bChapter 179 /b

Eryx POV

The room grows still, almost unbearably. I close my eyes and focus inward, searching desperately for the fragile, broken, but lingering thread that still connects me to April. My magic pulses weakly, almost faint like an acho that is ready to disappear if a slight breeze hits it.

I don’t let it slip from my grasp though, I concentrate harder, and refuse to let go. I block out every bit of noise, my parents worried and careful expressions, as they will make me lose touch with it. There has to be something left, and I know that there is. Even if it’s weak, I know it’s there, I felt it, that gentle pull, the flicker of warmth that was deep in my chest, it belongs to her, it doesn’t belong to anyone else.

Slowly and cautiously my magic coils outward like smoke that is drifting through empty air, it’s like it’s seeking the small trace of connection. When it brushes against something faint but familiar relief floods my body. It’s so intense that I almost stagger under the weight of it. She’s there, we’re still connected. My breath quickens and I clutch the tables edge even tighter than before, as if I’m holding onto thread, that’s faint, like my grip can keep it tethered to me.

“I have it,” I say quietly, opening my eyes to find both my parents watching me carefully. My father nods, his expression guarded yet hopeful, and my mother steps forward, cing her hand softly on my shoulder.

“Are you certain?” she asks, searching my face carefully, no doubt looking for any hint of doubt or hesitation.

They need to trust me more, and believe that I know what I say is true.

“I’m certain,” I reply firmly, feeling the pulse of it, faint yet unmistakable, pulling me somewhere distant. “It’s weak, but it’s her. I can follow it, but we have to move quickly. It might fade again if we wait too long.”

Straightening instantly, my father nods toward the guards who have been standing silently by the door and waiting. They tense immediately waiting for him to speak his orders.

“We leave now,i” /ihe instructs firmly. “Gather only what’s necessary. Prepare for the worst. Rnd won’t surrender her willingly, not without a fight.”

That’s the truth of this, Rnd won’t want to give her up to us. The room bursts into a flurry of activity as the guards rush around, the echo of boots on

stone fills the air.

“Killian, stay behind and ensure the pack is secure. If Wesley attacks when we leave, ensure he doesn’t survive.”

Killian nods and moves to begin his task now.

My mother gently squeezes my shoulder, her expression softening for a moment before she releases me and steps away, her face bingposed once again. I wish I could feel that calm, that sense of certainty, but all I have right now is raw, desperate hope.

I’m either going to save April or be her death as there’s nothing to stop Rnd from killing her the moment he senses us close by.

My father’s gaze settles heavily on me, piercing through theyers of doubt and exhaustion that threaten to drag me under. “Eryx, you need to be sure this won’t fail. Opening a portal blind, following a thread this weak, this unstable, are you certain you can hold it?”

I have no choice, does he not realise that? I need his gaze and don’t flinch, I don’t let any doubt show. I force my voice to remain steady even as my pulse is pounding through my veins like thunder. “I can hold it. I won’t let her down again. I promise you that.”

He holds my stare, watching me for a long time, ensuring that I’m not lying before he finally nods sharply. “Then lead us to her.”

Turning to the door, I push aside all the exhaustion and the fear of what may happen and step out.

I forece my steps to remain steady and purposeful. I feel theforting, reassuring presence of my parents falling into step behind me as we leave the war room and move quickly through the halls of the pack house.

The guards who areing with us, are already outside, they are standing and waiting, their faces determined and solemn, ready for whatever awaits ollius. /li/ol

bWithout /bwaiting, I guide them swiftly back toward the Hollow to where the portal is hidden. I can do this, i know that I can.

bThe /bair is cool and biyes against my skin, and the stars above are almost coldly staring down at us, watching silently to witness this desperate mission Im btaking /bmy fathers men on. As we near the concealed entrance, I stretch my magic carefully outward again, feeling that thread grow stronger, clearer bwith /bbeach /bstepb. /b

When we get close enough, I lift my hand. I wave away the veil that I ced earlier so that the portal that was concealed behind it is how able to be seen by them all.

My mother’s lips tighten slightly, worry creasing the corners of her eyes, but she doesn’t speak. Instead, she moves closer to my father’s side, watching quietly as I step forward.

Okay… This it it. Closing my eyes briefly I reach out again, pushing more strength into it, and I seek that thin but distinct pull. I follow the faint but still steady pulse of the thread that connects me to April.

The portal begins to hum softly, and for a second I’m shocked it works, but then I focus again. It’s like it’s answering my magic and helping me, like it also wants to reunite me with April.

almost

The connection grows clearer now, sharpening with each passing second. I know I’m drawing closer, and every heartbeat confirms it. I reach deeper, and push the portal forward through the darkness. I force it to follow the faint pull of April’s presence. It’s hard, it’s exhausting, but I refuse to quit. No matter how slow it is, or how much sweat beads on my forehead before slipping down my temples, I hold onto that connection with every bit of strength that I have left in me.

Atst, the magic steadies, and the portal pulses softly, signaling it has found the other end, somewhere hidden, somewhere Rnd thinks no one can follow.

I’ve done it, I’ve found her. I release a shuddering breath the moment the portal connects to the area. Turning back to my parents, they still stand silently waiting, their gazes unwaveringly fixed on me.

“It’s ready,” I say quietly, my voice strained but firm. “We have to move quickly. I can’t guarantee how stable it is, or how long it will hold.”

Stepping forward first, my father lets a hand settle on my shoulder, and I wait for his refuse. His eyes are fierce and burn with determination and purpose. “We move now, and we move together. Stay alert. Rnd will be prepared, but we won’t leave without her.”

He’s trusting me? For a moment, I’m surprised.

“I know,” I whisper back, my voice tight.

He nods once, and gives the silent signal for the guards to step forward. They move quickly, and begin to step through the gateway without any hesitation. My mother follows close behind them, slipping through with a graceful yet fierce determination, her magic already prepared.

I look to my father once more and he gives me a firm nod, then i step forward, my heart pounding in my chest as I pass through the shimmering barrier. I don’t just feel like I’m leaving behind everything exect my determination to find her, but also the barrier that has always been upbetween my father and ollime. /li/ol

We emerge somewhere dark, the air thick with moisture, carrying the scent of decay and neglect. Stone walls close in around us, slick and cold, lit only by the dim, flickering glow of distant torches. My stomach twists in recognition, this is exactly the sort of ce Rnd would choose to hide. I stretch my senses further, desperately seeking the bond again.

“She’s here,” I say urgently, turning to my father, “She’s close. I can feel it.”

His gaze hardens immediately, his hand sliding toward the weapon at his side. “Then let’s bring her home.”