"It would appear Abigail's powers are stronger than we realized," Amara says, her voice resounding in my mind.But even as I stand here surrounded by everyone, I feel another kind of pull, one the depth of which is so much deeper. Lucian's voice has plagued my mind since the sanctuary, whispering words that made me doubt it all. Every time I shut my eyes, he's there, waiting; it would seem, reaching through the darkness.That night, as I retire to the sleeping chambers, I attempt to free my mind of thoughts. However, it becomes a night of dreams. I find myself thrust into a darkened room; the air is thick with a weird sense of familiarity. Lucian stands there, looking down at me, his eyes kindly, his arms open in greeting as though greeting me into the family."Abigail, my sweet girl," he says softly. "Come here."Before I even have time to process this, I am running toward him, and he wraps me in a warm hug. His arms feel strong and comforting, just the way a father's are suppo
We finally reach the hallowed lands. The air is thick with magic-the hum of it in the ground, a surge of it across the firmament. It's alive, this place. It watches and waits, waits for us to prove ourselves. There's a great stone arch before us, and through it, an ancient pathway leading further into the heart of the sacred lands.The voice booms from the arch, just as it had at the sanctuary. "There are five tasks to get through. You shall have three trials for each. Fail, and you shall be here forever."Those words send shivers down my spine, but I know there's no turning back now. We step forward, and the first task appears before us.First Task - The Family PuzzleThe ground in front of us shifts, and a huge stone slab rises, carrying a puzzle. The pieces are from polished marble, each one engraved with symbols of different family members. There were six pieces in all, each containing markings related to our family, symbols of wolves, magic, and elements of who we are. The p
The sacred lands are nothing like my imagination. Ancient, alive with magic pulsating in the air like a heartbeat. The moment I stepped into that secluded clearing it pulled at me asking me to plunge deep into the mysteries that lie within.Hours melted away, and before me, the holy grounds unfolded like pieces of what I was looking for. Just a wanderer, lost in a labyrinth of very old trees and shining pathways, I come to the small stone-built altar with its face covered in unknown runes. The air is thick around it with an omen-like energy as if the very earth speaks secrets.I approached the altar, where, under a faint, evil smelling luminance, a scroll lay coiled. I steeled myself and reached to unroll the ancient parchment. The words on it appeared to twist and writhe as I read them aloud:Sacrifice the most dear to gain the power to protect what is cherished. The blood of sacrifice doth carry with it life and death.".This is a forbidden ritual, written upon this scroll, and
"Stay here," I whisper, my voice low and tight as I clutch the blade tightly before stepping outdoors.The night is chilly, and the darkness weighs a bit heavier tonight. I scan the perimeter, and the back of my neck prickles as if warning me that something may be lurking in the dark. And then, I see a huge shape towering in the distance, getting closer.The creature steps into the moonlight, and my breath catches in my throat. It's a monster I have never seen, standing high above us, its thick, leathery skin looming with eyes that gleam with malice.Its limbs are twisted with razor-sharp claws at their ends that look like they can tear through steel. The earth shakes beneath its weight as it roars; its voice is deep and growling.Serafine emerges from behind me, her eyes widening in horror as she sees the beast. "What in the-?" she gasps, reaching for her weapon."I don't know," I reply, my voice barely steady, "but we're not facing it alone."Daniel and David are instantly at my
I sat at the edge of camp, the scroll containing the forbidden ritual tucked away in the folds of my cloak, while the sun dangled below the horizon. This knowledge weighed upon my mind since finding it in the sacred lands-with words that seemed chiseled into my brain. "Offer up that which is most precious." It is a phrase whose echo would keep on ringing, and I know all too well the choice that faces me will not be an easy one.The air is cool tonight, and the stars start to come out one by one, but tonight, it is different. There's some sort of thin, silvery light that remains on the horizon. It's as if the moon tugs on something deep within me, a soft tug, my gaze upwards. Suddenly, Amara cuts through the silence with an urgent undertone in her voice."Serafine, you need to see this," she calls out.I get up and follow her to where the rest of them are gathered around a small clearing. Above, high, the moon fills up the space, bright, and its pale light shimmers with an unearthl
I still don't know whether I will go through with it, Mom echoes within my head as I sit alone under the bright moonlight glowing on the camp in a silver glow. The rare occurrence of the moon fills the air with almost electric energy, humming in the air and tingling on my skin. Thick energy surges all around me, and I almost feel it choking.The visions have been intensifying, and getting clearer, since we entered the sacred lands. It is as though the lunar event amplifies them, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot get away from them. If I shut my eyes, I find myself right back inside those visions-standing beside Lucian, being in command of what feels like unlimited power.I envision myself flicking my wrist and casting spells, calling fire and bending water without any hindrance at all, as Lucian's face beams with pride over my shoulder. The magic is coursing through my veins, and I am. Unstoppable. When I open my eyes, though, the truth clouds over me like thick fog. I'm no
