Chapter 35: The Battle for Varrfarrinn

Alyssa

Megan took us to Henry’s office, where Elizabeth and Henry discussed our next move. I wonder where Grace is, but she should be resting after everything.

“Where is Elder Grace?” Vincent asked.

“After Grace contacted Kaiden Solus, she decided to get some rest, and I agreed; she has done all she can and will focus on her recovery,” Henry said.

“So where are they? Vincent crossed his arms.

“There’s a small island a few kilometers from Varrfarrinn,” Henry said.

“Of course, why didn’t I think of that? Of course, my mother planned to go to that island. There’s an old cabin there; it’s where my parents went to seal their bond when they got married,” Vincent said. “They also took us there sometimes when we were kids. I’ll call Alex and give her the good news,”

Vincent pulled out his phone and dialed Alexandria’s number. “Alex, I’ve found Alyssa and got a location on Mom. She’s at the cabin, you know where it is, and I’ll meet you at the beach. See you see soon big sis,”

“So what’s the plan?” Henry asked. “Elizabeth called the other survivor locations, and they’re getting ready; just give the word, and we’ll strike,”

“Good, I’ll call you as soon I get my mom. I’ll be meeting Alex by the beach near the eastern watchtower,” Vincent said.

“I’m coming with you as that path is dangerous,” Henry said. “I’ll meet you downstairs when you are ready. Let’s go, Liz,” Henry left the office with Elizabeth following him.

“I’ll wait with them too. Don’t take too long, guys,” Megan said as she left us alone.

“Alyssa, I think you should stay here,” Vincent turned to me.

“You can’t be serious!” I huffed. “You just scolded me about leaving you, and now you will do the same with me!?”

“You just healed Grace after barely recovering from healing Alexandria. If we run into any trouble, I don’t want to worry about you,” Vincent argued his case, and he does have a point.

“I’ll be fine,” I glared at him.

Vincent rolled his eyes and gave me a small poke on the head. It wasn’t a hard poke, but it was enough to make my headache return. “Fine, you made you’re point,”

“I’m always right,” Vincent winked. I promise we’ll be back as soon as possible,” Vincent cupped my face with his hands and gazed lovingly into my eyes.

“Just come back to me. Please don’t leave me alone,” I cried and then kissed Vincent’s lips.

“I promise,” Vincent released himself from me.

I knew that I had to stay here, but in the corner of my mind, I was scared to leave him without knowing why. I had to have faith that he would be okay.

We went downstairs, and Vincent met with everyone going to the small island where Rosetta was.

“Ready?” Megan asked Vincent.

“Let’s go, Alyssa and going to stay here,” Vincent said.

Vincent’s eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Timothy on the other side of the room, and they gave each other a death glare. “Maybe leaving you here alone here isn’t such a good idea,”

“Don’t go there,” I rolled my eyes. “I can take care of myself if Tim touches me you’ll feel it and then you’ll hurt him,”

Vincent and Henry left the facility, leaving me with Megan and Elizabeth.

I notice a slight smile on Megan’s lips. That’s the first time I’ve seen her smile since- well, it’s nice to see her smile.

“Did those guys forget that I’m going with them? How annoying,” Megan said.

“Be careful, Meg,” I said.

“Always,” Megan winked and started to follow Vincent and Henry.

“How are you holding up?” Elizabeth asked me. “You don’t have to help me. I’ll understand if you want to rest and recover,”

“Doing something might help me get my mind off things for a while,” I said.

“Great!” Elizabeth smiled. She showed me the rest of the facility, and I helped her organize the attack. Everyone was briefed, and they started getting ready and split into groups. So people could see which team you were on, everyone had to get a medal around their neck. The magic would appear as warpaint on the dragon wearing it, distinguishing them from the attacker.

When Vincent gives the call to strike, we liberate Varrfarrinn.

Hours have passed, and I am still waiting to hear from Vincent and the others. It didn’t help that I still didn’t find my phone. It’s probably at Isabella’s house, broken into pieces.

“Alyssa, can we talk?” Timothy said behind me.

“Tim, not now,” I shook my head at him.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” Tim’s head lowered.

“Sorry for kissing me? Or that you didn’t stop when I tried to push you away. Damn it, Timmy, I’m mated; I bear Vincent’s mark on my flesh; I felt pain when you kissed me! I’m the destined mate of the White Dragon. Vincent will always be mine, and I will always be his,” I scolded him.

“Alyssa, it was stupid of me to do that,” Tim said. “I was being an idiot,”

“Good to see we agree on something,” I scoffed.

“I was relieved to see that you were okay. You know I have feelings for you,” Tim sighed. “But that doesn’t give me that right to kiss you out of the blue, and it won’t happen again; I know that my mate is waiting for me out there, and I will look for her when this shit show is over. Can you forgive me?”

