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~ KATALEYAI stumble back, my heart skipping a beat at the way he holds my arm making sure I don’t fall, his power surging forward, and I don’t know if I’m just somehow more heightened to his power but I can feel the difference within it, it is not just a powerful aura that belongs to an alpha but one that is intertwined with the very threads created with magic and fire.My eyes blaze as Enrique raises his other hand, a blast of blinding power throwing the chupacabra back where it lets out a strangled blood curdling scream before it incinerates completely just as another one pushes out from the crack.Enrique turns, but this time I beat him to it. Raising my hand, I send a wave of light surrounded by glowing petals at the monster. A move that looks more beautiful than dangerous, but the moment it touches him it is torn apart, and I look away as bits of the monster fly everywhere.No! I wasn’t trying to do that! Oh, that’s gross!I am trying to hold back my powers but I’m still overdoin
~ KATALEYA ~“How- how is that even possible?” I know he can’t be Enrique’s… or his father’s? No… I’m certain all three are dead… and at that time, back when Enrique was little, Hugo was there… so someone before Sebastian Escarra. “Enrique’s grandfather’s?”He looks a little surprised before he smiles, “You are a clever woman, My Queen.”“So, I’m right?” I ask in disbelief.He looks down at the dug-up earth and smiles a little. “Not exactly but close. I was a guardsman of his great grandfather’s, usually, we die with our king of course, and with the djinn, their life was shortened, but even then, we do not live past our king unless he commanded us to fulfil a duty that outlived him.”“And he asked you to watch over his family…” I say slowly.Hugo nods, “Yes, so I did what I could, simply taking care of the family and offering guidance and support for the Escarra kings and their families… and although the djinn was defeated, it left a devastating impact on Alpha Enrique.”“I see… But I
~ KATALEYA ~It’s much later, yet Enrique has not returned. Soon the pack members begin returning and there is nothing we can do to keep them away for any longer without alerting the guardsmen or Enrique. The chefs needed to cook, too. I missed helping and I stopped in to say hello to them all.“You should head back, Sky. I want to stay a little longer,” I say quietly when I exit the kitchen.She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question me, which I appreciate since I want to do a little searching upstairs in the closed-off quarters.Since I can’t be sensed, it will be better if I go alone. I know Enrique wouldn’t like me to go there, but we don’t have time to waste, and since he isn’t back I can make use of my time and try to locate the Ash Stone. We have to start somewhere.Going upstairs, I quietly sneak up to the unused area of the packhouse.Planting my hands on my hips, I look around.Right, so anything that contains a rock could be the Ash Stone, so I’ll begin by separating those t
~ ENRIQUE ~I smirk as I slink away from the stairs, not wanting anyone to sense me. Seeing Kataleya get her sassiness on is fucking hot. I like it when Mi Amor gets all possessive.My smirk fades as I ponder on her parting words.A stone… I don’t have any kind of stone… and there is no stone that means anything to me.But even as I think that, there’s one that comes to mind. My heart races as I pause, I need to check it out. Although I have touched it a few times over the years and I’m assuming that I should have felt something I still want to be certain.Maybe something is missing. It’s worth looking at again.I head to my office, lock the door behind me, and walk over to the shelf where the box containing the necklace she gave me long ago used to sit. It’s something that I’ve always held onto although I have tried to hate it with everything I have.I scan the shelf remembering I had moved it, turning - I glance at my desk, about to walk over to it when I stop, cursing as I run my fi
~ KATALEYA ~“And you are certain that is what he said?” Uncle asks once again.I nod. “Yes. I understood his words completely, they were absolutely clear,” I answer.“So do you think that image that the witch drew was this Azarakh dude?” Ahren asks curiously.“Well, the image depicts the darkness consuming Enrique…” Raihana sighs. “Goddess, I wish I knew, it’s complicated.”“Maybe if I think enough, maybe I can make a vision come to me. I’ve done it before when I thought about something,” I suggest as Delsanra taps her chin.“I don’t know, I know you are capable of that, but it’s a risk. Remember the enemy sees you too, and although you have had enough run-ins with him, we still have to be careful,” she muses.“I’m not sure she’ll be able to do that anyway,” Raihana says, looking over at Delsanra before glancing at me. “According to what Janaina has shared, your 6th sense may have disappeared completely when you came into power. That is a gift of the Deimos line, not Asheton.”“But sh
~ KATALEYA ~“A little more volume, don’t you think?” Raihana asks as she tilts her head towards Delsanra.I can’t give my input as the mirror in front of me is covered up by Raihana, who said I can’t look until she has finished getting me completely ready.She’s got her own hair in curlers and she’s wearing a satin floral gown. We’re all getting our hair and makeup done before we get into our dresses. Well, us three anyway.Delsanra takes a look at my hair before she nods from where she’s sitting on the floor in my room, applying her own makeup.“Kat, you are really going to stand out tonight,” she says, smiling at me.“I’m nervous,” I admit.“Don’t be. No one will be able to keep their eyes off you tonight.”“I think that makes me more nervous,” I say, making her chuckle.“You’re a Rossi, own it, I know you can. People will stare at us whether we want it or not,” Raihana says proudly. She did love attention, but I don’t want all eyes on me. I want to hide away when people look at me.
