TESSAConfusion washed over me as my gaze moved between Velmara and Frederick. They looked moments away from tearing into each other. Had I missed something? Why did they feel like rivals when we were supposed to be allies?I cleared my throat and tried to ease the tension. We’d already intruded on Velmara enough and the last thing I wanted was to turn her home into a battleground.“Hey,” I said softly, glancing at her. “Please don’t mind his words. He can be a bit moody sometimes.”Velmara blinked. Finally, she stepped aside, positioning herself beside me.“Frederick, shouldn’t we at least make a good impression before we leave?” I asked.He didn’t answer. I can tell that he was hiding something. But I decided not to push him now, I'll get the truth later.The hard line of his mouth softened and a polite mask began to slide back into place.I allowed myself a faint smile.It was still night and from where I stood, I noticed we were high on a hill with the forest sprawling endlessly i
VELMARAI swallowed hard, forcing myself not to show a flicker of fear. Though his threat sent goosebumps racing over my skin, the last thing I wanted was for him to sense it. This wasn’t the first time I’d faced a death threat. Being a witch meant living with a target on your back, we were hunted openly after all. I would not be afraid.'You afraid, pretty one?' His voice slid into my mind again. 'Because I can feel it deep in my bones how you’re trembling right now.'I forced my breathing to be steady. “You have no power over me, crippled.”Silence.The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I had made a mistake. I just struck at his greatest wound and some instinct told me he was the sort of man who would never forgive anyone who dared to mock it.'You’re so sure? Should we prove that, then? I can hardly wait to hear that sweet voice of yours begging this crippled man for mercy.'“We witches don’t beg mercy from anyone, Zade.” I managed to lie. But inside, my chest was tightening
VELMARA“Goddess please, have mercy. Save me.” I wiped away the thin trail of blood trickling from my lips and nostrils. My chest rose and fell sharply as I uncorked a small vial and tipped its contents down my throat. The bitter liquid burned as it slid down, but I welcomed it. This is the potion I always took after a ritual, the one that helps me recover more quickly.Cold sweat ran down my temple. My legs trembled so badly that I had to press my shoulder against the nearest tree. I tilted my head back to stare at the silver moon hanging high above. We witches worship the same deity the werewolves do but unlike them, my kind had long abandoned spiritual practices. Centuries had passed since most witches had prayed and some of the most powerful among us had even dared to proclaim themselves as goddesses in their own right.But tonight for the first time in my life, I pray. Not for myself but for someone else’s safety.“This isn’t like me at all. Usually, when someone comes to me, I
TESSAI blinked slowly, my vision adjusting to the soft flicker of light. Hearing a man's voice made my body tense. I was still on edge after everything that had just happened. But then I realize it wasn’t Zade's voice.But Frederick.“Where are we?” I asked, my voice hoarse.He helped me push myself up into a sitting position. I was no longer in that nightmarish world but a warm, dimly lit hut and steeped in the rich scent of herbs. “Velmara’s place,” He said softly.His gaze fixed on me like he was afraid I’d vanish if he looked away. His hand hadn’t left mine. And to be honest, I was grateful. I needed someone's real presence right now. A part of me still feared Zade would appear again.I glanced around once more, “Vel- who?”“The witch my grandmother sent us to,” Frederick answered, “She isn't dangerous, you don't have to worry."If we were in her home now, that meant Awe had met her. But I couldn’t remember it. When had that happened?“She tried performing the ritual to erase t
TESSAThe taste of blood was so thick in my tongue. I was sure my wolf’s snout was now stained with the dark crimson. Zade's eyes widened in horror, his body standing limp with arms dangling uselessly at his sides. Except now, only one of those arms remained intact. “What...” He rasped, his voice strained. His throat gurgled as he swallowed, attempting to suppress the pain. He stared down at his severed wrist, eyes stretched wide with disbelief. “What did you just do to me? How dare you?”I wasn’t sure whether this attack would carry over once we returned to the physical world, if we ever did. We were still inside the strange void of whatever this place was. But one thing was clear; I had inflicted real damage and it would slow him down.“Don’t play games with me,” I warned.He could hear me perfectly, even though I spoke through my mind.Slowly, I could feel Aurora's presence brushing against mine, her spirit no longer completely entangled in his pull. Though the bond she felt tow
TESSAI forced my eyes open, the dull throb of pain pulsing through every inch of my body. My movements were stiff as I dragged myself upright and took in my surroundings where thick mist coiled in every direction.Where was the woman? The hauntingly beautiful woman with eyes as black as onyx who had spoken to me only moments ago. She had told me to follow her, she would show me the way out of this strange place. But now she was gone leaving me stranded here alone once more.A slow, creeping fear began to seep into my bones. I couldn’t tell where I was, only that it felt like I was suspended somewhere between earth and sky, the two blurring together until I could no longer distinguish one from the other. The ground beneath my paws was damp. Yes, I was still in my wolf form.Aurora’s ears twitched as she turned her head, scanning the haze for any sign of movement. Before a powerful pull, an invisible thread yanking at her very core, urging her forward with a force too strong to igno