Page 81 of Awakened Destiny
I jerk away from her touch. "Maybe I'm willing to pay that price."
Eira's shoulders slump. She looks defeated, those owl eyes blinking slowly. "She was my friend once. Before my family made me—"
"Save the sob story. Your family knew which side to choose. Smart of them, really." I check the time. The ritual requires alignment with midnight. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
She doesn’t budge.
“I won’t let you do this,” she whispers.
That’s it. My patience snaps.
I push the girl with a force that sends her stumbling back into the hallway. She catches herself against the wall, but I’m already moving, my vampiric speed blurring me into motion before she can react. I grab her by the front of her sweater and shove her against the wall, my face inches from hers.
"Listen closely, you pathetic nothing," I hiss, my voice low and venomous. "You think you can stop me? You think your guilt over betraying Brigid gives you the right to interfere with my plans? You're nothing. A weakling who can't even stand by her own choices."
Eira's eyes widen, her breath coming in shallow gasps. I can smell her fear, and it only fuels my rage.
"I... I won't let you hurt her again," she stammers, her voice trembling.
I laugh, a cold, cruel sound that echoes down the empty hallway. "You won't let me? You don't have the power to stop me, Eira. And after tonight, neither will Brigid."
I release her with a shove, and she stumbles back.
Before she can respond, I slam the door shut and lock it.
Chapter Forty One
Laria
Another knock at the door, this one expected and welcome. My pulse quickens.
"Come in," I call, my voice shifting to something softer, sweeter.
Nester enters, his red-gold hair catching the candlelight. His normally confident stride is replaced by hesitant steps, eyes slightly unfocused with the effect of my compulsion. As a fire elemental, his energy burns bright even now, making him perfect for what comes next.
"You wanted to see me?" he asks, confusion evident in his voice.
"Yes, thank you for coming. I needed help with a... project."
He nods, though his brow furrows. "Is everything okay? I feel strange."
"You're fine." I guide him further into the room. "Just a little tired, perhaps."
His gaze drifts to the ritual circle, then back to me. The compulsion keeps him from understanding what he sees, from recognizing the danger. He blinks slowly, like someone fighting sleep.
"What's this about?" he asks, gesturing vaguely at the candles arranged in a perfect circle on the floor, at the strange symbols I've drawn.
I move closer, placing my hand on his forearm. His skin burns hot against my cold fingers. Fire elementals always run several degrees warmer than others. Perfect. The ritual requires opposing forces.
"I've been researching ancient elemental enhancement techniques," I lie.
His interest perks up despite the compulsion's fog. "Enhancement? For fire manipulation?"
I slide my fingers up his arm, feeling the heat beneath his skin. The blood in his veins pulses with power that will soon be mine. "In a way. It's about energy transfer—combining your natural affinity with my... unique abilities." I turn him gently toward the center of the circle. "I discovered it in the restricted section of the archives."
"That's not allowed," he mumbles, but his feet move where I guide them.
"Rules are for those without vision, Nester." I position him precisely over the central symbol, a twisted spiral that seems to move under the flickering light. "Besides, do you think the Council tells us everything? They hoard the most powerful knowledge for themselves."