~ KATALEYA ~“No tears,” Raihana warns me.I nod as I turn and hug her tightly, trying to control my emotions.“Thank you, Ri.”“You don’t need to thank me,” she whispers, hugging me back before she moves back. “Now don’t go ruining my effort. Enrique is the only exception to ruin my hard work. Skyla snickers at that.Raihana smiles, brushing a curly that frames my face into place. “You know, on your father’s engagement to Jasmin, I did your Mama’s makeup.”“You did?” Skyla asks in surprise.Raihana nods and I smile. “I know, she’s told me, and Aunt Raven chose her black dress.”Raihana nods again. “Yeah. Look… no matter what happens tonight. I need you to keep your head high and remember that you are a queen, a Rossi, but more than that, you are a strong woman.”“Thank you,” I say.“Well, I better go get ready, I won’t be long, our dates should be here soon.” Her smile fades and I want to ask if everything is ok, but she leaves before I can.“I better go get my dress on too. You reall
~ KATALEYA ~“Yes, of course, ask away.”“If you spot any kind of stone, crystal or rock… will you please put it aside?”He observes me for a moment before suddenly realising something and smiling. “I see what you are trying to do, and I think that is a very good idea indeed… I wonder if Mi Rey has the same thought…” he says the last part more to himself, but I don’t want to waste any more of his time.I smile. “Thank you. We’ll be leaving soon. It’s a shame you won’t join.”“I have more important things to do here.” He smiles at me, and I nod before I return to the hallway.“I can’t wait to see how Enrique crumbles when he sets eyes on you,” Skyla says as she cuddles Malevolent before placing her kitty down.“Hmm, I think that depends on how you look at it.” I muse. “I mean, if he doesn’t go through with it, it means he is unable to stay away from me, a sign of his feelings for me. Or… by marking her to protect me? Which is the greater good? Will he have enough strength to make that s
~ KATALEYA ~I wake with a gasp, my lungs clawing for air, it feels like I’m drowning. I suck in a breath, clutching my throat. My heart is thudding but it’s as if the sound of it is coming from all around me, reverberating through the chilling darkness. It’s too silent.This place… it’s similar to Azarakh’s crypt, but not quite.It holds the same evil. Feeling something move, I look down and realise something cold and slimy is clinging to my legs, black tendrils - slithering as though alive.I gasp as I scramble to my feet or try to. The stench of rotting meat and damp earth so thick it feels like it’s inside of my mouth. Shuddering, I try to get up quickly, flinching as pain rushes up my waist and I touch it; there’s no wound, but the pain remains.How did I even get here?I frown slightly, trying to remember what happened.That woman! Her face was so warm and innocent. Was she a part of this? I touch my head. It hurts too.Dragging myself to my feet from the tar-like slime that cove
~ SKYLA ~Rayhan…I won’t forget this moment, and it won’t be one of those good, happy memories. This one is devastating. The heartbroken Delsanra who has always rushed to help others despite the risk to her own life. Ray…. Ri…Despite everything, they always were there for us, but in their time of need, where the fuck were we?Fuck! Why them?Raihana now wraps her arms around Delsanra as both women kneel on the ground, their grief so strong, their pain so sharp it could carve away flesh from bone.There has to be something we can do!Enrique is examining the symbols, his power swirling around him subtly.I look up at Royce, “Let’s try to open the portal, maybe he’s ok. Royce, Dante, you both saw the symbols-”“It’s too late for that. Kiara said Ahren felt the shift in power. He is now the Alpha of the Black Storm Pack,” Dad says brokenly.“How can he be Alpha?! He doesn’t even have his wolf!” I shout. This can’t be happening!“Love…” Royce wraps his arms around me tightly.“We have to
~ DELSANRA ~“Rayhan…”Something isn’t right, I know it.I know I shouldn’t leave my spot, but the worst is sorted. I warn a few of the warriors I’m moving, and I rush to the crack where Rayhan and the others disappeared. I jump in, creating a barrier around me to protect myself from the crawlers that are still trickling out from the ground.They’re coming in smaller doses now, but they are still resilient.“Does anyone know if they managed to find the opening?” I ask worriedly.“No, not yet. We lost contact ” Liam replies, worry clear in his voice.He’s currently manning the break in the packhouse wall, making sure no crawlers get inside to the people.“We need to get down there!” I hear Sky shout from somewhere above.“What happened?” I ask.“I don’t know. Royce called for help!”My heart thuds as I keep going, moving as fast as possible.I can sense both her and Raihana not far behind me, the urgency and fear within me growing. I suddenly stop as a powerful pulsating that comes from
~ ROYCE ~We kept going down, and the deeper we go, the more I feel a power that is fucking immense and there’s only one other aura I’ve felt with this much power and that was Apophis’.“Do you guys feel it?” I ask, my voice low, but even then, it feels too loud in this darkness. Occasionally, a crawler or two will hiss and claw at us as they come from somewhere beneath us. A confirmation that we are headed in the right direction.“The aura?” Dante mutters. “Yeah, and I have no idea who it belongs to.”His unease is obvious, and I remain on alert. My royal mark is glowing, and I am not the one who is summoning it forth. Almost as if it too is warning me of the dangers ahead.“Don’t worry I won’t let anything happen to you both.” Rayhan jokes, although we’re both stronger than him.“Don’t fuck around,” Dante’s harsh reply comes.Rayhan turns to him, a flicker of concern on his face. “Dante, do you want to turn back?” he asks.“All three of us?” Dante replies.“I speak for myself. You tw
