The darkness in the room began to surge with ominous energy as the shadowy figure of the woman floated closer. The surrounding shadows seemed to grow more dense, more…malevolent. I could feel the familiar hum of my innate magic begging to be let out. Protect yourself, it screamed at me.I took a dee
Gabriel's POV Amaya and I stood back to back, surrounded by a circle of witches on the balcony of my penthouse. Amaya’s breath came out in labored gasps. She’d expended too much magic. The witches were too powerful for her. The plan had been for her to hold them off while I escaped with Evelina. Sh
“RUN!” I growled out angrily. She was putting herself in danger!But instead of listening to me, she reached out a hand to help Amaya up.“BEHIND YOU!” I roared frantically, watching as another witch approached them.Evelina turned just in time to hold up the broadside of the knife and deflect a bal
Evelina’s POVI landed on top of Gabriel, his body taking the brunt of the fall as he cradled me against him.“M****a!” he cursed, the wind knocked out of him.It took me a moment to catch my own breath before I lifted my head from his chest to search for Amaya. She was face down in a patch of grass
I decided now was the time to speak up.“I know where we are. I used to live here…with my papa.” I pointed down the street.A sense of poignancy filled me. I could tell you the way home from here with my eyes closed. There were memories of me learning to ride a bicycle on this very road. I still rec
A whirlwind of emotions inside me was roaring inside of me as sadness and bitter nostalgia merged to form an ugly lump in my throat. It was the first time I’d been back here since…I fought the desolation threatening to engulf me. The memory of my own papa dislocating my shoulder in a fit of anger sh
Gabriel's POVEvelina had been beside herself when she found her sire lying in his own piss and vomit. Fucker deserved it if you asked me. I never did like the pendejo. Especially since he was the one that had helped me poison everyone at Evelina’s Quince’ when I'd tried to storm the party and take
Instead of shutting up, the damn woman started laughing in my face.“You…you actually care about your mate!” Amaya exclaimed, face red and amusement in her eyes.Not for the first time, I wondered how badly I needed this bi.t.ch. Dumping her in the ocean sounded better and better to me.Her face bec
“CARAJO!” he yelled in anger. “I just think your mate needs to work on his temper,” Syra added distastefully. “Cursing in the sacred realm of Avalon is frowned upon!” Syra yelled loudly towards Gabe. Gabe looked at her and said something in Spanish that made me gasp in mortification. “¡Que te den
The darkness receded as quickly as it had come, replaced by the vibrant colors of Avalon once more. The stream sparkled in the sunlight, the trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the flowers bloomed in their full glory. I took a deep breath, and then let out a small yelp of surprise when I realized
**Evelina's PoV** The misty air wrapped around us like a nurturing shawl, the soothing sound of the stream a constant background music as the vibrant greenery enveloped me in its embrace, a living sanctuary of peace and magic. Trees towered above us, their vibrant green leaves dancing in the gentl
Suddenly, the trials I had had to face in the forest of reflection made complete sense. It was a trial Syra had faced herself, though in a completely different context. “You cannot blame yourself for your sister's choices,” Gabe finally grunted, crossing his arms. “You are right, Gabriel. I cannot
**Evelina's POV** Apparently she had been in Gabe’s vision as well. Because he immediately moved to shield me with his body and extended his claws defensively, poised to attack Sarah. “You’re the evil witch from the past!” he growled out. “I won’t let you harm my mate!” Sarah looked at Gabe and r
Sarah’s eyes widened in shock and fear as she saw the intensity of light glowing in my hands.“How…is this possible? You wield it…” she trailed off, looking around for the torches we had often used to carry the light of the flame into battle. Looking for the chest that often held a remnant of the fl
And in the next moment, something hit me from behind, rendering me immobile. I fell unconscious and when I awoke some time later, I heard shouts and screams from far off. And sinister laughter. Familiar laughter.It was then that I realized it was Sarah’s laughter.My heart pounded in my chest as I
**Evelina’s POV**I was leaning against a tree, lost in thought. My dark hair flowed down my back, all the way to my knees. I sighed, turning to look at Ramiras. He was the leader of the Order of the Flame. A chivalrous knight. A wonderful person. Pity he loved that bitch Sarah.“Ysabel,” Ramiras sa
Without a word, they raised a hand and summoned forth tendrils of shadow that twisted and writhed in the air, reaching out towards me with malicious intent. With a swift motion, I swung my sword. It glowed with a brilliant white light as it clashed against the tendrils of darkness, creating a blind