BLADE. Rage and I finally found the path that led us to the Parturi Coven. As soon as we saw the landmark that told us we were in one of its borders, I shifted back into my human form and slipped on the shorts that Rage carried in his mouth and checked if I still had Lucius’ coin in my pockets, which fortunately was still there. I also grabbed the necklace and checked. All good. But I regretted not bringing a shirt, as the necklace would certainly draw attention, but I had no choice but to continue my journey without one and hope for the best. I already knew what I was getting myself into when I ran here. I was ready to face anyone just to get to the goal — for Althea to get her mother’s vial and to stop these dark witches from haunting her. But I had to admit, seeing all these witches around me and pretending everything was okay was not an easy task. I showed up, and a witch, who introduced herself as Clandestine, met me. She said she was Anaiah’s friend, and if I were there

ALTHEA. I did it. This was one of the spells I saw handwritten in the Dark Witches book that I took with me. I had no idea where Mom got this, but it must be where she learned how to erase my memories and my dark witch’s mark. As soon as I realized this was the spell I wanted to use, I started practicing using things before I moved on with plants, sucking the life out of them and gathering their energy in one place. Patrea was so patient with me as I learned this spell. But we both knew there was no guarantee it would work. My eyes roamed around the clearing. There were some that were dead, but I assumed they were killed by them. And those who were still alive were crawling and trying to draw energy from each other. But all of them were too weak without their spirits around them. I felt tired, too, but for some reason, I was still able to stand. I was already expecting I would be one of the first to collapse, and Patrea needed to continue for me, but here I was, still able t

ALTHEA. “Are you upset?” I asked Blade while I was trying to control my heartbeat. I was seated in his office chair while he was standing, looking out the window. After the event at the Parturi Coven had calmed down, I requested to be sent back to our territory as I needed time to speak with Blade. Patrea wanted to hear all that happened, but I told her there were things I had to tell Blade, including about our child. But I would summon them once I was ready to speak with everyone, as I knew they also needed to know about my deal with Alastor. Blade remained quiet, and I was worried he might think I was so stupid for accepting a bargain from a demon — that I should know better. “Say something, please…” “I’m trying to wrap my head around the things you told me. I’m thinking of how we can go on without him affecting us…” I swallowed. He was already looking for a solution. Would that mean he was not angry with me? “Are you not upset I made a deal with him, and it’s your pack I pu

KING LUCIUS. I sat on my throne and stared blankly ahead of me. Blade summoned me moments ago, when Althea had fallen asleep. He needed help, and as much as he irritated me most of the time, I didn’t turn my back on him. I could never do that to a family. I listened to his fears, and although his fears were feeding my soul, I didn’t get any satisfaction from them. I knew his fears were valid, and if anything happened to Althea, it would hurt my queen. Blade asked me if it would hurt me to return Athwart to Alastor. I told him it wouldn’t, but it would make me a weak demon if I gave it up as part of a deal. And he shouldn’t forget that demons are demons. Even if I gave up the Kingdom of Athwart, there was no guarantee Alastor would stop with his conquest for revenge. Demons never forgive. So here I was, thinking of ways to protect Althea the moment their child was already out of her body. I knew Alastor was my enemy, but it seemed he had shifted his goal and wanted Althea. Mayb

ALTHEA “So where are we heading?” I asked Blade excitedly as I held my sling bag tightly, beaming at him as we walked toward the packhouse’s entrance. Four days ago, we had our union, and my Luna ceremony, and this trip was supposed to be our first getaway. Blade laughed heartily as he squeezed my hand that he was holding. “You’ve been asking me that since I told you we were going away for a short vacation. And you will still get the same response.” I pouted my lips, feigning disappointment, but in reality, I was excited. It didn’t matter where we were headed as long as I would be with Blade, and we could finally relax from all the mess and chaos we went through. It had been three weeks since I ended the Parturi Coven, and so far, everything had been quiet. There were no signs of Alastor, either here or in the underworld. Clandestine and the children we saved were thriving well at the Fortuna Coven. Lucy and I made sure they got everything they needed, from clothes and food to a