Fate betrayal

CHAPTER 33

Chapter 33: The Forbidden Ritual

Aria's POV

The old library had an earthy, antiquated fragrance that seemed to cling to the walls: the smell of dust and secrets. The extensive archives of Moonshine Pack were a maze of lost documents and data, many of which had been undiscovered for many years. But I couldn't go anywhere else.

I couldn't help but feel a hollow aching in my chest when Killian vanished after the top. I also sought answers since I was becoming more concerned about Veyron and Darius's involvement in my demise.

The gold-embossed titles of leather-bound books faded with time as my fingertips traced along their spines. Selena's silent but urgent call for prudence blended with Lucas's cryptic warnings about treachery in my head. So far, none of it made sense. I was determined to put it all together, however.

---

Tucked down in the library's furthest corner was the section I was looking for. It was identified as the Lunaris Chronicles by faded labeling. These shelves were loaded with tales of the Moon Goddess, long-forgotten festivals, and ancient rituals.

A book cracked its spine when I opened it after yanking it free. The title was written in beautiful calligraphy: The Bonds of Eternity. I flipped over the pages, looking for anything that caught my attention.

The majority of the content consisted of flowery, ambiguous reflections on the sacredness of mate ties. But then I saw only one word: Ritualum Disvinculum. The Severance Ritual.

As I continued to read, my heart raced. The ceremony was a method, painstakingly explained; it was not only a fiction.

---

I read aloud in a whisper, "The breaking of the bond is an act of ultimate defiance." "A combination of blood sacrifice, celestial energy, and..." I hesitated as my gut churned. "The voluntarily giving up of one half of the bond."

The method was brutally detailed on the website. The physical presence of both partners, a holy blade, and the moon at its brightest. Not only was the practice uncommon, it was also prohibited.

An additional level of interest was introduced by the annotations in the margin. They were a scribble by a long-forgotten scholar rather than a part of the original text.

used to have power over fate. A manipulative instrument rather than a means of redemption

---

The realization weighed heavily on me as I reclined. The ceremony served as a weapon in addition to a means of breaking ties. If Darius or Veyron were aware of this...

My focus was abruptly disrupted by the sound of a chair scratching the floor. Every muscle in my body tensed as I froze.

"Aria," a familiar although faraway voice said quietly.

As I turned around, Selena appeared out of the darkness, her face tense with anxiety. "You're not supposed to be here."

I gripped the book to my chest and slammed it closed. "You shouldn't either."

---

With her eyes darting to the shelves around us, Selena took a step closer. "There is peril in the Lunaris Chronicles. They contain mysteries that the Moon Goddess wanted to remain hidden.

“Like this, secrets?” I held out the book and asked. "Isn't the Ritual of Severance a myth?"

Her face became white. "Where was that found?"

"As plain as day," I snapped. "Why didn't you inform me of this? You were aware, weren't you?

Selena paused, her hands trembling uneasily. "I was aware of it, but not all the specifics. That ritual isn't supposed to be employed, Aria. It's a curse that passes for redemption.

---

Why would someone utilize it, then? I pushed.

As though worried that the walls could hear her, she dropped her voice. "Because everything changes when a mate bond is broken." It changes the path of destiny. It seems obvious that Veyron or Darius would look for this if they wanted to control your life and fate.

My head whirled. However, why me? Why would I take such drastic measures to break my relationship with Killian?

Selena's eyes became softer. "Because, Aria, your link is different. Because it was formed by something even the Moon Goddess could be afraid of, it is stronger than others. They want to ruin it and make you both weaker.

---

I opened the book once again and looked over the directions. "Both mates are necessary for the ritual," I said. "That implies they would need to apprehend Killian."

"Or deceive him into taking part," Selena continued somberly.

With each new discovery becoming more horrifying than the previous, the pieces began to fit together. Veyron was tampering with the core fabric of our relationship, not only using force.

I was bothered by something else, however. "The margin notes in this book... they mention manipulation," I answered slowly, "Selena." Command.

Her expression clouded. "The reason for this is that the person who completes the ritual gains control over the one who lives."

---

As the implications set in, the atmosphere seemed to become heavier around us. This was about enslaving the soul that remained, not simply breaking off ties.

A huge smash reverberated from the library's entryway before I could say anything. I glanced toward the sound and felt my blood run cold.

With her fingernails pressing into my flesh, Selena seized my arm. "We must go. Right now.

"What was that?" I muttered.

Her gaze strayed to the darkness beyond the shelves. "Rogues."

---

With my pulse racing, I packed the book into my bag and we slipped toward the rear exit. Heavy footsteps became closer and louder.

Selena growled, "They can't know you have the book." "If they discover it—"

Even though I was terrified, I vowed, "They won't."

Just as we arrived at the exit, a person appeared and blocked our way.

"Are you going somewhere?"

The rogue's eyes gleamed with ill intent, and his voice was low and frightening.

---

With a tight physique, Selena moved ahead of me. "Remain back, Aria."

"No," I answered, maintaining my composure in spite of my trepidation. "We battle together."

The outlaw bared his fangs and laughed. How heartwarming. Regretfully, you will not survive to see another dawn.

However, as he rushed, an odd thing occurred. The world spun around me, and my eyesight became blurry.

Then I saw it: a holy blade pouring blood, a glimmer of moonlight.

It was more than simply a dream. It was a recollection.

---

I staggered back, gripping my head as the pictures took over. In a terrifying revelation, the ritual, the blade, and the rogue all came together.

"Aria!" I was brought back to the present by Selena's voice.

At her feet, the rogue fell asleep, but further out, more shadows gathered.

"We must leave!" she said, pulling me along with her.

I couldn't get the memory out of my head as we ran. The blade and the ceremony weren't just theoretical.

I had already been subjected to it.

I had also made it through.