This dungeon is cold,the walls heavy with the weight of despair. Every day is no different: I pace down the narrow corridor, carrying trays of food to my family,if they still are, that is. Chains rattle around me, their metallic clicking no louder than the guilt whispering in my ear. I force myself to remain calm, my expression cold, detached. I have nothing else for them to see. If I do, it all will fall apart.I set a tray down in front of my mother, and she reaches out, catching my wrist. Her touch is soft in every movement. "Abigail," she murmurs, her voice hoarse. "Please, you don't have to do this. You are stronger than what Lucian's influence has done. Come back to us.I pull my hand away, the gesture sharp, deliberate. "It's too late" I say, keeping my tone as flat as possible. "I've made my choice.But even as I say it, an ache burns hollow in my gut. I glance around at Serafine, the triplets, Amara, Susan,all of them shackled, weakened. They have been reduced to mere
"Am I really on the right side?" The sound of Abigail's question echoes through her head The creaky door to the dungeon drags me back into the reality before me.I look up, expecting to see Abigail or another of Lucian's followers come inside to mock us some more. Instead, it is him, the man who has been to see us before the one that proposed such a crazy deal. He steps inside, into the poor light and as I have come to expect, a dark silhouette greets me with a curled smile that truly chills.Well, well," he says, his voice dripping with mockery. "It would appear that you still have not made a decision. I gotta say, for one so hesitant, it's quite disappointing." He moved closer, his eyes glowing with amusement and annoyance. "I am a busy man, and I don't like waiting around."We got nothing to say to you," Damien growls from the corner, his voice weak but defiant. "Go back to wherever you came from."The man chuckles, shaking his head. "You're in no position to make demands, w
"I don't know. I really don't know."The words just seem to hang in the air, heavy with weight, almost choking. It is as if the dark dungeon walls are closing in on me as my mind finalizes the weight of our situation. The others are staring at me, their eyes drilling into me for some sort of answer, a decision that would somehow change everything. Only I don't have one. The very thought of agreeing to the terms of that man makes my skin crawl, and yet… the desperation in our situation is simply not to be denied."No," I whisper, shaking my head. "We can't… I can't do this.The triplets exchange a glance, their faces filled with a mixture of pain and uncertainty. Damien steps forward, frustration and sorrow etched on his face. "Serafine, we gotta think this through," he says in a low, urgent tone. "I hate the thought of it as much as you do, but what choice do we have?I glare at him, narrowing my eyes. "There must be some other way," I answer, though my voice carries no convictio
"As much as I try to keep hope alive, I couldn't help this nagging feeling that Lucian's grip on Abigail was increasing. and the time for all of us was running out."The air was thick in this dungeon like the walls were closing in on us. Days will pass in tense silence, our minds focused on nothing else but the ritual that closes in with each passing heartbeat. We know we can't wait any longer. The more time we spend here, the more powerful Lucian will become over Abigail, over our combined destinies. And the more his power grows, the smaller our window becomes.We sit in the darkness, tired, and on our shoulders weighs the heavy mantle of our tiredness. No one needs to say it, but it's there, hanging in the air amongst us, like a ghost not invited.Susan breaks the silence. Her voice is soft but firm as she turns to each one of us. "We have to accept that man's offer," she states. "There's nothing else we can do.And then the words came like a kick to the stomach, and a moment pa
"We are left alone again, imprisoned by this impossible choice and its weight presses upon me now more than ever."Days run together in a haze of dark depression. The chill, wet air rises up from the dungeon, filling our bones, and constantly reminds us that we are imprisoned. Every moment seems like a fight to cling on to that little hope. But despite all, I find myself awaiting Abigail's visits with a mind set to expect little or no warmth, yet still hoping something may penetrate that wall she has thrown up around herself.The next time she comes, she lingers by the door longer than she usually does, hesitates a second before stepping into the dim light. I see it in her eyes now, something flickering inside that wasn't there before. Is it a doubt? Or regret? I cannot tell, but enough to make my heart beat just a little bit faster.She sets the tray down in front of me, her eyes not even flicking in my direction before she turns to leave, but I just can't let her go. "Abigail,
"Let's get this over with."The words are still on my lips when the dungeon door swings open, and the man steps out, pulling me along with him. But before we can take more than a few steps, the sound of heavy boots echoes down the corridor. I froze, my heart pounding as Lucian's familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows, his cold eyes narrowing at us.What are you doing here?" Lucian demands, his eyes flicking with suspicion from the man to me and back again.The man's hand tightens on my arm for a moment before he releases me, his face smoothing into casual indifference. "Just checking the prisoners," he returned smoothly, his tone didn't betray him."I wanted to make sure everything was in order.A mocking smile curls around Lucian's lips. "You're not normally this watchful" he says, stepping closer to him. "What's the real reason you're here?Nothing in the man's face alters, but I catch a flicker in his eyes that says he works something out. "The ritual draws near," he says
"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
"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
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
"Let's get this over with."The words are still on my lips when the dungeon door swings open, and the man steps out, pulling me along with him. But before we can take more than a few steps, the sound of heavy boots echoes down the corridor. I froze, my heart pounding as Lucian's familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows, his cold eyes narrowing at us.What are you doing here?" Lucian demands, his eyes flicking with suspicion from the man to me and back again.The man's hand tightens on my arm for a moment before he releases me, his face smoothing into casual indifference. "Just checking the prisoners," he returned smoothly, his tone didn't betray him."I wanted to make sure everything was in order.A mocking smile curls around Lucian's lips. "You're not normally this watchful" he says, stepping closer to him. "What's the real reason you're here?Nothing in the man's face alters, but I catch a flicker in his eyes that says he works something out. "The ritual draws near," he says