Chapter Five

Niko

There may still be a chance for me to convince Cassandra to choose me. To help me win a war that could ruin not just my realm but hers as well. All I need to do is find a way to make her understand.

"Do you feel the connection between us?" I ask, softly cupping her face.

"I feel drawn to you if that's what you mean."

"Yes. I can't help but want to touch you." I smile. "That's the universe's way of telling us we were meant to be."

"The universe can say all it wants." Cassandra pulls away from my touch with a frown. "My mother is the problem."

I want to pull her back against me, to hold her tight in my arms. Instead, I sip my coffee. "Explain it to me. Maybe I can help."

She sighs and looks out the window behind me before speaking. "I am the last true descendant of an original Salem witch. All the power in my coven is currently held by my mother. If I merge with someone suitable before my twenty-fifth birthday I will ascend, and the power will move to me."

She looks at me and I can tell there is more she needs to say. Gesturing for her to continue, I wait, hoping that whatever she has to say is something I can figure a way around.

"All covens have twelve elders. They are the decision-makers. If I go against their wishes, I will never ascend to my full powers. In fact, what little power I have will be drained back into the earth and I will be an everyday human like the rest."

"That isn't exactly true," a voice says from behind me.

I move with inhuman speed as I shift Cassandra to a standing position and place myself in front of her. My magik has already gathered, and I am ready to defend not just myself but also her against any threat.

"Calm down, boy. I'm not here to hurt either of you. Though, I should smack you for that little trick with the water. I feel like hell," the woman in front of me grouches.

She is older, in her fifties if I had to guess. Her hair is almost white with veins of purple running through it. Soft blue eyes are surrounded by deep laugh lines as she smiles at both of us.

"Arabella?" Cassandra asks, trying to peer around me.

"Let me tell you the truth about your ascension child."

****

Cassandra

Niko holds my hand as we sit at the table waiting for Arabella to speak. He wasn't lying when he said he couldn't help himself from constantly touching me. Even when he thought we were under threat he had a hand on me. I want to tell him to stop, that it's too much, that my mind and my hormones can't handle any more. But the thought of him not touching me is enough to make me want to cry.

"I've never liked Lilith," Arabella states. "Even as a child your mother always had to have her way. Her parents spoiled her, and she shows it every day. As an elder, I can be ex-communicated for telling you any of this, but you deserve the truth."

"I don't understand," I say.

Arabella has a look on her face that tells me I'm not going to like what she has to say.

"The truth will set you free," Arabella mumbles beside me. "But it's probably going to piss you off first."

"I want to know the truth," I finally say to Arabella with more confidence than I'm feeling.

"Your mother is manipulating you. Hell, she has been doing it for years," Arabella explains. "She had threatened any member of our coven with ex-communication or even death if we ever told you the truth."

"Why are you here then?" Niko jumps in.

"Because I am old and if she wants to kill me, so be it," she replies nonchalantly. "I have lived a good life and done what I needed to do. My children are grown and have lives of their own. The only thing I have left to accomplish in this life is to make sure my coven is protected."

Niko nods, accepting her words.

"I still don't understand. What truth has everyone been hiding from me?" I feel more confused than ever.

"You are in charge," Arabella replies.

"Of what?"

"Everything, dear," she says and smiles gently. "You can choose your own Consort. As long as he has an inkling of magik running through his veins, you will ascend to your full potential."

"What?" The chair I was sitting on topples over as I jump up. "Are you kidding me?"

Arabella watches me as she shakes her head. "No, dear. I'm sorry you're only learning this now, but someone had to tell you."

"Why would she lie?" A tear tracks down my cheek. The pain of betrayal nearly bringing me to my knees.

It only takes a moment before Niko pulls me into his warm embrace. He holds me to his chest as my heart breaks. I always had a feeling I was simply a means to an end for my mother, but I never could have dreamed she would go to these lengths to manipulate me. When I finally get my emotions under control, I face Arabella and wait for my answer.

"I fear your mother is consorting with someone from Quietus," she says softly.