Call Me Home

Chapter 41- Proud/Cherish

Chapter 41: Proud/Cherish

Summary: The gang runs into each other coming out of the forest **Insert Spiderman meme here** and as we approach the mission deadline they aren't in the clear yet, there's a few things to deal with first.

Azriel POV

The full moon was so bright when Azriel exited the forest he had to shield his eyes. It was such a stark contrast to the near pitch-blackness he had been in just moments before. He had to shake the intrusive memory it caused. Of days and weeks spent in total darkness. How he was blinded by harsh day-light on the rare occasions the cellar door opened.

A singular shadow left their prisoner's wrists to come check on him. One shadow leaving their post wasn't enough to allow John to break free of his confines, but it was enough pressure lifted that he started thrashing again. The wisp circled Azriel slowly and soothingly.

You're not alone anymore. It chanted. Instantly his tense jaw loosened.

He may not practice mind-stilling per say. Instead he relied on his shadows in times like these. When the memories he fought hard to repress bubbled up to the surface. The reminder was just what he needed to snap out of his derealization and back into reality.

As if waking up from a dream he scanned the area catching up on what he missed. Elain was barefoot, beating the mud off of her ruined slippers. Tamlin was back in Fae form, another guard had joined them. He replaced his shadows with actual rope and led John toward the Manor.

"Will you allow me to question him?" He asked Tamlin as he looked back from where they came, making sure the puca hadn't followed them.

Tamlin answered, he was sure of it, but his words fell upon deaf ears. Azriel unsheathed his sword at the first sign of movement in the trees. He was vaguely aware of Elain, Elain, getting into a defensive pose next to him, dagger at the ready.

Lucien and Gwyn halted as they spotted them. Azriel watched an amused look pass between the two as they reluctantly held up their arms in surrender.

"Don't give me that look, shadowsinger." Gwyn taunted with a smirk. He lowered his weapon at the name.

However, Elain didn't seem convinced. "Prove your identity!" She yelled at Lucien as she took a step forward.

He looked at her seriously, any trace of mirth gone from his face. Instead, he beamed with pride.

Good, he should be proud. I know I am. He thought to himself. Still in amazement at how well she was holding it together.

Lucien took a breath and spoke only one word. Almost too quiet for anyone to hear.

"Worship."

She threw the dagger on the ground and jumped into his awaiting arms. "Thank the Cauldron you two are alright!" She pulled back and inspected Gwyn for any unseen injuries. "How did it go? Did you learn anything?"

Gwyn opened her mouth to speak but Tamlin butt in. "Where have you been?" His voice was stern. His eyes danced between Lucien and Gwyn.

"Gwyn wanted to see the river..." Lucien explained, but it was clear he was leaving something out. "So I made sure she got there safely."

"In the middle of the night?" He scoffed disbelievingly. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. We handled it, no thanks to you."

Lucien looked confused. Finally he seemed to note everyone's disheveled state. He looked down at Elain's hands to see the rope burns around her wrists. "What happened?" He whispered.