Chapter 41: The Tethered Soul

The silence after Lyra’s words was unbearable.

Ivy stared at her daughter—no, at the force standing in her daughter’s skin. Lyra’s eyes glowed, not with innocence or fear, but with calm certainty. As if this had always been the endgame.

“You’re lying,” Ivy whispered. “You said Asher was the second tether.”

“I was,” Lyra said. “Until you remembered.”

Killian stepped in front of Ivy, arms spread protectively. “She’s a child—our daughter. Whatever’s happening, it’s not her fault.”

But Lyra—no, Isolde—only smiled.

“You still don’t understand,” she said, her voice layered with her own and another’s. “The soul that bore me nourished me, gave me sanctuary… it wasn’t Lyra. It was her.”

Ivy stumbled back. “No… I only wanted to save Killian that night. I didn’t mean to—”

“You didn’t need to mean it,” Lyra said, stepping forward. “Intent is not stronger than desire. You carried me, Ivy. You made a pact in desperation, and I grew from that promise.”

Killian’s face twisted in disbelief. “What does this mean? Are you saying Ivy is... the final vessel?”

Lyra’s glow pulsed like a heartbeat. “Not the vessel. The gate. And the gate must be closed.”

Suddenly, the room shifted.

The floorboards groaned. The air grew dense, shimmering with threads of power. Windows frosted over as shadows coiled from the corners, moving with intent.

Mira and Isla barged in, but halted at the doorway, eyes wide with terror.

“What’s happening?” Isla gasped.

Mira dropped to her knees, whispering an incantation in an ancient tongue.

“She’s unlocking the tether,” Mira said. “She’s trying to complete the ritual without a sacrifice—by forcing the gate open.”

Lyra turned her head toward Mira. “I no longer need a willing death. I’ve evolved. The blood bargain is already sealed. All I need now… is a body.”

Killian stepped forward, fists clenched. “Over mine.”

Lyra smiled sweetly, cruelly. “That can be arranged.”

Before anyone could react, the room was swallowed in darkness. Ivy blinked—and found herself standing alone.

The world around her was mirrored—twisted reflections of memories playing across glassy surfaces. Her wedding. The ultrasound. Asher’s betrayal. Her plea under the blood moon.

A voice echoed behind her.

“You were always mine.”

Ivy turned—and came face to face with Isolde.

She was no longer a child or spirit. She was whole. Raven-haired, violet-eyed, wrapped in crimson silk.

“You gave me permission,” Isolde said softly. “And now I’m claiming it.”

“You tricked me,” Ivy said.

“I gave you what you wanted,” Isolde countered. “A chance to save the man you loved. But love,” she stepped closer, “is always a transaction.”

Ivy raised her chin. “I won’t let you take my daughter.”

Isolde’s laugh rang out, sharp and bitter. “Lyra was never your daughter. She was your payment.”

Asher and Killian stood frozen in the hallway.

“She’s in the mirror realm,” Mira said gravely. “A spiritual plane of reflection. Isolde’s domain. If Ivy breaks there, she’ll become the vessel. Permanently.”

Killian’s jaw tightened. “Then we get her out.”

Mira looked at him. “There’s only one way. A soul anchor.”

Asher stepped forward.

“No,” Killian said immediately. “It’s too dangerous.”

“She chose me once,” Asher replied. “Maybe I can make that mean something.”

He turned to Mira. “Tell me what to do.”

Inside the mirror realm, Ivy fought through illusions. She relived the night of the pact—saw her hands cut, her blood offered. The moon burned red above her. And Isolde whispering promises of life and protection.

“You begged me,” Isolde said again, circling her. “I didn’t force you. I only gave you what you asked.”

“I didn’t know it meant this,” Ivy shouted.

“It always meant this.”

A wind swept the realm, pulling Ivy toward a massive obsidian door. Behind it, she knew, was the final merging.

Then suddenly—a light.

Asher’s voice.

“Ivy.”

She turned.

There he was—glowing like a beacon, his spirit pulling hers back.

“You don’t have to do this,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can stop it,” Ivy whispered.

He reached out. “Then let me help you. This time, we fight her together.”

Meanwhile, Lyra’s body stood still in the physical world, her eyes glowing but her expression blank.

Mira sensed something—beneath the surface of Lyra’s aura.

“There’s another soul,” she said suddenly. “It’s not just Isolde.”

Killian narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“Lyra,” Mira said slowly, “is resisting her. She’s still in there. She is the one who led Ivy to the mirror realm—not Isolde.”

Killian’s heart surged.

“My daughter’s fighting her?”

Mira nodded. “She’s trying to hold the gate closed from the inside. But she’s not strong enough. If Ivy fails... she’ll be erased.”

Inside the mirror realm, Ivy felt Lyra's presence—a flicker of her voice, like a candle in a storm.

“Mommy… don’t let her in.”

Ivy’s spine straightened. She grabbed Asher’s hand, turned to the obsidian door, and pushed with all her strength.

Isolde screamed.

“NO—”

The door cracked.

Light poured out.

Reality warped.

Ivy felt something rip inside her—a bond, a connection severing. Pain flared across her chest.

When she opened her eyes again—

She was back.

On the floor of their home.

Killian was at her side. Mira was chanting. Lyra was limp on the couch.

And Asher…

Asher wasn’t there.

“Where is he?” Ivy asked, heart racing.

No one answered.

Then Mira looked up slowly, tears in her eyes.

“He took your place,” she whispered. “He’s trapped in the mirror realm.”