*LYCIA*I was adamant not to leave him today so easily but he really did look tired. What should I do? I really wanted to talk to him. This isn’t like him. He would never do this to me without reason.Right then my phone rang and looking at it I saw that it was a call from Mom. Picking it up without any delay I said, “Hi Mom!”At the mention of Mom, Dad who had been taking out some papers stopped and looked at me. “Aldith? What happened? Is everything alright?”The effect Mom had on him was clear as day and that brought a smile back on my face because that's how my dad usually behaved. Ever since he was away from Mom it was as if he had lost the spark in his eyes.“Hi Lycia, do you know why your Dad isn’t receiving my calls?” she asked, getting straight to the point. I had already talked to her before dinner to let her know about Seff’s proposal, about the ceremony and everything else that was happening around. She wasn’t very happy with the thought of me staying here in Darrow as its

*LYCIA*I had for a second thought that maybe Laverna was messing with me when even after walking for fifteen minutes in the dark passage I still hadn’t seen the exit. I wasn’t scared even if she did try to lock me in here because I knew when Seff would be back he would find me easily. Not to forget my Dad was here to save my back. I am sure Laverna wasn’t a fool to do any harm to me right now but I am sure she purposely let me through this path that must be longer than the rest to make me suffer.Around another ten minutes later I finally got out from a door only to see that it opened in a dark road tunnel. Getting out I quickly closed the door to see that it at once disappeared from my sight letting me know that magic was in play here.It would be very difficult for any lycan or witch to track its whereabouts but since I knew where it was physically, opening it again wouldn’t be that hard for me.Realizing that I had spent a lot of time already I used my teleportation magic to go to

*LYCIA*His presence at once made the two adults standing there cower in fear and bare their necks as a sign of submission while the kids rushed to hide behind their mother.Although similar, the same wasn’t the effect that took over me. Like them my heart raced and a breath was caught in my chest as words refused to leave my lips but the culprit of this wasn’t his aura but his touch that had ignited my desire.He was here. He was here for me!“Are you betraying me, my mate? Who is this man?” Seff asked and I knew that he didn’t really doubt me but his anger was clearly radiating through the bond, letting me know that jealousy that he felt.Tilting my head and peering at his face I brought a hand to his mask covered face and cupping his cheeks I said, “You know I would never do anything that would hurt you. Please release them, they are my friends.”It didn’t seem like he was willing to do that but nonetheless he did and sighing at the reluctancy he showed I turned back and apologized

*LYCIA*“Before we start the ritual I would like you all to join your hands and pray to the goddess once for a successful ritual,” dad said making everyone around us to join our hands together to give out our silent prayers.The room we now stood in was dimly lit with only candles and a double pentagram was drawn again in the center. Around this we all stood in a circle ready to pray.“But why do we need to pray? Do you mean to say that this process is risky? Is my brother’s life at risk?” Roz thundered out his concern making me open my eyes and stare at him. It was good that he cared for his brother so much but wasn’t this a little too much?“Don’t worry brother, I’ll be fine. I have gone through a similar ritual before and it’s nothing to worry about,” Seff reassured him with a smile but Roz still didn’t seem to agree.“King Roz, if you would pay attention, my own daughter is going to be a part of this ritual. She is the one I love the most in this world, of course I wouldn’t do any

*LYCIA*“Where are we?” The ceiling above had cracks in it. A clear indication that we weren't in the luxurious palace of Darrow.I tried to push myself up but my body still felt weary from the extraneous and magical catastrophe I had just gone through.“Lycia, are you okay?” Seff asked, making me turn my face to the side to see his worried face trace my features with his concerned eyes. He was safe. To know that gave me greater relief than the worry this strange place had brought me. “I am,” I therefore said, putting on a smile for him, “Are you?”“Yes,” he reassured me as he tried to raise himself up on his arms. His body, stronger than mine, also protected by the stone of Amours, and had at least left him with some strength to sit up unlike me. “What do you see around?” I asked, giving some time for my body to rest.“There isn't much around here. It's a plain dirty room with no windows and a single door. A light bulb fixed on the top of a wall is the one bringing in light. Beside