Chapter Twelve

Brielle's POV

She made us step into a different room as she prepared for the process. We both sipped the tea she gave us in silence. It tasted like crap but I gladly gulped it to handle the awkwardness in the room.

Lucien stared out the window, obviously lost in thought. I finally decided to say something but I was interrupted before I could.

“Alright, you may come back in now,.” The priestess stretched her head through the curtain.

"Drop your tea cups by the stool,"

When we got back, the curtains had been drawn, and the room was dimly lit by candles, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of roots and objects I knew nothing of.

I sat nervously, watching as she prepared the summoning ritual to bring forth the spirit that had haunted my nights . Lucien stood beside me, his expression tense. Neither of us knew what to expect but I felt safer with him beside me.

"When it begins , you are on your own. There is no manual to this," She warned.

I nodded and she proceeded. She chanted in a language that was foreign to me ,her voice was low, rhythmic, and powerful. The flames of the candles seemed to move in time with her words and although the curtains were drawn, I could feel the wind.

“Stay close to me.” Lucien's hot breath whispered and held on to my hand. “No matter what happens.”

My heart pounded in my chest as I expected the unexpected. The priestess’s chanting grew louder, and I felt a tingling sensation that made my skin prickle. Suddenly, the room grew colder, and a faint mist formed in the middle of the room.

Lucien’s grip on my hand tightened. “Steady, no fear,"

The mist thickened, swirling and forming into a shape. A figure became more distinctly shaped with each passing second. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the form of a woman, her face was pale and she had a captivating beauty that could be noticed even through the misty figure.

“Laurel?” Lucien uttered in a voice that was barely a whisper.

The ghostly figure turned to face us, her eyes filled with a sorrow that seemed to pierce through my being.

“Lucien,”

I glanced at Lucien as he shook his head in disbelief.

“This is a trick! Stop this!" He snapped at the priestess who stood quietly by the edge of the room.

"Brother it's me," The figure spoke, her cold voice sent chills through me. My grip on Lucien's hand had begun to heat up, producing sweat that drenched my palms.

"You died. You shouldn't... we lost you...." Lucien stuttered as he went even closer to her.

"You died sister. We lost you,"

“I didn't kill myself, I will never do that,” Laurel spoke with a heavy voice.

“I tried to reach out to you but everyday you grew apart since Trivia's death. I watch how you struggle,”

“You were killed, weren't you?” Lucien asked a question that made him tremble. I could feel his hands shivering as I held on to it.

“Thrown off the same cliff your mate jumped into. I found her floating…”

Her words triggered something in my memory. They came in like waves, pictures began to take form. There were indeed gaps in my mind from the moment I jumped to when I floated to shore.

“I was sinking,” I muttered softly, unaware of when the words escaped my lips. Flashes became more vivid and I recalled drowning as the water rushed into my lungs. I fought desperately but I lost.

“I really died,”

“What else can you remember?” She asked. The priestess leaned forward, listening with curiosity.

“Think,”

I shut my eyes and allowed myself back to the moment, back to feeling of loneliness and fear. When I finally gave up and let death take over, a beam of light that felt warm to the touch. It was a scorching blue light and behind it was a smile, one that sent chills through me.

“Who was that?” I asked with a trembling voice.

“I could feel her smile, her sadness, so much sadness,”

“She is pained when she sees people abused, her people,” Laurel muttered.

“Who is?” Lucien asked sharply.

“The Goddess, you got touched by the goddess,” The Priestess reacted with a shocked look.

“You have a destiny, a Salvation that you need to accomplish. It wasn't your time,”

“You have a chance that I did not, Brielle,” Laurel said with pain in her voice.

“We have to end his reign over the lives of women and men that can't fight for themselves. No more persecution,”

“Chase? He killed you ,didn't he?” Lucien growled ferociously as he watched tears escape his sister's eyes.

“No!” He roared loudly, shaking the treehouse to its foundation.

“He doesn't plan on honoring the treaty. All the Alphas in the West had bowed except you and a young Alpha from the regional borders,” She spoke clearly.

“He will attempt to break you and make his way in. Don't let him brother, don't let him rule over this already evil world,”

“I will kill him for what he did to you, I will break him for breaking you. I am so sorry,” Lucien fell to his knees. Watching him feel pain broke me, I never knew he was capable of such pain.

“Father used you to broker a deal, I should have stopped him,”

“It's not your fault, the universe gave me to him as a mate. It's all for a purpose,” She retorted.

“Now, you have his Luna as your second chance mate. A phenom that has never happened, a sign from the goddess herself, you have to answer this,”

“Its time, the veil is shutting off,” The priestess voiced.

“You are strong, Brielle,” She said to me.

“Be strong for what's to come because you are going to need that strength. Don't give up hope,”

“What will I tell Zane?” Lucien asked as she slowly faded away.

“Tell my twin that there's still love in the world,” Her voice slowly faded alongside.

The candles blew out and the room became dead silent. I looked around, exhaling heavily from the strange experience I had just been through.

“Always a pleasure dealing with you, Lucien,” The Priestess bowed with a smile.

*****

Lucien and I headed back, the silence remained and the awkwardness thickened when we arrived at the mansion.

“Brielle,” Zane rushed out to meet me. Lucien slowly stepped aside as Zane picked me up in his arms.

“I was so worried until some guards told me you left with Lucien,”

“He helped me…”

“...with a stroll,” Lucien cut in abruptly.

“I thought a stroll could help clear her head of all her nightmares,”

I looked at him strangely, he didn't want to say our encounter with Laurel and I had to lie to keep up his story.

“Thank you,” Zane shook hands with his brother.

Are you okay, Brielle?”

I took another look at Lucien, who stood with a blank stare.

,”Yeah… yeah, I guess so,”