The sound of heels clicking on the floor was the only thing that could be heard as Lana walked down a dark tunnel. She came upon a steel door and took a deep breath before entering. She was greeted by the frantic beeping of machines, and she saw a man in a lab coat moving between the beds.
“Percy, what the hell is going on,” Lana asked as the werewolves began to writhe against the restraints on the bed.
“I don’t know,” he said, moving over to one of the screens, pushing buttons. “One minute they were fine and the next they’re like this.”
“Use your power and try to calm them,” Lana said, moving to one of the wolves.
“They’re too frantic,” Percy said. “I can't...I can't get past their fear. I can’t calm them down.”
Lana held one of the wolves who broke their restraints on the bed while using her powers to telepathically move a syringe to her hand. She used it and watched as the werewolf she was holding simmered down until he laid still on the bed. Percy quickly followed suit with the others until they were all still on their beds and the machine went back to its normal beeping.
“What the hell was that? That has never happened before.”
Percy shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been gone for months, Lana. How am I supposed to know?”
“Did Clary not fill you in?”
“Yes, but she didn’t say anything like this ever happened. What could be different now?”
“They’re here.” a voice rang from behind them, making Lana and Percy jump.
“Damnit, Malachi,” Lana growled. “How many times do I have to tell you to knock before you enter a room? Why is that such a hard concept to grasp for you?” Lana could feel her frustration getting the better of her.
“Sorry, Luna Lana,” Malachi said with no emotion. “I will do better next time.”
“You say that every time,” Lana huffed. “Forget it. Has everything been prepared for their arrival?”
“Almost. We had to prepare additional rooms...”
“What do you mean,” Lana asked with a bit of irritation. “How many rooms do three people need?”
“Three people and their bodyguards.”
“Bodyguards!” Lana didn’t remember saying they could bring additional people.
“Sorry Luna. I assume they were free to pass considering these circumstances. If I had known, I-”
“It’s fine,” Lana snapped before taking a few deep breaths and massaging the tension on her forehead. Isaiah and Zira were pressing her last nerves. First, demanding to be let in and now inviting more to come. She kept reminding herself to be a gracious host. They had what she needed after all. “It’s only natural they would want their own protection. What about everything else?”
“We’re still in the process of moving everything else here to the south wing. I’ve stationed two rounds of guards to patrol the area around the clock,” Malachi reported.
“Good and how long till they arrive?"
"They are a minute from the main house."
Lana started for the door. "Why wasn't I informed that they had passed the barrier? The longer it stays open, the more people are at risk."
"Your sister took care of it, Luna," Malachi responded, unperturbed by her outburst. “She insisted on giving them a tour.”
Lana sighed as she let the news sink in for a moment before composing herself. Her sister was harmless, but she was a bit of a blabber mouth. If there were any secrets worth holding, her sister wasn’t the one to keep them.
"Good. She will keep them occupied while you focus on moving everything to the lab. Don’t forget we have two more in the infirmary, so let’s be discreet when we move them. I want this done like yesterday, Malachi."
“Of course, Luna.”
Malachi shifted in the doorway as if he was waiting for something. He wasn’t the type to dolly when there was a task that needed to be done. She looked at him and saw him…thinking which was never a good thing.
"Anything else?"
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I don't understand why they're here if not to make trouble," he asked, "especially that she-wolf."
His words had a hint of malice in them. Lana almost smiled at it. She was told that he and his brother, Ekeizel, made a play at Zira during her heat. Ekeizel chalked it up to a learning experience, while Malachi ended up with a bruised ego.
"You don't have to understand it, Malachi. They are…honored guests and that's all you need to know. We are done here."
Malachi made a move to say something else but fought against it. He bowed and turned to leave.
“Oh, and Malachi, make sure that she-wolf stays in sight at all times,” Lana said before he went away.
Lana moved back to Percy, who was looking over one of the she-wolves. He checked her vitals and looked for any kind of wounds when he noticed a light coming from behind the girl’s shoulder. He turned her over and saw a symbol burn into the girl’s skin.
“Lana, look at this,” he said as Lana moved closer to inspect the wound.
There were two symbols carved into the girl’s skin but only one of the symbols shone bright. The shape looked so familiar to Lana, but she couldn’t quite place it.
“It looks like…”
“Arias’s crystal,” Percy finished for her. “Can’t be a coincidence this happens the moment they arrive here.”
“I was thinking the same. Can you make sense of it? Did you see anything during your travels?”
“There was a fountain we came across. I think I remember those symbols carved around it. Maybe the answer lies with the crystal Arias is wearing. You should let me talk to Zira and…”
“No,” Lana said, shaking her head. “The moment she finds out you lied about knowing us, we could lose ground and I need her on our side until we fix this.”
“It’s not like I was given a choice,” Percy said, with a hint of irritation. It was Lana’s wish for him to keep his identity a secret, saying it was the only way to gain Zira’s trust and protect the sanctity of the pack.
“Cheer up, Percy. After we open the book, you can show yourself as much as you want. Until then...” Lana said, waving her hand around, “...get comfortable.”
“I can’t stay down here forever, Lana. She’s going to wonder where I went.”
“Percy, she has a son and a mate to worry about. I’m sure you’re the last person she’ll ask about. Besides, I need you here and doing your job. We can’t lose any more people. Understood?”
Percy knew coming back was going to be a big risk, but he had to look at the big picture and remember why they were doing this in the first place. Though in the back of his mind, he would bet Zira would understand. Percy clenched his jaw and slightly nodded.
“Fine. Whatever you decide, we need to get it done fast. I’m positive we weren’t the only ones after it. I felt like we were being followed every step of the way until we made it to the Dragon’s Reign. We need to be more careful.”
"I know," Lana said, frowning at the news. She didn’t like too many outsiders in their business. Bad enough she had to focus on what was happening inside her pack, she didn’t have time to deal with outliers. "Councilman Faulkner and his goons will be making frequent visits now that Arias is coming here. So, I agree."
She walked over to one of the she-wolves and moved the dark curls that stuck to her face. She could feel the faint tingles moving through her fingertips. She used her powers to read her mind and she felt nothing. It was like this every time with every one of them.
“Don’t worry, Lily," Lana said, placing a kiss on the girl’s forehead. "This is going to be all over soon.”
Almost everything was coming together as planned and Lana couldn't afford a distraction.