Chapter 14

Aidon raced to my side and scooped me into his arms. "Are you alright?"

I took in a shaky breath. "I hurt, but we are okay. The babies protected us. Is it over? Did you find the relic?"

Aidon shook his head. "We didn't find anything. The survivors took off. Tseki and Murtagh are trying to follow them."

Stella frowned as she followed Aidon outside. "Why is this bitch going after Phoebe like this? You said it's been a while since you dated her. It makes no sense. Unless we are wrong about her target. Maybe she is orchestrating an apocalypse after all."

Aidon gently set my feet on the ground. "We dated on and off over the centuries. There was a time when I thought I would spend my life with her, but I could never get past her need to orchestrate chaos."

The revelation hung in the air like a surreal fog, Aidon"s words echoing in my mind. His nonchalant recounting of centuries-long trysts with Eris left me dumbfounded. I blinked, processing the information as if my brain were desperately trying to catch up with a plot twist in a convoluted soap opera. I'd had it all wrong in my head. This wasn't a fling for him. They were basically going to get married.

"So, let me get this straight," I said, my voice carrying a mix of disbelief and incredulity. "You"ve been casually dating the goddess of chaos on and off for centuries and were going to mate with her? I can"t believe I ever thought I was special to you."

Pain crossed Aidon"s features. "I was tired of being alone, but I knew all along she wasn't right. What we had was more like... acquaintances with benefits."

I couldn"t help the laugh that bubbled up. "Acquaintances with benefits? And it lasted thousands of years? That's a fucking relationship, Aidon."

Aidon"s face held more pain than I had ever seen there. "Eris and I have always been on different paths, and our encounters were infrequent. It was never about emotional entanglements."

I crossed my arms, trying to wrap my head around the soap opera, tearing my heart out. "So, why is she suddenly fixated on me and, more importantly, my unborn children?"

Aidon sighed, his eyes betraying his regret. "Eris has always had a fascination with the idea of us having a child together. She felt rejected when I never pursued that path. If I had to guess, she sees an opportunity. She always thought I didn't want kids, but if I changed my mind, then she might believe I would have one with her."

I gaped at him. "I"m starting to feel like I stumbled into a messed-up episode of Jerry Springer."

I reached for Stella as my energy wavered. "Your love drama aside, how do we deal with an angry goddess set on claiming me and our babies for her chaotic family album?"

Aidon"s expression darkened. "I don't love her and never have. We need to confront Eris, find a way to neutralize her influence, and protect you and the children." My heart hurt, I was struggling with so many emotions, and I didn't know which way was up.

Tseki and Murtagh came to a stop as they noticed the tension. "We lost them," Tseki said. "It feels like we stumbled into a private situation. Everything okay?"

I smiled watery at them. "Take me back to the house. I need food and rest." I couldn't deal with all of this bullshit on an empty stomach.

The witching hourwas upon us, casting Salem in an eerie stillness as we stood in the basement again. I'd taken a great nap that afternoon and was refreshed. I was ready to find these women and stop Eris. The best place to start was to return to the house with the relics. The ancient artifact Eris funneled her power through was the only link we really had to her group, which was why we were standing in the dimly lit basement.

Closing my eyes, I reached out to my familiar with my mind. "Tarja! Are you there?"

"I'm here, Phoebe. Is that the artifact?"

"Yes, it is. Can you help me find the cult member that has the other piece?" I'd called home before coming back out and spoke with my family. Mom and Nana had words of wisdom and Tarja had called me on my plans to lure Eris to me, so I could put her in her place. That had only increased Nina, Reece, and Charlie's worry.

"Focus on the highest-pitched note of the energy. Once you have it, grab hold of it."

I did as instructed and was surprised at how much easier it was to find her. "The witch isn't far. And she's not alone."

"Correct. You will need to take this artifact with you, so you can locate the other piece. I will stand by if you need more assistance. This is an emotional mission for you, but you need to keep your head. If you allow your emotions to take over, you are putting yourself and your babies in danger. I still believe Eris wants your babies and not necessarily her own. They are from the powerful Pleiades line."

I took a deep breath and nodded even though the conversation was happening in my head. "I'm not going to let her hurt any of us. And I know Aidon loves me. That's going to help keep me in control."

Opening my eyes, I focused on the relic. "I can find her. She"s not far. We need to take this with us," I said, gesturing to the relic.

