Ryan wrapped his arms around me as blood ran down my dress and screams erupted all around us. As the guards rushed toward us, I noticed my father's followers fleeing the room."Why?" As he looked at me, I choked out."You are a threat to all of us," he said, a tear escaping the corner of my eye. He tried to kill me and didn't think twice about it."I cared so much for you, and yet you try to kill me," I sobbed, the betrayal digging deep into my heart. He was my family, and the last person I expected to try to kill me. He was the person on whom I had come to rely, and he shattered it into a million shards."I did it for the twins," he said firmly, his eyes shining with joy rather than regret. I had no idea he despised me."You did this for you, not them," I yelled as Ryan teleported us away and the guards lunged for us."I can't risk them saving you," Ryan said as we sat in a field of violets, which would have been lovely if I hadn't been bleeding to death. I remembered my child, but I
Laura's POVI hovered near my body, watching as the good man I loved faded away. He was darker than I'd ever seen him before. I reached out and stroked his cheek with my ghostly finger."You're better than you think," I grumbled as he faced my father and walked out of the room."Laura," Magnus said as I turned to face him."Magnus," I softly said as he took my hand in his. "I didn't have enough strength.""Oh Laura, that's where you're wrong; you just have to embrace who you truly are," Magnus said, confounding me."What exactly do you mean by who I am?" I asked as my soul erupted in flames, launching into my body.I exclaimed, sitting up. I had no idea I was a Phoenix. I rose to my feet and rushed out of the room, colliding with my father."Dad," I said, encircling him with my arms."How are you doing, Laura?" he exclaimed."There is no time. What happened to Eric?" I asked."He's up against the witches. He is punishing them for your death " My father said as I drew away from Eric. I
"Is it safe for you to have him so close? You nearly died with that magic the last time you embraced " my father asked."He requires assistance that only I can provide. Mom mentioned a spell that granted her the powers of an ancient being "I said this while firmly holding a small fire in my hand, my anger fueling my magic."Okay, but we need to show you to my followers in order to get them on your side.Tonight is a party with increased security "My father snatched a dress that was floating into my arms."I can't leave him alone," I grumbled to my father, who sighed."Bring him then, just be careful," my father said as he rushed out of the room, caressing my cheek. I quickly put on the dress and fixed my hair before facing Eric.Eric appeared ragged, his face stubbled, and he appeared to have not slept in weeks. I sat next to him, taking his hand in mine."Give me the authority. I'm stronger than you. Unlike yours, my body was designed to contain it" I whispered as the magic entered m
It was peaceful and calm as we stood in a beautiful clearing with a pond just a few feet away."This is mine," Lane declared. As a bird landed on my shoulder, I looked around in awe. Lane smiled as I gently touched the bird's head. "They detect goodness in people.""This bird must be perplexed, I'm a terrible person who killed thousands," I sighed as he snatched my hand and drew me into a waltz. When he looked at me, his sad blue eyes stood out against his dark hair."My sister, you appear depressed. I can see how much pain you're in, but you're still smiling "Lane said as I examined my hand. Eric was no longer with me, and he was not returning. As a tear streamed down my left cheek, I drew away from my brother. I quickly wiped it away and continued to follow Lane."What are we going to do?" I asked softly, coming to a halt in front of a massive metal gate that barred both entry and exit. There would be no way out if I passed through this gate."To meet my leader," he smiled, but my f
"Laura," Van said as he led me over to the children who were eating like they hadn't eaten in days. "These kids will eat every night.""Thank you Van," I said softly, sitting between two children. While I sat here in an expensive gown, they were covered in dirt."Thank you, Laura," one of the children said as I smiled at him."There's no need, you shouldn't be hungry," I said, wrapping my arms around the child as everyone gasped in horror. By being friendly with the lower class, I broke some social rules here."Dance with me, Laura," Van said, his fingers brushing against my skin, sending a tingle through my body. I turned to face him. He captivated me as he danced across the floor. Some people were enraged when he looked at me."Why me?" I'm curious about the other women drooling over him."I'm not sure," he admitted, his lips inches from my neck, his breath caressing the delicate skin. My heart raced as we stood up, our lips so close to touching from breathing. Why was I drawn to hi
I awoke in Van's bed alone. I stood up and walked around his room before entering the hallway to find him. I walked into the party room only to find Van talking to a girl. I could tell by her eyes that she thought she was important to him. "Are you sure you’ll call me later?" She asked, a smile on her face. When I looked at his expression, it was clear that he wanted her to leave. I marched forward, my arms around him, my head on his shoulder. "Are you going back to bed?" I asked as the woman fixed me with an icy stare. "Back? You don't expect me to believe you shared a bed last night, do you?" the woman snapped. "Fine, don't believe me, but we did sleep together last night; if you don't believe me, ask a guard!" I said. "I can't believe you just did that," Van exclaimed, his arm around my waist. "But it's true," I laughed. "I have a business to attend to, but your brother will protect you. He's my best defender "Van spoke softly. "How long will you be gone?" I couldn't hide my
