“The town… it’s… truly gone?” I ask, disbelief etching my features.
“Yes,” Dax answers sharply, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. “Your vision was more than just a glimpse into the future, Dani. You witnessed the horror unfolding in real-time. There wasn’t much we could accomplish… We managed to slay a few of the shadowmires, but they were overwhelming. Our focus was to save as many lives as possible.” Dax let out a long, weary sigh, the burden of their failure evident in his eyes.
“You had a vision?” Adonis inquires, his deep voice tinged with curiosity as he leans forward, his intense gaze locking onto mine. I nod slowly, a feeling of anticipation swirling within me.
“Dani is starting to awaken some latent power,” Amelia interjects, her tone imbued with an unsettling mixture of excitement and concern. We all turn our attention to her, ourexpressions a blend of intrigue and confusion. I can’t quite grasp the full meaning of her words. “Your bond, Dani, with the three of them, comes with unique advantages.”
“Advantages?” I echo, raising my eyebrows in disbelief, a rush of nervous energy coursing through me.
“Yes,” Amelia responds quickly, her eyes glinting with a knowing light. “I’ve been aware of this for some time, that this transformation would occur—”
Before she can finish, Adonis interrupts, his voice sharp and edged with frustration. “And you didn’t think sharing this information with me or the others was important?”
With a dismissive wave of her hand, Amelia brushes off his anger. “Listen,” she insists, her tone firm yet calm. “With the demon runes etched onto your skin and the bond you share with them as their mate, you will inevitably begin to draw upon their strength. Once the curse is lifted, the future remains unclear for you, Dani. I can’t predict what kind of powers might become yours. Remember, psychic abilities are woven into your lineage... look at Suzanna. The truth is, I believe that Dax and Killian are enhancing your psychic gifts, especially now that your bond with them has reached its fullest potential.”
Al-fucking-righty then...
I have so many follow up questions I want to ask her, but that is going to have to wait.
Overwhelmed by the weight of countless eyes boring into me, I pivot to face Killian. “Is... did anyone make it?” My voice trembles with dread.
Killian exhales sharply, the sound heavy with despair. “We laid ourselves bare, revealed our true nature,” he replies, his eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. “People were terrified of us, but we couldn’t stand by. We grabbed them, one by one, and teleported them to safety.” His voice cracks, a raw edge creeping in. “But... so many are dead. The town, it's practically gone.” The anguish in his tone is like an anchor, dragging us deeper into the bleak reality we face.
“Fuck! Destiny… the sheriff’s department…” Carter erupts. He pulls out his phone, his fingers dancing frantically over the screen, desperately trying to connect with anyone. When the call fails, he tries another. They all fail.
Carter hurls his phone across the room, watching it shatter against the wall. “The sheriff’s department line is dead—and Destiny... nothing’s working!”
“It’s gone, Carter. There is no sheriff’s department anymore. Octavia blew it up.” Killian’s expression darkens, and he rests his hands gently on Carter’s shoulders, a grounding presence attempting to soothe the storm of worry and disbelief swirling within him. “I’m... I’m so sorry.”
In an instant, Amelia flings her arms wide, her eyes glimmering with sheer terror as she exclaims, “She’s here!” A fleeting moment passes as her gaze meets Jules’, then Carter’s, but then it snaps back to me, filled with urgency. “Run!” Amelia pushes Jules towards me.
Without a second thought, I propel myself forward, the adrenaline surging through my veins. I don’t dare glance back at Dax, Adonis, and Killian; the thumping of my heart drowns out everything else. I sprint toward the rear of the house, my feet pounding against the ground as I burst through the door, the cool night air hitting my face like a shockwave.
I know what I must do.
Chapter 39
Dani
I sprint through the dense woods, each stride purposeful as I navigate the familiar terrain. The crisp air fills my lungs, and my heart pounds rhythmically like a wild drum in my chest, urging me on.
The underbrush crackles beneath my feet—twigs snapping and leaves rustling as I dart between tree trunks and low-hanging branches.
Behind me, a shattering crash echoes through the forest, the sound sharp and jarring.
“Dani!” Carter’s voice pierces the air, urgent and breathless. Jules’ call follows close behind, “Dani, wait! We’re coming!” I hesitate for just a heartbeat, allowing them a moment to close the gap.
“Come on! Hurry!” I shout, my voice mingling with the sounds of the forest. Their footsteps draw nearer.
Almost there.
Jules and Carter follow closely behind, mimicking my path. Their determination mirrors mine as we plunge deeper into the woods’ embrace.
I burst through the shack’s entryway, the familiar musty air greeting me as I take a moment to steady my racing heart. The faint moonlight filters through the open windows, illuminating the shadows.
With urgency, I reach for the chalk I had carefully placed near the window during my previous visit—its smooth surface reassuring in my grip. My heart quickens as I dart into the closet. I pull the spell from its hiding place in the wall. If only Adonis had been more observant, he might have noticed that the piece of paper he’d been carrying these pastfew days was a fragment of a love spell I hastily tore from the grimoire’s pages. On its back, I had written,I love you more than forever, a declaration that held more weight than the spell itself.
A gust of cold air rushed in as Carter and Jules stumble into the dimly lit space, their breaths coming in quick, panicked gasps. “Dani… you can’t do this! You know magic comes with a price!” Jules’ voice is laced with desperation, her wide eyes reflecting fear and concern.
