Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Zaira's POV

My bare feet touched the damp jungle floor and padded beside Arami's silent footsteps. We were just stepping away from the common area and on our way to our guest room. The evening had been absolutely fantastic! I still felt Arami's hands on my body, guiding me through the dance. I had forgotten everything around us, the world had stopped and nothing else interested me. Serdas and the danger that threatened from him had played no role. It was just me and Aramis, happy.

"Thank you for this nice evening, I had a lot of fun!", it was the best evening I've ever had.

He smiled slightly. "Yes, the Gis know how to party."

It sounded like he had experienced this several times before. "Does that mean you've been to a party like this before?"

"Yes. We actually spent more time with the tribe of Reah than we did with the Moonwater pack, the pack of Xenos and Leav."

He saw my amazement.

"You have to know, in the past the gis and the werewolves weren't separate like they are today. Of course they had their own tribes and packs, but their territories were all adjacent, no matter what race you were. So it was not uncommon to be friends with the neighbors. You would have liked it."

I ventured forward and wrapped my hand around his. "Yes I believe that too."

"Just wait until we reach the god's palace. Once we get to Reah and she shows you how to use the Omorphies, we'll go straight there. You will love it."

The Palace of the Gods. I had never dared to dream of ever entering the realm of the gods, not even in my wildest dreams. I knew the reason we had to go there was tragic. It was very bad for the goddesses and if they didn't wake up soon, the world would fall into the hands of a tyrant. I looked up at him. "It's not going to be easy, is it?"

"Healing Gaia and Luna?" he asked and I nodded. "No, it won't. But I'll be by your side every step of the way, you don't have to do this alone."

A load I hadn't realized until then fell off my shoulders and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you think Reah will be able to teach me everything?"

He was silent for a moment, thinking. "She is the oldest and strongest Gi I know. If anyone can, it's her."

"Calvius!" we both turned around.

"Calvius my friend!" Honaw huffed, visibly out of breath. "I have news, news that might interest you!"

The chief waved him over and gestured for Aramis to come over. He probably didn't want to take any more steps. The rider, who came to a halt beside the chief, swung off his horse and landed gracefully on the ground, bow and quiver on his back unmoved.

"Go ahead, I'll be right behind you." Aramis said to me and then turned to Honaw. I wanted to contradict him at first, my curiosity was too great to retreat to the guest room now. but the look the chief gave me stopped me, it was clear he didn't want me there.

"You get used to it. Father mean only men have the right to be in important conversations.", I heard the bitterness in Arya's voice. She emerged from the jungle and dived into the light of the torches. Where was she then?

"Believe me, I know men like that all too well," I said, pressing my lips together. Alpha Blake appeared in front of my eyes and I tried with all my strength to block him out. He had no control over me, he was dead .

Arya looked at me for a moment, studying me. "You know, I misjudged you. I think you're weak, unable to take care of yourself." Arya was a stranger to me, I had nothing to do with her and yet, I felt a pang in my heart. She hit my sore spot exactly. "But I'm wrong . You not be what I think. Now I know you have great strength and will in you. I look into your eyes."

I shook my head, trying to understand what she had just said to me. The tough, mysterious, mouth-watering Arya had just told me I was strong. I heard that for the very first time. I would never have associated myself with that word and I still don't. But the corners of my mouth turned up as if by themselves. "Thank you Arya."

She just shrugged and looked away, as if she felt uncomfortable being so honest. "Go to the hut, it's going to be a cold night today." With that she straightened her bow and disappeared into the jungle again.

I watched her go for a moment, then decided to take her words to heart and headed to the guest room. The torches flickered violently in the wind, lighting my way. A foul smell filled the air and I wrinkled my nose.

Where did that horrible smell come from?

I smelled the air again. It came from the jungle. My steps quickened, hoping that if I got far enough away the scent might no longer be detectable.

The drums of the festival continued to beat in the night, as did the merry singing of the gis dancing around the fire. I secretly hoped that Aramis would take me to another Gis festival. Their hospitality may have been limited, but otherwise they were a very sociable people. And I really wanted to be close to Aramis and dance with him one more time.

A clearing of my throat stopped me and I listened. I turned after the sound and scanned the area. Then I spotted a figure lying on the ground in the shadows next to the wall of the house.

The figure moaned and it sounded like it was in excruciating pain. Without thinking who it was, I rushed over. I gasped when I saw who was lying motionless on the floor.

His otherwise brown skin was ashen and his body looked more dead than alive.

"What happened? What's wrong with you?” I asked Cha'tima desperately, gently touching his forehead trying to tell if he had a fever. I pulled my hand back with a hiss. He was freezing.

