It all happened as if in slow motion. Calma’s arm going down towards Dina’s chest, the crystal pointed into a fatal looking sharp end, and then Joel pushed forward, his bare chest that before had glowed light blue, was now orange in color. He held out a crystal himself, the exact same one as Calma held, he pushed it into Calma’s back, his tattoo turning bright red.
Tugging Dina back a step, we saw Calma fall to her front, her back bleeding out, the crystal lodged deep into her skin, piercing her heart from her back. Joel swayed on his feet, his gaze finding Dina’s.
“Forgive me,” he breathed. “I love you, Dina.” His breathing turned hoarse. “I hope you f-find someone worthy of your love.” His eyes rolled back, and then, he fell.
Dina’s anguished sob broke the silence around us. Cole had shifted back, I had no idea when, but he stood naked and bloodied beside us, taking Dina into his arms to comfort her. Surprisingly, she fell into his arms easily, both content to hold on to each other as the battle around them continued.
Felix whispered, only loud enough for me to hear. “Is she dead?”
I poked Calma’s body with my foot, trying to listen to her heartbeat while doing so. “Yes,” I replied, looking for Peter. He was fighting Lirissa, the last leader standing.
A tortured scream reached us, my hairs stood up just from the sound of it. Our attention landed on Samantha. She was right next to Peter, fighting Lirissa.No… Samantha’s leg had been torn off, her body shifting back to her human looking form, leaving her defenseless.
Liam snarled, jumping into the scene as he saw his fated bleeding out in front of him. He was in his wolf form, but it was obvious it was him; the eyes held the same fury I would have felt had it been Felix in her stead.
My attention on them had cost me, I turned around, but it was too late. A crystal hit me, piercing my chest. A scream tore from my throat, then Felix screamed, the worst sound in the world.
I could no longer see, no longer feel. The dizziness took over and I could do nothing but fall into it, knowing if this was my death, Felix would join me.
Chapter 35
Felix
So many dead bodies. So much screaming. But all I could see was my vampire bonded, lying limp on the ground, the crystal lodged into his chest. I knew I was screaming, but it was like it came from someone else, like I wasn’t truly here. Me still being alive, told me he was alive, too. I just hadno idea for how long.
Kneeling next to him, I took in his injuries. The only visible thing hurting him was the crystal. I had no idea who’d thrown it, and it didn’t matter anyway, not when I could lose him any second.
A howl came from behind me, but I ignored it. Taking off my shirt, I placed it around my hands, then gently removed the crystal from Sev’s chest, my fingers trembling while tears streamed down my face. I had never been more scared in my life.
When I finally managed to get it out, I grabbed a pouch from my pocket. It was filled with crushed liquorice roots, and I dusted a generous amount over his bleeding wound, hoping it would help heal the area quicker. The scent of burning wood and blood was burning my nose, but I pushed through the discomfort, praying to whichever god would listen. Please let my Severin live.
A collective gasp filled the air around me, taking my focus away from Severin for the first time since he was hit. My eyes widened at the sight of the Silver Lock witches falling like domino pieces. I tried to find the reason for it, but there was still so much chaos and people moving around, I had yet to find the source of this chain reaction. Then, I saw Peter, standing tall and bloodied, and next to him, a wolf I believed to be Liam, was standing on top of Lirissa’s body. Had they killed her? Did we really win?
Liam howled, the sound emitting hurt, victory, relief, and then sadness. How I could know all of those emotions just from a howl, I had no idea. But I did feel all of it, and it seemed the other werewolves did, too. Each of them howling back, their cries the same soulful notes of sadness along with relief.
Three witches had surrounded Samantha, and I saw with horror why. Her leg had been blasted off by a crystal, likely one of those acting like bombs. She was pale and unconscious as she lay there, being healed. I didn’t know if they could save her or not.
My hand was pushing down on Sev’s wound, closing it off so he wouldn’t bleed out as he knitted back together, hoping I had acted in time. I watched Liam leave Lirissa’s body, stalking over to where Samantha lay. He sniffed her, whining low in his throat. The witches knew better than to move him away. Instead they moved around him, allowing the wolf to check on his pack leader. He reached her neck, sniffed, and then to everyone’s shock and utter surprise, he bit down, marking her as his mate.
It felt weird to watch them bond, so I refocused on the Silver Lock witches instead, they eyed each other warily, like they weren’t sure what to do now. Thankfully, Dina’s coven stepped forward and handed them what looked to be small notes, or business cards. Inoticed their branded tattoos no longer lit up, they were left blackened and faded against their wrists. Did this mean they were free?
When I felt confident I wouldn’t get attacked, I let my gaze land on Severin. Why was he still unconscious? Shouldn’t he be awake by now? Unease filled me, like there was something I had missed.
“Hey,” Dina whispered gently, kneeling next to me. Her eyes were red, her face a clear visual on how badly Joel’s betrayal had hurt her. And then his words. We would never know if he was forced into spying for them, or what had truly happened for him to work for us. I hated the unanswered questions I knew would remain unanswered, but right now, there was too much to deal with. I would break down later, with Sev alive and well, next to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my eyes not leaving Severin’s face.
“I will be,” she replied, holding her hand over Sev’s limp one. “He’ll be fine. His life force is strong.” I was glad she was better at healing than me. Her words broke through my emotions, forcing my control to slip, and I cried again. For Sev. For the dead witches. For the horror of it all.
I cried. Because I could. Because I wasalive.
The most beautiful blue eyes met mine.
“Hi,” I whispered, holding back my tears of joy.
“Hi,” Sev croaked, his eyes blinking as he took in our bedroom. “Did we succeed?”
A laugh escaped me as I nodded. Then, I was left sobbing against his chest. Leaving the previous Silver Lock Coven’s territory had been a blur. So many were killed and hurt, it was overwhelming. Most of Dina’s coven stayed behind to give all the fallen witches a proper burial. Not the Silver Lock Coven’s leaders, but those that deserved to be buried with respect, namely their own fallen witches. We had yet to know how many of our own we’d lost; a number I dreaded the answer to.
