“Well get one of those Warlocks of Ivern to do it,” I snap.
Connor glares. “You don’t think we already tried that route? We can’t get a hold of them.”
Lucca rubs his face. “For fuck’s sake.”
“Maybe I can break it.” Aurora steps forward.
The High Witch frowns. “You haven’t had your warlock training yet.”
“So what? Let her try,” I say. “Miranda, Vivi, and Rikkon too. Everyone should have a go at it.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying, boy,” Solomon interjects. “Do you think you can just throw any kind of random spell at their barrier and hope something will work? You could end blowing up the whole place.”
“We’re not going to blow up the place,” Aurora retorts. “We’re wasting time here. Let’s go.”
She veers for the institute’s entrance, and we all follow. My pulse is racing. Everything seems to be closing in, and I’m ready to blow. Unfortunately, I don’t have anywhere to direct the rage simmering inside me yet. Someone needs to break through the barrier first so I can unleash my fury on Jacques. If he hurt Sophie, he’s a dead vampire walking.
Fifty-One
VIVIENNE
It seems like forever since I first stepped foot in Bloodstone Institute. I had no idea that saying yes to the whims of the dragon kingpin would change my life the way it did. Even though Larsson caused me so much pain, I’ll be forever grateful that his obsession with Lucca’s necklace sent me here.
I sense the dark magic that’s sealing the catacombs from the rest of the institute before we have a visual of the door leading to it. It’s malignant and wrong. Goose bumps break out on my skin, making me shiver.
Lucca puts his hand on my lower back, lending me his strength. Our eyes lock, and like always, I’m blasted with the love he has for me. Our connection will never cease to amaze me, and it seems I’m more linked to him than ever. Could it be because I’m carrying his child?
“Everything all right?” he asks.
“Yes.”
Aurora freezes ahead of us, opening her arms wide. “No one move. This is as far as we can go safely.”
“Can you see the blockage?” Vaughn asks.
“Sort of. It’s like there’s a haze in the air, and everything is a bit distorted.”
“I see it too,” Miranda adds.
Lucca squints. “I don’t see anything. How about you, love?”
“Yeah, I see it.”
“Me too,” Rikkon chimes in.
“Can it be broken?” Vaughn asks.
“Only one way to find out.” Aurora moves her arms, gathering energy around her petite frame until we can barely see her. When the green light enveloping her is so bright it hurts to look at it, she unleashes it at the barrier. The magical wall trembles upon impact, absorbing the energy, but it remains intact.
“Damn it! I was certain that would work,” she says.
“Maybe you need more juice.” Saxon touches her arm.
“Can you tell us what the spell is?” Miranda asks. “We can join you.”
Aurora looks at her sister. “To break this barrier, we need to use warlock magic.”
“We can’t join in the spell,” the High Witch says, “but we can lend you our powers.”
