Cael followed Elle and Nova. Neither noticed he was there. Cael figured that out pretty quickly. Nova was clearly crying. But trying not to. That was why Elle was upset.
Elle grabbed a training suit and led Nova out of the room. Cael and Elle made quick eye contact and he understood. Further confirmation. Nova was upset.
He was heading back up the spiral staircase toward Fin's quarters when he ran straight into both Fin and Jax—both clearly trying to follow after Nova.
"Dammit," Fin muttered. "We need to remove that wretched room."
"One of you messed up," Cael said flatly.
Fin shot a sharp look at Jax.
Jax held his hands up. "I didn't mean to upset her."
"Why were you and her off on a mission without telling anyone?" Cael asked, arms crossed.
"She touched the book," Jax said quickly. "A portal opened. It said Elle would perish, and that Nova was already behind. She ran. I followed."
Color drained from Cael's face. "It mentioned Elle?"
Jax nodded grimly.
"We got what we needed from it. A medallion," he added, "but I agree—we need to find the other items. The full moon's in eleven days. Even if we figure out where the next one is, we might need time just to reach it—let alone retrieve it."
Before Fin could respond, Marra came running down the corridor—eyes wide, face pale, like she'd just seen a ghost.
"Marra?" Cael stepped forward. "What's wrong?"
Her eyes were bloodshot, chest heaving with every breath. "I need Nova—or Aeron. My father, Grant… Meredith…" she wheezed, unable to get the rest out.
Cael moved, steadying her. They'd grown closer and he felt protective of her like he did Nova. Whatever had shaken her, it was bad.
Right then, as if pulled by instinct, Nova and Elle came sprinting into the hall from the opposite end.
"Nova!" Marra gasped in relief. "Thank gods. I need a portal—to Bloodmoon."
Nova froze. "Marra, I'm sorry—I've never been there. I have nothing to anchor to. Let's get Aeron."
Nova added quickly. "I'll still come with you."
Then, just to add more chaos, more footsteps came down the hall. Aggressive. One heavy like a soldier. The other fast—Alpha fast.
In a blur, someone ran at Alpha speed and pulled Nova into a hug.
She blinked, shocked.
"Rex…" she said, confused.
He didn't let go. He'd felt her through the matebond for hours now. Something had happened—he knew it. And now that he saw her—eyes red, hair soaking wet, dressed in a Shadowclaw training suit he'd never seen her in—he was certain. She looked shaken.
A second later, Hyran turned the corner, panting from the sprint.
"Hyran, could you make a portal to Bloodmoon?" Marra said quickly, cutting in.
He looked between her and Nova—both of them visibly upset. Rex had said something was wrong with Nova. That's why he was here.
He didn't ask questions.
He nodded once, already conjuring the portal in silence.
Elle and Nova didn't ask their mates. Nova didn't even look at Fin. She ran in first. Marra followed.
A second later, Aeron came flying down the spiral staircase.
"Marra! What happened? Where is she?" he called, breath catching—just in time to see her vanish through the glowing portal.
Fin, Jax, Cael, and Elle were still behind them. Only Hyran remained near the portal.
"Bloodmoon," Hyran said calmly. "Something's happening."
Aeron's jaw clenched. "I'll be right there."
Without another word, he turned and sprinted back up the stairs toward the study.
Call it intuition—he went straight for their blades.