Chapter 127
Aubrey
The Next Day
The sun is barely up when I wake to an empty bed, the sheets are cold on his side, so I know Soren never came to bed last night since his scent in the room is so faint. Soren never came back to dinner last night, and he didn’t return to bed. A gnawing worry settles in my stomach as I think about how strange he’s been acting since his meeting with the council yesterday.
I can’t help but wonder what was discussed in that meeting to make him so distant. The council has always been secretive, and their agendas often lead to decisions that impact. everyone in the community. Did they pressure him into something, or is there a new threat on the horizon that he’s struggling to handle on his own? Whatever it was, I can’t shake the feeling that it has something to do with the way he‘ s been avoiding me since.
Determined to find some answers, I head downstairs to the dining hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of Soren at breakfast. The room is bustling with the usual morning chatter, but his familiar presence is nowhere to be found. I approach Maribel, who is busy setting the table. When I ask about Soren, she looks concerned.
“He didn’t come to bed again last night?” she asks, and I shake my head.
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Chapter 127
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“I know he was in his office last night when I went to bed because I saw him then. Something must have come up,” she shrugs.
“I haven’t seen him this morning, though,” she adds, setting the last plate out just as Max bounces through the door excitedly.
“Can we play dragons and knights again?” Max asks and I smile, pulling his chair out.
“Maybe later, I need to find your father to speak with him,” I answer, watching his mood deflate like a balloon. “But we can play after that, I promise.” Max nods, his face lighting up again. I give him a quick hug before heading out of the room.
I make my way through the corridors, scanning for any sign of Soren. As I approach the entrance, I spot Gregor, one of the guards, standing at his post.
“Good morning, Gregor,” I greet him with a hopeful smile.
“Have you seen Soren?” Gregor nods, adjusting his stance. “He left early this morning with Damian. They seemed to be in a hurry, but he didn’t mention where they were headed.”
“Did he say when he’d be back?” I ask, trying to mask my
concern.
“No, ma’am, just that it was urgent,” Gregor replies, a hint of sympathy in his voice.
“Thank you,” I say, turning back towards the dining hall. As I enter, the aroma of fresh bread and warm porridge greets me, and I see Max waving excitedly for me to sit next to him at the table. I take a deep breath, determined to enjoy breakfast
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Chapter 127
with him despite worry gnawing at my mind.
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Soren
I’m standing beside Damian, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. The council’s summons felt urgent as Maverick called us to the beaches by the docks, and now I can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong. It took us three hours in the car before we arrived here. Pulling up in the parking lot the entire street is lined with onlookers. Police are everywhere trying to get rid of people when I realize it’s not just supernatural officials but human officials.
“What the heck is going on?” Damian murmurs as we climb out of the car. The two of us approach the beach, where officials are gathered near the water’s edge. The salty air fills my lungs, but it does nothing to quell the unease creeping into my chest when I see the huge shipping container that has washed onto the beach.
“There’s been a shipping container that washed ashore,” the member explains, his face pale. “We need you to take a look.”
I look at Damian confused, wondering why we would be called to check out a container.
“Washed up last night?” Damian asks, trying to gauge what is going on.
“Yeah. A storm hit last night, and this washed up. Some humans broke into it,” Maverick tells me, coming over to us.
