Chapter 304: Not an Enforcer but a Protector

(Alnilam)

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The crescent tattoo which used to be silver is now like a black scar on my forehead. A remnant of what I had embraced with pride. Now, it means nothing to me, it’s just a reminder of what I used to be.

I have changed, that version of me is gone. A new version is born, the one which wants to burn and destroy the people who hurt the innocent, hurt the people I love, hurt Amaia.

I am no longer an Enforcer; instead, I am a protector. They can’t break me. Not by binding my magic and not by taking away a useless title.

Using a bandana, I cover my head and forehead, hiding my short hair. It hurts, I won’t lie but I have to be stronger for my brothers, for my mate.

Collecting the rest of my hair, I place it with my belongings. They feel lifeless just like ribbons of silver without my magic and yet I can’t throw them away. Whatever spell they have used is working.

The emotional pain is worse than physical pain. But it’s worth it, she is worth it.

I can no longer sense my magic apart from a tiny part of it.

The one lock I had gifted Amaia; that part of my magic is still alive, but it’s no longer with Amaia. I can’t sense her anymore through it.

Maybe it’s because she is sleeping. They have put all the surviving recruits in an induced sleeping state so they can rest and heal. Since, I have made a deal with them, they won’t be hurting her.

Now, one day later I am finally allowed to see my brother for the first time. Alnitak is given a blood transfusion but he is still unconscious. I am taken to see him first.

Father is already there, sitting by his side, holding his hand. His gaze finds me, a tad sad and a whole lot disappointed. It stays on my covered forehead. I have always been the black sheep of the family.

He loved Rigel, being the firstborn, if only I could tell him that he is alive. But, not yet, not until I know whom I can trust.

And I can’t even trust my father.

"He is going to wake up, isn’t he?" His gaze returns and fixates on my unconscious brother.

"Yes, he will. Alnitak is resilient and a fighter." I press my hand on my unconscious brother’s forehead, sending a small prayer.

"How are you going to protect them and your mate with your magic gone?" My father asks in distaste. I know he is not going to let this go.

"I am skilled in other ways and I didn’t want to be an Enforcer. Anything that ties me to these monsters, I will cut off."

My father shakes his head. "I don’t hate you Alnilam, I just want what’s best for you."

There are so many pent-up feelings I have regarding him and how he destroyed my childhood. Killed a part of me I will never get back. I can’t even express my emotions properly.

"It’s too late for that. I am going to carve my own path and I don’t need you for that or your judgment."

With that, I extract my hand and walk out of the room, leaving my father and his suffocating presence there.

My feet carry me towards the room where they are keeping Amaia. I have two of my sentinels posted outside her door, not trusting Istrale at all with her safety.

They bow slightly and open the door for me, letting me enter her room—it breathes her fragrance, the one and only unique to her. The one I have begun to hunger like an addict. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She is lying on the bed with her gold-streaked hair spread like straws on the pillow. My heart aches from the amount of love I have begun to carry for her.

Carefully I approach her resting figure, half covered with a blanket.

My hand slowly slides over hers, it’s warm. Her eyes slowly open and waver towards me. Horrors are so apparent there along with vulnerabilities she shows only to us.

"Alnilam," she painfully whispers.

"I am here," I assure, pressing the back of her hand.

"How is Alnitak?" She asks and opens the mindlink between us. "They have my brother." I can sense her extreme desperation. Tears instantly sparkle in her beautiful eyes. I can imagine what she is going through. Both of us have our brothers torn from us and returned in broken states.

"Alnitak is going to be fine." And then I say through the mindlink. "I know, we are going to get him and every other innocent soul. They are watching and hearing so we will be careful."

Amaia slowly nods. "Alnitak is still unconscious?"

"Yes!" My answer makes her heavily sigh as she battles tears.

"I am so proud of you, Amaia. You did so well and you saved my brother’s life. You protected your companions," I tell her proudly.

"So you are not mad at me," she asks, tears almost about to drop from her eyes.

"I assure you I am not," brokenly I smile at her. I know my smile eases her although I hate smiling.

Her gaze shifts to my forehead. I know she is going to figure out that something has happened.

Her eyes slightly narrow in worry, and her gaze slides down to my shoulders. I know she is seeking my hair. They are not there anymore.

"Your head? Why are you wearing a bandana?" She lifts her upper body from the bed and reaches for my head. She can’t see the scar, I have covered it too. I let her touch me, lowering my head.

"It’s nothing. Just a little headache. We need to leave here soon and head back." I change the subject.

Amaia’s worries rush in through the bond. She is not buying my words but she stays quiet.

Clasping my hand around her wrist I find it only has the flower and a handkerchief tied around there. The streak of my hair is missing as I had figured.

Her eyes follow mine to her wrist.

"Where did it go?" My question through the mindlink makes Amaia’s forehead crease even more and then a realisation flashes in her eyes.

"My brother...your hair must have sensed his magic just like mine and gone with him. We can track him through it. You can feel them, right?" Amaia excitedly asks, gripping my arm with her other hand.

The tiny part of my magic that has been left, that has not been locked away by them is still unbound.

I can sense it but it’s very faint. If I fully concentrate, I can find it and her brother.

We will be taking him along no matter the cost. My brother is already gone and I will be damned if I leave Amaia’s brother behind.

"Yes, I can. Tonight, let’s go get your brother and then we will leave this forsaken place." I reassure her through the mindlink and watch the first tear slide down her cheek.

"Thank you, Alnilam. I love you."