AZRIEL

The Spymaster of Night jolted awake, staring up at his ceiling in his old room of the House of Wind.

He laid in his bed, shirtless, covered in bandages that wrapped around his arms and chest. They were already stained with blood, but he didn't pay them any attention.

Instead, he stared at Perseus, whose head was propped on top of his leg. The wolf stared at him, his glimmering eyes shining from the light of the fireplace.

Auriella. A shadow whispered to him.

Immediately, Azriel looked around the room, looking for any sign of his mate, but she wasn't there. He remembered seeing her at Under the Mountain with Rhysand and Cassian, fighting Ismene, and hearing her voice through the bond as she knelt before him.

He remembered saying her name before everything went dark.

"Where is Auriella, Perseus?" Azriel asked the wolf.

He lifted his head, whining at the mention of his owner's name. At that, Azriel moved his legs off the bed, ignoring the soreness that raced through his body. But as he lifted his upper body, he gritted his teeth to hold in the unbearable pain.

Room. Another shadow whispered.

Azriel hadn't been back in his room since he left to live out in the forest of Velaris. He mainly used the room as his personal storage place, having boxes sitting in the corner of the room. They contained stuff that he didn't find necessary to have, but still valuable enough to keep.

And they were still where he left them.

The Spymaster stood from his bed, walking over to the three boxes that were stacked on top of one another. He opened the first one, digging through old clothes and armor he used to wear. They smelled awful, but he moved them aside, trying to get his hand to the bottom.

Eventually, he felt the fabric of his old tunic that his mother had given him after she bathed and healed his hands in that rainy hour. Its dark blue color matched him perfectly, remembering how soft it felt on his skin. His mother had made it for him, using her embroidery skills and delicate hands to piece together the fabric.

He remembered that it smelled like her when he first put it on - berries and nature. It was as if she was embracing him without touching him. He could feel her love for him seeping through, motivating him and keeping him alive in every torturous day he had to endure.

And every time he would visit his mother, she would wash the tunic, taking out the dirt and grime that covered it, restoring it back into its natural state.

Now that he held it in front of him, he could see how small and frail he was in those days. It could fit a child that was no older than four years of age if they were healthy enough. It fit him when he was eight up to when he was put into Windhaven at the age of eleven.

At the camp, he had to hide it in a place no one would think to look. He didn't want the Lords of the camp to find it and take it away from him. They would have ripped it right in front of him or set it on fire. They didn't want their warriors to be weak.

At the time, his mother was his greatest weakness. If something had ever happened to her, Azriel was sure that he wouldn't be able to bear the pain.

Mother. A shadow whispered.

Azriel wondered about her every day. He knew that she was up in the mountains, living in a more sizable cottage that he had bought for her. He wasn't there to show it to her, mainly because fear overtook his mind, but instead, it was Cassian who showed her.

His brother had told him that she loved it, that she had figured out where she would put her embroidery kits and fabrics she had, mentioning how the space was right for her. She had cried in Cassian's arms, thanking him for taking care of her son.

The Spymaster held a face of steel in front of his brother, waiting until he was in private to let out his emotions. Azriel had locked himself in his room, crying into his hands as he thought of his mother, knowing that she deserved everything good that was brought to her.

She had saved him from the hell he lived in since he was young, up until now. She was the only person who understood and suffered with him, always holding out hope that they would get through their never-ending battle.

You are free, Az. Auriella's voice whispered to him.

And she was right. He was. He didn't have to worry about his wicked stepmother and his cruel father and his evil stepbrothers. They didn't have control over him anymore. If anything, if they were to show up in his life again, they would have to beg for mercy to avoid the wrath he would rain down upon them.

His mind ran with sinister ideas just by thinking about them.

"Shouldn't you be resting, brother?" Cassian's voice echoes through the room.

Azriel scoffs, "It's nothing major, Cas. There are only a few cuts and bruises. It's not like I could die from them." He says, putting away the tunic and shutting the box once more.

He turns to face Cassian, who makes his way to the loveseat by the fireplace. He lets out a sigh, "Well if you are capable enough, would you like to explain how the fuck you got into that situation at Under the Mountain?" He asks.

The Spymaster sits in the seat opposite of him. Perseus is immediately there, jumping onto the couch, and making himself comfortable next to Azriel. He smiles down at the wolf, his shadows orbiting around him.

"First, where is Auriella?" Azriel asks, turning back to his brother.