~ ENRIQUE ~Magic fills the air, strong and powerful and I know it’s Raihana’s. I can feel Delsanra’s reinforcing the barriers, her magic feels different, and there are parts that are not like ours – not from Hecate.Raihana is working on blocking out the moonlight, in a huge attempt to completely stop the crawlers from coming out of whatever shithole they are coming from. Jose quickly filled me in, and I sent more power to both witches, giving them the strength to continue.They are two witches alone and they are doing a lot. Royce, Rayhan and Dante have gone down to find the exact location. ‘Send some warriors to handle the crawlers so they are not burdened.’ I command Jose.It doesn’t even make sense that so many crawlers are able to get in. It’s not a fissure in the veil, but that’s something that’s been obvious from the start. The crawlers have appeared everywhere at any time, not from one point like the chupacabras. They had a different way to get through. Another means that we n
~ KATALEYA ~My eyes widen as I turn sharply and stare into Enrique’s molten gold eyes.“Enrique!”‘No!’ Azarakh shrieks, the earsplitting sound hammering into my head causing me to flinch.“I’m sorry it took a while,” Enrique murmurs in his deep, beautiful voice that makes my stomach flutter. I shake my head before looking back towards the spot where Dad had fallen. I can’t see him! I can’t sense a heartbeat amongst the storm of crawlers.“How did you break free?” I ask softly, torn between running to Dad and keeping my hold on Azarakh.I know Enrique is in control for now. I can sense his presence, his aura strong and free from darkness.“You needed me,” he answers softly as he stands tall. “You’re my strength, Mi Amor.” My heart surges with so much emotion as we gaze into one another’s eyes, pink and gold, perfectly complimenting each other.Azarakh’s form has solidified as he fights to keep a grasp on Enrique, but he’s failing.His unearthly shrieks are all that he has left as Enr
~ KATALEYA ~Azarakh’s mouth twists into a snarl as he lifts his claws, aiming for my heart. I can see the glint of triumph as he lunges at me, but I hold my ground, letting him think he’s got me. But the moment his claws dig into my waist, slicing through fabric and skin, the smell of the hot rush of blood, and the sharp sting of agony makes me cry out. I suck in a gasp, gritting my teeth as I clamp my hand around his wrist, ignoring the searing pain at the contact.In a single motion, I call forth every ounce of power I have, letting it surge forward in a blinding wave. A scream leaves me as I put everything into it. My blinding pink aura swirls around him in a flash, engulfing him completely. Azarakh recoils, his shrieks cutting through the night like metal scraping against metal. He claws at his prison of light, his form writhing, his shadowy form twisting in agony as he tries to escape and get away from my aura.But not this time. My aura is like an iron cage holding firm, shackli
~ KATALEYA ~‘We can share! I told you together we could have had it all. Yet you declined!’ Azarakh hisses, but he’s still only clinging to Enrique. The shadow form still surrounds him, but he hasn’t possessed him yet. Or perhaps he can’t.I fuel my power forward, trying to reach through our half-formed bond.“I would never choose you,” I say, my voice quiet yet firm. “Never.”‘You served your purpose, and you will continue to do so. That is why you were chosen, whether you wished for it or not.’ He chuckles darkly.What does he mean?“How do you have a hold on, Enrique? He is not evil,” I ask as our powers continue to slam against one another, attacking, hammering against one another. Light against dark.‘We were created from the blood of the same goddess. One could say we are brethren.’ I shudder at the very thought as his evil eyes now burn into me. His sharp teeth stained with blood. ‘The Goddess Hecate created us for another goddess, yet she betrayed my goddess by creating someon
~ RAYHAN ~“Alright, let’s do this,” I say, looking at Royce and Dante the moment the three of us are within reach of one another.“We’ll have your back and cover you from behind,” Royce says.“I’m assuming you can’t mask the moon, Magic Fingers?”“I wish I could, but with that tornado thing going on, it would need a lot of power without being sure of the results.”“And you would call every single crawler to you,” Dante adds.“Not necessarily a bad thing, really. I could be the decoy,” Royce answers as they both cut through the crawlers and I asses the area.“I don’t think so,” Skyla says through the earpiece.“Don’t worry, Love, I’ll return to you in one piece. But call me back if you need my help, Raihana, I’ll be there.”“Thanks, I’ll let you know,” she replies.“It’s intriguing how our auras attract the crawlers but somehow Kataleya’s is the only one who isn’t attracting crawlers with her aura. Instead, hers is deflecting them,” I murmur as I look through the storm of crawlers, aur