Chapter 44: That’s not wind, That’s magic
Ariel’pov:
“What do you mean something’s coming?” I asked, stepping closer to Damien.
He didn’t answer right away. His eyes were fixed on the sky, his jaw tight.
“Damien?”
He finally looked at me. “The air changed. Do you feel it?”
I frowned. “It’s just wind.”
“No.” He shook his head. “That’s not wind. That’s magic.”
Before I could reply, a sharp sound echoed above us, it's was a loud caw.
I looked up. “What was that?”
“A raven,” he said quietly. “But not an ordinary one.”
The black bird circled once, then landed on the railing beside us. Its eyes glowed faintly red, and tied to its leg was a small scroll sealed with a strange, dark symbol.
My heart raced. “Damien, that symbol”
He already knew. “Witch coven.”
I swallowed hard. “From my mother’s side?”
He nodded slowly. “Probably.”
The bird croaked again and dropped the scroll into Damien’s hand. Then, just as suddenly, it burst into ash.
I flinched. “It disintegrated.”
“They used a binding spell,” he said, studying the scroll. “The kind witches use when they don’t want the messenger surviving.”
“That’s dark.”
He didn’t answer. His eyes were locked on the seal.
“Open it,” I whispered.
He broke the seal. A faint hiss filled the air, followed by a shimmer of red smoke. Words appeared, written in flaming letters that floated between us: "The bloodline must return. The child of flame cannot stay bound to the wolf. The balance is breaking. Come before the eclipse or perish with him."
The words burned, then vanished, leaving only silence.
I stared at the empty air. “What, what does that mean?”
Damien looked grim. “It means they know you’re alive.”
“And that’s bad?”
He turned to me sharply. “Yes, Ariel. Very bad.”
I crossed my arms. “You’re scaring me.”
“You should be scared,” he said. “Your mother’s coven doesn’t send warnings. They send death sentences wrapped in poetry.”
I blinked. “You think they’ll come after me?”
“I don’t think,” he replied. “I know.”
I took a step back, my mind spinning. “But why now? I haven’t done anything.”
“You married me,” he cut in.
“So?”
He sighed. “To them, that’s enough. You mixed bloodlines—you tied witch and wolf. That breaks their ancient law.”
I frowned. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t even have magic!”
“Exactly,” he muttered. “And that makes you unpredictable. They don’t like what they can’t control.”
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then I whispered, “What do we do now?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. “We wait tonight out. The eclipse is three nights away. They’ll come before then.”
“And if they come?”
He looked at me, eyes dark and voice steady. “Then they’ll find out I don’t share.”
Despite the fear crawling through my chest, I smiled a little. “You sound so sure.”
“I am.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“Maybe,” he admitted, smiling faintly. “But also because it’s true.”
I reached for his hand. “You really think I’m the child of flame they’re talking about?”
He squeezed my fingers. “I think you’re more dangerous than you know.”
“And you’re not afraid?”
He leaned closer, his voice low. “I’m terrified. But I’d still choose you.”
My heart stuttered. “Even if it kills you?”
He smiled, it's was soft but unshakable. “Especially then.”
The wind howled outside, candles flickering. Somewhere in the forest, another raven cried.
I shivered. “Damien”
He turned toward the window. “They’re already here.
Damien’s hand brushed mine. “Stay close.”
“I am,” I whispered, even though my heart was racing so fast it hurt. “I can feel something, it’s like the air is breathing.”
He looked around the room, sharp and alert. “They’re cloaking themselves. I can’t scent them properly.”
“Who?”
He didn’t need to answer. The front door creaked.
A cold wind rushed through the hall, carrying faint whispers of female voices. They were murmuring in a language I didn’t understand.
My body went cold. “That’s”
“Spellcraft,” Damien growled. “They’re inside.”
Before I could blink, he moved fast, silent, lethal. The front door slammed shut, sealed by his power. Shadows rippled across his skin as his wolf side rose.
“Stay behind me,” he said.
I nodded, even though part of me wanted to run.
The whispers grew louder. The air shimmered, and three women appeared, hooded, their robes black as smoke, eyes glowing faintly red.
“Witches,” I breathed.
The tallest one stepped forward. “Ariel of the Flame,” she said, her voice echoing unnaturally. “You have broken the sacred vow.”
“I didn’t break anything,” I said, trying to sound brave. “I don’t even have magic.”
She tilted her head. “Not yet.”
Damien took a step forward, growling low. “You have three seconds to leave before I tear those hoods off your heads.”
The witch smiled faintly. “You would fight the Covenant of Flame for her?”
“I would burn the world for her,” he said, voice hard as steel.
Her smile faltered. “Then you’ll burn with it.”
The air exploded.
A shockwave of energy tore through the room, shattering the candles. I stumbled back, covering my face as sparks of magic flew past me. Damien roared, slamming his claws into the ground. The power bent around him like wind around stone.
He charged at them with a blur of movement and fury. One witch raised her hand, sending a surge of fire toward him. He dodged, but the flames grazed his arm.
“Damien!” I screamed.
“I’m fine!” he shouted, pushing forward.
I tried to move closer, but the moment my foot touched the floor, the magic around me reacted. The runes glowing faintly on the walls, the same ones his pack used for protection began to pulse.
And then something inside me snapped.
The sound wasn’t physical; it was as if the air in my chest cracked open. Heat rushed through my veins, burning and cold at the same time.
My vision blurred. The witches turned toward me instantly.
“She’s awakening,” one hissed.
“No,” the other whispered, fear creeping into her tone. “She’s not supposed to yet”
Before they could finish, a wave of energy burst from my body. It wasn’t controlled it was wild, raw, and alive.
The walls trembled. The flames the witches had conjured twisted and turned into golden fire not burning, but pure. It shot toward them, wrapping around their bodies and throwing them backward.
They screamed. Real and terrified screams, before vanishing into smoke.
The room fell silent.
I stood there, shaking, the golden light fading slowly from my hands.
Damien turned, chest heaving, eyes wide. “Ariel”
“I, I didn’t mean to”
He came to me, his hand cupping my face gently. “You saved us.”
“But I didn’t even know how”
“You don’t have to know,” he said softly. “It’s in your blood.”
Tears stung my eyes. “That means it’s true, then. I really am one of them.”
He nodded slowly, pulling me against his chest. “Yes. But you’re mine first.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “You sure about that?”
“Always.”
Outside, thunder rolled through the forest. Somewhere far away, another coven witch whispered into the dark: The child born with the four elements has awakened.