Cassian smirks, "Oh, she is down at the taverns having a grand time. I heard she and Morrigan are giving those thirsty men lap dances. They must be enjoying themselves." He teases. Azriel sneers at him.

As if the darkness had winnowed him in, Rhysand appears in the room, taking his seat beside Cassian. "You are a bastard, you know that?" He tells him before turning to Azriel, "Auriella is with the healer, Ruth. She had gone to her home about half an hour ago after she tended to your wounds."

Instantly, Azriel was filled with relief. But he still wanted her beside him, wanting to see if she received any wounds from fighting Ismene.

"Now that you know where she is, answer my question, Az. What the hell happened near Under the Mountain?" Cassian asked again.

Azriel tried his best to remember every single detail, but things were still foggy. He remembered arriving at Under the Mountain after flying for an hour, noticing that the forest was covered in bones and decomposing remains of the dead that were brought there.

The corrupted sisterhood wasn't anywhere around him as he walked through the forest. But when he made his way towards the mountain, he could smell the unworldly magic that surrounded it. It was distinct but familiar like he knew who beheld that scent. But he didn't pay it any mind.

Azriel had spent the entire day trying to locate any clues or hints that could lead them one step closer to finding out who this being was, but it seemed that the answers he was looking for were all inside of Under the Mountain.

But he knew that the dark magic would take hold of him if he made his way closer to it.

As dusk approached, Azriel remembered fighting off a number of creatures that had risen from their slumber. He didn't have any problems getting his hands dirty, but he was careful not to touch them once they hit the ground, seeing the aura of dark magic surrounding them.

His shadows never alerted him of any imminent danger until night had taken over.

Suddenly, the Spymaster was hounded with creatures that came from all corners of the forest. The Being had to have known that he was lurking around because within minutes, two members of the corrupted sisterhood, Helena and Adelpha, were in the skies, watching as the creatures stalked closer to him.

Azriel had made his way to retreat, but the two sisters sent him back to the ground, laughing sinisterly as they watched him cut through the undead. His daggers flew everywhere, using truth-teller to slice through throats that were within reach. He was covered in blood within seconds, his heart pounding in his ears.

He had been knocked down by the creatures a couple of times, their claws sinking into his skin and dragging them. He made it off the ground eventually, but his strength was quickly fading away. He wasn't able to fly at all, seeing that his wings streaked with blood.

It seemed that Helena and Adelpha knew that too. Azriel could no longer see them, but he wasn't able to pry his focus away from the creatures. He fought hundreds of them off until Rhysand, Cassian, and Auriella had shown up, saving his ass from becoming one of the dead.

"So Helena and Adelpha were there, while Delphine and Callista were here?" Cassian asks, turning to Rhysand, "Do you think The Being has placed the corrupted sisters in every court? They could be watching all of us."

Rhysand ponders the thought for a moment, "It would make sense. Two sisters in each court. But there would be one left without a pair. Delphine had mentioned that The Being hides in plain sight, but we are too blind to see it." He tells them.

Azriel shifts in his seat, "Two of the corrupted were here? Did they get close to either of you?" He asks.

Cassian chuckles, "They tried to. But Rhysand and Feyre's magic stopped them before they could get close. Delphine and Callista mentioned the same bullshit of The Being wanting Auriella and Damian, but nothing about their master plan. She wants the Children of Day and Night, but why?" He asks.

Rhysand stares at the far wall, "The Being is within the Night Court." He says suddenly, "She leaves two sisters posted at each court, watching the High Lords. Her magic is so powerful that I wouldn't even be surprised if she could cloak her own subjects from afar. At night is when she activates her power because it's the best time to hide and release it."

Azriel shakes his head, "You would have felt something if The Being was within our borders. There would be signs of her dark magic if she was roaming around any part of the Night Court." He tells him.

Cassian shakes his head, "But if that was the case, why couldn't Rhysand or Feyre or any of us sense her power when the sisterhood was still normal. Callista mentioned that The Being had them for three years to be exact. Three years ago, is when the sisterhood was formed by Morrigan and Nesta helped her build it up." He says.

"Then there might be answers within the sisterhood compound. Cassian, once morning breaks, you will head up to the compound with Morrigan. I need you to see what you can find. If Devlon gets in your way, tell me. I am in no mood to deal with games." Rhysand says, his darkness slithering into the room.

