45. Vericus

The way she fought, the way she moved was just as i remembered. She was a force on her own, I'm not even sure if I could beat her if it wasn't for the power I gain from my eyes. Malix had a way of getting through to her that none of us could ever hope to do. He really was Raines mate.

But where does that leave me? Rixs soul was inside her, I could feel her, sense her. She called out to me and it was driving me crazy hot being able to touch her. This was so confusing and hard to deal with.

Truth be told I was dreading tomorrow. I didn't know what was going to happen or how Raine would react to me being inside her mind. Clearly not good considering how she reacted. She's not weak she had yelled. No she isn't weak but it's likely that's what Driak had been telling her all her life. It filled me with dread if this is how Raine had turned out then did Rix suffer the same fate? It made me wonder if Rix had been the twin stolen at birth would I have been able to see what Malix did in Raine? Who could say for sure, not that it does any use thinking about that.

I had been trying to go to sleep for awhile now yet with everything going on it just wasn't happening. I sighed getting out of bed I went to the window. The moon was so bright it lite up the night sky and the grounds beneath. I sensed her approach even before she made it to the balcony.

She crunched on the stone wall her mask sat on her forehead her eyes staring into mine. The moonlight making her blond hair glow. Yes it was very hard to not see Rix when I looked at her. I sighed going to the door that lead to the balcony I approached her keeping my distance.

"You should be getting some sleep before tomorrow."

Her answer held no emotion.

"So should you."

Still keeping my distance I walked towards the stone railing resting my arms on it I stared out at the horizon.

"Why are you here Raine?"

She spun around still balancing on the wall dipping one leg over the edge the other bent she rested her arm on. Her gaze followed mine to the horizon. She didn't say anything at first likely whatever it was she was having a hard time stomaching it.

"I need a favour."

I chuckled turning to face her. She didn't return my gaze just continued to stare out at the sky.

"A favour huh? Let me guess it has to do with Malix?"

She inclined her head still avoid my gaze.

"I need you to use your power as a king should there come a point where Rix can't be saved."

I was confused. My power as a king what did she mean.

"I don't understand."

Finally she turned to face me the look in her eyes held so much anguish I couldn't look away.

"If there's no hope for her, no way of extracting her from my mind without killing her.... Ill sacrifice my soul for hers."

My eyes widened in shock. Did I really hear what I thought I did? Was she really willing to let Rix keep her body? Was Raine really the type of person to give her own life for that of another?

"You do realise what your saying right?"

She didn't move didn't answer. This must be the hardest thing she has ever had to do. It was not a decision taken lightly. Yet here she was offering herself for her twin.

"I have a feeling it's something I had decided the moment I threw that knife into her back. Even if it wasn't I have spent a life time killing others. Taking the lives of innocents if there's even a chance that I'm able to bring one of those innocents back I'll do it even at the cost of my own life."

"Raine-"

"I'll do it I swear to you now I will give Rix back the life she deserves but you must promise me. Promise that you will use your power as a king to order Malix to find another. You have the power to help him be happy. The power to make him forget about me. I know I don't deserve to ask this of you after what I have taken but it's not for me. I ask this for him I don't want to leave him alone. He deserves more then a monster like me. He deserves a mate that he can be proud of. A mate that he can lead his pack with. I ask this of you king Vericus I will give you your mate even if you say no I just hope that you will honour my request for his sake if not for mine."

"You speak as if you've already given up your life."

She smiled sadly showing her eyes glazing over but no tears fell.

"We both know there is no other way. Her body is gone whether you had it burnt or the force of nature has reduced it to rot either way there is nothing for her soul to go back to. We can dream all we want but it won't change the out come."

I stared at her. The determination in her request, the dedication to her mate. She was definitely one of a kind.

"You would have made a great alpha Raine."

She chuckled for real this time. I knew she thought my words ridiculous but they were honest. If she had been raised by her birth pack she would have been heir to the silver moon pack.

"I'll play along for Malixs sake and I'll help you with Driak but once this is over I trust you to do what needs to be done."

Before I could answer she was gone. Her agile figure bounding across the grass back to her mate who awaited her return oblivious of what Raine had planned.

What was the right thing to do here? Would Rix be ok with letting Raine give up her body so she could live? Not to mention Malix. She wanted me to make him forget. I don't know what would be worse loosening your mate or never knowing she existed. Could I really do that to him?

I growled to myself there was still time. Maybe there was another way. I shouldn't think about this right now. I needed to concentrate for tomorrow. One wrong move inside her mind and I could wipe her memories all over again. I sighed I needed to sleep. Returning inside I lay down closing my eyes I forced myself to sleep.

"Vericus...."

My eyes felt heavy with sleep as I opened them. Owen stood above my bed his blue eyes looking down on me.

