(Amaia)

Desperately I want to cling to Alnilam, let his strong arms comfort me. Both of us hold ourselves back, knowing they are watching our every move. The more they believe we are close the more they will try to hurt us.

The rage that is coursing through me thinking about what my brother said is making my body shake.

Alnilam has promised to help me find my brother, and we won’t leave him behind.

There is something different about Alnilam. His magic I can’t sense, maybe my own is resting and depleted. I can’t even see his hair and I have never seen him wear a bandana before.

Has he tied up his hair?

Then the thought of being separated from my mates and being held captive by the Dread Army descends on me. I know they were watching. They have seen that I am an Omnifae, the same kind who brought the apocalypse to this world before. No way they are going to let me walk away from here.

There must be chaos in their ranks.

"Did they speak to you about me..." I tentatively ask, staring at Alnilam.

He rubs the back of my hand with his palm, the effect so relaxing that I forget the world for a while.

"No one is taking you away from me, no one. Trust me on this." A gentle tranquil smile he offers, burying all my fears.

I trust him, I trust him with everything I possess.

I return his smile.

"What did Aziel whisper before you lost consciousness?" Alnilam asks.

My mind reels back to the moment and I remember at least most of it. I inform Alnilam.

"I see. It’s worse than I had feared. Now it’s proven that they are experimenting on people and turning them into monsters."

We are interrupted when Rahria, Kacir and Mintaka walk in.

"Hey! You are awake." Mintaka rushes over in relief and hugs me. His soothing scent mingles with Alnilam’s, bringing me relief.

"I am. Are you guys alright?" I ask, my gaze flipping from one companion to the other.

"We are." They reassuringly smile at me.

I miss seeing Alnitak and his radiant smile. He is the first one to embrace me.

Mintaka goes on to hug his brother. Alnilam thumps his back.

"I am extremely proud of all of you. The way you fought together like one unit instead of individuals. In my eyes, all of you are winners."

Kacir and Rahria thankfully nod at him but Mintaka appears grim.

"I am worried about Alnitak. He should have gained consciousness by now."

"Father is with him. He is taking him to Orion so our healers can examine him." Alnilam remains calm. Unlike us, he has nerves of steel and is trying to anchor us in this stormy situation.

"Let’s go to my room," Alnilam offers. Mintaka and Rahria help me out of bed.

He leads us to his room. Mintaka settles me in Alnilam’s bed and covers me with the blanket.

Once we are settled.

Alnilam opens the mindlink between us and we discuss our plan for the night and our escape plan.

There is a knock on the door. Mintaka answers it. A guard stands there wearing the uniform of the Kingdom of Saratopia.

He bows to Mintaka. "I am here to deliver this special medicinal concoction to Prince Alnilam from our King Xamian Wu."

Hearing his name Alnilam walks over and accepts the box he has brought.

"Pay my regards to King Xamian," Alnilam says in a strained voice.

He bows before leaving and Alnilam closes the door, bringing the box towards us. I wonder what the king has sent him.

Alnilam partially opens the lid of the silver square box, which is constructed from a fancy-looking material, and peeks inside.

The Mindlink opens. "There is a letter, I am sure he wants to give a message without anyone knowing. I am going to take it in the bathroom and read."

Then he speaks loudly. "Seems like he sent medicine for my headache. Let me apply and I will be back." He points towards his head.

Is that why he is wearing a bandana?

Does he have a real headache? I think it’s something else but I will wait until we get back to Orion.

We only nod, keeping passive expressions in case they have hidden cameras inside our rooms too or are listening through microphones which they probably are.

Alnilam takes the box and walks towards the bathroom and closes the door behind him.

"Does he have a headache?" Rahria questions and I quickly answer.

"Yes!"

Mintaka appears thoughtful of my answer but doesn’t ask further questions.

Alnilam emerges from the bathroom holding the box. He approaches his bag and pushes it inside before turning towards us.

A subtle expression he holds.

"I hope the medicine will help. I think I have a migraine."

But through the mindlink he reveals. "He has offered to lead us to Aziel and give us a quick exit after. There is a ring inside which will help us to open a portal to Orion."

"He wants to help us? I wonder why though," I curiously ask Alnilam.

"Not sure what his agenda is but maybe he will ask for a favour in future."

Alnilam is right. Nothing comes for free in this world.

Surprisingly we are served food. After eating we pack our bags and wait for the night to fall.

Mintaka combs and braids my long hair. My necklace is still with him and for now, I don’t want to wear it.

"Your hair is gorgeous. Everything about it is just so magical," Rahria can’t help but gush. She touches the pointed tips of my ears. I offer her a smile, letting her be intrigued.

Quietly, we leave our rooms. The guards posted outside are our own, so Alnilam hands them our bags. Moving forward we meet a few of Istrale’s.

"We are taking a tour of the academy and will be back in an hour," Alnilam informs them, showing them a piece of paper with Istrale’s royal stamp.

They nod and let us pass.

My heart remains heavy, distressed. The thoughts of my mates, the thoughts of my brother and people swirl in my mind. They keep me going.

Alnilam takes us to the rendezvous point King Xamian Wu has arranged with him.

The man stands there with two of his personal sentinels, exuding power and aura. But there is something melancholic about him, something I can’t place as his gaze remains fixed on me.

"King Xamian Wu!" Alnilam acknowledges him with a terse nod.

"Thank you for coming, I wasn’t sure you would because of earlier," he apologetically says to Alnilam. I don’t know what he is referring to.

"I am capable of handling you if you try something. Get to the point. Why are you trying to help us?" Alnilam dryly asks, standing in front of us like a shield.

A vulnerability passes on King’s face and he clicks his fingers. His sentinels bow and leave while a cyan shield surrounds us.

"No one can hear us now," he says, pointing to his shield.

His apologetic gaze finds me again. His lips slightly quiver, his hands fist as if restraining himself to hold back.

"I have guarded this secret my whole life. I am sharing it so you people can trust me. I have seen how you are like one family and deeply care for each other. So, that’s why I am going to tell you that..." Tears flicker in his distressed eyes and they remain fixed on me.

"I am Amaia and Aziel’s biological father."