Chapter 266: The end?

Aria's pov

The vampires approach us next, led by Azreal, who is shirtless and streaked with blood against his pale skin.

He walks alongside his brother, Stanley—the boy I had helped during our mock evaluation—and Stephan. Azreal steps up, shaking Kael's hand firmly before turning to me with a smile.

"I knew from the very moment you helped my brother that you were going to change this place. I've told you before, but if there is ever anything you need, at any time, my coven is at your absolute service."

"Thank you," I smile back, doubting I would ever need to call in such a debt now that Benson is gone, yet feeling a comforting warmth knowing I have allies.

Looking past them, I spot Adrian. His jacket is gone, his shirt is torn and stained with blood, but his eyes are shining and he is very much alive. He doesn't approach us but stays back and offers me a smile.

"You did it, beautiful," he whispers, knowing I will hear it.

Tears cloud my vision as a wave of overwhelming affection washes over me. I know Kael won’t like it but I run straight to him, throwing my arms around his neck as he catches me, lifting me off the ground into a deep, comforting embrace. A serene, profound sense of peace settles over me almost like when I’m in Kael’s arms.

"No, we did it," I whisper back into the crook of his neck, squeezing him tight before letting go.

As I look up into his striking face, I catch a fleeting flicker of raw emotion passing through his face—a deep, painful longing—maybe pain—before he quickly masks it behind his signature, arrogant grin.

I turn to watch the rest of the students and staff streaming up the driveway. Some are being supported between their friends, while others limp along. Mr benson had forgotten he had forced them to train like warriors and I feel a sense of pride that they were able to hold their own.

"Princess," a familiar, suave voice calls out.

And I see Lucien walking toward me. He has bruises on him and he cradles one of his arm against his chest. I step forward, wrapping my arms gently around his uninjured side.

"I knew you were a complete badass the absolute moment I met you," Lucien chuckles as I pull back to inspect his injuries.

"You're quite the badass yourself, Lucien," I counter.

"Well, naturally," he winks, giving me his usual cheeky grin that makes me roll my eyes.

Then I see something I didn’t expect among the students.

Thallia is walking towards us and beside her is Nerezza.

And Vibe.

Thalric must have spot them too because he sprints past me towards them.

He throws his arms around Vibe, giving him a rough slap on the back, before turning to engulf Nerezza in a passionate hug that lifts her off the floor. He twirls her around before setting her down, resting his forehead against the vampire's. Their eyes closes and I can feel their love even from the distance. Thallia joins them, the three making a circle.

I look away to give them privacy and instead met Vibe’s eyes.

Thank you his voice echoes inside my head.

I nod, my heart soaring with a light, profound relief knowing that our battle hadn't cost them everything.

"Miss Evans," a stern, authoritative voice calls out, making me turn to face the Dean Gary.

Like all the other shifters who had fought, he is completely naked.

Ohhhh lord.

My eyes to widen in shock before I force my gaze to remain rigidly glued to his face.

"Thank you," Dean Gary says.

He extends his hand toward me, and I take it, startled when he lowers his eyes to the floor—a formal, absolute submission recognizing me as his superior.

"Please, let's not do that," I say tugging my hand back. "I don’t like it."

"Of course, Miss Evans," he says before he let go of my hand and walk towards the administration building.

I take a deep breathe and look around.

We were all free.

It’s finished.

“Benson is right though,” Professor Claude says from beside me. “There are stronger things out there that is a threat to us. But I know you can take care of yourself.”

I don’t want to think about whatever Mr Benson said.

“What happens now. There is no head of coucil.”

“Trust me. There’s always people ready to take his place,” Professor Claude says. “But let’s not worry  about that for now. We lost some people.”

My heart fills with pain. We had to tell Nathaniel parents and all the other parents that their kids are gone. A pair of warm, strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling my back m against a broad chest as Kael rests his chin on my head.

"You saved every single one of us, baby," Kael says. You freed us all, and our lives will be forever changed because of the sacrifices made today."

Yes. But our freedom had come at such a devastating cost.

"Has anyone seen Draven?" Dante asks as he and Jaxon wander back over to us, looking around the crowded courtyard. "That absolute insane stunt he pulled with the fire was epic."

"Knowing him, he probably slunk back off to his dark hollow to brood," Jaxon says. "It’s always mysteries with that guy.”

I chuckle as the comforting banter flows around me, warming my heart.

"Wait, didn't you say he couldn't shift during the day because of some ancient bloodline curse or something?" Dante asks, turning to Kael with a frown.

"Yeah, that's supposed to be true," Kael answers.

I open my mouth to explain but a movement infront of me catches my eye……too late….

If I had only been paying closer attention, if I hadn't let down my guard in the euphoria of victory, I might have seen the danger in time.

Just twenty feet away, my father is bending down to help a limping staff member, his back completely exposed and behind him, Councilor Silena creeps forward through the smoke, her scorched face twisted into a mask of pure, unhinged vengeance. She grips a long, silver blade, drawing her arm back as the sunlight glints off the deadly edge, aiming straight for his neck.

She is going to kill him.

"Dad!!"

The scream tears from my throat as I throw myself forward, starting to shift as I leap across the broken stones. Silena lunges, plunging the blade downward just as I slam my body into my father, shoving him out of the weapon's trajectory and the steel drives deep into my back, piercing straight through my skin, muscle and comes out through my chest.

I let out a shriek of agony, shifting back, just as I hear Kael's blood-curdling roar as momentum rips the blade free and I crash hard onto the floor.

Beside me, I see two massive wolves descend on Silena, tearing her body apart but I know with absolute, terrifying certainty that their revenge is far too late.

I can feel it.

My life force rapidly ebbing away, my blood draining out onto the cold stone. Lux lets out an agonizing, heartbreaking wail of pain and I feel our connection begins to flicker and dim. I ‘m lying on my side, paralyzed by the cold void creeping into my limbs, unable to draw a single breath into my crushed lungs.

A few feet away, I see Kael fall to the ground, his chest heaving as blood leaks from his own lips. He groans in excruciating pain, but through sheer, impossible force of will, he drags his body across the ground, pulling himself towards me inch by painful inch.

Kael…

Aria….

I can hear the chaos around us but but all of it fades as my focus narrows down to the man crawling toward me. We were fated to feel everything together, bound in life and united in death, and even as I feel my life drain, Kael pushes through the agonizing torment just to narrow the distance between us. He stretches his arm out across the bloody stones, his breathing ragged, his eyes brimming with tears.

Aria….

I force my own hand to slide forward, our fingertips touch before my hand falls to the ground and my eyes close as he screams my name.

I’m so hopelessly wrong.

I will never get to live the life I hoped for with my mate by my side……

And I will never get to show him my favorite place.