The room freezes, and no sound or movement casts an eerie feeling over my defenseless body. The hair on the back of my neck stands. A different magic has entered the room, and it’s the same gut feeling I had when Barlowe was nearby. The prince’s eyes widen at the sudden change. I break my stare from him and look toward Calia and Nolan. The remaining crimson rain falls like a sea of blood racing toward us.
Before them stand two large creatures of the darkness drenched in ritual blood.
Chapter 39
Bardot and Graven Thornfield stand before their mother, resurrected—not as themselves but as something conjured from the darkest nightmares, cursed to walk this realm once more. Completely unnatural and unwelcome, they stand taller than before—even with their curved backs protruding from their ripped clothes. Like my brother, the only familiar aspect about them is their eyes. The shade of brown barely peeks through, rendering something recognizable on their terrifying faces. Their mouths sit lower than before on their stretched faces and their skin is an unnatural shade of dead gray, as if it hasn’t seen the light of day in years. Their arms hang almost to their ankles, and their stench could be detected from a mile away.
My squirming becomes more frantic as I know I’ll be the first to go once they release the creatures from the ritual site, making their physical bodies present again.
“My brave boys,” Calia purrs as she stares at her boys. “Oh, it’s so good to see you again. I’m so sorry this bitch put you through such horrible things.”
The creatures nod as if they understand her as she controls them. My mind flashes back to me controlling Barlowe. Kalixwas present and in control. The power of the Great Wiitches can control those resurrected.
With the power of the ritual flowing through her veins, Carobon must be desperate to find his vessel. I can only imagine that he’s attempting to enter her body. And I immediately know we are running out of time.
“Listen to me, my children—I want you to stay with me. We have many plans to accomplish, but there’s a problem.” She points over her shoulder in my direction. “The Queen of Daramveer has been keeping a secret for many years.”
The gazes of both creatures land on me and, in this moment, I’ve never experienced fear like this. Calia continues, “I know you feel the power leaking from her. The Great Wiitch, Kalix, shares her body. She will try to destroy you and us, so we should ensure that doesn’t happen. Don’t you agree?”
A broad grin forms on their faces and rows of sharp black teeth poke through as they lick their lips in my direction, ready to feast on my body. “Step forward and truly relish yourselves once more in this realm.”
She invites them to cross the line through the ritual site; their feet landing with a thud once their total weight truly materializes, making their resurrection complete. The stench becomes horrendous when they are fully formed. Nolan studies them, heads taller than anyone in this cramped room—they are true beasts from somewhere dark where I hope I never go.
Calia returns to the ritual site, prepping for yet another resurrection. After years of charging this crystal, I only fear the number of evil beings that could be brought back to walk this realm once more. My gut twists as I know who she will bring forward next: Carobon.
The charge of magic throughout the room hits me and my mind travels back to the night, days after my mother passed—a familiar feeling I didn’t remember I had. I was so overwhelmedwith grief—all I did for days was sleep. In and out of a daze, my father entered my room. Then I thought he was only checking on me, worried about my well-being. I should have known better.
Something was off once he started drawing small Rigils around the room, saying silent prayers to the Dark God, Raddnoke, to heal me. My father stalked to my bed—quiet like a predator in the night with a knife in hand—desperate to see if I was the vessel back then. He needed my blood, and I couldn’t move or defend myself, likely laced with the same drug that was used during the third trial, as it all comes together now. My father sliced my hand open, blood flowing into a ritual site as I lost consciousness. He assumed the ritual failed as no change happened to our surroundings or my body. Not even a breeze entered my room that night—as I’ve now realized, Kalix works silently.
My father left my bedroom, slamming the door behind him when the jolt made me come to only for a second as I saw a healer enter my bedroom. He needed someone to assist with the gashes I had on my hand from the knife. When I awoke, I was different, but I wasn’t sure why. I thought what I experienced that night was a nightmare, another haunting that followed me for years. Magic, old and powerful, swims in my veins like a fish moving through a rapid current.
A shock ripples through me as I know why the healer I've been seeing at the House of Hedro is so familiar. I understand why she is so interested in and cautious around me. She’s been working with my father, these monsters, for years. Eden knows what they are planning. She gave Rohhit up willingly to help them.
Regret hangs on me heavier than the chains strapped to my body. This is my fault—I’ve led them down this road the entire time. I wish I could see my friends again to tell them I’m sorry for pushing them away, for not being my authentic self eventhough they gave me their all. My family, the people I love and trust. Oak, my friend from childhood, rekindled under horrible circumstances. Maines, my sister by heart. And Silas—I wish we had more time, our souls as one, connected somehow by an ancient force.
They deserve better, and they deserve the truth. My family is in trouble, and I can’t save them.
The creature steps forward, snarling. Drool falls from their mouths as if they already know how delicious I will taste on their lips. I remain frozen as they crowd around me, watching. My wrists bark in pain, almost free. I only need a few more minutes.
Rohhit screams from across the room, now awake, “Get the fuck away from Briar!”
Calia walks to him, slowly stroking his white hair. “Now, now, Prince. There is no need to scream—it will be your turn soon enough.”
Rohhit continues to shout, “You were my friend. My brother! How could you do this?Whywould you do this?”
No remorse shows in Nolan’s stony façade. “I was never equal to you. Your light constantly dimmed mine. It’s time I do something of importance—you will be forgotten once this is done.”
Rohhit spits at their feet as they jump back, their shoes now coated with wetness.
“Can we continue? This is getting dramatic,” annoyance rolls off Calia’s tongue.
The twins stop beside the stone bed. Graven takes a single claw and drags it down my chest, ripping my dress to fall around my shoulders. His claw tears into my skin, the slice cutting my chest. Beads of blood coat my chest as I grit my teeth from the pain. My lungs heave as I attempt to slow my racing heart. The creatures take a long, pleasurable inhale, smelling the blood leaking from my body. Bardot leans in, his long, thick tonguelicking from my chin up my face. I snap my eyes shut, trying to turn away from his touch, unable to move against the restraints.
“You all are insane!” Rohhit hisses, “Don’t touch a hair on her fucking head!”
Calia shrugs, watching the twins torment me, “Looks like we’re too late for that!”
Nolan laughs.
