Fate betrayal

CHAPTER 14

Chapter 14: The Ritual

ARIA POV

When I opened my eyes, the environment was moist and chilly. The metallic taste of blood remained on my tongue, and my head throbbed. My wrists chafed raw against the rough ropes, and my arms were shackled when I attempted to move.

I was surrounded by a stone-carved cavern that was illuminated by candles set into the walls. I was unable to leave the circle formed by dark symbols engraved into the earth, humming with evil energy.

Then I caught sight of him. At the edge of the circle, Veyron stood with a composed face and triumphant eyes.

“Awake, I see.” His voice was silky and full of hate. "All right. If you had slept through this, it would have been unfortunate.

I growled and strained against my restraints, "Let me go."

Veyron's chuckle was harsh and hollow. Aria, oh. You ought to give me thanks. I am going to release you—from the curse of the Moon Goddess herself, and from the bonds of the mate bond.

He said something that made my stomach turn. "You're crazy. Do you believe that breaking my connection will give you authority? You'll ruin yourself.

“Maybe,” he responded, taking a step forward. However, the two sides of the same coin are creation and destruction. Energy, unadulterated power, is released when the mating link is broken. I plan to use power.

---

Before I could respond, the rite started. The air hummed with black magic as Veyron lifted his hands and sang in a guttural tongue. My eyes burned with the intensity of the markings on the ground as they flashed brighter.

The connection with Darius flared fiercely, like it was being ripped apart. I saw flashbacks of him, his golden eyes full of remorse, his great resolve. And the prospect of losing him made my heart hurt.

Then I suddenly saw Killian's face in my head. His constant presence and unflinching guardianship. We were connected by something more profound than the mate tie—a decision, a relationship built on mutual trust and struggles.

I was suddenly struck with the knowledge that I needed more than their help to rescue myself. I have to rescue myself.

---

I closed my eyes and delved deep within as Veyron's chanting became louder. Yes, the mate link was a tether, but it was also a source of strength—a lifeline that bound me to something bigger than myself, to Darius and Killian.

I concentrated on the connection and the feelings that passed through it. Fear, anger, and hope. Love.

One by one, the threads of the ropes holding me together started to break.

---

I could hear the noises of a fight outside the chamber—a clash of fangs and claws, snarls and cries. When I heard Killian and Darius's voices, my heart jumped.

Veyron mockingly said, "They're coming for you." However, it will be too late. You will be mine by the time they arrive.

"No," I answered, maintaining my composure in spite of the panic that was consuming me. "No one owns me."

I managed to release myself from the ropes with one last push of will. As I emerged from the magic circle, it blazed violently, but I continued.

Veyron's eyes became wide with surprise. "It's impossible—"

My claws sliced through his chest as I pounced at him. Blood sprang on his shirt as he staggered back, but he got up fast, his face contorted with anger.

"You'll be sorry you did that," he said, conjuring a surge of evil sorcery.

I prepared myself, but a huge black wolf rushed into the room and struck Veyron with the force of a freight train before the magic could get to me.

Killian.

A few seconds later, Darius came up, his eyes burning with rage but his golden fur matted with blood. Despite their disagreements, he and Killian coordinated their moves to assault Veyron.

---

I focused on the ceremony as they battled. The symbols were still glowing, their energy pouring into a crystalline shard that pulsed with black force at the center.

A voice said in my thoughts, Destroy it.

I didn't think twice. I transformed into a wolf and jumped for the shard, using all of my remaining power. I felt a rush of energy and my teeth clenched around it.

Light, Power, and Pain.

Everyone was knocked off their feet when the shard broke and the power in the room burst forth.

---

There was silence in the room as I opened my eyes. Veyron was lying on the floor, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, his body still.

Beside me, Killian and Darius had worried and relieved looks on their faces.

Darius said, "You did it," as his palm touched me.

However, a shadow moved at the periphery of my vision before I could react.

Veyron was still alive.

His eyes were ablaze with fury as he slowly stood up, his body twisted and twisted. With a distorted voice, he hissed, "This isn't over."

As I came to terms with the reality, a chilling fear descended over me. He wasn't dead after destroying the shard; instead, something far worse was released.