33.

Ashia brought the two to a small building just outside of the market space, the building looked rather rundown from the outside with weeds and vines growing over the bricks. But the inside looked to be freshly refurbished. The inside was also larger than the outside gave the impression to be, there were different shrines to different gods, a sight that shocked Tristan to the point that Farryn had to remind him to close his mouth so he didn’t offend anyone.

His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, even more at the fact that Ashia had watched the exchange between the two with skeptic eyes. She led the way to the back of the building where a small group of different people were huddled, all wearing the same white robes with gold embroidery.

“Ashia? Why are you here?” An older woman spoke with concern in her voice, an accent present though oddly not as heavy as Ashia’s, she had the same russet eyes as Ashia, but with darker sun-kissed skin. Her hair fell past her shoulders in beautiful waves of wheat. Her blonde hair helped to make her skin look even darker. She could have passed for Ashia’s sister were it not for the age lines along her mouth and eyes.

“Mother, the friend Farryn I spoke of, she wishes you to speak to her.” The older woman looked first to Farryn, and then to Tristan. Her gaze seemed to harden at the sight of him. Farryn realized that this was going to be a much harder task than Lola had made it seem like it would be.

“Why?” Her question was harsh, the biting tone leaving Farryn feeling as if she was about to be scolded by her own mother. A slight twinge of pain echoed in her heart as she lowered her head in respect for the priestess.

“My name is Farryn Amari, I am the Alpha of the Storm Pack. This is Tristan, one of my pack mates. My wolf brought me to you in hopes that you may be able to help with concerns that we have over Tristan’s state.” The priestess’s gaze did not soften in any way, instead, she seemed to grow even more rigid as Farryn spoke. Tristan had begun to lower his head as well in respect but the priestess stopped him with an extended hand. She stepped forward and grasped his chin in a tight grip before turning his head, her eyes never straying from his own.

“You do not know what she means by this, do you?” The muscle in Tristan’s jaw twitched for a moment as if he was considering lying.

“No, I don’t. But I wasn’t dragged here. I walked by my Alpha’s side because she believes this is the right thing to do. I want to prove I am not a killer like everyone seems to think. She says you can help.” His eyes met the priestess’ with a hard determination. Hearing that Tristan supported her decision made her heart flutter in a way she didn’t think was possible. Lola and Namia both were quick to remind her that he was more than likely just saying what he needed to to get the priestess’s help.

The woman grunted as she released her grip on Tristan, practically pushing his head as the slightest glimmer of disgust revealed itself in her eyes. She turned back to Farryn and motioned for her to lift her head. The young Alpha looked up, finding herself nearly nose to nose with the priestess.

“Females are not Alphas. Why do you lie? What are you trying to get?” Tristan and Farryn both froze in a moment of panic. Until today, no one except her pack had questioned her status. From the corner of her eye, Farryn saw Tristan’s chest swell as he inhaled, preparing to give the priestess an earful.

“And the Dragonkin are extinct and yet here we both stand, defying what most believe.” Farryn curled her fingers slowly, her palms had begun to sweat when the priestess was examining Tristan but now she was on the verge of shaking with anger. The priestess allowed the ghost of a smile to show on her lips, the others behind her slowly departed, seeming to deem the pair as no threat now.

“Well, it seems someone has done their research before seeking me out.” She rose to her full height and motioned for the two to follow her into a back office, mainly used for private meetings. Tristan breathed a sigh of relief and gave Farryn’s arm a gentle squeeze as he flashed her a smile. It was the only card Farryn had up her sleeve to use and she had taken a large gamble. Had Lola been wrong about the priestess they would have been back to square one. She thanked the wolf inside as the priestess shut the door behind her and motioned for them to take a seat in front of a large dark oak desk.

“My name is Nelai, why does your wolf think I will be of use to you?”

“Because we are running out of time before my pack demands an answer. Two members have gone missing, one turned up dead, and the pack believes it is Tristan.” Nelai rose a single eyebrow in curiosity as Tristan crossed his arms over his chest and Farryn fidgeted in her seat. She needed to give Nelai as much information as she could but would Tristan be able to react appropriately to what she had to say? She glanced to the male who nodded his head, assuring Farryn that she needed to continue.

“I have somehow found myself to have two wolves, two entities who I can speak to and hear. I believe that Tristan may have something similar happening, however, he only had one wolf.” Farryn could feel the air around Tristan shift as if there was suddenly someone else listening to their conversation. The priestess tilted her head slowly as she looked between the two, though her eyes lingered more on Tristan as if she felt it too.

“Why do you think that, and why do you think it is different from your situation?”

“Because we have spoken to a high priest of the Moon Goddess who can see one’s partner wolf. He could see both of mine, but only one with Tristan. I know that when my Alpha wolf is in control my eyes turn blue, when my Zeta wolf takes over my eyes are a brighter green. For Tristan, he has amber eyes, his wolf has blue eyes, but there is another who has dark brown. I have spoken to his wolf, I’ve seen the sudden shift in personality that would go with another wolf. He is exhibiting the signs of someone who has more than one wolf.” Nelai’s eyes seemed to alight with curiosity.
Tristan slowly uncrossed his arms, his eyes were practically glued to his Alpha. The priestess watched the way Farryn avoided meeting his gaze, the room was suddenly uncomfortable to be in.

“Did you express these concerns to your high priest? I’m not quite sure what you think I could do for you.” There was a slight glimmer to her eyes as she spoke, the issue certainly had enough of her attention that she would help but she didn’t see a reason to. Lola surged forward, pushing Farryn to keep the priestess’ attention before it was lost.

“The Great Dragon priests are well known for their medical knowledge, more than that, the dragons are said to be able to cure, or find a cure, for any sickness regardless of the species.” The voice that left Farryn’s throat was her own but the words were not. Lola had pushed forward and spoken before Farryn could hold her back. The priestess turned her expression neutral as she studied the female seated across the desk from her. Farryn could see the gold mixed with amber, one of the sure signs that she was certainly not human. The trio sat in silence for an extended period of time, long enough that Tristan was beginning to grow restless.

Farryn signed deeply, it seemed that this trip had been a waste of time. She placed her hands on her knees, prepared to lift herself out of the chair when Nelai tilted her head with her gaze on Tristan.

“I will do what I can, gather what information I can. In the meantime, you should take my daughter with you to your pack. Until I have answers for you she will be able to help.” Tristan and Farryn exchanged a quick glance between each other.

“The little merchant?” Tristan asked sharply, his gaze skeptic despite the glare he earned himself from her mother.

“She doesn’t seem particularly fond of me, I don’t think she would help me even if we begged her.” He grumbled as he crossed his arms, giving him the look of a pouting child.

“Tristan, she did bring us to her mother, she put aside whatever thoughts she has about you to help us.” He rolled his eyes before uncrossing his arms, the only way he would acknowledge that she was right. He was slow to nod his head before they both rose to their feet.

“I will ensure that your daughter is treated well among my pack, thank you priestess Nelia for helping us.” Farryn lowered her head in a deep bow before leading the way back into the main room where Ashia was waiting.

“Leaving now will ensure arriving before dark, let us go now.” Her eyes looked only to Farryn as if she was refusing to recognize that Tristan stood at her side. Lola seemed to be rather curious at the telepathy shown between the mother and daughter, but she was even more curious at how this young female was supposed to be of help to them. Ashia began to move towards the door and looked back to see no one was following her.

Her hands lifted in question. Farryn sighed with a smile on her lips before patting Tristan on the shoulder and following the young female out of the building. Perhaps having Ashia return to the pack would be useful in getting information about Deacon.