42. Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

Raevyn

T he image of the lake had been projected into my mind as clear as fucking day. Of course it would be there. We had ceremonies there to celebrate our coming of age, of new life and all the things worth celebrating. Suppose my grandmother thought the sacrifice of my powers was worth a fucking party.

As I stood at the edge of the woods surrounding the lake, I wondered whether I'd ever see the guys again. I wasn't a hundred percent sure I would survive this. Maybe I would, but I'd never be the same person and the bond that had put us together initially, wouldn't be there anymore. I'd mean nothing to them. They'd move on and I'm sure they'd find someone else. The thought hurt more than anything I'd ever felt before, but I was doing the right thing.

Wasn't I?

"Are you sure about this?" Apollo asked.

"Yes," I said with determination, or at least tried to. I don't think I was altogether convincing though.

"Just don't let the guys stop this. I know that if they find us, which they probably will, I couldn't bear it if anything happened to them. Or to you. Please Apollo, do this for me?"

Agony seared his eyes, the ember sparks blazing bright in the low light. His magic seeped from him, wrapping around me tightly. I didn't think he was even aware he was doing it. "I don't like it, Raevyn. We should wait for them, together we could stop her. Please, don't do this."

My vision turned hazy, and I could feel him using his magic on me. "Stop, Apollo. You need to let me go. I don't want to put you in danger."

His hand gripped my throat, a low growl rumbling through his chest. Desire exploded in my core and I had to resist the urge to kiss him. I wanted to pull him closer, but I couldn't. In order to save him, I had to let him go.

I pulled my magic to the surface and pushed back against his.

"Don't Raevyn," he whispered against my lips. "Please."

I stood on my tiptoes, whispered an apology, and then claimed his mouth with mine before I could change my mind. My magic surged forwards, wrapping around his heart, and slowing it right down. Apollo sagged against me and I followed him down to the ground, laying him out comfortably. He looked so peaceful and I pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. He said my name on a soft exhale and it nearly broke me. That even unconscious he was still pleading with me to stay.

Corvus eyed me disapprovingly from his perch but he hadn't interfered. Perhaps he approved.

"Watch over him, Corvus. And thank you. For everything."

He gave me a little dip of his head. "Good luck."

Boy, was I going to fucking need that. I picked up the bag Apollo had stashed in his winter cabin and checked through the contents. Seemed to be a pretty standard go-bag but I pulled out all the knives and slotted them into my belt. Apollo had had all sorts in that house, and I was grateful I wasn't stood here in sleep shorts and a hoody. The boots were a little too big but I managed to find some leggings and a jumper that fit. All in black of course. It seemed to be my go to colour at the moment. If I survived this, I was going to change that.

I gave myself one final check, and then I stepped out of the woods and walked towards the edge of the lake.

M y coven was stood along the water's edge in a semicircle , a soft chant humming from their lips. It vibrated through the air, and it felt like static brushing my skin.

My grandmother stood in the shallow depths where the light of the moon hit the water. She looked magnificent. Her white hair glowing in the moonlight, her robes dancing slowly in the ebb and flow of the tide. The magic was strong here and it made my own rise up in answer to its call.

"Hello, Raevyn. Seems you can follow instructions after all."

My instinct to cower was strong but I was different than the little girl she'd sacrificed. I'd done so much since arriving in the Underworld. I'd faced the God of Fear, fought a Vampire King and found a power I never thought I'd harness. But more than that, I'd found a home and a family. It was because of them that I was here, to protect them. I knew I was doing the right thing, for them and for me. I may have started my life in the Underworld wanting nothing but revenge but now, I was so far from that. I was on my way to making peace with the role my mother played in my upbringing and I was certainly on my way to making peace with who I was and my grandmother wasn't going to take that from me.

I stepped into the water and walked towards my grandmother. "I'm here. Let's get this done."

Her smile twisted her face with a cruelty that was all too familiar. "Keen to give it all up?"

"No. Just keen to be done with you."

"Oh, Raevyn, it's adorable that you think this will be the end. This is only the beginning."

A shard as cold as ice pierced my heart and my knees crumpled beneath me. The sound of the coven intensified and an invisible force pulled my arms wide, stretching them as if they were being pulled from their sockets. A scream was wrenched from my throat as I fought against the hold.

Loud wails and cries filled the air as the coven chanted over and over again, their words holding me in place. My grandmother strode towards me, her hair whipping in the wind, her hands held aloft as she chanted to the moon.

Then she slammed her hand to my forehead and the world erupted into pain.