Azriel takes a deep breath, "Rhys, I assure you that I'm fine. Please, do not keep me locked in here like some animal." He tells him.

The High Lord smirks, "Oh, I know you are going to be fine, Az. That is why, when Auriella gets back tomorrow evening, you will train her here in the sparring room. We have had some delays with the competition, but now it's time to get serious. You will train Auriella to the best of her abilities. War is coming soon, meaning that she and Damian are in dire need of preparation. We all are."

"Cassian, even after your investigation, you must gather the many troops that we have and tell them to prepare themselves. I cannot predict the moves that The Being will make next, but we have to find answers soon or else we will continue being in the dark." Rhysand finishes.

The General nods, "I will ask Emerie to search the library once more. She's eager to help out. I have been training her to hold her own, and I have to say, I've never been more turned on my life." He says.

"Why? Is it because she literally kicks your ass and you're into that type of shit?" Azriel says, petting Perseus's head.

Cassian tilts his head, "You don't need to be jealous, brother. I'm sure that your mate would delight in the same. Tell me, was she good in bed the day we left you two alone in the estate in Hewn City?" He asked.

Azriel's blood heated, his thoughts running with anger and pleasure at the same time. He remembered how Auriella writhed underneath him as he touched her; tasted her. He remembered how possessive he felt, having her all to himself as she moaned his name. If another male had laid a hand upon her... Cauldron knows what he would have done.

"Ah, so our brother did get some action last night," Cassian says, nudging at Rhysand.

Rhysand rolls his eyes, "You are asking for a fight, Cas. One day, there will be someone who will overpower you and I cannot wait for the day." He says, standing from the couch.

Cassian pouts at him, "Oh, Rhysie, don't be like that. Just because you lost against me last time, doesn't mean you won't win again. Who knows?" He tells him.

Azriel chuckles, ignoring the burst of pain in his abdomen, "If anything, Rhys let you win. He doesn't like seeing you cry or throw fits of rage as Nyx does sometimes." He says.

Cassian gives him the finger before both of his brothers walk out of the room, leaving him alone once again. He sits with Perseus on the couch a little longer before getting up and heading into the bathroom to wash away the blood and grime that stains his skin.

And as he is finished, he finds Perseus on the bed again, fast asleep. The Spymaster stares at him for a moment, memories flashing in his mind, ones that he was not fond of.

But as he changes into more comfortable clothing and climbs into bed, thinking that he won't fall asleep for another hour, his mind immediately dozes off, sending him into darkness once more.

As the sun rises and noon approaches, Azriel is already in the sparring room, warming himself up. Perseus sits in the far corner, chewing on a stick he found in the gardens.

The House of Wind was empty. Cassian and Morrigan had gone off to the sisterhood compound. Amren and Emerie headed down to the library less than an hour ago. Rhysand, Feyre, and Nyx were all at the estate, along with Nesta.

Azriel couldn't help admit that it was peaceful being alone for a while, especially in a huge house that was more like a mansion. His breathing echoed as he continued to stretch and sweat ran down his skin as he worked through a series of movements.

But after a few minutes, Perseus immediately stood from his spot, rushing out of the sparring room. Azriel was confused for a second before feeling the bond tug. He was out in an instant, heading down to the foyer.

Auriella knelt, greeting her companion, who licked her face. Her laughter echoed throughout the halls, making Azriel stop at the threshold of the foyer.

"I missed you too, boy." She says to him before locking eyes with her mate.

When she stands, Azriel can see her bandaged arm. Ismene had injured her, it seemed, but not as bad. It brought him some relief, but anger still boiled his blood.

Auriella makes her way over to him, eyes gleaming with tears, "I'm sorry I left. I couldn't bear to see you like that. I left Perseus with you to bring you some comfort when you woke." She tells him.

The Spymaster wraps his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace. He nuzzles his head in between her neck, "I would have preferred to see you beside me. I would have felt much better." He says.

Auriella chuckles, "If I was beside you, alone in a room together again... I think things would have gone much farther than the previous night." She tells him.

That sounds eventful. Azriel says through the bond.

The Daughter of Dawn playfully shoves him away, "Aren't you supposed to be resting? And why are you covered in sweat?" She asks him.

Azriel leans against the wall, "Do you still have the dagger that I gave you?" He asks. Auriella nods, taking it out of her small satchel, showing it to him.

"Good. We start training in the sparring room in ten minutes. Get dressed." He tells her and a grin immediately appears on her face.