Page 50 of Fated for Flames

Granted, I had uncovered a few clues; my magic was being siphoned and Lia was most likely benefiting from it.

Yet, I had no idea why part of my magic had been bound.

Who had done such a thing to me?

There was also the matter of my parent’s untimely death. Now, given everything that had happened, I couldn’t shake off the suspicion that it had been anything but accidental. The timing was too perfect, right before Morgana’s sudden rise to power.

My mind drifted back to that fateful night of the autumnal equinox when I’d been offered as a sacrifice. The hungry glint in the coven members’ eyes, the palpable anticipation in the air—they wanted my power.

And possibly not just mine. Chad’s confession about missing shifters only added to my suspicions.

Was this all connected?

I clenched my fists, feeling a rush of anger.

My gaze fell on the crescent moon scar on my wrist—was this another mystery or a possible clue?

Then my eyes drifted to the dark book lying innocently on my desk, one-third of it still ominously siphoning my magic. I was a coward and a failure. I hadn’t been able to get through to Lia, and I was nowhere ready to confront Morgana.

Rafe and Lucien had been invaluable allies in this mess, helping me try to unbind my magic despite their efforts proving fruitless so far. But should I share with them what had really happened? Would they even believe me?

And then there was that mysterious voice that had brought me back. Who or what was it? Why had it given me this second chance?

I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed by all these questions with no clear answers in sight. But one thing was certain: I needed to find them.

I wasn’t the same Evelyn they had sacrificed. I was stronger now, not just physically, but mentally too. I had allies in places I’d never had before—shifters, an angel, friends from other covens, and even the grumpy potion master.

I was determined to uncover the truth, to expose those who had wronged me. And when I did, they would pay for what they’d done.

That was a promise.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I stood up from my desk, my eyes narrowing in determination. It was time for my weekly visit to Alister’s library, where hopefully I’d find something that would help me.

As I made my way across the campus, the cool autumn air caressing my skin, I couldn’t help but marvel at the changes that had taken place within me. Gone was the timid, introverted girl who had once been content to fade into the background. In her place stood a warrior, forged in the fires of betrayal and hardened by the weight of her newfound responsibilities.

The journey to Alister’s mansion felt shorter this time, my steps quickening with each passing minute. The grand structure loomed before me, its imposing presence a testament to the power and wealth of its owner. I felt a peculiar mix of nervousness and excitement. My heart pounded in my chest as I pushed open the grand entrance doors.

The mansion was silent, like last time, my footsteps echoed on the marble floor as I made my way toward the library. Once inside, I took a moment to soak in the grandeur of it all.

On the polished mahogany table, I noticed a note neatly folded next to a stack of books. The wordsfor youwere written in elegant script across the front. It seemed Alister had noticed the type of books I had selected last Saturday.

The books were worn with age, their pages yellowed and brittle. I eagerly delved into them, poring over each page with intense concentration. But as hours passed, my initial excitement gave way to frustration. Many of these texts were ancient, filled with archaic words and phrases I couldn’t decipher. The more I read, the more lost I felt.

I sighed in irritation, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. My eyes felt heavy from hours of reading under the dim light, but there was more than physical exhaustion weighing on me.

I took a few pictures with my phone of certain passages, wanting to show them to Lucien. Hopefully, that was okay; it wasn’t part of the extensive dos-and-don’ts list Professor Wren had sent me.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Alister was nearby, hearing my irritated huffs and puffs. I must have sounded like a hippo with his heightened vampire hearing.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Alister appeared in the doorway of the library. His presence commanded attention, with the air of a being who had seen centuries go by.

My innards did a happy dance.

He greeted me with a nod before his gaze fell on the books scattered around me. “Having trouble?” he asked, his voice smooth and velvety.

So I guess he did hear my irritated huffing and puffing.

I straightened in my seat, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Uh, just a bit,” I admitted shyly.

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