“You’re an idiot, Timothy, but I can’t hate you for your actions. Some people deserve another chance,” I smiled at him.

“Thank you,” Timothy breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll leave you alone,”

Tim left me alone in my temporary room. Goddess, that was tense.

Vincent

Megan, Henry, and I had to sneak through the forest to avoid detection, but it was easy to avoid them as I manipulated what our enemies saw. When I harness light, I control what people see. “It’s just over there,” I said.

Alexandria stood on the along with all the others. “You guys took your sweet fucking time,” Alex growled.

“We couldn’t exactly go through town, you know,” I scoffed at her.

“What about Alyssa?” Alex questioned.

“She’s safe in one of the hideouts with Elizabeth. She got a concussion earlier,” I added.

“Well, I guess that was the best choice,” Alex said. “Only two of us should go to the cabin to not attract any attention. And since Vincent and I know the area, we will be going,”

“I agree.” I nodded.

“We won’t take long everyone, just hide in the tree line in case anyone comes,” Alex said.

Alexandria and I shifted into our dragon forms. We took off and stayed close to the sea to reduce the risk of being detected. We closed in on the island, but we didn’t slow down. Just before we reached the island, we put our wings close to our bodies and dove into the sea. Under the island was a small tunnel allowing us to enter the island unseen. We shifted back when we saw the surface, and I felt like I was hacking up a lung.

“I hate going that way,” My hands were on my knees.

“What’s the matter, Vince? Can’t handle a little water?” Alex laughed.

We exited the cave, surfaced, and walked to the cabin where our mom hid. “So do we walk in or-” But before I finish my question, a figure knocked me over. Alexandria tried to react but found herself on the ground next to me.

Annabeth came out of the darkness to attack us again. “Annabeth stop, it’s us,” I yelled out.

“Vincent?” Annabeth gasped “Alex?” We got up from the ground, and Annabeth’s face became red from embarrassment. “Sorry, guys,”

“Damn girl, you know how to throw a punch,” Alex said, praising Annabeth.

“And you never wanted me in training,” Annabeth scoffed at her. “Come, there in here,” Annabeth “then pointed to the cabin.

“Do you think she knows about Isabella?” Alex whispered.

“They were mates, you idiot, you do the math,” I scoffed.

We entered the cabin with Annabeth; the only person in the living room was Audrey, who smiled when she saw us. “ALEX, VINCENT!!” Audrey threw herself into our arms. “I’m so happy your safe,”

“It’s good to see you too, sis,” I hugged her tightly. Our hug ended, and now I had the most critical question. “Where’s mom?”

“Dr. Solus is with mom upstairs,” Audrey said.

Alex and I rushed upstairs as Audrey pointed to the door where our mother was, and I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” mom said. I opened the door, and we showed ourselves to her with Dr. Solus with her.

“Hi mom,” I smiled.

“Alex, Vince. I’m happy to have all my children here together again,” Mom was about to cry, but I hugged her before she could. We then looked at Alex. “Don’t you think you’ll escape from giving me a hug young lady,”

Alex laughed lightly and hugged Mom.

“So, it’s true. All the leaders are dead?” Mom crossed her arms.

“That’s right, mom. You are the last one,” Alex said. “Apart from that bastard, Nathan,”

“And Gloria?” Mom was breathing heavily, her fears manifesting.

“We don’t know if she’s still alive. She and her guards held them back so the rest of us could escape,” I explained.

“I’m assuming Gloria told you about the secret of the barrier?” Mom said.

“Yes, Gloria explained everything,” Alex nodded. “She was hoping you would know where to find Merlin,”

Mom sighed heavily. “The location of Merlin’s prison has been a well-kept secret of the White Dragons for countless generations. After all, our ancestors and the Moon Goddess imprisoned him for what he did during the Great War. I’ll search within my ancestral memories, but it may take a while,”

“Sounds good, but first, we are going to kill every single one of the traitors around the island,” Alexandria declared. “Are you strong enough to shift?”

“I think so,” Mom nodded.

“One thing: Annabeth has been acting odd lately,” Kaiden said. “She thinks that-” But I interrupted him before he could say it.

“Isabella is dead,” I said.

“So it’s true! The mate bond between Isabella and Annabeth broke when Izzy died. No wonder she’s been so reckless, having no thought for her own life,” Kaiden said.

“I’m going to talk to her about it,” I said as I left the room. I walked down the stairs and saw Audrey on the couch. “Audrey, where’s Annabeth?”

“Outside to check the perimeter,” Audrey said. “Is Jacob safe? I can still feel him, but I don’t know where he is,”

“Jacob is fine, and you’ll see him again,” I smiled at her.

