BLOOD OF THE FIRST

CHAPTER 07

Rhea!

Rhea!!

Rhea!!!

I woke up startled, panting heavily, trying to figure out what was going on. I shook my head gently to clear the fog, then I opened my eyes again to scan the whole room. I nearly jumped back in fear at the eyes peering into me with concern.

Rob.

“Rhea! Are you okay?” he asked me.

I stared into his clear blue eyes that turn very deep when he shifts. He’s undeniably the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. I looked around the room that used to be the former Lord’s chamber, then it all came rushing back to me. We had just gotten back from the battle. We won, then Rob invited me here before I blacked out.

He took my chin in his hand to focus my face on him.

“Did you see him again?” he asked me.

Yes. I did.

A wide grin appeared on my face before I nodded excitedly.

“Yes. I saw him again,” I told him.

Excitement bubbled within me at the happy look on his face. I love it when I’m able to serve him—anything to keep me by his side.

He stood up, straightened his shirt, and stretched his hand toward me.

“Come, Rhea. Tell me all about it.”

I flushed shyly at the way he called my name. It always comes out sexily, like it was meant to be on his lips.

I took his hand gracefully and he pulled me up, the movement bringing me closer to him than intended. His scent filled my nose and my wolf stirred in excitement. I tried to keep my cool as he led me to the big table at the far end of the room. He pulled out a small chair for me to sit and he sat opposite me, holding my hand again.

He looked at me expectantly, waiting to hear what I saw.

Does he realize he’s rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb? It’s distracting me greatly. Instead of telling him that, I coughed slightly and recalled my meeting with the Dark One.

I had found myself in what I’ve come to call the Wild Forest. It’s thick and dense and has a dark, powerful aura about it. I felt lost, looking around in fright when I heard his voice.

“Come to me, my faithful one.” The voice brought shivers down my spine.

It’s commanding yet welcoming. Even though I was scared, I felt at home—like it’s where I belonged.

I moved towards the sound of his voice even though I couldn’t see where I was going, but my faith in the Dark One kept me moving. Suddenly, I felt like I was being swallowed by something big and sticky, so I pulled back in fear.

“Don't be afraid. Come!” he said again, so I summoned whatever courage I had left and entered the weird substance.

It’s a cloak. Whoever conjured this must have been extremely powerful. It feels like a normal dark forest from the outside, but after being swallowed, the darkness reduced and I could see, although dimly, what looks like a cave. The power emitting from it was so immense. I looked forward, and there he was.

The most intimidating wolf I’ve ever seen aside from Lord Xander. He’s equally black with red stripes. His look was as terrifying as his voice. I looked closely and that was when I realized that he hasn’t moved. He looked trapped. I walked closer to him and his eyes seemed to follow me. The closer I got, the denser the air got and it gave me the chills. I stood directly in front of him and stretched my hand. Immediately, I wished I hadn’t.

The power that came from it sent me flying backwards. I heard his laughter in my head as I spat out blood.

“Your power isn’t enough to get me out. Have you found the one I seek?” he asked me.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good. Guide him to rule; triple his strength. I want him to be strong enough for what’s to come.”

“Consider it done, my lord,” I said, thinking about his words deeply.

I hesitated before continuing, “May I ask what is to come?” I asked him.

“Retribution,” he said, and I felt the weight of the word. Whatever he has in mind, it’s huge for sure.

I bowed and turned back to leave when something caught my attention behind him—far, far into the cave.

I didn’t know why, but I felt drawn to it. It was shining dimly, almost unnoticeably, but you can’t unnotice it once it has been noticed. I moved towards it like in a trance.

“Get back,” the Dark One said in my head, but I wasn’t moving of my own accord. I moved gingerly towards the light. Echoes filled my ears and it got louder the closer I got to the light.

“Don’t touch it. No! Stop!” the voice in my head screamed, but the sound was swallowed by the echoes and I stretched my fingers out to touch it, and a terror-filled scream tore through my lips. It was deafening even to my own ears.

The pain that shot through me was like none I’ve ever experienced, so much so that I expected death, but then something weird began to happen.

Power surged through me, like I was consuming the power emitting from the strange object I'm still yet to identify. When I had consumed to my fill, I opened my eyes and images flashed before my eyes. History long forgotten or turned to myths, it all came rushing back, and when I pulled my finger, the picture became clearer.

I am part of something big. I always have been.

I turned to look at my master, SLAVIC. That’s his name. My Lord. I remember him now.

I went towards him and knelt down to worship him. Even though he couldn’t move, I could feel his surprise and, weirdly, I could hear his thoughts.

Apparently, there have been others before me and he thought I’d die just like them.

“You are the one I’ve been searching for. You will pave the way for my coming,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice. That pleases me greatly.

“I will do whatever to please you, Master.”

“Yes, you will. I have no doubt,” he said, laughing maniacally.

“Raise your face towards me. You’ve earned my sacred crystal. This will give you greater strength and power,” he told me, and immediately I raised my face towards him. Just above my head was a dark crystal brimming with a dark aura. I smiled expectantly as I watched the crystal break in two, dance around each other, and merge again into one. Then it came to my level and shone so bright, releasing its power into me.

Coupled with the power surge I consumed earlier, I felt untouchable.

“Thank you, master,” I told Slavic.

“This is nothing compared to your real strength. For now, this is yours and also for my host. You’ll give to him the other crystal,” he said.

“How will I do that?” I asked him curiously.

He laughed softly before responding, “You will know.”

“Now go. Go and start preparing for my coming.”

I stood up, bowed again, and turned. I didn’t need to wander anymore; I stretched my arms out and let the power move through me as I felt myself lifted off the ground. I moved in the air, enjoying the newfound power, then I vanished.

Neither I nor my master saw the strange object glow with its own crystal before bursting into light.