Novel-novel oleh Nizzyvan

Chapter 183Katie's POVAll I see is a blur of him as I try to get my mind and body to function so I can answer him. My legs hit the floor as he pushed me down, releasing me to walk away. His hand grips his hair as he stares at the gun in his other hand and back down to me.“No. No, it’s not true,” I whimper, tears still falling. “Don’t listen to him,” I plead, looking him straight in the eyes.“Silence,” he orders, walking over to me with his hand raised. Will he hit me? Will he hurt me?“That isn’t true!” I shoot back. “Nothing he is saying is true…”Silence ensues for a long second before Cephus speaks. “Get the ropes and tape!” he yells to Mack. I’m lying on the ground on my side when his face comes into my vision.“Was it all a lie, Katie? Was it all some fucked up lie so that you could get into my head? So you could get the inside job done and walk away unscathed?” His voice is so loud in my ears, I push away from him.“Was it?” he shouts, demanding a response, his fingers gripp

Chapter 182Katie's POV“I see it as more of a protective arrangement for both of us. There are legal protections for each of us… incentives to keep one another’s secrets.”I fixed him with what I hoped was the most vicious look I had in me. “I never went to the cops after you kidnapped me, didn’t go running to my parents begging them to find someone to break your kneecaps, and you thought you needed some other way of getting me to keep your secrets?”“It matters…” I can hear the anxiety in Mack’s voice. Something is very, very wrong.“Why does it matter? She was nothing before this whole incident and will be nothing after everything takes place. She’s clean. I know it.” Cephus sounds confident, and though I know I have done nothing wrong, if Mack convinces him I did something, I know I am as good as dead.“It matters because I know she’s not clean. After Jared called me and told me what Luccio said, I did a little digging on her and found some shit out.”Horror fills my mind. What i

Chapter 181Katie's POV“I was seven or eight, in a regular primary school not far from here.” His right hand moved, grasping for his phone, then he left it alone and pulled my hand he was still holding onto his knee, placing both of his hands over it. If the ring I was wearing was digging in, he didn’t give any sign. “It might surprise you to hear this, Katie, but I was not the best of children.”“Shocking revelation.”“I was always targeting kids a bit younger, a bit smaller. The ones I knew wouldn’t be able to give me any shit in return. Except this one time, there was this kid—Billy Burke, I remember his name vividly—and he did give me shit. He told me he wanted me to stop pushing him around and trying to scare him, and no he wasn’t going to give me his lunch money, by the way. I’d never run into this situation before when I was running this scam, so I panicked a bit. I hit him in the face. Told me to his parents.”I didn’t know what to say to this. It took me all too quickly b

Chapter 180Katie's POVEven when it gets worked out in the end, it sucks for long-term relationships.”It had to be even harder to find someone you could enter into the sort of long-term relationship most people were especially keen on with. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised Cephus had jumped at the chance to get me on board as a future wife.And speaking of my future husband, I had half-expected he wouldn’t be there when I returned. Then when I saw him sitting on the couch in front of the TV where he’d been when I ran out to get in Caroline’s car—where he’d probably slept for all I knew, he’d gone out the night before and hadn’t been back before I admitted defeat and crawled to bed—I half-expected to spot Angel somewhere in the room in the next moment. She didn’t have anything further to add to her roster of manipulations for the moment: we were alone.“What was your day like?” asked Cephus without looking at me. I let my bag slip by degrees from my fingers, frozen in place by the p

Chapter 179Katie's POV“Cephus isn’t supposed to be a part of this side of things, he can’t do it… and I doubt you’re in a position to ask your mother for assistance. Caroline is an ideal choice.”I didn’t like it, but she was right. I couldn’t go about this the wrong way if I ever wanted to be on Cephus’s good side. I didn’t want to go about it the wrong way. And while I was surrounded by Cephus’s family I needed to make connections unless I wanted to be treated the same way I was on my own. Caroline seemed like the safest option there so far.“If you’re sure I won’t be inconveniencing you,” I told Caroline. “I could use the help. I don’t have much experience with the whole wedding business, that much is for sure.”Caroline broke out in a little golf clap of delight. There might actually be some benefit in spending trying to absorb as much as I could of her elegance. “I’m so pleased to help. Now, I was thinking, I have the whole of tomorrow afternoon off work, so that would be a g

Chapter 178Katie's POVI sat up with a gasp.It was just like the morning before when I had woken to unexpected voices. But this time I was in a strange bed again, and at least one of those voices didn’t seem familiar at all.I’d learned my lesson from the day before. I couldn’t get myself into the single bathroom in the apartment, but I pulled on a proper outfit, brushed out my hair, and cleaned my face thoroughly with some wipes. I didn’t dare put on makeup without a full mirror, but I was young and fresh enough that I could probably get away without it.Once I was decent, I made a quick and quiet tidy of my room and then stepped up to the door for a bit of strategic eavesdropping before I joined the action.A childish female voice was doing most of the talking. “She’ll need someone to guide her through the process.”Cephus’s voice sounded both amused and exasperated. “Someone who has never been even close to getting married before?”“You know exactly what Caroline means.” The thi

