"Insulted you?" Ryker asked, the expression he had on was that of pure confusion.
"I am the person that called for the meeting," the Moonseeker revealed. "I have been aware of all the happenings, when have I gathered you all here?"
Ryker hung his head like a guilty child. The priestess continued. "While it is true that I am devoted to Lunara, I still have a duty as the judge."
Judge? Serena interlaced her fingers and stared ahead. Was that why the woman was blind, to be completely neutral? Her role in the pack seemed to grow more and more complex.
"It is an evil thing to bring up such at such a jovial moment," the priestess said, her voice darkening. "We all have suffered from the rogues, yes, I do agree with you. But I ask...what has Serena done, that we may have her killed like her peers?"
Serena’s eyes widened and she looked at the priestess. It would be imagined that such a person could make a joke. So her hunch held up– if Serena was to leave Ironshade, it would be as a result of death. She had foolishly believed that the priestess could have been on her side.
It was not the case, the woman was aligned to Lunara and the moon goddess alone. She pressed her lips tightly together.
"I have no answer for that yet but-"
The priestess laughed and raised her hands. "That is all I need to know, now you may sit."
Ryker did as he was told and muttered something under his breath that even Serena, who sat next to him, could not make out.
"I cannot even tell if this is the curse’s effect on you or if you are simply just so blinded by your righteous indignation."
"A curse?" Serena asked.
The Moonseeker perked up and her lips turned down in a frown. "No one has told her, not even you?"
The question was directed at Darius, who shook his head. He always felt like it was not necessary to dwell on; telling her about the curse would be digging into the grave of his father.
The priestess hummed and turned back to Serena. "Yes, it is a curse. One that has plagued for a decade now. It only reared its ugly head once Darius was sworn in."
Serena nodded slowly in acknowledgment of the woman’s words.
"It’s why things have been the way they are. The rest of the world thinks we are struggling because we cut ourselves off. But the truth is, we tore ourselves apart from within."
She stepped forward, her movements light and soundless despite the weight of her words. From within her sleeve, she produced a small bone charm, pale and brittle-looking, and placed it gently on the table.
"The curse seeded distrust into the bones of this pack. It rotted our loyalty and turned instinct into suspicion. Even now, though its power fades, it lingers like rot beneath the floorboards."
Her gaze swept the table, sightless yet unnervingly direct.
"We will have the work of the council to thank for their steeled perseverance. But I, as a priestess, will not stand here and tell you that the curse is over. It is only merely subdued, and unfortunately, the goddess has not spoken more than what she gave me five years ago.
When the shadow of the Thorn bleeds into the light,
And the wolf who carries death finds her second life,
The moon will bless the broken bond,
And the cursed will find peace at dawn."
The Moonseeker laughed and shook her head. "But ease your heart, I have a feeling we will soon uncover that prophecy."
Serena blinked slowly. What had that prophecy meant? Would someone who was executioner save the wolves of Ironshade, and from what part of Kaldora would they come?
"Ryker, I understand your concern, but it is misplaced at the moment. We do not have much to argue on whether or not Serena remains with us."
Serena finally understood those strange looks that were given to Darius whenever he spoke. She had always found it strange. It was clear to her now, everything would be questioned, especially their loyalty. That was why he was not so quick to preside over most events and the likes of that.
But would that curse affect her, or would it only be reserved for the children of Ironshade?
Darius finally spoke. "Serena Evers is an ambassador and will be treated as such..." Darius turned to Ryker and finished his statement, "...even behind closed doors. This argument is stale. I have not seen a reason yet for why she would be thrown out. And I will overlook it, but do not ever bring up what happened to my aunt and uncle for this sort of thing. I hope I was clear enough?"
Ryker nodded stiffly and kept his gaze low. Serena let out a breath she did not know she was holding. The meeting had been derailed because of Ryker’s outburst, and everything felt uncomfortable.
Darius exhaled softly and rose from his seat and stood next to the priestess. He looked over everyone and then stopped at Serena and looked at her with a pained expression.
The meeting was to officially begin. He wondered why the Moonseeker had told a lie to Ryker. Darius was the one who called the meeting, there must have been something the priestess saw in his right-hand man that he did not. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel fire.net
He rolled his shoulders and pushed that thought aside. He would deal with that later. Right now, he had to put his house in order.
"The route they will arrive from is secured. In my reply to their letter, they would take the southern part of the pack. It is safer due to the rogues and the harsh weather," Darius began.
Emmett raised his hand. He had not shown some sort of reaction since the meeting began. "There is something happening in Lupine Hollow, but be rest assured all will be well. The coming storm has most of the place clear...it is almost like a graveyard. And for the route to be taken by the delegate, it is marked out."
Darius nodded and he continued with his talks. "They’ll arrive with eyes open and ears sharper. We give them no reason to think we’re divided or weak."