I entered the middle of the circle. Once I did, the tremendous power of the Crystals of Harmony coursed through me. Their magic connected, making intertwined strands of blue, red, pink, gold, white, and black, blaring out a humming sound that thrummed through my being. I felt their resonance rocking me to my core like the touch of a god as a windstorm whipped around the area at their power. My own magic as the Worldweaver paled in comparison to even one of these stones. Their combined power nearly knocked me off my feet, but I forced myself to remain steady as my hair whipped around my face.
It was then Droga arrived. The massive black stag turned over trees in his way, his form looming over me. His eyes glowed with a reddish fury that was truly damning. I shook in his presence as the colors of the Crystals of Harmony whirled around me. Smoke furled from Droga’s nostrils as he lowered his head, preparing to break the circle the Crystals made and end the ceremony.
My friends scattered away from his stomping hooves, ducking into the trees and away from the Sacred Gathering to avoid being trampled. All but one, that was.
Kiara did something crazy. Instead of running away like everyone else, shecharged in front of Droga.She stared up at him, refusing to tremble in his stead.
Out of my way, girl,Droga seethed.You are delaying destiny.
“Kiara!” Alexei cried, and he rushed to protect her. Then his eyes shifted, and his gaze widened as he looked at something beyond Droga.
Even over the humming of the Crystals, I heard him utter, “The doe—”
Droga lowered his head and charged. One of his antlers pierced Alexei straight through the chest. He let out a gasping noise as the air left his lungs, eyes wide with shock.
Kiara gave a horrible wail, and Droga threw his head back. Alexei sailed through the air until he landed harshly on his side, and I heard several of his bones break. I stared open-mouthed at him, expecting him to get up, before I realized…
He didn’t see me anymore. He didn’t seeanything.He was gone.
“Kiara, run!” I pleaded, voice cracking on the last note. Didn’t she see that Droga was unstoppable? He’dkilledAlexei! She needed to save herself!
“Finish the ceremony!” Kiara screeched, in terrible pain. She’d just lost her mate, the love of her life, yet she still refused to move, planting herself between the dark god and me.
Droga snorted, digging his hoof into the ground before he lowered his gaze on Kiara. She gave a rattling gasp as Droga absorbed her life energy, draining her until there was nothing left.
Kiara collapsed beside Alexei’s lifeless form.
In her eyes, I saw the reflection of the spectral doe just before the light went out.
Odette gave a high-pitched scream, and Delmare began wailing. I heard the sobs of the shifters as they witnessed the lifeless forms of our greatest friends lie discarded on the ground like Droga’s playthings.
Ah, now. Where were we? Droga asked.
Tears trickled down my face. My tongue attempted to form words, but there were none that could describe the devastation that I’d just witnessed. I’d seen so many cruel things in my life, but this…
Kiara and Alexei had been a part ofus. They’d been our family. Without them, we would’ve never gotten this far. Why would they give themselves up like this?
“Emma!” Ethan shouted from nearby. “The sacrifice!”
I stalled. Lucien said that I would have to make a sacrifice to unite the stones, although we hadn’t been sure what it was. The ceremony could require anything.
Then it struck me, sharp as a blade. Kiara understood. I had figured the stones neededmysacrifice,mylife for the portal to open, but Kiara had realized that the Crystals would accept any sacrifice, so long as it was an offering of fae blood. That’s why she’d charged in front of Droga so freely, so bravely, ready to give it all.
There was nothing more to offer. I’d already made my sacrifice, because I’d lost two of my best friends. Their blood had spilled upon the revered land of the Sacred Gathering. The stones were satisfied with the gift. I could end this.
With the loss of Kiara and Alexei still echoing in my voice, I cried out the incantation with all the strength— all the pain— I could muster.
“Loyalty, bravery, faith and compassion,
In perfect harmony.
Crystals united here as one
To restore our history.
Edinmyre and Earth married true,
No longer may we roam