Chapter 30Damien's POVThe cold, oppressive air of the sanctuary pressed in on me as I stood at the threshold of the ancient chamber, my heart pounding in time with the distant, ominous chanting.Every nerve in my body screamed that something was terribly wrong, yet I could not tear my eyes away from the spectacle unfolding before us. The barrier of shimmering energy had risen suddenly, encasing the entire underground courtyard in an otherworldly glow, and beyond it, the hooded cultists had gathered in a tight circle around a massive stone platform.Their voices melded into a single, unholy hymn that reverberated off the cavern walls and set the very stones trembling. Beside me, I could see Alina’s face set in a determined mask, but beneath that stoic exterior, her eyes betrayed fear and uncertainty.I knew that the power within her, the ancient force that had been awakened, was as much a blessing as it was a curse, and now the prophecy was forcing our hand.My mind raced with possib

Chapter 29Damien's POV The first rays of dawn barely touched the horizon when I stepped out of the packhouse, my senses already sharpened for the day ahead. The air was thick with anticipation, every warrior in the camp moving with purpose. Word of Alina’s victory against the rogue champion had spread like wildfire, but it had done little to ease the weight pressing down on my chest. She had fought well—ferociously, even. Yet, beneath the triumph, I saw the shadow of something else. A force inside her that she barely understood. A power that surged unpredictably, as if waiting for the right moment to consume her. I found her standing near the training grounds, watching the sparring warriors with an intensity that told me she wasn’t seeing them at all. Her mind was elsewhere. Caught between the battle she had won and the prophecy that still loomed over her. “Alina.” I called her name gently, stepping beside her. She turned, and for a moment, the storm in her silver eyes flic

Chapter 28Alina's POVI stood at the edge of the rogue territory, my heart pounding like a war drum, as the early morning light struggled to pierce through the dense canopy overhead. The chill in the air mingled with a palpable tension that clung to every leaf and stone.Damien’s words from the packhouse still echoed in my mind—warnings of a trade and a challenge for the sake of finding the elder. Now, as we faced the roving band of rogue warriors who emerged silently from the shadows, I knew there was no turning back. We had come too far, and the answers we sought lay just beyond this confrontation.The rogue leader, a tall, scarred man with a sneer permanently etched on his face, stepped forward. His eyes, dark and calculating, locked onto mine as he spoke in a voice rough as gravel. “You’re a brave one, aren’t you? Accepting a challenge when you should be trembling in fear.” His words dripped with disdain, yet there was an undercurrent of respect beneath it all.I squared my shoul

Chapter 27Alina's POV The air in the chamber remained thick with the lingering presence of that shadowed figure. My breath came fast, my skin still tingling with the remnants of the power I had unleashed. My fingers curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to steady myself. Damien stood beside me, his chest rising and falling heavily, his body still tense from the confrontation. His golden eyes flicked toward me, scanning for injuries. “Are you hurt?” I shook my head slowly, even though I wasn’t entirely sure. Physically, I was intact, but something inside me had shifted. That thing—whoever or whatever it was—had spoken of sacrifice, of the price for the Forsaken power I had called upon. My soul. A chill ran through me. “We need to leave,” Damien said, his voice rough. He shot a glare at the remaining cultists, who were still kneeling, too terrified to even breathe too loudly. “Now.” I hesitated, my gaze shifting back to the stone altar where the r

Chapter 26Alina's POV The chamber trembled beneath my feet as the shadowed figure stepped closer, its presence a void that seemed to swallow even the dim flickering torchlight. My breath caught in my throat. The power coursing through me felt raw, unstable, as though I was balancing on the edge of a blade. My decision had set something in motion—something far greater than I had ever imagined. Damien’s grip on my arm tightened. His body was tense, poised for battle, his golden eyes locked onto the figure before us. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice sharp, authoritative. The figure let out a low chuckle, the sound slithering through the cavern like a creeping mist. “Who I am does not matter. What matters is that the vessel has made her choice.” His voice sent a shudder through me, an ancient whisper curling around my thoughts like vines seeking to ensnare my mind. The cultists around us had fallen to their knees, their heads bowed, their hands trembling as they pressed them

Chapter 25Alina's POVI felt as though I was standing on the very edge of oblivion. The spectral shape’s roar still reverberated in my ears, a monstrous sound that shattered the eerie silence of the courtyard. In that moment, as the cultists’ chanting fell to a trembling halt and their eyes widened with fear, I knew that my destiny was no longer a matter of choice—it was a demand, an implacable force that would force me to decide in an instant whether I would embrace the power within or be consumed by it.For what felt like an eternity, I stood frozen before the stone platform, my heart pounding so fiercely I could almost hear its rhythm. The ancient altar pulsed beneath my feet, its runes glowing with a fierce intensity that illuminated the terrified faces of the cultists encircling us. Damien’s steady hand on my shoulder reminded me that I was not alone, yet the weight of the moment threatened to crush my resolve. I recalled every warning, every whispered prophecy—the seer’s omino