I walked outside to see Annabeth, and she was standing outside. Standing there like a husk. “Annabeth?”

“I felt the pain, Vincent. I felt our bond breaking as she was taking her last breaths. How did she die?” Annabeth said.

“We had to make a run for it, getting out of the Citadel. They had net cannons aiming at Alyssa. Isabella pushed her out of the way but got caught instead,” I explained.

“Then what?” Annabeth growled. “Continue! Tell me more! Don’t hold back on me Vincent, she was mate, the only person I will ever love, now I’m only half a soul,”

“She was stabbed when she shifted back,” I said.

“Who killed her, Vincent?” Annabeth’s voice got higher, laced with anger.

“His name is Gabrial; he’s one of the guys responsible for Alyssa’s capture,” I said.

Annabeth was silent for a while, but she then broke it. “What’s the plan?”

“First, we will clear the island, and then we have to install a new circle of kingdom leaders,” I explained.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go back to Varrfarrinn and kill them all!” Annabeth shouted.

“Alex and I will contact the others, and we will attack at dawn,” I said, which made Annabeth give a sadistic smile.

Alyssa

The hours passed, and those who could fight all took off when the sun rose into the sky. It wasn’t long until sounds of fighting were echoing in the air. A few people were still in the house, most too wounded to fight.

“Hey Alyssa, it’s been some time,” Saga tapped my shoulder. I know that voice anywhere.

“Saga, it’s good to see you too,” I smiled at her. I remember her from a few of my classes. We haven’t talked much, but I always knew she was a nice person. Saga had thick bandages around her left leg, keeping her weight off.

“I got bitten by another dragon. It least I’m alive, right? It’s strange, we’re at war. Seems unreal,” Saga said.

“Tell me about it,” I nodded. We stood there without saying a word, just listening to the sounds of fighting. Saga then went to get something to drink and asked if I wanted anything, and I happily accepted her offer. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the outside world, waiting sucks.

Then I smelled something hot and smoky. I heard people screaming. Oh no, fire! I heard people yelling as smoke started filling the room. The building is on fire. People tried to get outside, but it was hard since so many were injured. I saw Saga running to me and grabbing my wrist.

“Saga, we need to get everyone outside! Can you do it?” I asked her.

“I’ll do what I can; I’ll take this floor; you clear the upper floor,” Saga said. “Goddess be with us,”

“I’ll see you soon, Saga,” I ran upstairs to ensure every room was empty. I then ran to Grace’s room to make sure she got out. “Grace, we have to go!”

Grace nodded and got up from her bed. I put her arm around my shoulder, carrying her outside. I’m thankful the fire didn’t reach the stairs, and we got out just in time.

When we exited the burning building, Grace and I breathed the fresh air, and Saga met up with us. “Alyssa, are you alright?”

“Did everyone make it out?” I coughed. “What the hell happened?”

“Yeah, I think everyone got out.” Saga said.

“We’re under attack!” Timothy yelled out. “Alyssa, there after you, they somehow found our hiding place. Come with me!”

“I’ll get everyone to safety, go!” Saga yelled.

Timothy grabbed my hand and led me into the forest. My legs started to burn as we ran through the woods. I pushed myself a little more until we exited the forest. We ran to the beach, and I wondered why he brought me here.

“Tim, why are we here?” I questioned him.

“It’s far away from the fighting,” Tim said. “What matters is keeping you out of Elijah’s hands,”

Elijah? Who the hell is that? Something was off. Who was Elijah, and how would Timothy know his name? And why wasn’t he fighting with the others? Oh no, could Timothy be a traitor?

“Alyssa, you alright? You look kinda pale,” Tim tilted his head.

“I’m just worried about what’s going on,” I shivered.

I soon saw Henry appear out of the forest. Thank the goddess someone is here to get me away from him. Right now, I’m questioning the loyalty of Timothy.

“Saga told me that you to run away. Whoever set the house on fire is gone, but we are going to find-” Before Henry could finish, I heard the sound of a gunshot.

“HENRY!” A large red stain was spreading over his chest, and Tim had a gun in his hand when I looked behind me.

“You never were the best liar. Being a dragon is good and all, but guns work well. You didn’t know about Elijah. Ugh, me and my big mouth. You are coming with me,” Timothy laughed.

“The hell I am!” I raised my hand to blast him with magic, but before I could use my magic, he pushed my hand out of the way and punched me in the jaw. I fell into the sand, my vision blurring. The next thing I knew, his boot connected with my face. Timothy shifted into his dragon form; lightning crackled through his body. He grabbed me between his claws and took off into the sky.

“ALYSSA!” Henry yelled out my name.