Her Immortal Mate (Brides of the Vrakken #3)

8. Mae

8

MAE

T he iron-rich scent of blood fills my nostrils as I press a cloth against a vrakken warrior's wound. His alabaster skin has turned an angry red around the gash, courtesy of a dark elf blade that caught him during the latest skirmish.

"Hold still." I dab at the edges of the cut. Even in the dim light of the tent, the wound glistens wetly.

Outside, voices rise in heated debate. The camp hasn't known peace since sunrise, when another search party returned empty-handed.

"The First wouldn't abandon us," a female voice cuts through the air. "She's being held captive. We need to mount a rescue?—"

"With what army?" Another voice interrupts. "Half our warriors are wounded, and the dark elves grow bolder by the day."

"Better to strike now," a deep voice rumbles. "While they think us weakened. Hit their settlements, burn them to ash—" I catalog that, not realizing that the dark elves were building settlements while we maintained our war camp.

"And expose ourselves to the sun? Brilliant strategy." I wince, knowing that's a sore subject. Some vrakken have no trouble and some manage to maintain a glamour.

My patient tenses under my hands as the argument outside intensifies. Through the tent's thin walls, shadows dance and weave as vrakken gesture wildly at each other.

"The new leadership is getting us nowhere," someone spits. "We need decisive action."

"They keep us alive," a woman's voice rings with authority. "Or have you forgotten how many we lost in the last foolish assault?"

"At least we were doing something instead of cowering in these woods like prey!"

"Enough!" A voice cuts through everything. "Your squabbling serves no one."

"Raina, surely you see?—"

"I see dissent weakening us further," she snarls. "The First's absence has fractured us, yes. But turning on each other? That's exactly what our enemies want."

I keep my head down, focusing on my work while trying to catch every word. The political drama unfolding around me could mean life or death for everyone in this camp – myself included.

The voices continue to rise and fall outside like waves breaking against rocks, each faction convinced their path is the only way forward. I finish binding my patient's wound, knowing there will be many more before this war is done.

I finish wrapping the last bandage and decide to take a break. Standing, I walk outside in time to see Eike moving through the gathered crowd, his massive wings folded tight against his back. The other vrakken part before him like water around a stone.

His silver eyes lock onto Brinda and Raziel, who must have just come up to deal with the commotion. I would have heard them otherwise. Brinda is pretty…firm in her leadership and wouldn't have let this carry on for so long.

"There's something in those caves." His German accent thickens with urgency. "A power I've only felt once before."

Brinda's fiery curls catch the dim light as she turns. "What kind of power?"

"It..." Eike's hands flex at his sides. "It sings. Like blood calling to blood. The magic pulses through the rock itself, different from anything on the surface. But it feels like the magic of the portal that brought us here."

"Where is this?" Brinda spreads her dark wings.

Eike gestures behind him. "In the cave system that branches east, one of the ones we investigated." I guess Brinda forgot to get a report given the attack that was underway when we got back. We're all just now catching our breath. "Not crystal, not quite. But it draws you in, makes you feel stronger."

Raziel's wings snap open, casting long shadows. "There's magic everywhere." His dark eyes narrow. "Why would we move to caves when it could end in us trapped during an ambush?"

"I think it's more than that." Eike's jaw tightens. "It could be a portal itself."

"Or it's a trap." Brinda paces, her movements fluid despite her agitation. "They could be herding us exactly where they want us."

"With respect," Eike's accent thickens further. "I think it should at least be investigated. Cave systems have been useful in wars where we come from, why not here?"

I keep quiet, but my mind races. As a climber, I've explored plenty of caves. I've even been here in this camp during the magical fights. Nothing felt like this cave when we went. But I don't weigh in. I doubt a human's opinion would help much.

"Your military experience means little here." One of the members of leadership sneers.

"Actually," Brinda holds up a hand, "tactical expertise is exactly what we need. The dark elves are pushing us into defensive positions. If there's even a chance of finding an advantage..."

"We don't have to take the whole camp," Raziel agrees. "We could just investigate."

They start to murmur among each other, talking of a small excursion group, of possibilities and reading the camp to split. It seems they've made their decision when Eike speaks again.

"I want Mae to come with us." His words snap their attention to me.

"A human?" Brinda scoffs. "For what?"

"She's a trained medic and an experienced climber. She helped me find the magic the first time." Eike stands straighter, wings rustling. "If anyone gets hurt down there, we'll need her skills. And she knows cave systems."

Brinda just stares at him.

"I'll take responsibility for her safety." Eike's tone brooks no argument.

Raziel runs a hand through his dark hair. "A small team then. Me, Brinda, Eike, Mae, and two guards. We move fast, stay quiet, and if anything feels wrong, we retreat immediately."

"Agreed." Brinda nods sharply. "We leave in an hour. Mae, gather whatever medical supplies you think we'll need."

The crowd disperses, leaving me standing next to Eike. His silver eyes meet mine. "Are you sure you want to take me?" I say quietly.

"I don't make decisions based on sentiment." His voice is gruff. "You're qualified. So you're going."

But I don't quite think that's the reason he refuses to leave me here at the camp.