"What time is it?"

"Six am."

I groaned. Great four hours sleep. I started to sit up grabbing the coffee Owen held out for me.

"Thanks."

He dipped his head leaning back against the wall beside the window. His gaze looked out at the balcony.

"I saw you had a visitor last night. Anything I need to worry about?"

I stared at him. Of course he saw her. I swear he didn't sleep. I don't know how he managed. I thought about not telling him but as Raines uncle he had a right to know.

"Raine plans on sacrificing her soul for Rix. She asked that I take Malixs memories of her when she does."

Owens head snapped around to met mine a troubled look in his eyes. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Either way you look at it he would be loosing a niece.

"Are you going to let her?"

"I honestly don't know."

Owen watched me as I finished my coffee and started toward the shower.

"When?"

I paused looking over my shoulder.

"Once Driak is gone."

I left him alone closing the door behind me. I know how he feels because I felt it too. Maybe not in the same way but it can't be easy for him. Both Raine and Rix were the last remaining members of his pack and his family. The real question was do I tell Malix?

I stood before the mirror red eyes stared back at me. The red eyed king is meant to bring the races together. Keep everyone safe. How was I to do that for Raine and Rix? I growled in frustration. All this power surely there was something I could do? I sighed turning away from the mirror and continued getting ready for what was sure to be one of the toughest days for all of us.

The dining room was packed when I went downstairs. It felt like so long since I'd had a meal with the pack. Ty up to his same antics went to reach for the last piece of steak before I slapped his hand.

"Fuck off Ty you've already had three."

"Awe come on Ver I got sent on a wild goose chase the least you could do is let me eat as much as I want."

I groaned.

"Suck it up princess I know you probably raided the kitchen the second you got back."

He pouted like a child making Cora laugh as she threw a bread roll at him.

"Told you he wouldn't cave pay up pooch."

Ty grumbled under his breath but handed over a ten dollar bill. I scowled at both of them.

"I don't know how I feel about being the butt end of a bet."

The whole table laughed at this making the atmosphere almost what it used to be before everything happened. It had been so long since we had just enjoyed being together as a pack. If made me happy that we could still joke and play around even with all the bad that was currently going on. It didn't last long however as I heard the front door open. Just like last night I sensed her before she even got to the house.

I expected her to follow the noise to the dining room however her footsteps made a beeline for the office instead. Malix who was with her headed towards us without her. When he opened the door all eyes turned to face him. Ty being Ty always the loud one tapped the seat beside him.

"Malix! Come sit have some food."

"Yeah right Ty you've already ate most of it you pig."

Laughter filled the room at Cora's comment. Malix smiled but shook his head.

"I'll have to pass but thanks anyway. Bree asked me to remind you about tonight though."

I raised an eyebrow at Ty curious.

"Don't tell me he's started on your females?"

Before Malix could answer Ty's big mouth piped up.

"Why Ver you wound me."

This time I threw a bread roll at him which only made him laugh harder. Malix was the one to shed some light on Ty's escapades.

"It's not like that, Ty's participating in the lycan fights tonight."

Slo had told me that the Lycans fight each other every night to keep their skills sharp. It didn't surprise me that Ty had put his hand up to join in. That sort of ego trip was right up his ally. Let him have his fun if the Lycans had excepted him then it would only help our relationship between the normally isolated Lycans.

I glanced at Owen silently telling him it was time. Standing up I thank Cora as I passed her knowing she helped clear the table. Owen stood seconds after both of us following Malix out. I had already told Slo I'd leave the pack to him while I was dealing with Raine. I could tell he was worried but he simply nodded and said he'd handle it.

When we ravaged the office Raine was seated in the alcove of the window staring out lost in thought. It wasn't til Malix touched her arm that she turned around. Her eyes briefly meeting mine that forever present mask sitting on her head.

"Are you ready?"

She dipped her head once in answer.

"Follow me then we'll have to do this downstairs it's the only place in the house with the space we need. Plus I'd rather not risk anyone disturbing us while I'm in your mind."

She grabbed Malixs hand and followed us down to the basement. Owen had set up a table with make shift restraints to hold her down. The second Raine saw the table she steeled her shoulders and took a deep breath. I could hear her heart beat faster but she was trying hard not to let her fear show.

I left Owen at the door so that no one would enter while the three of us approached the table.

"It's not going to be very comfortable but it was the best we could come up with on short notice."

"I doubt I'd be comfortable with anything you use to hold me down so don't worry about it."

She pulled off her weapons and put them down far away from the table. Then she climbed up and lay down on her back. I moved forward to tie her hands and legs but her heart started to beat faster. Malix put a hand on my shoulder.

"I'll do it."