"I can carry it," Todd said as he opened the backpack he was holding.

Siobhan stopped me when I went to grab it. "Let me do it. Just in case it has the ability to harm one of you."

Stella adjusted her stance and had a mix of determination and apprehension on her face. "This is it. The moment we"ve been waiting for."

Aidon"s gaze surveyed the room, steely and resolute. "Indeed. Be prepared for anything. The cult won"t go down without a fight."

I snorted and headed up the stairs. "Neither will I. Let"s show them what we"re made of."

Nana's earlier words came to me at that moment. "Power comes in many forms. Trust in yourselves and each other, and you will prevail."

With a shared nod, we moved as one, footsteps echoing throughout the house as we navigated the cult"s hideout. The night was cool outside, and the moon was bright. I followed the energy to a nearby park. We slowed our approach, but there was no way to hide entirely.

Reaching the middle of the space, a nightmare unfolded before us. Hooded figures were involved in a twisted dance, and chants filled the air with an unsettling cacophony. In the center stood a small, dark red gem, pulsing with malevolent energy.

Todd stepped forward, determination ablaze in his eyes. "I'm tired of these games. It"s time to end this."

Cultists turned as one, faces hidden in shadows. A low murmur rippled through their ranks. No doubt they were telling each other to go into plan E. I conjured a barrier around Todd and myself like we'd discussed before leaving the rental house.

"Don't let them get away, Tseki. Shift and keep low above us. And you can use your fire if you have to. We can call in pixies to repair the park," I told him. He nodded and started removing his clothing. He shifted and was in the air five seconds later.

With a roar, the rest of us surged forward. Magic intertwined in a symphony of light and shadow. Spells collided, and smoke filled the air. My adrenaline surged as the battle heated up.

With each spell cast, the weight on my shoulders lifted, replaced by liberation. Fighting for our future gave me wings. My energy wasn't flagging one bit. Tseki, in his magnificent dragon form, soared above us, wings beating with power. Cloaked in shadows, the cult members stood between us and the gem. There was one woman who remained close to the dark red gem, chanting incantations that echoed through the air like a sinister melody.

Stella growled and tossed four energy balls in rapid succession at the Order members. "Phoebe, we need to break their circle," she called out. "Aidon, focus on disrupting their magic. Murtagh, Todd, cover our flanks."

As the cultists advanced, Stella and I synchronized our magic, creating a barrier of shimmering light. Aidon unleashed his powers, and they collided with the dark forces in a shower of sparks. Tseki circled above us and unleashed a roar that echoed through the night. With a graceful descent, he spewed dragon fire, engulfing a group of cult members. The dark magic recoiled against the intense heat, and some of the Umbra were devoured by the flames.

I focused on the leader with the dark red gem, recognizing its importance in their ritual. With a wave of my hand, I summoned the power of the Pleiades, sending ethereal bolts towards the gem. The cult leader struggled to maintain control as the gem flickered.

"Now, Aidon!" Stella called out, making me look over at her. What was she talking about?

I flinched as Aidon intensified his assault, creating a vortex that disrupted the cult"s magic circle. The ground trembled, and the cultists staggered. The energy coming from their side lessened significantly, telling me that had severed their connection to Eris.

Murtagh and Todd took advantage of the chaos and engaged in a fierce physical battle with the cult members. Murtagh swung his enchanted blade while Todd"s bullets and agile movements disoriented Umbra members. As Tseki continued to breathe dragon fire, the air became charged with a mix of magical energies and the scent of burning Umbra. The leader with the dark red gem, desperate to salvage their ritual, chanted louder, attempting to regain control.

With a surge of determination, I channeled my Pleiades powers again and focused on the gem. "We have to stop her and destroy that gem!"

Stella joined her powers with mine. The combined force created a dazzling display of light, overwhelming the cult"s dark magic. Sweat poured down my spine as I funneled all I had into the effort. Knowing my babies" lives were on the line gave me more stamina. I was beginning to believe it wouldn't work when the gem shattered. Its fragments dissipated like echoes of a defeated nightmare. Tseki, sensing the shift in the magical currents, let out another triumphant roar. The remaining cult members, disoriented and weakened, scattered into the shadows, fleeing the park.

