Page 42 of Fated for Dawn

The bed felt empty despite the warmth surrounding me. I was tangled in limbs and soft sheets—Chad’s body a comforting weight on one side, Alister’s warmth anchoring me on the other. But sleep was elusive, my mind spinning with worry over how Eris would strike.

As my eyes drifted shut, my vision blurred, twisting and warping until I found myself standing in the grand foyer of the Luminary Coven’s mansion. Lia stood on the dais where Morgana once commanded her followers.

But it wasn’t Lia. Her gray eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and her lips twisted into a cruel smile that didn’t belong to her.

This was Eris, the goddess who had claimed Lia’s body.

“My followers,” Eris’s voice boomed, filling the room with a commanding presence. “The time to get rid of those who stand against us has come,” she announced.

With a sneer, her eyes gleamed as she spat, “Hecate’s champion must be defeated. We cannot let her become a threat.”

I focused my attention on the ones inside the room and noticed the familiar faces—the Elders and Ryker’s hulking father looming at the back. A cold wave of dread washed over me, sinking deep into my bones.

“We should eliminate her now,” Eris-as-Lia commanded. “Strike before she gathers allies.”

Ryker’s father stepped forward, his expression grim. “Agreed. My son’s witch must be dealt with before she becomes a nuisance.”

The Elders murmured in agreement, their expressions twisted with eager anticipation.

Eris’s gaze swept over her assembled followers, her voice shifting to something almost seductive. “Now that magic has fully returned,” she said, her tone swelling with excitement. “We are on the brink of a new era of power. An era where we will rise above, and those who stand with me will inherit strength beyond imagining. The old ways will crumble, and we will forge a future where we hold dominion.”

Eris wasn’t just promising power for herself—she offered it to everyone who aligned with her, painting a vision of a future where they would reign supreme. It was no wonder the Elders had joined her.

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she added, “The Goddess Hecate’s chosen champion will be executed publicly. We need to make a show of our power.”

“We should do it at the Arcanum Academy,” Ryker’s father suggested. “It’s where my son’s witch will be, and the students will have their phones. It’ll help spread your reign like wildfire.” He smirked, his gaze gleaming with dark amusement. “And if all else fails, there’s nothing quite like threatening people’s kids to get them in line.”

Eris nodded, pleased by the suggestion.

Her voice dropped, low and taut, with barely restrained bitterness. “I’ve had enough of being overlooked,” she said. Her eyes burned with fury. “They build temples to Athena. They sing songs of Zeus’s conquests. Hecate has her coven of witches. Even Hades is remembered, loved, and feared. But me? They only whisper my name when trouble brews; even then, I am forgotten. Dismissed.” Her lips curled into a smile that was more snarl than anything else. “No more whispers of my name. We will be worshiped, and our legacy will carve itself into history.”

I jolted awake with a gasp, sweat prickling my skin. My heart hammered as the weight of the vision settled over me. Careful not to disturb Alister and Chad, I slipped out from between them.

“Everything okay, little witch?” Chad mumbled sleepily.

“Just thirsty,” I whispered. “Go back to sleep.”

Gently removing Alister’s arm, I crawled out of bed and tiptoed out of the bedroom.

Making my way to the kitchen, my mind raced with questions. They were coming for me. How much time did we have? My hands shook as I filled a glass with water, trying to steady myself. I needed to warn the others, and we needed to prepare.

The cool water soothed me as I took a long sip, grounding myself. I leaned against the counter, gripping the edge. Had I imagined it all? Was my mind playing tricks? But the dread clinging to my bones told me it was real.

A soft creak echoed through the quiet like a door nudging open. A flicker of unease curled through me.

I wasn’t alone.

“Hello?” I called into the dark.

Silence. I took a cautious step toward the sound, tension prickling along my spine.

He appeared from the shadows, a solid, imposing figure who filled the hallway with his presence. Relief flooded through me as I ran to Ryker, wrapped my arms around his broad frame, and buried my face against his chest.

“Missed you,” Ryker murmured, his voice rough, sending shivers down to my toes. My lips found his, and the world faded—no goddesses, no battles, just the two of us.

“Guess you missed me too,” he murmured against my lips, his voice teasing.

I smiled, my fingers tracing his jawline, feeling the roughness of his stubble. “You have no idea how much,” I whispered, brushing my lips against his. His hands were warm on my hips, pulling me closer and kissing me deeply, hungrily.

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