When fate and worlds collide

17 | Safe Haven

“What do we have here?” The familiar voice cut clean through the noise, and despite myself, I smiled. A young man vaulted up onto the crates, boots thudding as he looked down over the group like a king surveying peasants. “A large delivery of demon fodder!” he announced grandly, spreading his arms. “How generous.” A few people recoiled, fear flashing across their faces. They didn’t know him. Didn’t know the theatrics were deliberate. Or that the sarcasm was armor.

His gaze found me instantly, his grin sharpening. “And look what the Ferals dragged in.” He hopped down and sauntered toward me like he was walking onto a stage. I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“Are you in charge here?” Jax asked, stepping forward, wary but controlled. I raised an eyebrow at the young soldier.

“Me? Oh no, my dear sir.” He gave a dramatic bow. “Name’s Xavier. First General of this fine establishment, and Beta to our Alpha Liam.” He swept an arm wide toward the Tower looming above us. “We serve the Tower, and in return, it keeps us alive. Fair trade.”

He was always dramatic like this. Exhausting.

“When will we meet whoever is in charge?” Glen pressed, moving closer. “We’ve come a long way. Our children were transported here.” Xavier’s eyes flicked over Glen, slow and assessing. He raised an eyebrow in my direction, then flashed Glen a smile that had more devil than kindness in it.

“All in good time, my friend.” He turned and climbed back onto the crates. I could feel Jax staring at me now, the weight of his gaze almost physical. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already figured it out. The crowd started to stir.

“I want to see my child!”

“Please—where are the children?”

“Where’s my baby?”

The shouts overlapped, raw and desperate. The promise of seeing their children safe had been the thin thread holding most of them together. I scanned the courtyard instinctively, searching for the familiar presence of our Alpha.

Nothing.

I reached out with my power—again, nothing. Of course. I tilted my head back and sighed. I hated this part.

“Aiyanna?” Xavier held out his hand to me. I glared at him for a heartbeat longer than necessary, then stepped forward. The murmurs rippled immediately as I took my place beside him. This was the moment I’d been dreading since Glen re-entered my life. Normally, Alpha Liam’s absence would’ve had me taking over without a second thought. Today, I wished he’d show up and spare me the trouble, just once. I looked out over the group—faces lit with relief, hope, fragile anticipation.

“My name is Aiyanna,” I spoke evenly. “As you know, I am an Aura. This—” I gestured upward, toward the Tower rising above us. “is the Tower. The haven you’ve been searching for.” The space quieted. “It was built over time by people like you. People who refused to die quietly. Who chose to build instead where we can not only survive, but live.” I paused. “We’ve stood without breach for almost two years.”

A stunned hush fell over them, followed by a wave of murmurs.

Two years.

In a world where most safe places barely lasted months, it might as well have been a miracle.

Jax turned slowly, taking it all in. Worry warred with awe on his face, but the relief in his eyes was unmistakable—and irritatingly contagious. I felt it settle heavy in my chest before I could stop it. Glen, of course, pushed his way to the front. His brows knitted together, mouth already shaping the question before he spoke.

“Why haven’t we seen your face?” A few others shifted, their gazes bouncing between us, the same thought flickering behind their eyes. Jax snapped his head toward Glen, anger flashing. “I kept quiet the entire time, because I was afraid if I said anything sooner, you’d abandon us.” he added sharply, My lip twitched and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Not exactly the best way to thank someone for saving you and your group,” Xavier cut in loudly, shifting the rifle on his shoulder. “Or your children.” Glen’s eyes flicked to the weapon, cautious now. “Be grateful she cared enough to bring you back herself,” Xavier continued. “Our rules are clear. We don’t risk lives for strangers outside the Tower. At most, we give directions. That’s it.”

The shock on Glen’s face was deeply satisfying. Xavier glanced at me. “Lucky for you, Aiyanna doesn’t have much respect for rules.” A beat. “Or a stellar reputation with people.” I turned back to the group before this little circus went any further.

