(Amaia)

I wake up with a mild headache and find myself attached to an IV. My eyes dart around the infirmary and all four of them are present.

As usual, Alnitak is the most clingy one, holding my free hand and sitting beside me on a chair. Mintaka is pacing. Saiph stands near the opposite wall Alnilam is near my feet with his worried eyes focused on me.

They all become alert, all gaze returns to me and tension from their faces drops, relief floods the bond.

"You are awake. You gave us such a scare." Alnitak squeezes my free hand, gently smiling at me. Worries and rage cling to him in abundance.

I return his smile. "I am fine."

All of them step closer and offer me warm hugs, letting me know they are here for me.

"Hey!" Mintaka softly says while giving me his haunting smile.

"Amaia!" Alnilam gently calls me.

"You alright?" Saiph’s warm hand rests on my forehead, affectionately rubbing it.

I give one nod and my gaze remains on him.

"Where’s Rigel?" I question, totally forgetting to call him Ezran. Confusion covers his face.

"I mean Ezran."

"Far away from you. He almost killed you and all you do is care about him, even in this situation," Alnitak blazes from my side.

It’s time to tell them the truth, they won’t understand and they will think he hurt me on purpose.

I try to sit up but Saiph places a gentle hand on my chest, telling me to remain lying down.

"You lost a lot of blood, it’s advisable to remain lying down," Alnilam says from near my feet.

My eyes wander to the blood bag and I do wonder whose blood matches mine. I will find out but for now, I have to focus on Rigel.

My gaze shifts to them, one after the other.

"I need to tell you guys something. But it has to stay between us. I don’t know the whole truth, so help me."

Slowly, all of them nod at me. I take a deep breath and luckily my neck doesn’t hurt, it seems like I was able to heal myself before fainting.

"Ezran’s real name is Rigel and just like me he is cursed. I think he is your half-brother. The one you think was killed in that attack."

My words send them into shock. They watch me with disbelief. Alnitak stupidly blinks, Alnilam’s eyes have taken this dazed state as if trying to digest and remember what I have said. Mintaka takes a step back and places his hand on his mouth while Saiph’s face contorts in confusion.

"What are you saying, Amaia? Our brother had blue eyes and he wasn’t a vampire," Alnilam says, as if he has just raked his brain. Alnilam had to be around eight years old at that time. If someone can remember Rigel, it has to be him.

I take that as an opportunity to tell them everything, ranging from what I saw in that dungeon and everything that followed except for the person I saw in his room. Until and unless I know Rigel is safe, I can’t take that risk.

They listen, without interrupting me but their faces say it all. The sweeping emotions, both on their faces and through the bond I sense.

"In the dungeon? For 19 years?" Alnitak stands up and grabs his head. "Is that what you were looking for when you went there with Kacir?"

"Yes, I could no longer see him but he was still there." Alnitak nods at me but the horror of the truth is etched on his face.

"This is so much to process. Curses on his body. How much has he suffered? Who could have done that?" Mintaka turns and rubs his face in confusion.

"I remember Rigel from our childhood. Sometimes we used to play together. He was a very kind soul. I always connected with him since we are the same age," Saiph answers in grimness. "This is so messed up. This explains his behaviour if it’s really Rigel."

"He did once say that there is so much I have forgotten and I wondered what it meant. Could it be this? Is our brother alive," Alnilam wonders out loud.

"He has severe trust issues. Exactly, the reason he only trusts me is that everyone he knew has either forgotten him or he has been erased from their lives. Because of last night, I truly believe he is your brother. Please, take me to him. We need to have a conversation."

They exchange uneasy glances and no one speaks for a while. My disturbed gaze moves from one to the other.

Finally, Saiph takes the initiative. "Due to the incident, and the noise his Guildmaster got involved and he informed Headmaster Fallon. Rigel has been imprisoned under his instructions with magic-inhibiting chains."

His words bring pain and tears to me. He can’t go through this again. Enough chains have held him.

"Please, guys. You have to set him free. We have to help him or the enemy will kill him. Please," I plead with them, getting up and sitting straight, ready to leave the bed.

Alnilam moves closer and holds me back. "Stay here with Mintaka and I promise to go and speak to him. But I don’t think it is a good idea for you to see him when he is in such a feral state. We had to use heavy doses to sedate him."

"He is not in his senses because he is being controlled and tortured. It’s not his fault. None of his actions is his fault. You have to help him, Alnilam." I hold his arm and beg with a shaking body and overwhelming emotions.

"You have my word, Amaia and I believe you. I just need to check the theory if he truly is my brother. Just wait here and let us handle this." Bending down Alnilam places a soft kiss on my forehead and gestures to Alnitak and Saiph.

Both of them nod at me while Alnitak blows me a kiss. "Don’t worry, Amaia. We will bring Rigel back and get to the bottom of this."