Obria was a city surrounded by an unscalable wall. It was short, its two-story buildings midgets compared to the towering complexes of Cicil. It was a town by Preene's standards, and not a large one at that. Smoke from the many chimneys rose above it in a gray smog which joined the clouds above.

My sides hurt from the effort of breathing. I didn't need a doctor to tell me being crushed by a lycan had fractured several of my ribs. I did my best to ignore the pain as I gripped the fur between Graniteback's shoulders, sliding off in front of one of Obria's many gates. The man beside me followed suit.

"You should go before the guards come," I said as my companions turned to me, "I don't want them to mistake this as a hostile action."

Cyrus frowned, stepping forward to place his hands on my shoulders. "You shouldn't go alone."

"I have to," was my quiet mutter. In truth I didn't want to go in that city at all. But Howens had my most trusted, loyal friend. I had to free him, and I had to do it myself. I couldn't let anyone else get involved.

The man stared at me. I fidgeted under his gaze. His eyes ran over my body, not in their usual appreciation, rather, as if he were considering me as a whole. He took in my battered form, my torn clothing and the hand Shirah had wrapped in soft cloth. After a full minute he let out a great sigh. "I can't stop you, can I?"

I set my jaw, fighting for steady breath and to still my shivering. "No."

He nodded, though his expression protested. "Don't be too long, and don't agree to anything foolish."

My gaze fell to the ground. "I won't."

Cyrus pulled his mask over his face, bending down to kiss me. I pushed back the tears the gesture summoned.

The gates opened. He stepped back, swinging up on Claw's back. Graniteback gave a short bow.

"Be careful, Lady Desire."

"I will," I nearly whispered as they turned from me, galloping off into the forest.

The guards sent to collect me made no remark as they ushered me through the gates. They didn't say a word as we passed through the city, only stood on either side as we walked along desolate streets.

Obria felt abandoned. Very few businesses were open, even fewer shoppers walked between them. I spotted a few curious glances through fogged windows. This was a far cry from the bustling capital city I had first visited under Perimone's regime.

The palace changed most of all. The old world's glass wall had been replaced by the same stone and cement that formed the outer walls. Shards of glass crunched under my feet as I made my way up stone stairs. Twisted remains of the revolving door's hardware lay not too far away in a dead bush to the side of the entrance. The heavy wooden replacement swung inward, allowing us inside.

The room I was led to was dimly lit by candles placed on a long table. Where there once was a window was simply a cement slab, painted to match the silver-gray walls and decor. Howens sat at the far end of the table, Balazza to his right. The guards escorted me inside, then promptly left, closing the door behind them.

"Ah, you're here I see," Howens remarked, squaring a stack of papers before handing them to Balazza. "Awfully rude of you to come unannounced, but seeing as it was expected, all is forgiven."

I could never forgive him for what he had done, and all he planned on doing. "Your actions are invitation enough."

He wore a sky blue silk blouse. Paired with the gray of the room, it reminded me of the beautiful wedding Darrius gave me. The thought made my skin crawl. Blue and silver were Preene's colors; they had no place in Askance. I looked to the concrete slab, anything to take my eyes off him. "This place is looking more like a fortress than it used to."

"Yes, the people have been rowdy as of late, several took to throwing stones through the glass." The Askan lord waved a hand, dismissing Balazza. She held up her head, traveling with a stiff military pace past me. Howens's eyes followed her out the door, then switched to mine. "I would ask you what you're here for, but I already know."

"How did your informants cross the mountains before me?"

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

He shrugged, then gestured to the seat beside him. I strode to the offered chair as he answered. "That's confidential information. It could be detrimental should it ever leave this palace." He watched me sit down, hands resting lightly on the table. "But you don't plan on leaving here, do you?"

I set my jaw, lifting my chin. "No, I don't."

Howens’s sigh left a small smirk in its wake. He stared at the space above the door. "You're a strange pair, you and that lycan. Capture one, the other comes running." He looked back at me. "But all lycans come running at your call, don't they?"

I didn't answer. I didn't have to, he could read everything in my expression.

"I always thought they were a horribly misused resource in Preene. But you're not afraid to use them to their true potential." He gave me a slight nod. "I admire you for that."

"How do you know about Preene?" This time my voice was more demanding, I wanted answers. "Crossing over the mountains has been impossible for months."

