Alari's pov I heaved, that voice causing a violent stir within me. Cold wind blew past me like something just flew past me at an incredible speed, and when I turned, I heard dry leaves rustling beneath me. I definitely wasn't safe and cosy in the castle! But, question is, where the hell was I?I couldn't feel Sapphira's presence in my head, a part of me knew she was there but I couldn't reach her, she felt.. out of reach.“Damien! Damien I need you!” I called out to him through the link, and just like Sapphira, he was far from my reach.Dammit! Was I really out here alone?The darkness was too dense for me to see anything and it was freaking me out, but I had to calm down, that was the only way I could figure out a way to get myself out of… whatever hell this is!“Can't see me, can you?” Goddess, that voice made my stomach churn! How was this person even doing that? Affecting me like that?“Who are you?!” I yelled into the darkness, masking my fear with anger, even though I knew my
The mistress's pov“Phantom!” I yelled in frustration for about the hundredth time, focusing all my magic on that one, small, insignificant spell that was proving impossible for me. “Damn it! What am I doing wrong?!” I whisper yelled at myself, watching my hands like they weren't doing what they were supposed to.“I never thought I'd see the day you failed at something” Minerva's taunting cackle scared the living day lights out of me.“Don't sneak up on me like that!” I growled, tilting my head to the side to look at her through the corner of my eye. “Seriously?! The sound of my voice is what scared you? Not this creepy, dark cave, miles into the dark woods that belong to fucking Pixies?” Her sarcastic questions made me roll my eyes.I didn't bother responding or explaining myself, knowing her, she'd find a way to use it against me. Keeping my gaze focused on the scroll before me, I ignored her, and why wouldn't I? I didn't owe her anything!“How did you find this shit hole anyway?
Alari's pov “Alari!” Damien had come running the second he woke up, pushing the gym door so hard it almost fell off its hinges.“What's the matter” I jumped to my feet, ready to take on whatever danger there was.“Baby, I woke up and you weren't there, I was worried” he whined, engulfing me in a hug. “I'm okay my love, I just didn't want to wake you and I couldn't sleep” I said, his scent and warmth making my tense body relax and I swear I almost fell asleep. “We need rest” Sapphira yawned and I chose to ignore her, there was no way in hell that was going to happen, intentionally anyway. I couldn't explain it, all I knew was that there was something, lingering, waiting for me to close my eyes so it could drag me to hell… and I'd be damned if I let that happen. “I need a shower, and food” I said, taking a step away from the warmth that was inviting sleep. “We're having breakfast with the Alphas before they return to their packs, let's go get ready so we don't keep them waiting” h
Alari's pov Damien literally carried me to bed when we arrived at the castle, even when I said I I only wanted to show Pearl the scan and then I'd go nap.Insisting that I sleep first before anything else, he went as far as quoting Martin. Even promised to stay with me until I woke up. We cuddled up on the bed and it only took a few minutes for my eyes to feel heavy, his heartbeat like a lullaby. I felt myself drift, a sudden heaviness drawing me deep into the arms of darkness. “Hey!” Came a sharp whisper, making me jump awake only to be met with darkness and the feeling of multiple eyes on me. My mind was moving fast and I knew I'd returned to that wretched place. My heartbeat was the loudest thing I'd ever heard and I couldn't calm down enough to hear anything else. “Sapphira!” I called out her, even though I knew she couldn't come to me. I just didn't want to be alone, and vulnerable, in this dark place. “Prinnnnceesesssss” that horrible voice sang, causing a wave of nausea
Damien's pov I'd woken up an hour after, my body too tired to sleep and starting to feel sluggish, but Alari was still fast asleep and looked peaceful.After watching her sleep for… I don't know how long, I slipped out of bed, making sure I didn't wake her. She stirred a little when I finally detached and I put my pillow in her arms, calming her with my scent. I needed to get some work done, and after relieving myself, I sat around the lounge area and went on my laptop. Hours went by and she still slept, I wondered if I should wake her or just let her rest because she needed it. The pregnancy alone had already taken so much from her, and the stress of everything is just overwhelming, she needed this. She slept through the day and the occassional twist and turn told me she was fine, just resting.Dusk was approaching fast and I worried that she wouldn't sleep a wink throughout the night and I was debating whether I should wake her, or let her wake up by herself. I was watching h
Alari's povNever in my life had I seen anything like this. Large, colourful trees stretching for a far as the eye could see, moving to the wind as if they were dancing, I wouldn't be surprised if their did. The sky had an ethereal glow to it, with the stars blinking against a pinkish purple background, wonder what it looks like in the day.The cliff we were standing on gave a great view of this place, though I suspected that there was so much more.“Come, this way!” Allison said excitedly, flying downhill. I felt a little vulnerable, having let go of Damien's hand, so I took his into mine and we made our way down the hill.A white cobblestone path went in between the tress, which had cracks along the bark, light shining from the cracks and lighting up the way. At the top of trees were beautifully crafted houses that seemed to mold to the trees as if they were part of them.I wondered if they were actually like that or the elves coming out of them to watch us, had something to do w
Alari's pov I was on my knees, my breathing ragged. I couldn't stop my heart from trying to escape me, I was afraid.She was here, she'd been waiting, for me to close my eyes so she could pounce on me.She didn't even have to say anything, I could feel her burning gaze, her cold, dark presence looming over my head.“Focus Alari, this is my mind, I make the rules” I said to myself, softly, as if trying to make she didn't hear me pep talk myself.“No, I make the rules” the feel of her cold breathe as she whispered straight into my ear hit me hard, causing my body to shake from the pain that vibrated through my system. Shit! This wasn't like before, the nausea, this was worse! It felt like she was wrecking me from the inside, tearing at my organs. Groaning, I swear I tasted blood as my body kept shaking from the pain flooding my mind.Something wasn't right, all of this didn't feel right. Why was her presence so strong? I felt like a stranger in my own mind.I tried to get to my feet
Alari's pov Grandpa embraced me, his hold a little too tight, like he still couldn't believe that I was here. Heck, neither could I! This has always been something too absurd to even dream, wish for, and now, I had it.“How about we make breakfast and you can tell me all about you, mhm?” he said, pulling back to look into my eyes as if searching for something. “She's gone” I smiled at him, which he returned. “Good, I've lost enough people to that woman” he said, his expression turning sour. “We won't lose anyone else, I promise” I said, taking both his hands into mine. I'd hoped to reassure him but the way his face fell told me I wasn't even close.“Oh sweetheart, that's a promise no one can make. Helena is a very powerful and dangerous witch, a very old one at that, making her even more dangerous” he said with a sigh.There were many emotions swimming in his eyes but the most prominent one was fear. My grandfather was afraid of Helena and if I was being honest, I was too.But th