Charlie Pov. Carmen's spell moved towards me and I dug deep trying to push my own spell back towards her. everyone relied on me and I had to win. I was born for this moment and I was failing. It was then I saw the change in the air as the small slitter appeared next to me and Sasha stepped out. "Hello Charlie." she said. I looked slightly frantic to see if Daphne was seeing this too but we were in a dense fog now and all I could see was the glow of the magic illuminating Carmen and Sasha she looked like herself but different. I knew instantly she was a merage or just a ghost of her former self and my heart lurched slightly. "Nothing can bring back the dead Charlie but it is me or at least my essence." she added seemingly knowing what was in my head. "let go your guilt over my death." She whispered. "tap into every corner of my power and the combined power of everyone who agreed to lend you their strength." she advised me. "They had no choice." I gritted out under the strain of Car

Charlie PovIt had been a few months since Carmen had departed this world. We had all returned to our homes, Emmett had stayed behind to help Alpha Carlos in his pack based in Rome sentence and deal with what was left of Carmen's rogue army. We had kept our promise and created a royal council with a seat from every section of mystical and magical species represented. We had held the first one this morning and it had gone well despite the Vampire King Nicklaus slight annoyance that Emmett had asked for and won the vote to allow the Rebal Vampire King a vote on the council. It was unlikely he would attend the meetings or even take up his vote but I agreed with my mate, giving him a vote was a sign of respect. Queen Poppy had also agreed it was the right thing and argued with her husband it was just one vote and he had a right to a vote. Once Poppy threw her support behind me and Emmett the other council members agreed and King Nicklaus had reluctantly given in. It was the start of a new