Chapter Twelve

Brielle;

The old woman made us to step out of the room for tea while she excused herself to go back into the room. Lucien and I drank the tea in silence and my mind was on how complicated the situation was. Lucien looked out of the window like there was something important waiting for him out there.

“Alright, you may come back in now, so we can begin the ritual.” The priestess said, walking away.

When we got back, the curtains had been drawn, and the room was dimly lit by candles, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and incense, like she was burning more than what I could initially smell.

I sat nervously, watching the priestess as she prepared the summoning ritual to bring forth the spirit that was making me fearful and restless. Lucien stood beside me, his expression tense. It was like neither of us knew what to expect.

The priestess placed a bowl filled with strange powders and herbs in the center of the room and held a bowl with a liquid in her hand. She began to chant in a language I didn’t understand, and her voice was low, rhythmic, and powerful. The flames of the candles seemed to move in time with her words and although, the curtains were drawn, I could feel wind.

“Stay close to me.” Lucien breath was hot as he whispered and held on to my hand. “No matter what happens.”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. The priestess’s chanting grew louder, and I felt a strange energy in the air, a kind of tingling sensation that made my skin prickle. Suddenly, the room grew colder, and a faint mist began to form in the center of the circle while the intensity of the wind started to reduce.

Lucien’s grip on my hand tightened. “It’s starting.”

The mist thickened, swirling and coalescing into a shape. A figure began to come out, becoming more distinctly shaped with each passing second. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the form of a woman, her face was pale and she had this captivating ethereal beauty.

“Laurel?” Lucien’s voice was barely a whisper, and it was filled with shock.

The ghostly figure turned to face us, her eyes filled with a sorrow that seemed to pierce through my being. I wanted to comfort her.

“Hello, Lucien.”

I glanced at Lucien, and he gaped in disbelief.

“Laurel is my late sister. How can this be?” Lucien asked, his eyes wide. He blinked multiple times like he couldn’t believe what he was beholding.

Laurel’s ghostly form floated closer, her expression grave. No pun intended.

“I’ve been trying to reach you, Lucien. There is much you need to know.”

Lucien’s jaw clenched tight as he stared, as if challenging her.

“What is going on? Why are you haunting Brielle’s dreams? Is this my real sister?” He asked the priestess who didn’t respond.

Laurel’s gaze softened as she looked at me.

“I’m sorry, Brielle. I didn’t mean to cause you harm. My anger wasn’t truly directed at you. I needed to get your attention, Lucien. Chase’s intentions with his pack of alphas are far more dangerous than you realize.”

Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Laurel’s ghostly form seemed to shimmer.

“Look, Chase is planning something terrible. He’s gathering alphas for a scheme that could bring ruin to us all. He seeks power beyond anything we’ve seen, and he will stop at nothing to achieve it.”

Lucien’s face darkened with anger.

“What are you talking about, Laurel? What kind of scheme?”

Laurel looked down, her voice hard and angry.

“I have told you all I know. And not just that, he’s also trying to get his hands on ancient magic, to bend it to his will. If he succeeds, he could control not just the alphas, but all of us. The balance will be shattered, and many will suffer.”

Lucien nodded.

“Thank you for letting me know, sister. I won’t let that happen.” He said firmly. “I won’t join Chase’s pack.”

Laurel nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Lucien. Your promise means more than you know.”

Lucien took a step forward.

“In return, I need you to stop haunting Brielle’s dreams. She’s suffered enough for a while now.”

Laurel’s ghostly form seemed to shimmer again as she turned to me.

“I will cease the nightmares, Brielle. I’m truly sorry for the pain I’ve caused you.”

I felt tears welling up in my eyes in relief.

“Thank you, Laurel.”

Laurel drifted closer to me, and so close, her ethereal form almost translucent. She leaned in and whispered something in my ear.

“Remember to trust your instincts, Brielle. They are your guide when all seems lost.”

I nodded, wondering why she told me that.

“Yes, I will. Thank you.”

Laurel’s form began to fade, the mist dissipating into the air.

“Goodbye, Lucien. Be strong, and take care of your woman.”

“She’s not my wo— goodbye, Laurel. I’ll honor your memory and take your advice.” Lucien said before muttering to himself. “Somehow she knows about an alpha who is planning to do something terrible out there, but she doesn’t know that she is not my woman.”

As the last traces of Laurel’s spirit vanished, the room seemed to grow warmer. The candles flickered brightly, and the priestess stepped forward.

“I hope you now have your answers.” She said. “The curse is lifted, but it looks like you might have something else to do.”

“Not necessarily. All we have to do is refuse Chase, that’s all.” Lucien said gruffly. “Good thing she warned us about it, but it’s nothing that serious.”

I looked at Lucien, wondering if he was always like this in all his actions and decision makings and I silently thanked the moon goddess for Zane, my knight in shining fur.

I had to get back to him, and now that my problem was solved, I was more than eager.