His eyelashes flickered and he moaned again. "Hurts."

"Where? Tell me where it hurts." I urged, trying to figure out how bad it was. Frantically his body searched for a wound or any other reason where and why something was causing him such torment.

"Everywhere," he ground out through clenched teeth. His hand was shaking badly as he lifted it and placed it on his heart. "Here."

My thoughts raced in my head as the seconds ticked by. I knew how to deal with a flesh wound, could help him with a broken hand or leg, but he looked like it was none of that.

"Internal bleeding?"

He shook his head weakly. "S-you took everything from me."

I looked at his face, which was contorted with pain, without understanding. "What do you mean by that?"

"They came a-and...", he faltered and his breath rattled in his throat. His dark eyes looked at me suffering. "It hurts so much.."

"I'm going to get someone. Hang in there, I'll hurry, I promise!" I was about to get up when his hand lashed out and gripped me in an iron grip. His sharp nails dug into my skin.

"You here!" Wild, almost mad eyes start at me. "You come!"

"Let go of me!" I flinched and tried to snatch my arm away from him. "I have to get help!"

But he didn't let me go. "W-warn her! They are here, all of them!"

“Who?"

"The DD..." Cha'tima tried to get the words out, but he was too weak. His hand went limp and his eyes drooped.

"Hey!" I rushed over to him, shaking his shoulders violently. "Wake up!"

But his eyes stayed closed and his head lay dormant on the floor. Sweat pooled on my forehead and I was breathing rapidly. I checked his neck for his pulse, but couldn't find it.

"Help!" I yelled shrilly. "We need help!"

My hands continued to scour the back of his neck when I finally found him. His pulse beat infinitely slowly.

My shoulders sagged with relief. "Thanks!" I whispered, placing my hands on his chest.

"1..., 2..., 3..., 4..., 5...," I pushed his chest down in steady thrusts.

"Come on!" I stared at his face, hoping he would open his eyes, but nothing happened, his eyelids stayed closed. I ignored the tears streaming down and continued my massage undeterred wake up!", I was shaking all over. Please , I threw my head back and stared up at the sky with a veiled vision. Oh ye gods, please don't let him die!

It felt like my heart was glowing in the sunlight. It radiated deep warmth inside me, let this light flow directly into my veins and filled my whole body with an intoxicating feeling. The flow of light reached my hands, which had not left the warrior's chest, and warmed my palms. I bowed my head and looked at the golden glow surrounding my hands. I wanted to pull them away, take a closer look, but they didn't move. The golden glow flowed directly into the Gi's body, illuminating the spot where his heart was located. A colder, oppressive shiver crept through my bones, and I saw a black stream of mist find its way from Cha'tima's heart into my hands. My bright energy flow flickered slightly, but then it lit up even more and Cha'tima's hand twitched. I understood. I sucked the sickness out of him, I healed him with my light.

But I also understood that if the hurt is too great, the darkness will destroy my light and me with it. Despite everything I did not try to break the connection. He needed my help and I could give it to him.

I closed my eyes, instinctively increasing the healing burst and sucking in the dark energy. A jerk went through my palms and he breathed in rattling.

"Breathe, please breathe!" I begged, bending over him.

His chest rose and fell slowly at first, but then faster and more regularly. His eyes opened.

"Exactly, yes exactly breathe!", I smiled shakily and a tear fell on his bare chest.

When he recovered, I helped him sit up. Exhausted, he leaned against the wall of the house.

"What's happening?" He looked at me distractedly.

I bit my lip as Arami's words came to mind. Healer werewolves were hunted and killed for their abilities. I'd better keep that knowledge to myself. So I lied, "I don't know, I found you so down."

He nodded hesitantly and sighed. "Man, I feel like shit!"

"You should lie down and rest. I'll take you to your house and then I'll get someone who can take care of you.", I didn't wait for his answer, but grabbed his shoulder and hoisted him up. Only thanks to his help, we managed to and moving slowly. He steered me through the village straight to his house. There I put him in his bed and tucked him in and although I was in the territory of a dominant being I didn't feel threatened or uncomfortable. I went completely inside my role as omega wolf, caring was my job, my nature, it made me happy.

"Who should I get?"

He pulled the covers closer. "Call Rowtag."

"I will." I turned and was about to close the door when he stopped me.

"Thanks Sarah."

"You're welcome," smiling, I closed the door quietly behind me and set out to find Rowtag. For the first time in my life, I no longer felt useless or pathetic, but instead felt valuable.