**Evelina’s POV** The soul shard was a dark and sinister presence in my body, constantly pulsing with a malevolent energy. It used my darkest fears against me, my insecurities as well. It controlled me to the point where I was powerless to follow what I knew was right. It also gave me unsurpassabl
“What about Asmodeus?” I queried. “I need to sacrifice myself to seal the portal. We can’t—” “No!” Gabe barked out angrily. “There has to be another way! We’ve faced many challenges together mi vida. We’ll face this one together too.” Tia Melanie nodded in agreement, her expression filled with h
**Evelina’s POV** I could scarcely believe that I’d stepped into a luxurious hotel room in the heart of Paris. The walls were adorned with hand-painted murals depicting scenes from French history, each one more exquisite than the last. In one corner stood a velvet chaise lounge so deep and invitin
I took in a deep breath, feeling the tension slowly release from my body as I trusted Gabe's words. I concentrated on his presence around me and the tranquil effects of the hot water as it enveloped me, removing all the stress and exhaustion from my bones. It was then that I felt a sudden calmness s
“It’s getting easier to control it,'“I whispered sleepily. “It’s almost like…it’s merging with me rather than fighting against me now. I can feel its power….I can feel the sinister intent. But I can also cut through it and maybe harness the demonic energy.” I couldn’t help my eyes dropping shut as I
**Evelina's POV** Gabe leaned in closer, his eyes filled with raw hunger, and my heart pounded in my chest. I didn't need the mate bond to tell me what the look in his eyes meant. He was turned on. Which was surprising to say the least. “You…aren’t grossed out?” I queried warily. A huff of laug
Suddenly, I felt the darkness curling around me. Trying to take control while I was in the throes of ecstasy. “Control it, mi vida. Master it,” Gabe urged, sensing what was going on. "Yes," I moaned, feeling the familiar sensation building inside me. "I am more than just the darkness." I arched
I took a step back arching a brow. “Tell me why we’re here, “ I insisted. Gabe sighed, before looking at me with resignation. “We’re here to find the witch of Avalon and obtain the Sacred Flame,” he relented, making the pit of my stomacch drop. Could I, a witch that held a part of Lilith inside
“Perhaps you’re right,” I murmured, turning to look at the glowing pillars. “It looks like the inscription of the riddle is changing again,” I muttered, squinting to look up at it. "Fire and water, two halves of a whole," Evelina read aloud, her voice tinged with awe. "In balance they stand, united
“Alright,” I said, my voice steadying as I forced myself to focus. “It’s made of shadows, right? Maybe light can weaken it.” “Fire!” Evelina exclaimed, her palms lighting up as she spoke. I nodded, a plan forming in my mind. "I'll distract it while you blast it with fire. Let's do this." With a n
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the rumbling sound faded and the earth beneath our feet ceased to shake. We sat on the ground in stunned silence and I blinked rapidly, realizing that the dials had been reset and we would have to start from the beginning. I looked over at Evelina, her ex
**Gabe’s POV**I gazed at the pillars, feeling a sense of reverence wash over me. They stood tall and imposing, made of dark gray stone and covered in intricate carvings that seemed to tell a story of their own. I felt a strange pull towards them, as if they held some kind of ancient power. At the
“Your turn!” I called. “This is going to be easy for you, mi vida.” I knew the missing planks were there—places I’d nearly stepped into myself. “You already saw—” but I stopped speaking when I saw the mist begin to swirl furiously in front of my very eyes, covering the entire bridge in a shroud of d
**Gabe’s POV** I stood at the edge of the ancient bridge, dark mists around us, as my heart pounded against my ribcage. I looked down into the thick mist swirling around the chasm below. There was nothing but darkness under the bridge. The bridge stretched out in front of us, its wooden planks worn
"Here lay the knights of the Order, tasked with protecting the Sacred Flame," Sister Agnes explained. I stared at the tombs, realizing that there was much more to the story of the Sacred Flame than was told in the book. We were missing a key piece of information. Why would the Sacred Flame need pr
**Evelina's POV** Standing before us was Sister Agnes, a smile on her face. She did not seem at all threatened by or afraid of Gabe. “I knew you would come! I knew I would see you again!” she crowed excitedly, taking a step forward. Gabe let out another vicious snarl. I looked at Sister Agnes a
I took a step back arching a brow. “Tell me why we’re here, “ I insisted. Gabe sighed, before looking at me with resignation. “We’re here to find the witch of Avalon and obtain the Sacred Flame,” he relented, making the pit of my stomacch drop. Could I, a witch that held a part of Lilith inside