The tension within the camp has become all but oppressive since the close of the moon event. The air is heavier, but it is not just the looming threat of Lucian hanging over our heads, it is the secrets each of us is keeping from the others since the sacred lands. Every word spoken seems laced with weight from what remains unsaid and I see it in the eyes of every person. We are concealing something from one another, and it's eating away at us.I'm working with David to reinforce the perimeter, and we turn to the campsite to see Abigail pacing around the fire, furrowing her brow. She is in a distant place,just moving up and down . Visions have taken a huge toll on her, and I'm not sure what they might be showing her."Have you spoken with her?" David whispers, following my gaze to our sister.I shake my head. "She hasn't said much, and I don't want to push her. She's got a lot on her mind.""Don't we all?" David murmurs, his voice tinged with weariness.As we return to our work, I
Isolde leads us to the edge of the Fiery Fang territory. "The closer we get, the stronger his magic will be," she says, the echo still in my ear. And she is right. Since crossing the border, strange things have been happening: the air feels heavy and crackling with energy, it is as if the earth itself hums with Lucian's dark magic. Yet, it isn't only the environment but something inside me also feels.off.It's as if the fire, the water, and earth running in my brothers and me are rebelling, pressing against the confines of our control. The marks on our bodies flare up at random, bringing with them surges of magic that are powerful but capricious. One moment, I can feel the earth shifting beneath my feet, its movements a response to my whim; another, and it's as though the earth itself is spitting me out.Pay attention," I hear Damien's voice behind me, his tone clipped. He's been having a hard time with his fire mark-the flames on his arm spark when he moves an inch, his powers th
"You are free to choose your path, Abigail. You are stronger than his lies."The voice of Serafine sounded in my head-a small beacon of light tearing through the darkness that had consumed my mind for far too long. I felt the magic of Lucian clutching at my throat, seeking to snuff out the light, but something buried deep within me had started to stir-a truth hidden even from myself.The visions that had wracked my mind finally dissipated, and I saw Lucian's face, twisted in anticipation. He thought he had me, that he'd won, but he had no idea yet.I drew a deep breath and let the tumult of what was happening around us fade to a silent hush. Now or never. "You're right, Lucian," I said, willing my tone to stay even. "I do know what I must do."His face twisted in a triumphing leer. "Then fulfill your destiny," he hissed, reptilian.I met his stare, eyes slitting. "I already have."Before Lucian could even react, I harnessed a surge of magic deep within me and let it explode, shatteri
As we entered deep into the tunnel , the walls seemed to close in on us. Every step that we took resounded against the blackness.With every minute, the air grew heavier as we re-approached the stronghold of Lucian, taut with tension, as every step weighed upon me. I wasn't sure if I was ready to face him; there was just no more time left for doubts. The course of events that would ensue would seal my family's fate. and maybe even my own.As we emerged from the final tunnel, the entrance to Lucian's lair loomed ahead: a dark fortress built into the side of the cavern wall. Shadows seemed to gather around it, twisting and curling like smoke. A shiver crawled down my spine as we approached, but I forced myself to stay calm. We had a plan, even if it was full of risks.We burst through the main entrance, our magic flaring to life as we fought our way inside. The clash of spells and clash of swords was heavy in the air as Lucian's forces swarmed us. I fought beside Damien, my heart r
"We have to go after them!"Still, the last words of Damien were echoing in my ears when I finally found a moment to slip from the crowd. I pounded inside my chest, not just from the fight, but from the turmoil inside me-from Owen's betrayal-but something clanged furiously in my head. The storm at my center tore me asunder.Down a catwalk, I came to a small alcove where the darkness just about ate up any light. The cool stone walls bit into my back as I leaned against them trying to calm my breathing and the thoughts that raced through my mind. Just as I closed my eyes, a voice whispered from behind me in the dark."You look troubled, Abigail."My eyes flew open, and in that instant, my pulse shot up as finally the man stepped out of the shadows. The air seemed to have grown cold with his presence, his eyes shining with both mirth and something darker."What do you want?" I asked, trying not to let my voice show the shaking inside me.He leaned his head, lips curling into a thin s
"Make your choice."The lieutenant's voice continued to ring in my mind, even as I ran wildly through the tunnels, my breathing rough. My heart pounded in my chest, and for one wild moment, the dark temptation of his offer pressed upon me. Betray Serafine and the pack… save myself. It was a coward's choice, a traitor's path. But a small part of me, the part of me that had doubted whether I was strong enough to protect them-whispered that maybe it could be our chance. No, I told myself sharply. I couldn't let my mind go there. I pushed it away and refocused on finding the others. I would never betray my family no matter how bad things got.Rounding a corner, I nearly collided with Damien. Relief danced across his face to see me, yet was speckled with urgency. "Daniel, thank the Moon you're here. We need to regroup—Lucian's forces are closing in fast."I nodded and fell into step beside him as we sprinted down the tunnel. The sounds of far-off fighting got louder with every step.
