Chapter 73

Third person's point of view

The chilling air moved around in the witches' courtyard, sending chills and shivers running down her spine. Aderyn stood rooted to the ground, the witches' chant echoing deep within her mind.

She felt a sudden, ruthless cold intrude her entire being, even successfully silencing the burning chaos in her head. She felt her knees grow weak but couldn't move. It was as if a spell was cast on her, preventing her from any movement.

Her breathing was stable, at least for now, as the witches' chant kept wobbling in her. The witches moved closer to her, stopping just outside the red candle flames that surrounded her. Now she could feel a little heat around her; this wasn't from the candle flames. She was certain it was the magic that now floated in the air. Finally, this whole 'awakening' ritual had begun, and she felt the effect in her.

She couldn't describe the eerie feeling that possessed her, breathing life into the burning in her stomach. If only she could concern herself with only that pain; her entire bones stiffened, with pains wrecking her joints. It was immense, bringing her to her knees. It felt like a massive fire started in her chest, spreading all through her body. Then the earth began to tremble.

Aderyn didn't know what she was doing, but the beaming fire she had awakened in her had caused everything around her to soar in such a powerful aura that no one had ever felt. Aderyn released a brief yell; it wasn't out of pain. She felt something else—something else that had begun beating inside of her. Something had come alive, a different side she had never known existed; it surged with an intimidating amount of magical essence.

The clear night sky turned a darkened blue, covering the moon that had already appeared. There was magic in the air, literally escaping from her. It was as if she were the very source. The witches halted their chants, staring with widened eyes at her. They needed to do nothing; she was at it by herself.

Their eyes were as wide as saucers, feeling the intimidating energy she emitted. It was so powerful, enough to bring anything and everything with magical essence quivering; no one had ever felt anything as strong as this. Even Dylan could feel it; hell, everyone at the pack house could feel the strong aura floating around.

Aderyn remained still on her knees. Truthfully, she didn't know what was happening; all she could feel was the way her body aligned with something foreign. In truth, all she did was open herself to the new, burning energy inside of her that had been begging to come out. She was indeed overwhelmed by the strong essence of magic in her, causing everything around with magic to come alive.

It felt like there was a fusion within her, this foreign energy mixing with everything in her. She had never felt anything like this. She was fixed in one position, but her energy was draining. She began feeling faint; her breathing became more shallow and deep. There was a bright blue light that covered her mind, swallowing up her consciousness until she was lost in it.

She didn't know, because she couldn't feel anything now; her body had given up the struggle, resigning everything to her mind. Aderyn fell to the ground as serenity fell on the pack and the entire witch courtyard. The red flames gave up their light, the wind settled, and the blue brightness that enveloped the sky was gone.

The earth rested, too. Quickly, before the witches moved to her, Dylan grabbed her into his warmth. Her body was numb and cold, but she was breathing. That was a relief. He looked up at the coven witches, questioning if the ritual was a success. Seeing the wide smiles on their faces, he carried her up to her room.

Meanwhile, Aderyn was lost in the blue brightness of her mind. She felt no pain, no eerie coldness, no fear. Strangely, she felt she was home. She felt safe in the deep brightness. She couldn't see anything at all as she moved further into the bright light.

Then a soft, warm voice startled her from behind. Aderyn jolted, standing rooted for a simple second before turning. She knew who it was. Could she ever forget that warm voice? The one she longed for forever. A lone tear ran from her eyes the instant she met ocean-blue eyes staring at her.

Her lips pressed against each other as if stopping something far more than her tears from showing.

"Mother." Her voice was chilly but still; she felt nothing.

"Aderyn... My Aderyn..." The voice came out so clearly, sounding similar to hers.

Aderyn moved forward, stopping a few centimeters from Cora.

Her eyes held disbelief. "I'm dreaming. This isn't real!" She sounded certain.

Cora nodded, having a small smile on her lips. "Yes, Peaches. You are dreaming, but this is very real."

Now, both of her eyes welled with water. "Mother." She tried restraining herself from running to Cora, but she couldn't. Aderyn moved hurriedly to her, embracing her, but still, Aderyn's numb body felt nothing. "I've missed you so much. I do not know what to do." She held on, never letting go. Weirdly, she felt five again, afraid to let Cora go—afraid to experience that pain all over again. At this point, she knew Celeste was right.

Everything that had happened within the last few hours was all because of her. She had somehow awakened that burning feeling in her. She had constantly thought of Cora these last hours; now she was here. Everything she was feeling—the frustration and helplessness—brought her mother here; she triggered that thing inside of her.

"My child... I do not have much time."

"Mother—"

"I'm proud of you; you found your way back home. You are where you are meant to be."

"I do not know. Everyone keeps telling me that. Everybody looks at me like I'm some kind of hope they've been praying for. I try not to let it show, but I have no idea what to do. I'm afraid that—that—they'll suffer because I can't help."

Cora smiled tightly. "You underestimate yourself, my child. You have no idea what you can do. Remember, you are an Raynell witch. You are as powerful as you want to be."

"But—"

"Have you forgotten everything I told you? You are a descendant of the ancient bloodline. Fate and our ancestors have blessed you with the powers and magic of our ancestors. You are much more powerful than any witch, Aderyn Raynell." She paused, staring into the eyes of Aderyn. Her tears had halted; she gazed back with something deep in her eyes, something Cora always wanted to see. "You are much stronger; always remember that. You limit yourself because you wanted to. You've finally awakened... You've unlocked your full potential and magic." She brewed a smile again. "He needs you. They all need you."

Aderyn wanted to speak, but the blue brightness had started to glow more fiercely, as if wanting to swallow everything.

Cora noticed this; she quickly returned to her daughter. "You have to be strong, Aderyn; much worse days are ahead. Evil lurks in the shadows. You must defeat her." Cora rushed as the brightness covered both of them. In the fog of the blue brightness, she echoed finally, "We are always with you. Always." Everything was covered with the brightness. The more Aderyn called out, the more she was pushed out of the fog.

"Mother!" She jolted, her heartbeat hammering against the walls of her chest, her face slamming hard into the hard chest before her. Shortly, warm and firm hands covered her, sending a tingling sensation running down her spine. Dylan held her tightly before rocking her back.

After catching her breath, she noticed the person before her. Her blue eyes shot up and met with his.

"Dylan." Her call was tender.

He could see her creased brows. He knew she had a dream about Cora. Dylan's hand ran through her hair, as if brushing the invisible brown locks back. "How are you feeling?" he asked, and she still didn't take her eyes off his.

Something was different. She felt different, unlike the numbness that had her in the blue fog. She didn't exactly know what, but she felt different, in a good way though. She hadn't even heard Dylan's words, but her eyes couldn't peel away from his.

Suddenly, his lips curved up into a perfect smile, then he released a throaty chuckle. "Well, then I guess you are fine." He sounded as if smiling at something amusing.

Aderyn blinked back to consciousness. "What??" Her voice croaked.

He shook his head, keeping the perfect smile that she noticed.

"Do you feel any pains?" he asked, pouring water for her.

She shook her head negatively, drinking from the glass. He sighed in relief, staring deeply at her. "I'm glad you are alright," he suddenly said in a whisper, but she could still hear. His smile was no longer on display; he was serious. Aderyn could only nod. A smile was creeping out but was stopped the instant his lips fell on hers.

She didn't know why, but she suddenly froze.