SECRETS OF THE TEMPLE

Lucien POV

 When I saw the arrow that missed Emily my heart stopped for a while and rage coursed through my veins. Who was after her life and what did they hope to achieve with her death? I opened a portal and sneaked on the attacker. I caught him when he was just about to escape and he happened to be a vampire but his strength was far inferior to mine. I dragged him back with me to the place and he committed suicide then.

“It seems like this war involves not only witches but everyone, " Kiran said, and my mind was all focused on Emily’s safety.

I went beside her and squatted down and caressed her cheek to see if she was not injured. Whoever wanted her dead must first go through me.

“Tharros where is this temple?” I asked.

“ Deep inside the woods on the Northern forest…” he answered but was not given the time to finish his sentence as the werewolf stopped him mid-sentence.

“I know the Northen forest like the back of my pal but I have never across any building talk about a temple,” he said.

“Well, that is because the temple only appears during nighttime when there is a moon. The Moon Armulet inside the temple only makes it appear at night and it seems like today’s moon is the last before a new moon rises” he explained.

“Which means we have to go there today right?” Emily weakly said and I saw Tharros nod his head in conformation.

“But you are not strong enough Emily. You need to rest” I worriedly reminded her but she was stubborn.

“Lucien who knows if I will be able to wait for a new moon to rise. If we miss this chance something tells me, we would have made a grave error” she firmly said and she grabbed a coat and put it on with determination written on her face.

“One thing before we go, we might face danger because it is said the temple’s gates are protected by a strong magic” Tharros added.

“Just take us to the temple Tharros,” I said getting irritated by his nagging.

He conjured a spell and a vortex of colour and sound appeared and we all walked through it. On the other side we were now standing in the middle of the Northern forest.

“Now we are here, where is it?” Kiran asked getting frustrated.

“This is where my magic could take us. Try to keep up and don’t stray away from the path” he cautioned and we continued moving.

The more we moved the more thicker and darker the forest became. Out of nowhere some vines then started crawling from the ground and tying us. The pain was excruciating but Emily was not tied by the vines.

“Emily watch out!”I called when I saw a shadow giant running towards her. I tried to set myself free, even tried using my magic to destroy the vines but the vines seemed to be feeding off my magic. Every time I blasted it they became stronger.

“Tharros do something. What is that thing?” Kiran said as he watched the shadow monster looking at Emily.

“That is the protector of the temple gate. Emily close your eyes and touch the shadow” he called at Emily.

“Are you crazy man what if it kills her” Kiran called.

“I remember I read something about it so trust me I know what am doing,” he said and I watched as Emily walked toward the shadow. I could hear her heart beating fast. She was scared, she walked slowly and the rustling of the dead leaves as she moved closer made me anxious about what would happen.

She moved towards it and touched the shadow and immediately white light came from within her and the shadow turned from deep black to grey and it bowed down to her.

“Tharros how about you explain what is happening now” Kiran asked with the same confusion I also had.

“It means that the shadow now realizes Emily as its new master,” he said and after that the vines loosened and I went to Emily and embraced her.

“His name is Yang” Emily softly said and she felt a little dizzy and fell in my arms.

The moment she fell in my arms, my heart started pumping blood so viciously that I was afraid I would burst. The feeling of holding my mate in my arms was too good to be true. I wonder how long I can hold myself from this urge to mark her.

“Well, well, well. What a show. I have to give you a thumbs up all of you. I have tried for many years to come to this place but that Shadow would not let me pass through. I underestimated the power of the Destiny child. Now move aside and I promise no one will get hurt that amulet belongs to me” I heard a voice behind me and smelt new people as well in the air. Their scent was distinct like a rat living in the sewage. We had been ambushed.

I turned to face where the voice was coming from. It was coming from the dark spot of the forest.

“Show yourself” I commanded and I heard the person laughing hysterically and walked softly to the moonlight.

Her feet were the first to step on the light, followed by her dark gown with several symbols engraved on it then lastly her tattooed face also became visible through the moonlight.

No, it couldn’t be,’ Priestess