(Alnilam)

Amaia’s revelations shake the very foundation of everything I remember as a child. Rigel was my older brother, the one who guided me, made me feel adequate and the one I could depend on.

We played together, along with Jamina, Kayla and Saiph. We were best friends and a team.

Firstly, I lost Rigel, then Kayla and now Jamina.

Rigel’s passing at such a young age took a toll on me, killing a part of my heart that never healed. I stopped smiling, playing. Added to that my father’s unruly emotions buried mine. He became strict with me, trying to fit me into shoes which were supposed to be Rigel’s.

He became abusive, the death of my step-mother and Rigel changed him, especially towards me. The loving nature disappeared somewhere, only to be replaced by this angered man who wanted to punish me for the crimes I didn’t even commit.

The very thought that he could be alive sparks a hope inside me, a hope I haven’t felt in a long time apart from Amaia.

That can also explain so much about Ezran.

Why he is Amaia’s mate. Why does no one know anything about him but he does?

Why was his body never found?

But who could be so cruel as to do this to him?

To have him imprisoned and tortured for 19 years and we never knew.

Did it all happen right under our noses?

The very thought makes my blood run cold.

Did I somehow fail my brother?

I didn’t have my wolf at that time so I can’t remember Rigel’s scent but one thing is clear, that he had blue eyes not red.

Then something clicks and it makes sense. I will be sure once I speak to him.

Headmaster Fallon has him placed in a special cell, lined with Solshield Ash, known to keep the vampires contained. They can’t escape the barrier until someone breaks it.

When Headmaster Fallon had brought Ezran along and told us to put him in Pegasus he refused to disclose any information on him. Telling me that he was nominated and sent by one of his close friends on a special request to train here.

I didn’t dwell too much on it and never ran the background check because I didn’t feel the need.

Maybe, I should have.

After last night’s incident, he took Ezran away from our hands, telling us he would deal with him.

"Wait here. Let me speak to the headmaster and then we will go see him," I tell Alnitak and Saiph.

They pause with grim faces. The same thought process seems to have been going on in their heads too.

Knocking on the door, I seek permission before entering.

Headmaster Fallon is seated on his leather chair, absorbed in some paperwork.

"Sorry to bother you, headmaster. But I would like to see Ezran." He lifts his eyes from the paper and gives me a tight smile. The one that doesn’t touch his eyes.

"That won’t be necessary. We are sending him back because of how he attacked a fellow student. We have zero tolerance for such behaviour."

He is sending him away. Where?

This seems fishy to me.

"Which state does he belong to?" I question, calmly. Trying not to raise any alarm because at this point I don’t trust anyone.

"Just a small state, Alnilam. I was only doing a favour to a friend. It came back to haunt me. How is Amaia?" He changes the subject, not wanting to speak to me on the topic any further.

"She is fine and hopefully will be able to travel." I don’t push him on this matter, not wanting to make him suspicious. The way he forcefully smiles, tells me he knows more about the matter.

Didn’t Amaia say the dungeon was cordoned off on his orders?

That certainly means he knows a lot more than he is letting on.

"Good. Take care of her and I will close this Chapter of Ezran. Just finishing off the paperwork."

I nod. "I will leave you to that." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

With that, I turn around and leave his office. Saiph and Alnitak are expectantly waiting for me.

I gesture at them to start moving without speaking. They obey and follow me. Once we are at a safe distance from the office I quietly say.

"The headmaster seems to be involved in whatever scheme this is. We need to set him free and hide him somewhere safe."

Alnitak grunts at my words, angry grunts because he is getting emotional. We all are.

Like this is our blood we are talking about. Alnitak had been at his throat the most so if the truth comes to light I know he is going to go on a guilt ride, as I do.

We head out in the direction of the special dungeon where Ezran has been imprisoned.

"Alnitak, you will need to use your incubus powers to lull the sentinel to sleep. Saiph’s power will be too much for him." We formulate a plan and both of them agree.

The stony staircase we take to descend and reach the dungeon but remain in shadows. Alnitak lets his other self out, half-transforming. His misty, hallucinogenic power flows out and surrounds the sentinel guarding the place.

His senses detect something is happening but before he can act or realise the mist has hit him and he wavers and falls to the dungeon floor in a few seconds.

Saiph leaves his spot first and grabs the keys from around the fallen Sentinel’s waist.

We leave the shadows and move forward. Alnitak grabs a torch from the wall. On the other side are many cells with metal doors.

Soon we reach the full metallic silver door of Ezran’s cell. Nothing can be seen inside and there is a layer of white Solshield Ash on the threshold.

Bending down, with one blow I make it fly away. Saiph uses the keys to open the heavy door.

It screeches and we enter the cell, coming face to face with the vampire who is most likely our brother.

He lifts his dropped head and our eyes meet. I see a hidden vulnerability in his gaze which pings at my heart.

Is he Rigel?