturing near the kingdom until we gather more information. I’m the best at staying hidden, so I will go out soon to gather any rumors or news about the kingdom in this town. If something significant has occurred, word will spread. In the meantime, you must stay in hiding with the Lycan," Colson instructed, and once again, I nodded in agreement.
Colson's gaze traveled over my battered body, marked with cuts from our encounter with the guards. Unlike vampires or other shifters, I didn't heal as quickly, so I must have appeared worse for wear. "Let's get you cleaned up. No offense, but your blood is making me hungry," Colson remarked, his eyes gleaming brightly.
"I apologize for not considering it earlier, but you can feed on me. I think I can handle it at the moment, and it's safer for you to feed on me than a stranger," I admitted.
"It's tempting, I'm sure unicorn blood provides a significant power boost, but for now, I'm good," he replied, as he headed to the small bathroom to fetch a damp cloth. He gently dabbed it on my wounds before rising to his feet.
"Are you comfortable here? I'm going to head out, but I'll keep a close watch on things. You should be safe for now," Colson assured me. "Thank you, and I'm sorry for dragging you into this," I expressed, my voice filled with genuine remorse.
"I've always got your back, kid, you know me," he said as he left the room. I walked over to Chaos, who was peacefully sleeping on the bed. The tranquility of his slumber was deceptive; I knew he had been subdued by a fae tranquilizer. Despite this, I couldn't help but study him, running my hand over his strong and loyal frame. However, fear lingered in his subconscious. Our relationship was still new, and Nyx had warned me about his apprehensions. As he slept, his mind raced, uncertain of our safety.
"Is his Lycan awake?" I asked Nyx, and she responded in my mind, "No, he is sleeping as well. The tranquilizer they used will keep him unconscious for a while."
I could sense his internal struggle as I touched him. I knew I needed to delve into his mind to help him. Shifting partially, I believed I could connect with him. "We can do that," Nyx reassured me. I gently placed my hand on Chaos' cheek, focusing my energy. In that moment, I transformed into a cross between a unicorn and a human, with my wings gracefully adorning my back. I hoped this altered state would allow my words to reach him.
"We are safe for now. You fought and protected me well," I whispered, attempting to calm his restless mind. Withdrawing my hand, my wings disappeared as I rose to clean up in the small bathroom. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath. In the face of adversity, I reminded myself of my strength and the support I had. I remained determined to achieve my ultimate goal. Maintaining a positive outlook was vital; I couldn't allow anything to dampen my spirit or extinguish my hope.