13.
Closure
The remaining bears fled the field after that—Min later learned that Ozan hadn't been their leader at all. Their chieftain Ustal fell early in the battle when Erkin cut him down. Any of the children of Bhalot who didn't turn tail and run were torn to bits by the maddened wolves.
Min's plan, however wild and spur of the moment it had been, had somehow worked—Asra and Arke weren't strong enough to go up against a
kar
-empowered witch, but they could still sever whatever spell she'd cast over the other bear-men warriors. Once they lost their invincibility, the bears lost over half their ranks in the fighting, and more turned tail, running away when facing down the combined might and cunning of the wolves as an entire pack. The wolves still lost a quarter of their warriors, but the bears saw three times that number fallen by the time the fighting ended. To hear it told, Selin was one of the fiercest fighters, taking on all comers with a ferocious lust for battle that seemed to border on the suicidal, yet she survived the battle with little more than scratches.
Erkin's injury was grave, but his salvation were the same twin foundlings that were the real key to victory—Asra and Arke controlled the power of
rou
, spirit magic, which was more capable of healing grievous injuries than even
vuk
could manage. Together with Ilay's help, the three managed to stop his bleeding and stabilize him, but Erkin's warriors had to carry him from the field. It was impossible to say whether he'd even survive the night, or at all.
Sait and Sergen were both unharmed, a fact that Min was relieved to discover. Her mother, on the other hand, seemed a hollow shell of a woman—her lost mate had returned, possibly killed his father, and her other daughter was lost again. To Min, San was just a twisted visage of what she'd imagined a sister should be—but then, growing up with someone like Ozan would've likely left anyone twisted.
The storm continued without ceasing, and with nowhere else to go, the children of Kelash fell to using the bears' own winter dens for shelter—the spoils of war, as it were. All of the witches were exhausted, overtaxed by using their powers too frequently and in too short an amount of time. Ilay refused to leave her mate's side, but she succumbed to sleep next to Erkin once Asra and Arke healed her injuries. Once that was done, and after the worst of the wounded were tended to, the sisters fell asleep holding one another.
Min and Sait took charge of Erden's care together, who followed any instruction or direction given her without complaint, but at times sobbed and cried for minutes at a time before lapsing into a stony, numb silence. Min felt more like a mother herself when she laid Erden down and used
aku
to gently coax the woman to sleep—it was a finer, more delicate process, but in time Erden's eyes settled closed and her cries turned to whimpering breaths, before at last she fell into deeper sleep.
"Thank you," Sait said. Sergen stood behind Min, not speaking, simply remaining close-by.
Min nodded, but it was wooden, given how drained she was. She rubbed at her tired eyes as she stood up. "Be gentle with her—she's had a very long day."
"As have we all," Sait answered. "You've earned your
kollik
today, Yasemin, rest assured of that."
"Do you think so?"
"I've learned a couple of things about the ways of witches. Once life becomes a bit calmer, I'm sure your mother and mine both will insist on it."
"I hope you're right." Min sighed, scrubbed her face. "I should rest, also."
"You've earned that, too," he said with a smile. "Good night, Yasemin."
"Good night." She took Sergen's hand and they departed.
Back outside, the steady rush of the waterfall seemed louder with the roar of the rain and repetitive, pounding thunder in the skies above. Min allowed Sergen to lead the way, not speaking, not trusting herself or whatever emotions were in her until they could be alone.
They were soaked with rain by the time he led her to the den meant for them to use. When he ducked down and crawled inside, Min stood there for a long moment, staring at the dark hole, her mind wiped blank—the opening seemed yawning and cavernous, ready to swallow her up.
Then Sergen stuck his head back out, looking up at her. Without a word, not needing to speak, he reached up and took her hand, pulling Min in after him. She followed, one hand in front of the other, but she felt numb, like the corruption inside of her had gotten loose again.
Once she was completely inside the small cavern, alone at last, something inside of her broke. The floor came rushing up as Min collapsed, sobbing so hard that her entire body was shaking. If she'd had food in her stomach, she would've thrown it up; if she had the breath to, she would have started screaming, and wasn't sure she'd ever stop.
Sergen was there with her, his arms around her, his breath warm and soft in her wet hair. Min wasn't sure she even wanted to be held, or even touched, then decided that being held felt good—very, very good. The tears ran their course, which was longer than she wanted them to take, until she was shivering in his arms, her cheek to his chest, her eyes half-lidded, staring into the darkness.
"I..." Min blinked, licked her lips. "I...feel
awful
."
"You were very brave today," he said.
She didn't have the energy for a smile. "I have a sister. My mother never told me about her. She never even told me about my father until you." She took a breath and nuzzled his bare chest. He really
did
feel good. "What
else
hasn't she told me about?"
He paused, looking down at her, his eyes shining. "Is it the way of witches to keep secrets?"
Now Min did laugh, but it was soft as a whisper and she almost started crying again. "Apparently so."
"So now you know." He touched her face, brushing back her wet hair. "If you dislike secrets, don't keep them. Be a witch on your own terms, Yasemin."
"Min." When he looked puzzled, she reached up to touch his face, managing a tiny smile. "My mother calls me Yasemin."
"And Sait," he added.
