CHAPTER 208
CHAPTER 208
\[Lexi\]
The doctor advised Nix to stay in the hospital for a few days because she had bled profusely, and Pierce readily agreed to stay right by her side, with Brandon staying behind as well to keep them company.
Paige had to head back to gather some essential supplies for both the mother and the newborn twins. She also needed to set things up at their family estate, since they had only been expecting a single baby and were completely unprepared for the sudden arrival of two precious heirs.
Axle and I stayed at the hospital for a little while longer to offer our support, but we eventually decided to head back to the pack house so we could share the wonderful news with everyone else.
We invited all the panther warriors who were still staying on pack grounds to remain for the night, right after they had visited their Alpha and Luna at the medical center to shower them with warm congratulations on the birth of the twin heirs.
That evening, we organized a grand celebration that lasted well into the night. We built a roaring bonfire, served endless plates of delicious barbecue, and even launched a breathtaking display of colorful fireworks into the clear night sky. Every single one of us was so deeply happy for Pierce. He had been anticipating the arrival of a child for such a long, agonizing time, living for years under the quiet grief of being unable to procreate. Now that his wife had blessed him with two healthy children, my heart overflowed with pure joy for their growing family.
.
.
\[Unknown\]
"What on earth is going on here?! Can someone tell me?!" I demanded, my furious voice echoing off the cold stone walls of the chamber.
Word had just reached our underground court that those wretched wolves were not only thriving, but they had also actively aided the Blackners in recovering from the brutal attack we had launched against them.
I was utterly consumed by rage. Nothing I threw at those wolves ever seemed to stick for very long before they miraculously bounced back, and the constant frustration was beginning to drive me to the absolute brink of madness.
"I think I will just march up to the surface myself and burn their entire territory straight to the ground!" I screamed, pacing violently across the dais.
"No, Mother, you need to calm down," one of my daughters urged, taking a cautious step forward. "You cannot allow your wild emotions to cloud your judgment."
"Shut the hell up and do not dare tell me what I can or cannot do!" I shrieked, glaring at her with lethal intent. "All of you are completely useless to me!"
"Pull yourself together, Mother," a sharp, commanding voice cut through the air. It was Dinai, my favorite child.
I turned to her, my jaw clenched tight. "It pains me deeply to say this, Dinai, but you have also failed me miserably."
"It is not over yet," Dinai countered smoothly, an icy look in her eyes even as a faint flicker of hurt crossed her features. "They have not won this war yet."
"Well, we obviously cannot touch them directly right now," I spat out, pulling my heavy gold crown off my head and tossing it onto the throne.
I ran my trembling fingers through my long hair in sheer frustration. But when I withdrew my hand and looked at my palm, I froze. A few strands of pure gray hair lay tangled between my fingers, and I nearly shrieked in absolute horror.
"I need you to prepare my bath immediately!" I roared at one of the young servants cowering near the pillars, and the girl scrambled out of the room as fast as her legs could carry her.
Normally, dark witches like us do not age like frail mortals. We are capable of living for hundreds of years while maintaining the flawless appearance of a youthful human. However, dealing in the deepest, darkest realms of blood magic always exacts a steep price from your physical vessel. It slowly steals away your natural ability to remain young forever.
Every few months, I was forced to submerge myself in a specialized sacrificial bath filled with dark herbs, ancient potions, and fresh, warm blood. That crimson bath was the only thing that allowed me to shed the decaying years, restore my fading beauty, and prolong my lifespan.
"Call the witch who is currently posing as Lexi's therapist," I commanded Dinai, turning my dark gaze back toward her. "Her time on the surface is up. She has achieved absolutely nothing for our cause. At least you managed to infect the pack twice and even got away with slaughtering a good number of their wolves, but she has been completely useless."
"She will not be happy about being recalled," Dinai responded carefully.
I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "You talk as though you do not know me at all, Dinai. I do not give a single damn whether she is happy with my commands or not! Tell her to get her pathetic self back down here immediately. She is of no use to me on the surface anymore, but I can certainly find some grueling labor for her to do down here."
"Very well, Mother," Dinai bowed her head respectfully. As she rose back up, a wicked, knowing smile touched her lips.
"You may leave my presence now," I dismissed her, turning my back. But before she reached the archway, I paused and glanced over my shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing, Dinai... there are faint wrinkle lines forming around your mouth and forehead. Do take care of those, won't you?"
"Yes, Mother," she replied smoothly, her voice tight. "And you should really get to your bath." With that, she turned and vanished down the dark corridor.
I stood alone in the grand room and let my heavy velvet robe slide down my arms, leaving it to pool at my feet. A flock of young servants rushed out from the shadows to gather the fabric, but I paid them no mind as I strode toward my private sanctuary where the rejuvenation vessel awaited.
I stepped up the stone stairs and lowered my body into the warm, blood-filled tub, feeling the dark magic instantly take hold. My aging flesh began to contract, smoothing out and drinking in the stolen youth. I closed my eyes, dunked my entire body beneath the surface of the thick crimson liquid, and began to silently chant the ancient spells of restoration.
When the spell reached its conclusion, I broke the surface and raised my head out of the liquid, gasping for air.
However, as I wiped the blood from my eyes and looked around, the stone walls of my sacrifice room had completely vanished. The tub was gone, replaced by a swirling, misty void of shifting shadows, and a cold chill ran down my spine as I realized what was happening.
I was having a powerful, ominous vision.