Under the cloak of darkness, Gabriel, Fantine, Thorne, and Aria moved with calculated precision toward the Duval's house. Their resolve to rescue Ethan and Taran burned bright, igniting every step they took. Gabriel, a beacon of determination, led the way, his knowledge of the terrain guiding their path through the labyrinthine streets of Blackwood.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of town, Mara and the twins navigated the dense foliage of the forest, evading the watchful eyes of the guards. Doubt crept into the minds of one of the twins, a whisper of hesitation amidst the shadows. "This is too risky," they murmured, urging Mara to reconsider their perilous endeavor. But Mara's resolve remained unyielding. "We are already here," she declared, her voice echoing with determination. "There is no turning back now. We will leave this wretched town with my brother, no matter what it takes."
Cautiously, they pressed forward until they arrived at the very cottage Ethan had described. Their senses heightened, they caught the distinct scent of Taran, leading them to the cottage's backyard where Ethan awaited. With a knowing smile, Ethan produced a key from a jumble of keys, unlocking Taran's chains – pilfered from his father's quarters during a moment of distraction while he conversed with Celeste in the sitting room.
As Ethan's gaze met Mara's, a whirlwind of emotions surged within him, briefly immobilizing him with the intensity of his feelings. Never before had he experienced such sentiments towards another, yet he swiftly refocused on the task at hand. Though his heart yearned to linger on Mara's radiant visage, duty compelled him forward, guiding his actions with a resolute determination.
As the moon cast its silvery glow over the slumbering village, Isabella remained vigilant in the kitchen, her resolve steeled for the task ahead. With a glance to ensure her husband's deep slumber, she knew he posed the greatest obstacle to Ethan's rescue that night.
Amidst the quietude, as she tried to check Celeste's room, Isabella's ears caught the sound of Gabriel's familiar whistle – their prearranged signal. Stepping outside, she greeted Gabriel with a nod, her heart racing with anticipation. It was then that Isabella found herself face to face with a stranger – Gabriel's mother. A polite exchange of greetings followed, extended also to the two unfamiliar figures accompanying Gabriel.
Puzzled by their presence, Isabella's curiosity stirred until Gabriel, sensing her bewilderment, offered a gentle reminder. These were the guests staying in his house, and allies who were willing to help in their daring escape from Blackwood. Though Thorne and Aria were privy to the plan and their roles within it, an undeniable sense of displacement lingered, casting a shadow over their resolve.
Taran wasted no time, urgency lacing his words as he addressed the group. "We have to leave here now. Tonight is a full red moon," he declared, his voice edged with a sense of impending danger.
Mara nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and concern. "Yes, we know. That's one of the reasons why I wanted us to rescue you before it starts," she affirmed, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
As they moved swiftly through the backyard, Ethan leaned close to Mara, his voice a mere whisper in her ear. "You see, I am a man of my word," he murmured, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
Mara met his gaze, her expression guarded yet tinged with a hint of admiration. "You know this isn't over. We still have a long way to go," she reminded him, her tone conveying both caution and resolve.
A sudden influx of scents assaulted Ethan's senses, each one distinct and foreign. Amidst the familiar scent of his mother, Marcus and Celeste, he detected five unfamiliar odors lingering in the air. One scent, in particular, sent a shiver down his spine – the unmistakable tang of death, a smell he had never encountered before and he doesn't know where it is coming from.
Instinctively, Ethan scanned his surroundings, his gaze falling upon his mother and four strangers standing nearby. One of the strangers, a man cloaked in faded blue tunic , stood in close proximity to his mother, their connection palpable even from a distance. The other three –The first stranger, a middle-aged man cloaked in faded red and black, exuded an air of mystery. An older woman with piercing blue eyes, clad in a loose blue gown, and a young woman exuding confidence in a striking red blouse and blue petticoat – completed the enigmatic group.
Before Ethan could inquire about their identities, Celeste's voice pierced the air, her tone tinged with accusation. "Ethan, what are you doing? And who are these people?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with frustration.
Unfazed by his sister's reproach, Ethan met her gaze with unwavering determination. "Celeste, I'm doing what's right. I can't let Father carry out his plans against Taran," he asserted, his voice tinged with conviction.
From their neighbor's house, a voice pierced the tense air, accusing and incriminating. "I knew it, I knew you and that beast were planning something," it declared with a fervor that resonated with Ethan. He didn't need to lay eyes on the speaker to recognize the source; instead, his gaze sought out Marcus, standing alongside a peculiar man whose presence emitted the unmistakable scent of death.
"And what will you have me do, Marcus?" Ethan's voice, tinged with frustration, cut through the charged atmosphere. "Huh? You want me to look the other way as this poor man gets tortured to the point of death all because he isn't like you and I?"
As Ethan's words hung heavy in the air, Celeste felt a pang of remorse wash over her. She knew all too well the atrocities her father and the hunters were capable of doing to protect Blackwood, and the thought of condoning such cruelty weighed heavily on her conscience.
Marcus, undeterred, edged closer to his brother, his expression a mixture of defiance and concern. "But he tried to kill us, Ethan. You were there," he reminded him, his voice tinged with urgency.
Ethan met his brother's gaze with a steely resolve. "He has a home. Let him go home, and I promise he won't be a problem to us."
Before Marcus could voice another protest, Thorne interjected, his voice carrying a hint of amazement. "How noble of you, Lupus Dei," he continued. "If you can convince most of the world to at least share a fraction of your empathy, the world would be a better place."
Ethan furrowed his brow in confusion, his mind racing to make sense of the stranger's words. "What is this man saying? What the hell is a Lupus Dei?" he mused silently.