Sheila's point of viewThe witches' chants echoed within the walls of the cave, as we carried on with the ritual. I could feel the power of the four phoenix stones mixing with the water. It was time to move on to the next phase of the ritual. Nikolai nodded to one of the witches from his coven, and he stepped forward, bringing the dagger specifically for the ritual to me.I took it from him, holding its black handle. I started chanting in a foreign language, and the magical symbols on the dagger began to glow. I strode to the crystalline waters that shone with the magic of the phoenix stones.Vladimir was still in it, his deep golden eyes narrowed on me as I brought the sharp blade to his throat. I hesitated briefly, as his unreadable gaze burned into mine. For the next phase of the ritual, the chosen vessel had to be dead while we perform the resurgent ritual. The vessel's throat had to be slit with the black dagger, with the blood mixing into the crystalline waters now holding the m
Killian's point of viewFor a second, my body was completely paralyzed. I couldn't stop the wild drumming of my heart in my ears as I carried Sheila's cold body in my arms and left the place, moving out to the narrow path of the cave.Sheila was completely stiff and her body cold. My rounded, fearful eyes fell on the part of her stomach that was covered with blood. She had been wounded, but the wound was not so deep. Why the fuck wasn't she healing?I cleared the rocks that lay around, carefully placing her on the ground, my large hands cupping her cheeks as I tried everything to get her awake. The more I failed, I could feel myself a second away from going nuts. Panic and frenzy knotted my chest, and Ryker's insane clawing and growling were worsening the situation. I just couldn't think straight."Sheila please, come on," I tried again, but nothing. And it was at that fearful moment, I realized something. I couldn't hear her heartbeat. I lost whatever control I had been holding on to
Sheila's point of viewI moaned internally at the endless sparks that journeyed deep in my bones, breathing both warmth and life into my soul. I flung my head to my left, feeling Killian's toned and muscular arms around me, forcing an ear-to-ear smile on my lips. The soothing beat of Killian's heart and his wet skin against mine calmed me. I opened my eyes gently and I found Killian's amber irises watching me. I chuckled."Have you been watching me sleep?" I asked with a cheeky grin, wiping my lashes with the back of my hand, while Killian helped tuck loose strands of my brown curls behind my ears."I had no choice. I couldn't risk closing my eyes, only to realize having you here beside me was just a dream," he replied in the softest voice that made Adie purr at the back of my mind.I smiled as my eyes naughtily ran over Killian's body. He just came out from showering with a white woolen towel around his waist. He was tempting and my body yearned for him immediately. His wet curls tri
Sheila's point of view"It's about the Shota's magic," Zeriyah said, her dark gaze traveling the faces of everyone in the Court."What happened?" I leaned forward against the giant table, my deep gaze moving from Amelie whose eyes were now focused on the black crystal ball in her slender fingers. She looked as though her mind was lost somewhere in it."Last night during the Blood moon, Amelie had two visions. One was of an all-out war and the other was about Shota's magic," Zeriyah paused, her dark gaze found mine. "It's free."Several gasps broke out, and I was left completely speechless for a fucking second. "That's not possible," I muttered more to myself, clutching my hands together."I do know that. We were told Vladimir had fled after the attack, and the Shota's magic was imprisoned back in its cage by you. But the visions are never clear, but they never lie as well. Something must have happened or gone wrong during the ritual. But that darkness found a vessel last night," she s
Sheila's point of viewI was covered with sweat and breathing heavily by the time I was done training with the young warriors who were in their first year of shifting. We had begun training every young male and female so they would be able to protect themselves if the time ever came. Every pack, coven, and kingdom in North Central and those that survived from other regions had begun extensive training for the war that was almost upon us. We had no idea when Vladimir was going to strike, but his silence so far only meant one thing. He was rebuilding his army, and we had to be ready.I walked through the castle doors and hurried quickly to the kitchen to get some water. Ria was there as well, having her meal in her training clothes, and she was also part of the training. My eyes scanned around, and there was no sign of Brielle."Where's Brielle?" I asked, settling on the seat next to Ria.A short smile found Ria's lips. "Somewhere around, I guess. Probably venting her frustration out or
Killian's point of viewI handed my horse over to the warriors. It was already dark when I returned from the Council's castle. I moved in a hurry, I badly wanted to see Sheila. I had been feeling restless since I saw her in tears back at the Council's castle. I had been trying to mind-link her, but it wasn't connecting. Only the goddess knew how worried I was, and I still was. Even after I had mind-linked Ria, asked about Sheila, and was informed she was back in the castle, I just couldn't remain at peace.I hurried through the hallways, heading to my chamber. Hastily, I pushed the door open, and the first thing my eyes fell on was the bed, where Sheila was curled on, sleeping.I exhaled, feeling a certain calmness and relief wash over me. Slowly, I locked the door, moving to the bed where she was. She had changed from the clothes she wore earlier to one of her dresses. Ria had told me she had been sleeping since she returned from the Council's castle.I leaned on the bed, placing a k
Sheila's point of viewI lowered my speed on my horse as I approached the Council's castle. My blue eyes narrowed as I scanned through the few warriors and elders scattered around the woods. I pulled my horse to a halt, alighting from it. What the hell happened?I went to the woods, searching for Killian. I hadn't gotten far into the woods when my blue eyes fell on Valerie, she was standing under a tree, and Kaiser was with her.I rushed to them. "Kai," I embraced him, moving over to Valerie. "Oh Val, it's good to have you back," I embraced her, pulling away and she fixed her purple eyes to the direction of my voice. "How did it go?" I rushed, asking.She released a small smile. "Good. We found Shota's remains, and we are only a step away from finding out who the vessel is.""That's great. With everything happening, we need to know who's got this demon now," Kaiser voiced, pulling his hazel gaze into the woods.I drew closer, following his gaze. "What happened? Where's Killian, he sai
Killian's point of viewIt was still the early hours of dawn, and darkness still lingered outside. I woke up earlier than usual the next morning. I had a few matters to tend to in my office today, and I wanted to get over with it before Sheila wakes up. I didn't plan on leaving her side for the rest of today and during tonight's ritual. I didn't like the state she was in these past few days. Everything was getting to her. The coming war, this dark magic, and Amelie's visions.Oh, goddess!I collapsed into the chair in my office, rubbing the exhaustion off my face. I had to admit, Sheila's words about Amelie's vision had hit me badly. I knew Amelie's visions were always accurate, but I also do believe visions, especially ones that were of the future could always be changed if we thread differently. And Sheila was right, the important thing now was finding the vessel and ending this darkness before the war.I pulled myself out of my thoughts and glanced at the darkness outside the windo