AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Willow smiled widely at Knox, the loss of her sanity shining through the grin. “I too stayed behind to prevent the Darkness from seeping through. The portal can only be closed from the side that it is opened. By opening it again from Agrum Di Vinum, we can prevent the human realm from the same outcome as our own.”
“Then what are we waiting for? When can we open the portal?” Eli’s enthusiasm began bursting out of him, his optimism returning after months of a sadness overshadowing his usual demeanor. I knew that the loss of Halley was part of it, but the other part was constantly feeling the emotions of all our people.
Ever since the Sanctum Library and arriving on Agrum Di Vinum, each of our powers had grown. Eli could not only alter actions through emotions now, but could also feel someone’s emotions from miles away, pinpointing exactly who it was.
Knox no longer had to constantly search for visions, important futures and pasts coming to him whenever he thought about what he wanted to know. More often than not, Knox spent time in his own mind now, the visions coming more and more often.
Wilder was now the strongest Drax in existence, his speed almost indiscernible when he ran. And with the power from Agrum Di Vinum fueling him, he needed to feed less without his power waning.
And as for me, it had never felt easier to shift. My creatures had always been a part of me, but now they were like an extension of myself. Plus, my tracking had become even more intense. At any given moment, I could know where each Divine was on the realm, which helped immensely while running the Guard and making sure we were all safe.
“We can open the portal now. The sooner we have the power, the sooner we can rid our realm of the Darkness.” With the parting words, Willow glided out of the room, expecting the rest of us to follow.
Kalani and Maeve were on her heels, filled with anticipation and Knox and Eli weren’t far behind. Eli’s wide smile reminding me of the Ethos from months ago, Knox’s face grimmer, the seriousness of the situation always at the forefront of his mind.
Wilder went to follow the rest, but I grabbed his arm before he could, needing to share my gut feeling with someone before we opened the portal.
His glare as I stopped him wasn’t unusual but I just rolled my eyes. Part of me was convinced that glaring was his default setting as frowning was often mine. But even if I wouldn’t say it out loud, I knew that our glaring and frowning were the equivalent of others smiles.
“I don’t trust her.” I blurted out, no need to beat around the bush. I knew Wilder would trust my instinct, just as I trusted him. That was the thing about our daily routine of going outside of the safety of the castle. You had to learn to trust the other to protect your ass in case the Darkness came out to play.
“No shit. I don’t trust her either. No one would be the same after five hundred years by themselves. But right now, we don’t really have a choice. It’s either let her open the portal, or never see Halley again. Which option would you have us choose?”
I didn’t bother responding with words. We both knew which option we wouldallchoose. Nodding his head, Wilder began walking again as I followed at his side.
“Keep your eyes peeled. If she tries to pull anything, we stop it. But right now, let’s go get our girl back.”
Chapter Seven
Halley
My whole body shook with anger at Jay’s words. I knew what to expect with this man. He wasn’t able to repent for his evils, he had done too many horrendous things. And yet, as he spoke about his childhood with my mother, I had wondered if that same man from so long ago still lived inside of him. If by chance, there was any redeeming qualities about the man who fathered me. I shouldn’t be disappointed to learn he was every bit the monster I believed, but the little girl in me who missed her mom and wished for a dad couldn’t help the drop in my stomach at his statement.
“My mother was right to run from you. Her only mistake was not running sooner and saving herself from ever being caught up in your web. And it’s only for the love she must have had for you once that I’m not killing you right now.” My words were firm even as my insides shook.
“And your mistake was letting me in.” As Jay spoke, he removed a gun from the back of his pants, pointing it right at me.
In the blink of an eye, I threw my hands up, removing the gun from his grasp and mangling the metal until it dropped to the floor. In the next moment, I had Jay’s body frozen, slowly suffocating him with just my power.
I didn’t want to be a murderer. But this had gone on long enough. He had trampled on the peace I was trying to find at Willow Grove for too many days. And I couldn’t let him try to kill me again. If it was him or me, I would always choose myself.
As he gasped for air, I took myself away from the moment. I had no interest in watching him die before my eyes. He didn’t deserve any more of my attention. Instead, I focused on my happy place. I remembered all the joyful moments in this room. The laughter with Kalani and Maeve, the love with Eli, the intensity with Madden, the tension with Wilder, and the learning with Knox. As I bombarded myself with the memories, I felt my power swell and begin to glow around me, blocking Jay from my view.
Caught up in my own glow, I almost missed the additional glow coming from right beside my own. I knew my power was strong, but I also recognized that this power wasn’t mine. It was someone else’s. Another Enchanters. Releasing my hold on Jay, I heard him spluttering as he fell to the floor, putting all my focus on the enchantment in the room.
Suddenly, the glow split open, revealing a similar portal to the ones I had created. And as the portal continued to open, I recognized the inkiness of Agrum Di Vinum. My breath caught in my throat as seven figures appeared before me. Six of them belonging to faces I feared I’d never see again.
Dropping to my knees, I wondered if I was dreaming. If I had never woken up from my enchantment and this was all a mirage, my imagination going farther than I could have ever anticipated.
“Halls.” Kalani’s voice broke through my thoughts and in that moment, I knew this was real. No matter how much power I put into my enchantments, I could never recreate their voices. Never able to soothe my aching heart with their sounds.
Quickly getting to my feet, I ran towards the portal, worried that if I waited, it would disappear, trapping me here once again. Before I could cross over into Agrum Di Vinum, a strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me back.
Swinging towards Jay, I pushed my power out, sending his body soaring across the room until he smashed into the wall.
“You have to take me with you. It’s my home too.” Jay pleaded, but my feelings towards him wouldn’t waiver ever again.
“I want you to know, that I have no remorse for what I’m about to do.”
