Chapter 34 The Offer from Lilith
Amara’s POV
The wind died.
All of a sudden, everything froze. Snarls of cursed wolves and cries from warriors froze in mid-air. Even the fire crackling close to the woods stopped, the flames hanging as though they were held in place by unseen hands.
My throat tightened with each breath.
There was a problem.
With his sword lifted and his face twisted in a sneer, Kian stood a few feet away from me. He wasn't moving, though. Rowan, who had just jumped into the air in the middle of an attack, wasn't either. It was all glass now.
Except for me.
As well as her.
Lilith.
Unharmed, she sailed across the battlefield. Her long white hair glistened with frost, and her black gown remained steady. Her crimson eyes met mine.
"So you're the girl they're willing to die for," she said in a quiet voice that reverberated through the room.
Despite my heart pounding, I remained steadfast. "I'm the Obsidian Pack's Amara. And you don't frighten me.
Her mouth twisted. "Brave. But stupid.
Rowan fell hard behind me, grunting as the frozen spell around him broke, and I turned slightly. He was moving again, too, somehow.
His look strayed to Lilith as he stumbled to his feet. "What have you done to all of them? "
Lilith smiled and whispered, "Calm down." "They're secure. Paused for the time being. I wanted a private chat.”
“Then talk to me,” Rowan said, moving ahead of me to protect me.
Lilith narrowed her eyes in curiosity. "It's always so easy to play the hero." She circled us slowly. "Rowan, I have an offer. One that will prevent death. Hers as well.
I took a step forward. "We don't want it, whatever it is."
Lilith, however, disregarded me. She continued to look at Rowan. "You are concerned about her. Do you think so more than the others? "
Rowan's mouth clenched. He remained silent.
Lilith declared, "I could put an end to this war today." "I could keep Amara safe. There would never be another fight for her. No more blood. No more suffering. Both of you might vanish. Live.
At last, Rowan's voice was low and irate. "For what? "
Lilith smiled once again. The Obsidian Pack was betrayed. Get away from them. Drop them. They are already feeble. Kian is the only thing keeping them together. Take him out, and I'll make sure Amara stays safe.
My heart was racing.
"Rowan," I said in a whisper.
He gave me a conflicted expression. Then Lilith again. Would I turn against my people, do you think? "
Lilith's head cocked. "You are not their people. Not really. Kian has never trusted you. Do you honestly believe Amara would allow you to stay if he weren't caught between you two? "
I took a deep breath. Her remarks were poisonous.
"I don't care what you think," Rowan snarled. I will never turn on them. I will never turn on her.
Lilith's eyes grew gloomy. "What a shame. Boy, you'll regret that.
She looked back at me. "And you, Amara. Are you truly confident in both? "
I didn't respond. I was unable to. Confusion twisted my heart.
“All right,” Lilith growled. The ice landscape around us started to melt when she held up her palm.
Time jerked back into alignment. All at once, the roars, shouts, and howling of battle returned.
However, Lilith's voice slithered into Rowan's ear before she vanished into the mist.
"Consider it. Only one of you will live when the moment comes.
Then she was gone.
I looked at Rowan, but I couldn't read his face. It was heavy in my chest.
There was a change.
And I sensed it down under the ground.
A stirring.
A darker, older presence than Lilith.
It was the Hollow Witch's awakening.
From the ridge, I observed Rowan.
The snow swirled around his feet as he stood motionless where Lilith had left him. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his jaw was taut.
With my boots crunching in the snow, I approached gently. "Are you alright? I inquired gently.
His eyes were furious as he turned toward me. "She gave me everything."
My stomach turned over. "What are you saying? "
She promised to grant me authority. Enough to keep you safe. With a sour tone, he said, "Enough to stop all of this." "I only needed to betray the pack."
Unsure of what to say, I just stared at him. "And... did you think about it? "
He lowered his shoulders. "No. She knew what to say, though. She is aware of us. Regarding my feelings.
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I looked down. "Rowan"
He said, "She said Kian is keeping something from you." "That he is not who you believe him to be."
I scowled. She only plays that game. She desires to destroy us.
He gave a headshake. However, what if she is correct? What if Kian and you don't have a bond? "
I took a step forward, my voice firm. She shouldn't make that decision. And you are aware of it.
Rowan ran a hand through his hair and said, "I know." However, I can't get her words out of my head. She gave the impression that I was only your backup plan.
I flinched. "No one is beneath you." However, envy is not appropriate at this moment. We must wage a war.
His voice trembled, "I just..." "I'd rather not lose you."
My hand touched his arm. "You won't. Not unless you abandon everything that we are attempting to safeguard.
His look met mine. "Are you confident in him? "
I paused. It was a profound question. Was Kian someone I trusted? Completely?
"I'd like to," I replied. He has battled with me. Beside me, bleed. However, I am not fully informed about him. I don't know everything about you, just like that.
Rowan's jaw tensed once again. Take care of him, Amara. He may harm you more severely than anyone else if Lilith is correct.
I took a small step back. "You're allowing her to influence your thoughts."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps she has already entered his.
The ground shook beneath us before I could respond. From the earth came a low, ancient, dreadful groaning sound.
My heart stopped beating.
"What was that? With his look sweeping the horizon, Rowan inquired.
I took a while to respond. It was there in my bones. Within my blood.
There was a stirring.
"The Hollow Witch"
The primordial darkness that lies beneath Obsidian's territory.
I knelt and pressed my hand to the chilly ground. It pulsed beneath me, like a heartbeat. A dark one.
I said, fear building in my breast, "She's waking up."
Rowan was kneeling next to me. “Who? "
“The Hollow Witch. She is more than a myth. She must have been woken by Lilith, or she is being used.
Rowan appeared pallid. "It is already too late if that is the case."
I stood, determination burning in me. “Not yet. There is still time.
However, I knew in my heart that the actual conflict had not yet started.