The warm sunlight touched my skin, warming me again. Why did all these safe houses and rooms have to be so cold? A small shudder passed through me, and I shook my fur out.

We had looked in almost a dozen of the pack's safe places, and every time, Thoysal hinted heavily at how I should stay there should a battle come. Was he really expecting me to sit still and wait in some underground room while attackers were all around? I hoped he didn't, because I wasn't planning on doing that.

"Raset?" Thoysal asked, trying to get her attention. Once she was looking, he continued, "The Ira has a few moments of her time to meet you, if you wish. Their meeting has concluded and most plans have been set in place."

The spirit nodded and brushed some hair away from her antlers, careful to hold onto the sleeping ambertails in her arms. "I'd like that. I have heard of Emio's practices, and though I generally don't meddle with territorial battles, I'll offer my help this once."

"Right this way." Thoysal started walking away, followed by me and Raset. We crossed the town for what felt like the hundredth time today, and I pointedly ignored the looks I got from some werewolves.

Between some trees, a large piece of cloth was strung up, with below a large group of people. In the middle of the chaos stood Sila, calmly giving orders or listening to what others said to her. She seemed like a rock in the middle of a stormy ocean, confident that the waves couldn't move her. Once she noticed us, she waved us over.

"Ira." The vampire bowed respectfully, an act of respect I hadn't seen from him before. He seemed friendly towards her before, like equals. It made me tilt my head in confusion.

"Thoysal. Good to have you back. Who did you take with you?" Sila asked, looking at the woman next to me. The Ira seemed curious enough, but was also much more formal than I had seen her before.

Raset stepped forward and dipped her head. "I am known as Raset, Guardian of Todas. I have watched over Zanixa after I found her in the hands of poachers, and want to offer my blade in battle."

The name seemed made recognition cross in Sila's eyes. "Guardian, it is a true pleasure to meet you. I have heard many good things about you, and can't thank you enough for your offer of help. All fighters will be welcomed, with what we're facing."

"I am happy to help. I have heard of what the Emio pack has done and is doing. Killing all warriors, taking all the women and children as slaves." Raset spat on the ground. "They don't deserve to live in this forest."

"That I can agree with any day. My mate will return with our allies soon, and together, we will destroy them once and for all," Sila said with so much conviction, I could almost ignore the fact that Raset just stated they take the children as slaves. Almost.

'Thoysal, just what are we up against?' I asked, my tail swishing back and forth nervously. I remember him telling me that they had eight hundred warriors, after the night of the first attack. And now these people kill everyone but the people they can use as slaves?!

He looked between Sila and me before replying, 'I will tell you tonight. I know you're confused, but this isn't the time and place. It's too hectic here.'

With a huff, I accepted his point. It really was hectic. There were more people walking back and forth than my ears could track, most with a slightly panicked sense to their step. Just watching them made me nervous, too.

"Guardian, once more, thank you for your aid," Sila said, making me focus on her. "We can always use any fighters, especially one that can attack from a distance. Your three ambertails will be kept as safe as we can."

Raset nodded. "For the goddess."

"For the goddess," the Ira echoed, giving the spirit a grim smile. Then, Raset turned and walked away, followed by me and Thoysal. We stopped once we reached one of the safehouses, away from the chaos and the noise.

"Seems like the Ira likes you," Thoysal commented.

Raset shrugged as she looked around to find the ambertails. Three faint, glowing lights were rapidly running up the stairs, chirps accompanying their loud footfalls. For such small beings, they sounded like bears when they ran like that.

With a big leap, the trio jumped into her arms, chittering happily. We'd left them down in the safehouse to keep them from running off on their own, though it seems like they started to feel lonely. They seemed happy enough. Their tails swished back and forth in the air as they nuzzled the spirit, the ember inside of the amber-colored tip bright.

"I'm somewhat of a legend to the Alpha's and Ira's in Todas," Raset explained, her voice barely audible above all the chirping. "Their ancestors have all seen me at least once, and they know that sometime in their lives, they will see me too. On top of that, I'm one of the few who has directly seen and spoken to the goddess. The Ira's especially are impressed by that."

I tilted my head. "Do you still see Esnain from time to time?"

"I see her everywhere. In the rainbows, in the trees, in all the wilderness and the untamed lands. I see her in you, too." She gave me a smile, and I looked at her in awe. A goddess, in me?

"I think she meant in person," Thoysal said. "Even though we all know it's incredibly rare for the immortals to come down in person."

Raset softly flicked one of the ambertails' ear, making it cry out indignantly. A soft chuckle escaped her before she said, "I haven't seen her in person since shortly after I became a spirit. As Thoysal said, gods rarely come to visit-"

A howl made her pause, looking up. Soon, more howls joined the first one, until hundreds of wolves joined in. Thoysal's eyes widened as I took a step back, frightened by the sound.

The attack had begun.