His smirk grew. I fought the urge to reach over and smack him. I wanted to reopen my palm just to watch him die of my poison.

"Over yes," he said lightly, though I had no doubt he could guess my murderous thoughts, "But you see, under is just a matter of distance."

My mind caught his meaning almost instantly. "The subways."

Howens nodded. His grin showed ever one of his bleached teeth. "Those urchins underground never venture far from their city, but if they did, they would discover there is one line that runs directly from Cicil to Obria. It's not in the best state, flooded in some areas, but clear. You know, I've brought you there."

"When you captured me for Perimone," I growled.

"Yes!" he said. "Clever! I discovered it when I was young, and followed it all the way to Cicil. There, I discovered the wonder that was Preene." He said it as if lost in a pleasant memory. "So many people, wonders, colors! I fell in love with Preene's culture. It's been a dream of mine to unite her with Askance. Think of the knowledge we could exchange, the growth we could achieve together."

His expression sobered, then turned sour. "But I quickly learned as an adult others couldn't be trusted with my vision. They'd only corrupt it. They can't even run one country correctly." He huffed, glaring at me. "You know they think you'll save them, don't you? The outer villages hate you, but they still swear allegiance because they can't see past their pitchforks to the bigger picture."

The horrible part was I could understand him, sympathize, even agree with him. Askance and Preene could benefit from an alliance. Preene was more technologically advanced, while Askance had more trade routes through Detris. I knew what it was like to be frustrated by blind masses, and I definitely understood what it was like to be hated.

Howens got to his feet, releasing a great sigh. "Well, I know what you came for, and I'm certain you can guess what I'll want in return, so I suppose it's best we get on with it."

***

The hallway chilled me. The cool cement was hidden from the warmth of the sun. I didn't mind the temperature, though. Neither did I pay attention to the direction of our travels down metal staircases and long hallways. My thoughts were on the outer wall, staring out into the melting wilderness.

Howens brought me to one of the guard towers stationed along the wall, where I was able to see them pull a cart from the lower levels of the tower. The lord explained what a difficult prisoner he had been, how he refused to volunteer anything other than threats, even in the promise of release. I was focused on the cart, and the snarling lycan restrained by a chain net. My eyes didn't leave my albino companion as the men undid the locks holding him outside the gate. By the time he untangled himself from his restraints, the doors to the city were already closed.

I watched as the lycan looked around, doubtlessly wondering why he had been released. I watched as he sniffed the surrounding area. I saw him find the tracks I left outside, and I saw the understanding dawn in those beautiful, haunting irises.

Then I watched as he charged the door, growling and snarling as he demanded to be let back in.

Howens made the quiet remark it would be troublesome if he continued. He needn't have bothered though, I had already drawn breath for my howl. The sound caught the lycan's attention. Our gazes met.

I didn't say anything, but he knew. His ears flattened against his head. His eyes switched from mine to the gate doors and back again. Slowly, reluctantly, I shook my head. Standing two stories up, my hellhound suddenly seemed so small as he shrank back. He held my gaze a moment longer, then turned, bounding up the hill and into the forest.

I slid my gloves back on my hands and allowed them to be bound together.

Now, Howens led me down to the lower levels of that very tower. We wove through a network of hallways, eventually leading me to a cellblock. Iron bars rose from the cement. Without prompting, I strode into the nearest unit, turning on my heels to watch Howens close the door behind me.

"This was the same cell I kept your dog in," he said thoughtfully, "Could you smell him on the walls?"

I couldn't bring myself to remark. I focused on breathing through my sore ribs.

The lord leaned in close to the bars. "This is unfortunate. Of all people, I believe you are the only one who uses their resources correctly and to their fullest potential." The lock clicked shut. "But I haven't come this far to be second to anyone."

It was only when he left did I let myself fall. I collapsed to my knees, hands pressed to the cold floor.

I was right back where I started. I couldn't stop my trembling, no more the I could stop the fat tears gathering in my eyes. I was back where I had always been, back to the life I thought I escaped. I had done so much, fought so hard, had it all been nothing? Was this it, my inescapable destiny?

I wrapped my arms around myself, and screamed. Pain exploded in my chest, raging like a wild forest fire through my body. I welcomed it, it was so much more bearable than everything else around me.

At least Cerberus was free. It was my only consolation as I curled into the smallest ball I could manage and wallowed in fear and pain. At least I had not failed my guardian.