A stone lost in time!!

**Natasha’s POV**

This night was no different from the others. They always start with me crying for my daughter, praying for the safety of my mates and the strength to fight my enemies. I quickly fell into a deep sleep, allowing my thoughts to rest. The sound of a sudden thump below caused me to wake up. It felt as if someone was trying to communicate with me.

I opened my eyes and stared at the rocky floor beneath. My heart pounded and the hairs on my neck stood on end. I felt a fresh surge of unease when I heard that thump again.

With trembling hands, I rose from the ground and peered into the gap between the rocks. I caught a glimpse of something moving in between the gap. A tiny mouse was looking directly at me. Then, unexpectedly, it plunged further into the crevice, vanishing from view. Relieved, I breathed, but then, a tiny glimmer, like a forgotten star, caught my eye in the darkness. The pest probably left it there. I attempted to reach through the gap. My fingers brushed against something smooth and cold. I extracted it slowly; the sight of it made my heart beat faster. It was a stone that seemed otherworldly like a treasure. The stone’s touch brings back memories of my past life.

**The era of Witches, Morrigan's POV**

Several days have passed since the attack. They had made me weaker by injecting Deisinth into my body. I was in terrible pain and gripped by fear because I couldn’t feel the mating bond. Where the hell are they? Are they alive?

With heavy eyes, I surveyed my surroundings. I know this place—the Northern Realm’s dungeons. The place was dark and damp and had grey walls and just one small window. A layer of dirt and cobwebs lay across the floor.

The stench of decay filled my senses just as the footsteps got closer. A natural reflex caused my body to convulse. I pulled out the only weapon I had hidden on me: my mother’s dagger. I don’t understand why they left it on me. Maybe, they were too scared to touch me because I am no lesser than a live ticking bomb in my attacking mode. As the footsteps neared, my grip on the handle grew tighter. The sound of something falling reached my ears. I turned just in time to see the stone that was embedded in the sword fall into a deep crevice on the floor.

Fuck! Without stone, this dagger is useless.

Frantically, I dug my fingers into the space until my nails bled and every finger ached, yet I couldn’t find it. “Shit,” I cursed, realizing the foul-smelling enemy was getting closer.

A reddish glow soon filled the dark space, and a figure emerged, resembling death’s silhouette.

“What the hell!?” I mutter under my breath at the sight of the grotesque creature in front of me. Two beasts came into my cell, restrained me, and pulled me out. Though I fought with all my might against the floor, my efforts were useless; I was too weak, and they were too strong. One last glimpse of the grotesque creature before I turned, and then I knew who she was. A tiny, bleeding wound, where her heart once was, betrayed her identity.

“Aurora!?” I uttered.

“Morri!” her grating voice was followed by a creepy smile.

**Natasha’s pov**

“Hey Bitch, miss me,” Aurora’s grating voice jerked me off my thoughts.

“Oh, ‘like a hole in the head,’” I said, bursting out laughing.

“What’s so funny, bitch!?” She asked, gritting her teeth.

“Your butt ugly face! Can someone please get her a mask, or maybe you should continue to wear that black veil.”

She resembled a disoriented, wild, and predatory animal. Her body showed significant decomposition, with visible tissues, muscles, and parts of the skeleton. Her razor-sharp fangs were continuously gritted as her neck jerked wildly in all directions, like a possessed, alerted zombie. Her eyes revolved continuously in all directions in deep sockets giving out the whole shape of an eye-ball. Yet, the moment her fiery red eyes connected with mine, they stopped moving, trained on me as if I were prey, holding me rooted, trapped within my own body. With a growl like a hurt animal, her lips snarled, and her muscles tensed, ready to pounce. She scored a high ten on the creep o’meter.

“What’s wrong with you, Natasha? Stop making fun of her,” Tasha surfaced.

“She’s looking funny,” I muttered.

“It’s time to focus on panic because if we go by Aurora’s history, she doesn’t have much patience,” Tasha responded. I’m in agreement with Tasha about this. Aurora preferred waiting for centuries for a new Morrighan, instead of tolerating Anna for just a few more days.

“Laugh it up you stupid slut! Oh, you think you are clever, well let’s see what your smart mouth comes up with when you are begging for your life,” Aurora snarled at me like she was tasting her revenge. I wonder if she could read my mind, or if it was just my grin she noticed.

“I expected fair play from you,” I said to her, remembering Lukas’s friendship and trust.

“Morrighans...Gods, eternally foolish in each incarnation,” she stated, approaching.

“She’s goading me,” I mind-linked to Tasha.

“Ignore it and remain frightened,” she retorted. 'Like fuck I was', I thought rolling my eyes and then replied to Aurora, “The only stupidity is that three of you think you are going to rule the world.”

“And who the hell is gonna stop us? We have been here for thousands of years and...” This was where I’d had enough and held my hand up in her face.

“Thousands of years...still nothing changes...your ugly looks...your worthless warnings...your failure to rule... and your habit of licking the dirty toes of the Northern realm. What a waste of time! Maybe you should think of some other profession as this is clearly not working for you.” My words did trigger something as her features scrunched up in obvious rage.

“You are no different...thousands of years...your ugly attitude...your fake arrogance... and your death in all the births at my hands...!! Maybe you should accept your fate and give me what I want- YOUR POWER, because it fucking belongs to me! So unless you want me to kill your mates as well and nail their fucking heads on my wall...be a good girl and get ready for the fucking ball!” She snapped.

“I. Am. Not. Fucking. Going. Anywhere!” I declared.

“As if I give a damn!” she said as two of the beasts entered the cell, unshackled me, and dragged me out of the cell.

I was led into a room that looked like a witch’s lair. Cauldrons filled with a reddish liquid sat upon the hearths. Countless potion bottles on numerous shelves filled almost half the room. Mycelle, the lustful aunt, emerged from behind one of the shelves. Her dark makeup complemented her all-black outfit. She resembled a black-veiled mage more than Aurora. The thought made me laugh.

“Something funny, you disgusting woman?” she huffed.

“I was just thinking, you know if you had white hair, you would look like Ursula of The Little Mermaid,” I laughed harder at my half-witty joke.

“Soon you won’t have the strength to laugh,” was all her poker face could mutter. This threat proved more frustrating than frightening.

“Get in here and hold her down!” Mycelle ordered, as she pulled out a syringe and started to draw liquid from a small glass bottle. The group of beasts held me down. I tried to escape them but it was no use.

“GET OFF ME!” I screamed as their already bruising hold tightened painfully.

“Hold her down!” Mycelle instructed. I tried to twist but it was no use as my face was slammed down to the floor, so my cheek rested against the dirty stone. I was in excruciating pain because my arms were held at such an awkward angle that moving risked breaking my elbows. I had no choice but to wait until the injection took effect and put me to sleep.