---- Chapter 16 I almost rushed upstairs, but reason kept me hidden. This could be a trap, an illusion, an imposter. "T don't know what you're talking about,"' Rhea replied calmly. "Please, Rhea, there's no time," he said urgently. " The spy has already sent a signal. Lyra could arrive at any moment. I have to get them out of here." In the darkness of the cellar, I hesitated. Was it Kaelen? Was it really him? After three months of no news, he suddenly appeared... Orion made the decision. He suddenly let out an excited gurgle, his little hand pointing towards the stairs, his eyes shining with unmistakable joy. The call of blood. He recognized his father. I took a deep breath, held Orion, and walked up ---- the stairs to the door. The man standing there was indeed Kaelen, but he had changed a lot. His hair was longer, a beard covered half his face, and his eyes were bloodshot and weary. The most noticeable change was a new scar, running from the corner of his left eye to his jaw. He looked at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Sera." "you're alive," I said softly, my voice a mix of surprise and a hint of undeniable relief. "For now," he gave a wry smile, then his gaze fell on Orion. "He's grown..." Orion reached out his little hand, waving excitedly towards Kaelen. "No time to explain," Kaelen said quickly. "Lyra is heading this way with warriors from the Northern Pack. They found my trail, and I led them right to ---- you. It was a mistake, I shouldn't have come... but Thad to warn you." "you should have kept your distance!" I scolded, though deep down, I was glad to see him alive. "T know," he said quietly. "But some things are more important than safety." Asudden gust of wind blew past, extinguishing the torches outside. In the darkness, wolf howls echoed - harsh, sharp, and full of malice. "They're here," Kaelen's expression hardened. " Go out the back, follow Rhea's plan. I'll hold them off." "Again?" I shook my head. "Your sacrificial plan didn't work last time, and it won't work this time either." "Sera, please," his voice was almost a plea. "This time is different. Lyra is completely fallen, the power she's using... it's beyond our ---- understanding. I need you to get away safely." Rhea interrupted us. "Stop arguing! Neither way is clear now. Look!" She pointed out the window. Under the moonlight, dozens of gleaming eyes had surrounded the cabin. Front and back were blocked; there was no escape. "Damn it," Kaelen cursed under his breath. "I underestimated their speed." "Now what?" I asked nervously, instinctively holding Orion tighter. Kaelen looked around, quickly making a decision. " The cellar. Rhea, activate the defense ward." Rhea nodded, quickly taking an ancient runic disk from the wall. "This will only buy us a little time." We hurried down to the cellar, and Rhea activated the runic disk. A pale blue light spread from the runes, forming a protective shield around the