Chapter 47

Julianne's POV

I stood in the dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with tension. Nyx, with her piercing gaze, had cornered me. She smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. I could feel the weight of her words as she spoke, her voice smooth like silk yet filled with a threat.

“I knew you’d come if I took someone close to you, I knew you would choose him over your protection,” she said, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes.

“Let him go, I am the one you want and not him, so free and let him go for good” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. I refused to show fear, even as my insides twisted with worry that this idea might not work out as expected.

"And what should I listen to you and release him?" She glanced at Jeremy, whose eyes were fixed on her intently; that look meant something.

“I am the moon goddess you are looking for,” I said, almost mockingly. “I have the power you badly want, Nyx. I am the moon goddess you and your friends want not him.” I shot a glance at Jeremy, he crouched as if ready to pounce on Nyx if she made a fucking move.

"Of course, you are the moon goddess we have Ben searching for the whole of this time, and we want you," Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, threatening to swallow me whole.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of who I was and that the plan Loretta and I discussed was all about playing along and buying time for her to release Jeremy.

“I’m not interested in joining your cove,” I replied firmly, my voice gaining strength. “I won’t be a pawn in your game. I won't be used for your selfish desires on innocent humans.” I felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps if I stood my ground, I could find a way out of this mess. But Nyx’s smile faded, and I knew I had underestimated her.

“Walking out is not an option,” she said, her tone turning icy. “If you try to leave, your friend will pay the price. Of course, he is paying dearly for it already; you do like the beautiful mark we gave him, and I can give him more beautiful ones for you to enjoy staring at.” The threat hung between us, heavy and suffocating. I could only imagine what she had in store for him, and that thought made my blood run cold.

I looked around the chamber, searching for anything I could use to help me. The walls were adorned with dark tapestries, each telling a story of power and betrayal. Shadows danced around me, flickering with every small movement. It felt like the walls themselves were alive, watching me, waiting for my next move.

“I won’t let you manipulate me,” I insisted. “You may have taken my friend, but I will not give you my power.” I could feel the energy within me, a force that surged, and I thought I saw a glimpse of Loretta, which gave me the hope to buy her time until she released Jeremy. I knew I had to hold onto that, to keep it hidden from Nyx. If she sensed my true plan, she would do anything to break me.

Nyx stepped closer, her expression shifting to one of determination. “You don’t understand, do you? This isn’t just about you or your friend. We have a purpose, and you are a crucial part of it.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as if sharing a secret. “With your power, we could create a new world. A world where shadows rule.”

I shivered at her words, imagining a world steeped in darkness, devoid of light and hope. “That’s not a world I want to be part of,” I said, shaking my head. “I believe in a balance, in light and dark coexisting. I won’t help you bring about chaos.”

Nyx’s eyes narrowed, and I could see her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “You think you can refuse me?” she spat. “You think you have a choice? You are tied to this fate, Julianne. You will either join us willingly, or I will make you.”

My heart pounded in my chest. I had to think quickly. “If you think threatening me will work, you’re wrong,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’d rather fight than submit to you.”

“Ah, but fighting won’t save your friend,” she said, a smirk creeping onto her lips. “You’re in a difficult position, and you know it. You have power, but it comes with responsibility. Are you willing to let someone suffer because of your pride?”

Her words cut deep. The thought of my friend in pain because of my choices made my stomach twist. But I couldn’t let fear control me. “I will find a way to save them,” I vowed. “I won’t let you use me.”

Nyx’s expression darkened, and for a moment, I saw the true monster behind her façade. “Then you have made your choice,” she said coldly. “But know this: I will not hesitate to break you.”

Suddenly, with a fierce roar, he yanked the chains from their anchors. The sound echoed in the chamber, and my heart raced. I felt a mix of hope and fear; he was taking a risk, but it was the only chance we had.

Before Nyx could react, Jeremy swung the chains like a weapon, catching her off guard. The clank of metal filled the air as it connected with her side. Nyx stumbled but quickly regained her footing, her expression shifting from surprise to anger. She was not an easy opponent; I knew that well.

“You think you can stop me with brute force? I don't know how it is you released yourself from the cage, but I need no one to tell me Julianne is not part of it. But still, you both are powerless and can't hold me down. You can't escape!” she hissed, her voice laced with disdain.

My heart pounded as I watched. I wanted to scream at Jeremy to be careful. Nyx was powerful. I have seen what she has done to me, and I feared for him. But he stood tall, unwavering, even as Nyx glared at him, her magic swirling around her like a storm.

Then, just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, Lorreta appeared from behind Nyx, her presence like a breath of fresh air.

“Got you!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the tension. With a swift motion, she raised her hands, and magic sparkled around her fingers. Chains of light shot forward, wrapping around Nyx and binding her tightly. I felt a rush of relief wash over me, but when I turned, she vanished again; she would not want Nyx to see her.

“Yes, I did it!” I cried, my voice filled with gratitude and excitement.

But Nyx wasn’t done yet. She struggled against the chains, her eyes blazing with fury. “You think this will hold me?! Do you think you can stop me from achieving what I want to? Then I must tell you to try harder next time because this can't move me.” she yelled, the air thick with her power. It was terrifying to witness her anger, but I felt a surge of courage.

Then Nyx turned her gaze towards me, and I froze. “Julianne! So you’ve finally decided to join your friend,” she said, a mocking tone in her voice. “I see you’ve developed your powers. Congratulations.” Her words felt like daggers, sharp and piercing. I wanted to deny her claims, to tell her that it was Loretta’s magic that had saved us, not mine. But at that moment, I thought about giving the secret since she saved us, knowing fully well by doing so, I wouldn't be the target of the crazy witches.

Before I could respond, Jeremy swung the chains again, this time with all his strength. The heavy metal struck Nyx once more, and she let out a cry, her expression shifting from anger to shock. I watched in horror as she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

“Did we do it? Did we strike her down?” I asked, my heart racing. My emotions swirled—relief, disbelief, and a flicker of hope. Jeremy rushed to my side, his face filled with determination and concern.

“Yeah, but we can’t let our guard down, she might wake up any moment and pounce on us,” he said, breathing heavily. I could see the adrenaline coursing through him, and I felt it too.

Loretta stepped forward from her shadow, having seen we had struck her down, her face a mask of concentration. “We need to make sure she stays contained,” she said, her voice steady. “If she wakes up, she’ll come after us with even more rage.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation. Nyx was dangerous, and even now, I couldn’t shake the fear that she would rise again.

“Let’s use more chains,” Jeremy suggested, his eyes scanning the room. “We need to secure her better.”

As we worked together, binding Nyx

When we finally finished, I stepped back to take a breath.

“What now?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly. I could still feel the fear clawing at my insides.

“We need to get out of here, of course; we go home back to the pack,” Lorreta said firmly. “If Nyx witches find out what we have done, they’ll come looking for her.”

As we moved to leave, I looked back to her unconscious figure and felt relieved that we saved Jeremy from her clutches.