Chapter 7: On a mission

Chapter 7: On a Mission

Loiza POV

‘I’ll start asking subtly when we land, My Lady. If we do have a traitor, I don’t want them alerted. Can you ask Morgana to help me with this? A Truth Seer could prove invaluable.’ Braka’s voice in the link was steady, a rock in the storm.

I tried to link with my brother Bayoán. Since his mate Morgana is a witch, we use enchanted opal rings to connect with her. After a moment, I managed to reach him.

‘Yo Bayo, you okay?’ I hoped he had some information. As a Beta like our father, Bayo could analyze situations in ways most of us couldn’t.

‘Izzy?! Yeah, we’re as fine as can be under the circumstances. You?’ His voice, usually full of jokes, was thick with worry. For a moment, I almost mistook him for Maco.

‘I’m with Ura and Maco. You?’

‘I’m with Morgana, Nía, and Nina. Morgana got hit—some debris from Mt. Cemí. Daniella’s healing her now.’

‘And the baby?!’ My heart skipped. Morgana was in her first trimester.

‘The baby’s fine. Daniella’s already prepping the staff for more thorough checks when we land.’

‘Listen, Bayo. Something’s wrong. Yaya never came to help me at the mountain. Someone ordered her onto the first plane with the Elders, and now we can’t contact her. Braka suspects foul play. We need Morgana to help, but quietly. No one can know.’

Silence. Then, Bayo’s voice, low and serious: ‘Understood. But Izzy, Morgana helps only after she and the baby are cleared. Got it?’

I chuckled despite everything. Typical Bayo. ‘Duh, Bayo. Of course. But her injury—what happened?’

‘A boulder of debris. My mate and our baby could’ve been pancakes!’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Pancakes, Bayo? Really? We’re on the brink of chaos, and you’re comparing your mate to breakfast?’

‘Hey, someone’s got to keep spirits up! Besides, who else would compare my magical wife to a pancake and live to tell the tale?’ I could feel his grin through the link. Even now, he wanted to make Morgana laugh. She needed it, and so did he.

‘You’re unbelievable.’

But his tone shifted. ‘Izzy, listen. This is bigger than we thought. There’s a power vacuum.’

‘What do you mean?’ Wouldn’t the Luna take charge?

‘The Luna’s in grief. Yaya’s missing. Braka won’t let any Elder lead until the investigation’s over. That leaves you, Loiza.’

‘Me?’ I glanced at Braka, who sat silently, his yellow eyes sharp, already deep in thought. He controlled the Army. If there was a traitor, he’d find them. But would he trust me?

‘I don’t like this, Bayo,’ I whispered.

‘Neither do I. But you’re the Priestess of the Goddess now. Until this is sorted, you’re in charge. Braka won’t hand power to anyone he suspects.’

I clenched my fists, staring out the window. The clouds below us looked peaceful. A stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. ‘We land in an hour. Tell Morgana what’s happening. Once she’s cleared, we go full Sherlock.’

‘Got it. And Izzy? Stay sharp. Not everyone’s who they seem.’

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. As I glanced around the cabin, a flicker of unease settled in my chest. Braka, deep in silent communication with his warriors, looked as immovable as ever. But something felt… off.