We stood amidst the aftermath, breathing heavily. Our collective efforts had thwarted the Umbra cult"s dark ritual. Tseki, now back by our side in his human form, grinned with satisfaction as he got dressed.

"That was quite the spectacle," he remarked, wiping sweat from his brow.

Stella grinned back. "Thanks to everyone"s teamwork. And Tseki, you really know how to make an entrance with that dragon fire."

Aidon surveyed the park, ensuring the Umbra cult had retreated. "We stopped them this time, but we need to stay vigilant. Eris won"t give up easily."

"We need to destroy her main channel. Otherwise, she will be able to have those assholes come at us again," I said, eyeing the backpack Todd was holding skeptically. "It should be easy. We took out that gem, no problem."

Stella shot me a glance. "Easy for you to say, Miss "Powerful-Pleiades'. Any idea how we can do that? This was created by a goddess. That gem was enchanted by one of her followers."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, sure. Because my crystal ball comes with a "How to Neutralize Cursed Relics for Dummies" guide."

Aidon held up his hand. "I don't know how to dismantle this thing. That's beyond my skills."

Todd unzipped the backpack and dumped the relic out. As banter continued, we circled it cautiously. Its dark magic thickened the air. "Any chance we can ask it nicely to stop doing Eris's dirty work?" His voice was anxious.

I smirked. "Sure, I"ll get right on that. "Dear Ancient Relic, could you please cease and desist? Thanks'."

Aidon grunted and shook his head. "We need to disrupt the magical link between Eris and the relic."

Stella cracked her knuckles. "What"s the plan, oh wise and ancient one?"

Aidon shot her a mock glare. "I"m not that ancient."

"Could"ve fooled me," I muttered.

Ignoring me, Aidon continued, "We need to coordinate this time. Hit it simultaneously. Tseki, use your flames. Murtagh, send your power to Tseki, and I will give you mine, Queenie. Then the two of you send it to that ugly little statue."

With a synchronized nod, we attacked. Magic collided and hit the artifact full-force. The relic resisted with an otherworldly force. Eris was fighting back. Damn.

Stella grunted. "Is this relic on steroids or something?"

I snorted. "Perhaps Eris has been hitting the magical gym." Before we could try again, the skies crackled. Glancing upward, I half-expected celestial beings sipping cosmic tea to pop out of the clouds.

"Well, this is just great," I muttered, shielding my eyes from the light show.

Aidon, usually composed, looked less so. "What is it now?"

I chuckled. "Come on, Yahweh. Isn"t this your kind of party?"

He shot me a wry smile. "I prefer quieter gatherings, ones without impending apocalypses. Or psychotic exes."

Stella gestured to the growing storm. "Anyone else feeling like we crashed a party we weren"t invited to?"

I nodded and watched as the supernatural storm intensified. A surreal tempest engulfed Salem. The wind howled, and the air shimmered with an ethereal glow. The universe seemed to be playing dice with our destinies.

Todd wore awe and anxiety. "Is this... normal?"

Aidon shrugged. "Define normal. This is a first in my book."

Stella looked at Aidon. "What can we do now? We can't stand here with our thumbs up our asses."

Aidon sighed. "Let's anchor the energies. If this convergence reaches its peak without containment, it could unleash chaos."

"Chaos like turning us into intergalactic frogs?" I quipped as I started focusing on creating a chain that would tie the storm to something.

He shot me a look. "More like ripping the fabric of reality."

I gulped. "Intergalactic frogs might"ve been more fun."

Venturing into the middle of the park, I gestured to the trees around us and told Stella to use them to connect the storm's energy. Aidon worked with Stella and I. Unlike trying to destroy Eris's relic, we easily anchored energies. The tumultuous dance felt mesmerizing and perilous. As the magical tempest reached its zenith and went nowhere, time froze. The consequences of our actions hung, and the stars watched with indifference.

"Well, that was... something," I remarked.

Stella cast a tired smile. "Can we go back to dealing with cults and cursed relics now? I miss the simplicity of impending apocalypses. Power-hungry assholes are always behind those and easier to deal with."

"I'm with you. Although, this Order isn't as easy to stop. I thought stopping the cult would be a walk in the park," I muttered as we walked back to Todd, Murtagh, and Tseki.

"Nothing is ever that easy," Aidon countered. "And they aren't done. Eris is going to be pissed and throw a tantrum. We just need to be ready for it."