CHAPTER 344: VOLUNTEERS

SAGE

I knew the fight wouldn’t happen the moment I heard the bell toll.

The sound was deep, ancient—a slow, heavy clang that rolled through the air and seeped into my bones. It pulled me out of the kind of sleep that had no dreams, just exhaustion.

For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. The ceiling above me blurred, shifting between the witches’ white stones and the darker ceilings of the pack’s quarters. Then Isla’s voice came hammering against the door.

"Sage! Wake up! Something’s happening!"

I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. "Go away."

But Isla wasn’t the kind to take hints. Her knocking only grew louder, more desperate. "Didn’t you hear the bell? The whole pack is on fire. You need to come out—"

"Then go," I muttered, eyes still closed. "Go and don’t come back."

Truthfully, my body felt like it had been torn apart and glued back together. The teleportation from the witches’ territory had drained more energy than I’d expected. I’d barely managed to throw my cloak on the chair before collapsing into bed. I hadn’t even eaten. My stomach twisted at the reminder.

The knocking finally stopped. Blessed silence returned for a few heartbeats, and I thought maybe she’d given up. But no—seconds later, the door creaked open and Isla’s voice drifted in.

"You’re hopeless," she said, the clink of plates following her words. "I brought food. And you should thank me, because it smells divine."

I cracked one eye open. The smell hit me almost instantly—butter, herbs, and something sweet underneath. My stomach growled in betrayal. "Put it there," I said, pointing vaguely toward the table.

"Already did," she chirped, and I could hear the smirk in her tone.

I finally pushed myself up, still half-dazed. The room spun once, then steadied. "You talk too much in the morning," I said.

"You sleep too much," she shot back.

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. I dragged myself to the table and started eating without ceremony, too hungry to bother with manners. Isla was still talking—about the guards rushing across the courtyard, about how half the pack had gathered in the square, about how no one knew what was going on.

"Did you even cast a spell over that?" she asked suddenly.

I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth. "Over what?"

"The food," she said, watching me. "Protection, you know. As you usually do... What if someone poisoned it?"

I stared at her for a moment, then looked down at the now-empty plate. "Too late to worry about that," I said dryly.

She gasped. "You already ate it all?"

I gave her a flat look. "You talk too much to be observant."

Her expression twisted between concern and disbelief.

Luckily, she doesn’t push further with her questioning. There’s only much a girl can lie about.

I smirked, wiping my hands on a napkin. "Now," I said, leaning back, "why don’t you tell me why the entire pack sounds like it’s being raided?"

"Oh, right," Isla said, as if only just remembering the chaos outside. "It’s a meeting."

"A meeting?"

"Well... sort of." She hesitated, glancing toward the window. "I overheard some of the guards talking. It’s not just any meeting. Protesters came from the outer colonies. They carried bodies."

I straightened. "Bodies?"

She nodded grimly. "Over fifty, they said. All of them covered in white sheets. Blood drained dry. Vampires."

The word hung between us like a curse.

"Apparently," Isla continued, "they wrote to him. But he didn’t respond. So they came here themselves."

I frowned. "Did he forget, or just ignore it?"

"Maybe he thought it was a rumor," Isla said. "You know how the Alphas are. They never take things seriously until it’s at their doorstep."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. The vampires were faster than I’d thought. Fifty dead in one night. That wasn’t an attack—it was a warning. I should’ve questioned that vampire I met in the forest more.

"The people are calling for blood," Isla said, her voice quieter now. "They want revenge."

I nodded absently. "They’ll get it. Eventually." As if...

"You don’t look bothered," she said suddenly. Her eyes searched my face, curious and a little afraid.

"I’m not," I said simply.

Her brow furrowed. "Sage, fifty people—"

"I heard you."

"Then how can you be so calm? We might be the next to be attacked..."

Because I already knew this would happen. Because it was part of the queen’s plan. Because none of this surprised me. But I couldn’t tell Isla that. She was a convenient companion, not a confidant.

So instead, I offered her a small smile. "Vampires don’t take witch blood," I said. "It’s bitter to them... don’t worry scaredy cat..."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

I nodded solemnly, fighting the urge to laugh. "It’s true. Old lore. You’ve nothing to fear."

She exhaled like she’d just been handed divine reassurance. "Thank the goddess," she murmured, pressing a hand to her chest.

I looked away before my amusement showed. Some days, she made it too easy.

A sharp knock interrupted us. Isla and I exchanged a glance.

"You expecting anyone?"

I shook my head. "No."

She swallowed. "Should we—"

I was already on my feet. I crossed the room, the hallway, moved into the sitting room, and pulled the door open. A tall guard stood there, face frustrated.

"Miss Sage," he said formally. "You’re summoned to a meeting. Lord Timothy requests your presence—and that of the remaining contestants."

I blinked once. "Now?"

"Immediately."

Behind me, Isla stepped forward. "What’s going on? Is it about the vampires?"

The guard didn’t answer her. His gaze stayed on me.

"I’ll be there," I said.

He nodded curtly and left, without answering Isla’s question.

–

The main hall was already packed when we arrived. The air buzzed with murmurs, tension thick enough to taste. I spotted Timothy standing near the dais, his usually polished demeanor dulled with exhaustion. His hand kept flexing at his side, like he was barely holding his composure.

The other contestants were scattered around, faces confused. Some avoided eye contact altogether. I recognized a few.

Timothy cleared his throat, and silence fell instantly. "We can no longer hide what’s happening," he said. His voice carried through the hall, steady but strained. "The outer colonies have suffered attacks. The vampires have resurfaced."

No murmurs this time, just silence. Heavy. Pregnant.

He continued, "We have confirmed reports of over fifty dead. We do not yet know their strategy, but we must prepare for war."

My fingers curled at my side. So it’s war, then. Good.

Timothy paused, looking at the gathered faces. "The kingdom is assembling special units. Any of you willing to join will be compensated handsomely."

He waited. No hands rose. People shifted, exchanged looks. Finally, three did—two men, one woman. They looked terrified but determined.

"Three," Timothy said quietly, almost to himself. "Very well." He straightened, his eyes scanning the room again. "The rest of you are dismissed. But remain alert. The situation may change quickly."

A voice from the crowd spoke up. "What about the contest?"

Timothy’s jaw tightened. "Postponed. The kings will decide when–or if– it continues."