Chapter 82A Dangerous GambleQuinton's POVAs we left the clearing, I could feel Fiona’s anguish radiating through every step she took. Her brother, Caleb, being alive was a twist none of us had anticipated, and it cut deeper than anything Lilith had thrown at us so far. But it wasn’t just that. The real wound was seeing him twisted, loyal to the very enemy we were trying to stop. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but I knew words wouldn’t help now. What Fiona needed was action—and answers.“Do you think he’s too far gone?” she asked quietly, barely above a whisper.I looked over at her, unsure of what to say. Caleb’s eyes had been empty—cold. I wasn’t sure what Lilith had done to him, but it felt like she’d stripped him of something vital, something human. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But we’re going to find out.”We pushed through the underbrush, the night air thick with tension. I had to focus on the immediate problem: how to deal with Lilith’s growing power and Caleb’s in

Chapter 81Revelations UnveiledFiona's POVThe shock of seeing my brother standing beside Lilith sent my mind into a whirlwind of confusion. For years, I thought he was dead. Killed when we were children, lost to a tragedy I could barely remember. But there he was, his eyes gleaming with that same dangerous light I’d seen in my own reflection recently.My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. It was as though all the air had been sucked from my lungs. "Caleb?" I whispered, taking a cautious step forward.He didn’t respond, his gaze cold and emotionless, like a stranger wearing my brother’s face. The Caleb I remembered had a kindness in his eyes, a warmth. This man... was different. Darker. I couldn’t feel any of the sibling bond we’d once shared. Instead, I felt the same oppressive energy I’d always sensed from Lilith—only now, it was doubled."Surprised to see him?" Lilith’s voice was like silk, dripping with malice. "He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Chapter 80A Dark RevelationFiona's POVThe darkness that swallowed the cave was absolute, suffocating. I couldn’t see Quinton or even hear him. Panic began to bubble up inside me, making my chest feel tight. My heart pounded wildly, each beat echoing in my ears. I reached out, blindly, desperate to find him.“Quinton!” My voice cracked in the overwhelming silence.No response.My pulse quickened as I realized how alone I felt in this void, but I couldn’t afford to lose myself to fear. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to focus. I could still sense Quinton’s presence somewhere near me—his energy, that raw and protective aura, flickering through the dark. It was faint but there. I had to find him."Fiona..."His voice, strained and faint, came from somewhere close but distant, like he was calling from deep underwater. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.Lilith was still out there.My fists clenched, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm the wild thrum of magic bene

Chapter 79In The ShadowsFiona's POVThe cave’s air was thick with tension, as if the forest outside held its breath, waiting. I knelt beside Quinton, trying to stem the bleeding from his wounds. His skin was pale, far too pale, and his breaths were shallow. My heart clenched as I worked, pressing torn pieces of my shirt to his chest, wishing I knew more about healing."You’ll be okay," I whispered, though my voice trembled. I had to keep it together. For him.Quinton’s eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain but still sharp with concern. "We don’t have time to stay here long.""Shh. Just rest," I insisted, but even as I said it, I knew he was right. That stranger wasn’t done with us, not by a long shot. The fight was far from over, and the way the stranger had looked at me, like I was some kind of... weapon, sent a chill down my spine.I glanced toward the cave entrance, half-expecting to see a shadow creeping toward us. The night outside was pitch black, and though we had some time t

Chapter 78The Edge of ControlQuinton's POVPain shot through my body as the stranger’s hand pressed down harder on my chest, pinning me to the ground. I growled, baring my teeth, but it was no use. Whoever this new threat was, they were stronger than anyone I’d ever faced. Fiona’s scream rang in my ears, but I couldn’t focus on her right now. I had to break free, had to fight. But the stranger’s strength was overwhelming, their eyes cold and calculating as they gazed down at me, almost amused by my struggle.“You really thought you could protect her?” the stranger taunted, their voice dripping with mockery. “You don’t even know what she’s capable of.”My muscles burned with the effort as I tried to push them off, but they didn’t budge. I could feel their claws digging into my skin, sharp and unforgiving, and I knew if I didn’t act soon, they’d tear me apart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fiona standing there, her hands raised, her eyes glowing with that strange, uncontrollabl

Chapter 77Tangled FatesFiona's POVThe air crackled with lingering energy as I collapsed into Quinton’s embrace, the force of the power I’d just unleashed still thrumming through my veins. My head swirled, a strange combination of exhaustion and exhilaration. The stones in the clearing had responded to me in a way I hadn’t expected—like they had been waiting for me, for this moment. “What just happened?” I whispered, trying to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded. Quinton held me tightly, his heartbeat slowing as we stood in the eerie silence that followed the blast. The forest around us was still, as if the earth itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.“I don’t know,” he admitted, his breath warm against my ear. “But whatever you did… it worked.”I looked up at him, my eyes searching his for any reassurance. “This power—I didn’t even know I had it. It’s like… it’s like it’s growing, and I don’t understand it.”Quinton’s gaze softened, his hand cuppin