Chapter Ninety Two - Unheard - Maya's POV

Time slowly goes by, and I continue to wait for him to return. Thoughts of his injuries plague me. I wring my hands in my lap as I sit on the bed, fidgeting. How can this get any worse? The more I think of it, the more I realize that at the root of all these problems is me. I know I'm part of their prophecy, but now I'm not so sure if it would be easier for me to be here or just leave. It sounds stupid, even as I think about it. The safest place for me is here, right beside Damian. But I fear that is exactly what will get him killed. And I don't want him to die. I glance up, noting the clock on the mantle above the fireplace. It's old and probably has seen better days. The rough wood exterior looks handmade, with little carvings that I never paid attention to before. I ease from the foot of the bed and walk toward it, my eyes staying locked. Once I'm closer, I can see that the carvings are actually small wolves on each side. The clock ticks loudly, making me glance at the hand, bouncing as if stuck and unable to move. It's covered in dust, so I figure some must have gotten inside. I lean forward, blowing one long breath against the glass front in hopes of getting it to move once more. Oddly, the minute hand starts moving again, but that isn't all. The face of the clock slowly cracks open as if blowing on it loosened something else. I look at the door, glancing over my shoulder as if I've uncovered some lost secret that I don't want anyone else to know about. Then, with slow movements, I reach up and pull at the face to see what lies behind it. With the dim lighting overhead, it's hard to make out much, especially with all the metal workings inside. It's slightly packed and I can't tell what I'm looking at. Then I see it. A little piece of paper wedged between two of the larger metal pieces. My fingers tremble as I reach inside and grasp the edge of the note. Slowly, but surely, I pull it out, careful to not disturb the wires and other pieces. As soon as it's out, I take a good look at the worn paper. It's yellowed with age and has a little dust on it. It feels more wrinkly than it should be . 'What is this?" I unfold it, my eyes staying glued to it. I'm afraid of what secret may be buried in it, but then again, who knows what this even pertains to or who placed it here. The writing seems odd as I unfold it fully. It's neat, yet is very tight. 'Stay true to the path to save the wolves. Find the one who is fated." My eyes continue down the page. 'A human is the answer. A fated mate will tie to the one fated in blood and save them all." My mouth falls open in shock. This is just what Damian needs to prove what they need to break the curse. Right as I look up at the door, it opens. A smile spreads across my face. 'Damian, I–" Words fail me as Simon steps inside. 'Oh, Simon. Have you seen Damian or are you looking for him? He said he was going to the infirmary," I say, my voice low. He takes another step inside, his eyes locked on my hand. 'You do realize we might die because of you." 'But if we fulfill the prophecy, then everyone will be fine, right?" He doesn't answer me. Instead, he takes another step inside. His eyes glow dimly, almost appearing a dark shade of orange. 'What do you have there?" 'Oh, it's some dusty note that explains the curse." My eyes flick back down to the paper and I smile. 'It's signed by a Blackwood. Who is Diesel?" 'That is Damian's grandfather. Where did you get the note?" He asks as he stops a foot away from me. 'It came from the clock." His eyes dart to the side as he eyes it. 'No wonder Damian wanted that heirloom so badly that he snuck back in after it. It has held the answer all this time, but not anymore." Before I can react, he snatches the paper from my hands and rips it to shreds before tossing it into the fireplace. 'No, stop!" I rush forward, but he knocks me back with one arm before lighting the fireplace with a single match from his pocket. My eyes well with tiers as the fires burn. 'What have you done?" I ask, my voice cracking with each word. 'He needed that." Simon only tosses me a glance over his shoulder. 'You saw nothing," he says, his hand reaching out to close the clock's face. 'You've heard nothing. If you so much as speak up, then I will ensure after the curse is broken that he dies." 'Why? Isn't he your friend?" Simon's gaze narrows as he takes me in. I'm still dressed in the pajamas I borrowed from Damian and, though I'm covered, I have never felt more exposed. 'Why would I be friends with him when he could be the one that gets us all killed? I might have run with him, but I have my own reasons. If you know what's best for you, you'll fall for him, save the wolves, and never speak of this to anyone. Got it?" I shake my head in disbelief. 'Do you realize the note would help keep everyone calm until that happened, right? You're an idiot for shredding it like that." A wicked smile graces his lips. 'Oh, I have a backup plan. If you fail, then I'll just kill you both. Now be a good girl and do as I say or there will be consequences, human." I scoot back, but I keep my gaze on him. He doesn't make a move toward me or do anything except stare. 'If I wanted you dead, you would be," he says, his voice barely audible. 'It would be so easy for me to just end it now. They'd never know. Damian would just come back and you'd be dead. He'd think a rogue snuck in, like last time." 'You let them in," I say, my voice a little louder than before. 'He trusts you and this is how you repay him? I hope you know he isn't far from here and he will stop you if you so much as move another inch toward me." 'Will he?" He asks, taking one step toward me. 'He won't be able to hear your screams and neither will those he left to guard you."