Chapter Nineteen
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Tessa
The Khorvath writhesagainst the boundaries of Prophet’s ritual, black ice cracking and reforming as it fights to hold its shape in our reality.The dome of light pressing down on it pulses with each of Prophet’s chanted words, forcing the creature back inch by excruciating inch.
But it’s not enough.
Through the bond, I feel Vex’s certainty even before Prophet speaks the words aloud.
“The seal won’t hold.”Prophet’s voice is ragged, blood streaming from his nose and freezing before it hits the ground.His eyes, usually so full of divine light, are dimming.“Not without the final component.”
“What component?”Blade roars from outside the circle, he’s bleeding from dozens of wounds.
Prophet’s gaze finds mine, and in his eyes I see something that makes my stomach drop.
Pity.
“The original binding required three sacrifices,” he says quietly.“Vampire, shifter, and warden.All willingly given.All dying in the act.”
The words hang in the frozen air.
“No.”Vex’s voice is flat, absolute.“Find another way.”
“There is no other way.”Prophet sways, barely staying upright.“The prophecy is clear, the warden’s bloodline must seal what the warden’s bloodline helped bind.Her life for the creature’s imprisonment.”
“Then the prophecy can go fuck itself.”Vex moves to stand between Prophet and me, fangs bared.“We’ll find another solution.”
“There isn’t time!”Prophet gestures at the Khorvath, which is growing stronger even as we speak.Reality warps more violently around it, the dome of light flickering.“The ritual is failing.Without the sacrifice, it breaks free.And when it does, it won’t just take Tessa, it will consume everything.The town.The territory.Everyone.”
Images flash through my mind, courtesy of the mark still burning on my shoulder.Betty’s diner frozen solid, bodies preserved in ice.Hannah and everyone at the clubhouse, their last moments of terror crystallized forever.Sarah and her parents, thousands of miles away but not far enough, dying screaming as winter tears through their home.
All because I wasn’t brave enough to do what needs to be done.
“How does it work?”My voice comes out steadier than I feel.“The sacrifice.”
“Tessa, no—” Vex reaches for me, but I step back.