I awoke in a fully healed bed, next to Charles."Stupid girl, I have healers and magic all over," Charles snarled as I glared."Sir, the army is on the horizon," a guard said as he scooped me up into his arms and flew me high above the army."Call for him," Charles said, but I remained silent. "Okay, I'll contact him myself.Look at what I've got, Van!""Put her down, Charles," Van yelled, his gaze fixed on us."Send the army away, and I'll do the same," Charles snarled. He knew Van wouldn't risk my safety by sending an army here alone; he knew Van would show up."No," I said to Van, tears streaming down my cheeks."Go home, guys," Van said, never taking his gaze away from me. I had an idea that came to me. If our powers were linked, I might be able to break the ropes with his. Van was filled with the hum of magic as I felt the ropes stretch until I could slip them off. I pushed myself out of Charles' arms as quickly as I could, using my magic to slow my fall. I landed next to Van, us
I awoke to only the guards and nothing else. I got out of bed and made my way to Van's closet. I looked for a few silk dresses to choose from. I took out a golden silk slip before entering the bathroom to put it on. I straightened my hair and walked toward the door, pulling it open. I entered the corridor, guards flanking me as I looked around. I entered the room where the party was supposed to be, but it was empty. I came to a halt when a scream echoed across the palace. The guards quickly grabbed my arms and pulled me toward a strategic vantage point."What exactly was it?" Van's magic hit me like a shockwave, and I gasped. It wasn't close, but it was a significant amount of energy. He was being assaulted. I wanted to run toward him, but doing so would endanger him. I was one of the realm's few mortals."Stay hidden," a guard said as the doors burst open, pushing me behind a statue. As the guards began fighting the man, I covered my mouth. I noticed an energy field surrounding the m
{10 years later}I stood on the beach watching Katherine pose for prom photos with her boyfriend. Van took pictures as her violet dress billowed behind her. She had her dark hair swept into an updo with a diamond clip."We should go, Dad," Katherine suggested. She had started calling Van dad when she was fourteen as that is what he was to her."All right, but be back by curfew," he cautioned as she sighed. I felt tears spring to my eyes as they walked up the beach to the limo."She's maturing," I observed as Van wrapped his arm around my waist."I know," he said calmly as I turned to face him."She graduates in May and is moving across the country to attend college in Florida," I explained, wishing she didn't have to leave us."We can pay you a visit at any time. If you need to see her, I'll teleport us there "Van smiled as I turned to face him. As I looked into his kind eyes, his arms rested on my hips."You're too nice to me," I said, pulling my lips together."I owe you everything,
I looked at my arm finding a gash that sent blood dripping down my arm."Stay away from her Eric," Van ordered as he tried to hit me with his power. I rolled out of the way quickly. I watched as Van hit Eric with a burst of his magic. Eric hit the pillar wincing before pulling a knife crafted from dark magic not just dark but ancient magic. If that knife so much as touched Van he would be dead. I got to my feet waiting for the moment when I could pull the knife from his hands."She belongs with me. You are immortal while she is not," Eric said motioning to my cut. I may not have powers anymore but I knew there were ways of using protection spells without it. I knelt down drawing a magical seal on the floor in blood that would deactivate the knife if he crossed it. I pulled Van behind the seal praying Eric was dumb enough not to notice."Laura," Van muttered as the room started to spin. He grabbed me his magic healing my arm. "You were about to pass out.""I'm fine," I snapped as Eric
I locked my gaze on Greg as he looked at me."Leave immediately," I yelled as he laughed."No, this isn't your palace, and you can't just make me leave," he snapped as the woman approached him."Leave or we'll make you," she said flatly, leaving no room for argument. My heart was broken, but Greg had somehow made it worse. Greg glared at me as tears spilled down my cheeks before he finally walked away."Mom," Katherine said as she approached me. She encircled me in an attempt to comfort me. I gave her a sad look before walking away to find Scott. I sat next to him as he continued to play."I wish you were here, Van. We were supposed to be together forever, with children and joy. I didn't realize I wasn't happy until I met you" I whispered."Brie," said the woman from the doorway. I rose to my feet and began walking toward her."Certainly," I replied as she handed me an old book."I think this will help," she said as she dashed away. My heart stopped as I opened the book. There might b
