Shadows of the Past
661 Words
The warehouse was eerily quiet, the dim glow of a single hanging bulb casting long, shifting shadows across the space. Carson was resting, his breathing uneven but steady. Killian leaned against a rusted workbench, rolling the tension out of his shoulders, while Rowan stood near the boarded-up window, staring out into the night as if expecting trouble at any moment.
She was right to be wary.
Killian sensed it before he heard it. A shift in the air, a disturbance in the silence. Then—a soft knock at the side door.
Rowan was already moving, her knife drawn. Killian followed, gun in hand, as she pressed her back to the door and whispered, "Who is it?"
A pause. Then a gravelly voice answered, "You called me."
Rowan hesitated for only a second before unlocking the door and pulling it open just enough to let the figure slip inside. He moved like a shadow—tall, cloaked, and carrying the scent of damp earth and old blood.
Killian's grip on his gun tightened. "Who the hell is this?"
Rowan exhaled. "This is Elias. He was once one of Lucian’s most trusted lieutenants. Now, he’s—well, complicated."
Elias pulled back his hood, revealing sharp, angular features and eyes that seemed to glow even in the dim light. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and there was something unsettling about the way he moved—too smooth, too calculated.
"I came because I owe you, Rowan," Elias said. His gaze flickered to Killian. "Not because I enjoy risking my neck for strangers."
Killian folded his arms. "Then why help us at all?"
Elias smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Because Lucian wants you dead. And anything that annoys Lucian is worth my time."
The tension in the room was palpable as Elias laid out what he knew.
"Lucian isn’t just hunting you for sport," Elias said, his voice a low rasp. "He’s after something. And I’m guessing you have no idea what it is."
Rowan stiffened. "If you know something, say it."
Elias chuckled darkly. "Typical Rowan. Always rushing ahead." He turned his gaze to Killian. "Your family name carries more weight than you realize."
Killian frowned. "What do you mean?"
Elias folded his arms. "The Kincaid bloodline isn’t just another name in the history books. Your ancestors were part of an ancient pact, one that kept werewolves in check long before Lucian took power. Lucian believes there’s something hidden in your past—a weapon, a secret, something that can either destroy him or make him unstoppable."
Killian felt the weight of those words settle in his chest. "And you believe this?"
Elias shrugged. "I believe Lucian wouldn’t go through this much trouble unless he was certain."
Rowan cursed under her breath. "Then we’re running out of time."
Killian pushed off the workbench. "What does Lucian think I have?"
Elias’ smirk returned. "That’s the fun part. Even he doesn’t know for sure. But he’s desperate to find out."
Carson groaned from the corner, shifting on the bench. Rowan moved to check on him, but Killian wasn’t done with Elias.
"Why are you really helping us?" Killian asked, stepping closer. "You were one of Lucian’s top men. People don’t just walk away from that."
Elias met his gaze, unblinking. "Let’s just say Lucian and I had a disagreement. I chose survival. He chose power. And now, he wants me dead almost as much as he wants you."
Killian studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But if you double-cross us—"
Elias grinned. "You’ll kill me? Get in line."
Rowan returned, her face set. "Enough. We have what we need. We move at dawn."
Killian glanced at Elias. "You coming with us?"
Elias chuckled. "I wouldn’t miss it."
As the warehouse settled into uneasy silence, Killian couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever was coming next would change everything.
And he wasn’t sure they were ready for it.
- Writer