The earth around me opened with so much fierceness, a low rumbling that seemed to tear the very earth asunder.Before I could even turn, the ground had split, and I was tumbling into chaos. I landed on hard earth, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. It was all chaos, dust, falling rocks, the sound of distant shouting echoing off cavern walls. As I struggled to my feet, the dust began to settle and my eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering down from above.I froze, the image around me blurring as my mind tried to wrap itself around what was happening. We fell into some sort of large underground chamber, ancient and hauntingly beautiful. Strange symbols carved into the stone walls glowed with a silvery tint of light, unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was a relic left behind by some lost, magical civilization, long forgotten by the world above.But it was what was at the center of the room that took my breath away, there was some sort of pedestal, and on top of th
"Mom!"My own voice is returned in the darkness and the storm pounds until I feel the edge of exhaustion. The darkness courses through my body, shaking me to the core, threatening to swallow me whole in its depths. I pulled myself together, trying until I was suddenly aware that the air had shifted. The temperature drops, a coldness running down my spine. I sense him before I see him-Lucian.Lucian emerges from whirling shadows, stepping forward. Something authoritative in his figure, something coldly calm about the manner in which he advances through the chaos erupting in the air around us, draws my gaze irresistibly his way. Gleaming dark eyes fasten on me, a cold dread rising up in my chest. He raises a hand, and in but a gesture, the whirling storm around me begins to settle, as if even magic I struggle to grasp bends to his will."Enough of this, Abigail," he says smoothly, tone laced with a command. "Stop struggling with the man. You waste your breath on one not even worth
"This is my fight now."I can feel the weight of those words as I unleash the magic inside me, channeling everything I have into this strange man who surprisingly was as strong or perhaps stronger than I am. The air crackles and hums, vibrating with energy that seems to move with time to my heartbeat. I watch as his expression changes, his eyes widening in surprise. Then I feel something else, a shift deep inside, a change that isn't altogether my own.I feel some strength gathering within me, and in an instant, it runs hard through my veins. The energy suddenly surges and explodes inside me like a continuing storm ready to tear me apart. With each surge, it becomes so much stronger than the one before and I am fighting hard to keep it inside me. My hands are shaking terribly, and my breathing is reduced. With a sense of anticipation, I realize that I could be losing this battle not to this man in front of me but to myself.Stay back!" I scream, but it sounds more like I'm plea
"Do you feel that? What is this?"The words echo in my mind as I step into the clearing,the chaotic power, like a hurricane, surrounds me. I followed my mother for quite a long time when the air changed, it tugged at me begging me to follow her to this place before it was too late.Now, from behind the scenes, I finally see before me the scene of Serafine standing in front of the mysterious man who had set into action so much pain and manipulation, The air is really crackling with tension, and the dark magic wraps them like a cover."Let her go!" I scream, my voice carrying across the clearing. The weight of my power surges forward inside me, tightening against the reins of my control. I don't think, I act.They both turn to me then, surprised across the man's face. "You!" he exclaims, his composure cracking for a moment. "What are you doing here?"I move forward, my veins coursing with determination and fear. "I felt your presence," I say, locking eyes with him. "I knew you we
"We have to keep running until there's no other choice but to fight."With every step, it beats in my chest, fighting my way through the thick underbrush of the forest, placing distance between myself and chaos at the stronghold. The darkness wraps around me. My mind races with thoughts of all that has brought me to this moment in life. The weight of the world is held on my shoulders and with it, the balance of my family's fate.Before me, I see the bush he told me to meet him at, with every step my pulse quickens. The thought of his wicked grin seems to flash before my mind a chilling reminder of my bargain struck. A deep breath is taken and in it, I steady myself for what is about to be. Strong, though frightened, I must be.Finally reaching the place, it is bathed in moonlight, the tall grass gently swaying with the wind of the night. There he was, waiting to see me with that annoying smirk, arms folded at his chest, as if the world belongs to him. "Serafine," he calls, with