As everything became clear, I looked at Ryan. He was a Revenant, and his only goal was to kill me in any way he could. I was a little confused why he tried to save me when I was fighting Martin."Ryan," I said softly as he approached me. As he approached me, his eyes glowed yellow."Hold still," he smiled blood dripping from his mouth. My scream was muffled by my covering my mouth."Ryan, stop," I said, but he ignored me as he grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward him. As he bit into my wrist, I winced."Exactly what I needed," he laughed as he looked at me. I wasn't going to scream because it would be pointless."Let me go," I demanded angrily, but he shook his head."Only your life can sustain me," he said, as I felt my free hand move as if it was aware of what it was doing. As I touched his cheek, a small white light appeared on my fingertips. He cried out in agony and dropped my hand. As my lips parted slightly, he turned away, covering his face. Did I just hurt him? As the light
"You belong in a cage, Little Bird," Martin smirked as my magic began to work. I wasn't going to hide my strength this time. I don't care who is injured this time."I'm going to give you three seconds to beg for your life before I show you who I really am," I said sternly."Just as you are beyond some people's magic I am beyond yours," he said before launching me over the side of the balcony. I called my magic toward me slowing my fall. I landed on the ground and released the power, which I directed at Martin. As he avoided the magic, the stone railing shattered."Who's afraid of a little magic?" I mocked as he glared at me. He jumped over the side landing a few feet from me."Are you sure?" He challenged me to use the darkest aspect of his power on me. As pain radiated through my body, I gasped but refused to cry out. As Van's magic touched my hand, I heard a familiar hum. Van seemed to be directing me. As a light shot out of my hand, it flew into Martin. He crashed through the wall
"Laura," Van said as he took my hand in his. My heart was reaching for him as I looked up at him. He drew me to my feet, kissing my cheek."I'm sorry," I sobbed, tears streaming down my ghostly cheeks. He shook his head holding tightly to my hand."Laura you have nothing to be sorry for. You couldn't possibly have known, "Van stated emphatically."I missed you," I said, pressing my lips to his. A warm glow enveloped me, followed by the hum of magic. I knew he was slipping away from me. "No, I don't want to abandon you!""You have to for our child and the twins," Van said as he faded from sight...My eyes popped open as I blasted Elle away from me. Her eyes widened in surprise."There's no way; you didn't even have a heartbeat!" She yelled angrily. I stepped forward, knocking Ryan across the room. Ryan wanted his children, which is why the twins were brought here. I couldn't help but wonder how Elle managed to resurrect him."If you had a family, you'd know that death isn't forever," I
"You're good, Laura," Eric snapped as I blasted him across the room."No, Van was excellent, and you chose him. I'm not going to fight to control my dark nature anymore," I spat as he winced."Princess," a man addressed me. I turned around when I saw the man from the forest.He was the one who showed me how good I was."He killed him," I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks."Don't let him kill you," he said as my heart stopped cold. He was correct; I was allowing Eric to win. I faced him and dropped the power."Where have my children gone?" I demanded."On earth," Eric laughed as I summoned the ancient handcuffs and placed them around his wrists."Put him in the dungeon," I said softly, wiping away my tears. I approached Scott and picked him up. He clung to me and rested his head on my shoulder."He saved me," Scott said as he pointed to Van's body. I fought the tears that threatened to fall down my cheeks once more."I'm glad, I'd miss you," I said as I rocked him in my arms."He
As her dark magic launched me through a window, I winced in pain. I landed on the ground outside with glass shards all over my body. I got to my feet as Elle jumped through the window landing next to me. I confronted her and used my strength to push her away from me."Elle, please, I have a family," I said, laughing."Family makes you weak. When I saw that, I decided to leave!" She spat with a disgusted expression on her face."That is where you are incorrect. Elle, your family gives you strength" I said as I reached for Van's power. I absorbed his magic into my body in order to bolster my own."Your eyes are brighter," she exclaimed as I smiled. I took a deep breath and pushed my strength into her. As the magic ripped into her, she whimpered. As my power was cut, I watched blood drip from her neck."Family magic is stronger than even the darkest spell," I calmly said as she collapsed, spilling her blood on the grass. I paused for a moment before teleporting to the portal.As I walked
I looked at Elle, trying hard not to show my fear. I knew she didn't care for me like she claimed. Elle smiled at me as I stood in the doorway to the study. I could see the dark gleam in her blue eyes."Brie, do you want me to take your power so you don't have to worry?" Elle asked me. I could tell she didn't want to help me."No, I'm fine," I said sternly. I mentally kicked myself for possibly tipping her off. "I should leave." As I turned to walk away, her hand grabbed my arm."I don't think so," her voice was hard and angry, not soft like before. I turned to face her as her eyes glowed red. She smirked, conjuring up a flame. "You think I don't have complete command of my magic?""What are you doing, Elle?" Taking a step back, I asked."Taking back what is rightfully mine! Grandma was supposed to bestow power on me. The magic is passed down to the next oldest, but she gave it to a brat of a granddaughter instead "She screamed as she threw the fireball at me. I ducked and dashed for