Chapter 5 Allies of the Hidden Clans

Eira's legs burned as she sprinted through the dense forest, Jonah struggling to keep pace behind her. The howls of the Veil Keepers echoed in the distance, a haunting reminder that they weren't far behind.

"Faster, Jonah!" she urged, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.

"I'm... trying!" Jonah gasped, stumbling over a tree root.

Ahead of them, Draven emerged from the shadows, blood staining his clothes but his movements still sharp and controlled. He clutched his sword tightly, the blade glinting faintly in the moonlight.

"Keep moving!" he barked, gesturing toward a narrow path that twisted deeper into the forest.

"They're everywhere," Eira said, her voice laced with panic.

"They won't follow us much farther," Draven assured her. "We're heading toward neutral territory."

Eira's brow furrowed. "Neutral territory?"

"No time to explain," Draven snapped, ushering them forward.

The forest began to thin as they climbed a rocky incline, the air growing colder with each step. The sound of rushing water reached their ears, and soon they found themselves standing before a massive waterfall that cascaded into a deep, misty pool.

"This way," Draven said, leading them toward a hidden crevice behind the waterfall.

Eira hesitated, glancing back at the forest. "How can you be sure they won't find us here?"

Draven turned to face her, his expression grim. "Because the Veil Keepers aren't stupid enough to cross into hybrid territory."

The weight of his words settled heavily in the air.

"Hybrid territory?" Jonah whispered, his eyes wide.

Draven nodded. "This is one of the last refuges for hybrids-wolves, vampires, and those like you, Eira. If we're lucky, they'll take us in."

"Lucky?" Eira echoed, her voice skeptical.

"They're not exactly known for trusting outsiders," Draven admitted. "But we don't have a choice."

With that, he stepped into the crevice, disappearing into the darkness.

Eira and Jonah exchanged a nervous glance before following.

---

The passage behind the waterfall was narrow and damp, the air thick with the scent of moss and stone. They walked in silence, the faint sound of the waterfall growing fainter with each step.

Finally, the tunnel opened into a sprawling cavern bathed in an otherworldly glow. Bioluminescent plants lined the walls, casting eerie shadows on the ground. In the center of the cavern stood a gathering of figures-wolves in their humanoid forms, vampires with eyes that glinted like rubies, and hybrids whose appearances were a blend of both.

As the trio stepped into the cavern, all eyes turned to them.

"Who dares trespass on hybrid land?" a deep voice boomed.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped forward, his presence commanding. His eyes shifted between gold and crimson, marking him as a hybrid.

"We seek refuge," Draven said, stepping forward.

The man's gaze narrowed. "Refuge? From what?"

"The Veil Keepers," Draven replied.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

The man's expression darkened. "You brought them here?"

"They were already coming," Draven said firmly. "And they'll wipe out everything in their path unless we stand together."

The hybrid leader studied Draven for a long moment before shifting his attention to Eira.

"And what are you?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Eira straightened, meeting his gaze. "I'm Eira. Half-wolf, half-vampire."

Another murmur spread through the crowd, this one laced with unease.

"A hybrid of both bloodlines?" the leader said, his tone unreadable. "That's rare-and dangerous."

"I didn't ask for this," Eira said, her voice firm. "But I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to survive."

The leader tilted his head, his sharp gaze probing. Finally, he nodded.

"You have courage, at least," he said. "My name is Kael. I lead this pack, and my word is law here."

Kael gestured toward a group of hybrids standing off to the side. "Take them to the sanctuary. Feed them, clothe them, and ensure they're rested. But keep an eye on them."

Eira bristled at the implication but held her tongue.

Kael's eyes met Draven's. "You have until dawn to prove you're not a threat. If you are, you won't live to see another moon."

Draven inclined his head. "Fair enough."

---

The sanctuary was a smaller cavern connected to the main one, filled with simple cots and a communal fire pit.

Jonah collapsed onto one of the cots with a groan. "I thought we were dead back there."

"We still might be," Eira muttered, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames.

Draven sat down across from her, his expression unreadable. "You handled yourself well."

Eira snorted. "What part of running for my life counts as handling myself?"

"You didn't freeze," Draven said simply.

Eira rolled her eyes, but a small part of her felt oddly validated.

Jonah yawned, stretching out on the cot. "Wake me up if the Veil Keepers show up-or if Kael decides to kill us."

Eira smirked despite herself.

As Jonah drifted off, Eira turned to Draven. "Do you really think we're safe here?"

Draven hesitated. "For now. But this isn't the end, Eira. The Veil Keepers won't stop, and neither will the danger. If you want to survive, you'll have to decide what you're willing to fight for."

Eira stared into the fire, the weight of his words pressing down on her.

What was she willing to fight for?