Free Wolf's Strength by Ambrielle Kirk

step up in the place of the greatest Seer there ever was.
    “Quickly. You know what you’ve done, now undo it. Unbind my life from yours and release my Spirit.”
    “How?” Her fingers trembled as they held onto Roman.
    “You must drain my strength until there is nothing left, and all I know will be yours to keep. It’s the only way. Release me from this life.”
    Elisa exhaled and nodded her head. “I understand.”
    Roman gazed at Devin and Dawson and reached for them. “My duty is done; now let me rest. You two will carry on and you better not fail.”
    “Yes, Roman,” Devin said.
    Roman gripped her hand tightly and spoke in a language only she would understand. Elisa closed her eyes and did as he requested. As soon as their life-forces were unbound, his body went cold. He began to fade rapidly. She harnessed her powers and drew on his knowledge, drew his pain, and drew his life. Much of what she took was painful memories, wisdom, and burdens he’d carried for many decades. She took from him until she couldn’t take any longer. Just before his Spirit vanished, she captured it and allowed it to wrap around her like a rope. That final caress soothed her, but then a sharp wind came and the essence dissolved.
    “Farewell, Great-uncle.”
    Silence followed Roman’s death for a long while. No one said a thing. Roman’s old cabin became ashes, and the same wind that took his Spirit away finally picked up the ashes.
    Devin lifted a finger and wiped her moist cheeks. She realized she was crying.
    “What is it, Elisa? What does our enemy have?” Devin demanded.
    “The power to expel the Caedmon Spirit in all of us. One by one.”

Chapter Eight
     
    When Naomi entered the small cottage-style home, she heard the voices of her brother and father in the kitchen. They were deep in conversation and failed to notice she was inside. More than a day had passed, and the entire Crew 38 was being held on lock-down. E1s were stationed all over the main territories, enforcing the laws of Arnou as always, plus word had gotten out in the community about their suspension. As an E2 this was the first time she’d been reprimanded and forced into lock-down within Arnou borders but even before then, she sometimes felt like a prisoner being held against her will.
    Something strange was going on. She felt it in her bones, and she sensed it in the way Tristan didn’t hesitate to reprimand them the other day. Yet, she grew tired of being stuck in the Elite Compound and longed to be free of their punishment. And she longed for the light and knowledge. In the Compound she was in the dark, and there was so much to discover.
    Her attention moved to her brother and father in the small galley kitchen. She set her duffle bag on the floor but remained just outside the door and out of sight.
    “How long?” her father asked Nathan.
    “There was no definite sentence given. Arnou refused to see me afterward. One of the Enforcers from my Compound promised to find out for me. Ruby’s betrayal shocked us all. I feel stupid. She was under my control and I failed to see through her,” Nathan replied.
    “It’s not your fault, son. She did what she wanted, and I doubt anyone would’ve been able to stop her once her mind was made up.”
    “Right after the fight, she told us she thought the instigators were humans, but I knew who they were at first glance. I had the misfortune of crossing paths with one of them before. At the time we were in a human-led government building, so nothing ever came of that.”
    Naomi’s ears perked up. They must have pressed Ruby for answers when she was on the roof with Blake. She leaned against the wall and waited.
    “This is strange,” her father replied in a hoarse tone. “Ruby’s credibility is worth less than dirt at this point. How do we know she wasn’t lying about her mistake?”
    “Good point.”
    “We’ll put this behind us, starting now. It’s just one set back. I have no doubt Tristan will deal