“We provide food, shelter, medical care, and training to anyone who seeks it,” I said evenly. “Here, we don’t just survive—we thrive.” I let my gaze sweep over them: fear-struck, exhausted, still standing. “Each year we grow stronger, bigger and more resilient. We’ve achieve this by working together. As a team. As a family.” Xavier leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“Great speech.”

“I shouldn’t be the one giving it,” I muttered.

He grinned. “Sour about taking the lead for once?” I glared sideways at him.

“Shut it, Xavier.”

His smile didn’t fade. “You were gone longer than planned. Your son was determined to come looking for you.” My head snapped toward him. “Relax,” he added quickly. “I talked him out of it. But you know how he gets when you’re gone too long.” A sharp sting of guilt punched into my chest. Fourteen years old and already more stubborn—and protective—than most grown soldiers.

“Where’s Liam?” I asked, irritation bleeding through. “He should be handling this, not me. I haven’t even assessed them yet.”

Xavier tilted his chin upward. “Meetings. All day. No one’s seen him.” A pause. “Though I did hear he’s been cursing your name nonstop. Something about not following orders. Again.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes this time. If Liam had his way, I’d be chained to the Tower wall—allowed out only under heavy supervision. Preferably never.

I turned back to the group, opening my mouth to continue when the alarm blared overhead, ripping through the courtyard and rattling the air itself. The Tower erupted into motion—shouted commands, boots pounding stone, weapons being drawn.

I spun toward Xavier, frowning. “Ferals don’t attack this late. Nightmares would tear them apart.”

“While you were gone,” he said grimly, “we had two attacks at opposite ends of the wall. Small groups. Too big to be scouts, too small to survive a Nightmare.” He paused. “It felt like they were testing our boundaries. They’ve never done that before.” My jaw tightened.

“We need these people inside—now. Quarantine level,” I barked at a passing soldier. I shoved two fingers into my mouth and let out a sharp, piercing whistle, my voice cutting clean through the chaos.

“Alright, listen up!” Every eye snapped to me. “You have two choices. First—” I pointed to a petite woman waiting nearby. “Follow Krysten. She’ll take you to quarantine. This is standard procedure and non-negotiable. Your children will be waiting for you there.”

Relief rippled through the group.

“Second,” I continued, gesturing to the man who’d stepped forward on my right, “you follow Brian, take up arms, and help defend the wall with the rest of us.” I jumped down from the crates without waiting for a response. They’d be herded to quarantine either way.

I didn’t have time to coddle fear or manage feelings. We all had work to do. And if our Alpha had decided to vanish when he was needed most, then I’d handle it myself. Again.

Xavier caught my arm just as Glen started forcing his way toward me. I twisted free immediately, ignoring the brief flash of hurt on his face. I’d been masking my power ever since we crossed back into range. If Xavier—or worse, Liam—felt how close I’d come to losing control, they’d lose their minds. And then I’d be sidelined. Chained to safety like a dog.

“Aiya,” Xavier began quietly, keeping his voice low. “I heard about the portal. The woman’s under guard in quarantine. Are you going to be okay?” I scanned the courtyard instead of answering. Soldiers were moving into position. A few of the men from the new group were already being armed and sent toward the wall. “At least let me pass you some energy,” he added, reaching for my hand.

I stepped back on instinct.

If he touched me now, he’d feel everything—two days of strain, the near-collapse, how close I’d come to tearing myself and half the block apart. And that knowledge wouldn’t stop with him. Liam would know within seconds. Then I’d be grounded when I was needed most; Defending the Tower.

“I’m not risking your focus on me,” I replied flatly. “There are plenty of Auras here to help carry the load.” Xavier pressed his lips together, giving me a look. We both knew the truth—none of them came close to my capacity. “And besides,” I continued, lowering my voice, “I need to figure out why the Ferals changed tactics. This isn’t normal behavior. A behavior which started after I rescued those two men and their group.” My gaze flicked to Glen, still fighting his way through the chaos toward us. “That’s not a coincidence,” I murmured. “Which makes me wonder if leaving them to die would’ve been the smarter call.”