The second the words were out of his mouth her heart started to slow back down and her breathing returned to normal. I nodded and stayed back while he tied the restraints around her limbs. When he was done she tested their strength. Then nodded towards me. Her voice was spoken through gritted teeth.

"Let's get this over with."

I approached til I stood behind her head. Malix stayed by her side his hand in hers as she squeezed him tight. Raising my hands til they rested on either side of her face. I was about to close my eyes and begin when Raine stopped me.

"Wait!"

Her eyes went to Malix without her having to say anything he pulled down her mask so that it covered her face. Once in place she took a deep breath.

"I'm ready."

I put my hands back and closed my eyes. I channeled my power into Raine. It was kind of like using the mind link except instead of just projecting my voice I projected my mind into hers.

Entering someone's mind was never easy, the mind was full of so much information unless you know what your doing you could spend weeks digging around and find nothing useful.

My power was the only thing that allowed me the ability to do this without being taught how. Almost on instinct I found the area where her memories were held. I felt resistance as she subconsciously fought against me.

'Raine calm down I promise I won't hurt you.'

She eased off at my voice whether it was the fact that she was starting to trust me or if it was Rixs influence I'd didn't know.

Once inside her memories I used my powers to find the last moments of Rixs death. I had to be quick I didn't know how long I could be in here before Raine started resisting again. I could feel her start tremble beneath my fingers the closer I got. I tried so hard not to intrude on her other memories, tried to respect her privacy but some of it leaked through.

Scenes of blood and carnage, torture and experiments. With each memory that leaked through the more she fought against me. I had to pure more of my power into her mind which only increased her impulse to fight.

I had to hurry it thing kept going like this I'd have to stop and i even surprised my self at how much I really didn't want to have to do this to her a second time. I began to sift through her memories so fast I almost missed it. The only thing that saved me was the sound of Rixs voice.

I poured my power into Raine isolating the memory, there was I heavy barrier shrouding it. A barrier that had a burning feel to it. Something that definitely didn't come from Raine. It had to be Driaks handy work I was sure of it. Whatever was in that memory Driak did not want it to get out.

I applied pressure against the barrier but it didn't budge. This wasn't going to be easy to break it I'm going to have to use my eyes.

'Raine I'm sorry but to do this I'm going to have to use the power in my eyes. When I say go open your eyes.'

Instead of answering through the mindlink I felt her nod beneath my fingers. Taking a breath i Leaned forward. Sensing where her eyes were I poured all of my power into my eyes.

"Malix take her mask off."

I felt Malixs hand reach between us and remove her mask.

'Ok Raine now open!'

At the same time we opened our eyes. I red glow brightened the space between us. Raine screamed as the barrier shattered but before I could look to see inside something forced me out of her mind knocking me back against the bars of the cage. Raine snapped all four restraints at once ripping her hand from Malix as she flipped of the table. She leapt at me her canines and claws ready to attack.

"RAINE NO!"

Malix was to slow to stop her as she landed on top of me. Her teeth digging into my neck and her claws piercing my side. Being thrown out of her mind made me disoriented that not even I could stop her. Malix grabbed her around the waist pulled her off me. She was like a wild beast intent on killing me.

Owen rushed through the door the sound of Raines growls alerting him as he leapt down the stairs towards us.

"Get Ver out of here!"

I still couldn't move couldn't speak my vision was blurry for using too much of my power. The glow in my eyes faded as Owen put pressure on my wounds. I heard footsteps rush towards us as Slo and Ty charged into the room. Raine was still struggling in Malixs arms.

"Put her in the cage quick!"

The second Slos words were out of his mouth Raine snapped further. She twisted In Malixs arms pulling the hunting knife from his leg she sliced upwards blood gushed from his chest loosening his grip. Using the last of my strength I found my voice.

"Don't stop her she'll only kill you!"

The second she was free from Malixs arms she burst into wolf form and ran up the stairs. A crash sounded second later as she burst through the back door.

Everyone left behind stood stunned in the wake of what had happened. It wasn't til Malix coughed up blood, the sound spurring us into action. I pushed Owen towards Malix.

"Help him first I'll be fine."

I almost fell back to the ground but Slo took Owens place throwing my arm around his shoulders. I watched as Owen worked on Malix.

"His lungs collapsed Ty grab my bag!"

Ty rushed to grab Owens medical bag quickly handing it to Owen. I couldn't see what they were doing but I'd seen enough movies to know he was inserting a tube into his lungs to inflate it once more. I could feel my legs getting heavy as I leaned more and more on Slo. It wasn't long before my eyes started getting blurry again.

"Ver?"

His voice sounded like it was underwater my head dropped and my eyes closed. My body became limp. The last thing I remember was dropping to the floor Slo not quick enough to catch me. The darkness set in and my mind went blank as I passed out.