Chapter 16: The Mastermind Behind It All
I can’t find Arisen anywhere in the house, so I head for his secret spot in the forest. I’m surprised when I don’t find Arisen, but Azriel is sitting on the bench, staring at the still water in the pool. He doesn’t look up when I push myself through the bushes.
“Azriel?” I ask. “Are you okay? How do you know about this place? I thought Ari kept it hidden from everyone else.”
“I followed him here once,” he says. His voice is dull and he doesn’t turn to look at me.
I frown in confusion but decide not to push the issue. “I’m trying to find Ari,” I say. “I have something important to tell him. Do you know where he is?”
Azriel glances at me. “In a meeting with Forrester,” he answers. “What news do you have?”
“I know who the murderer is,” I blurt. “It’s Gabriel. I just saw him leaving the island.”
Azriel doesn’t even flinch as he turns back to the water. “He’s only following orders,” he mutters.
I take a step back when his words register in my brain. “What?”
“Gabriel,” Azriel says. He rises and pulls a dagger from the back of his pants, turning to face me. “He’s only following orders. I couldn’t do any of the murders myself. I don’t like getting my hands dirty and I couldn’t let my brother suspect me. So, Gabriel volunteered. No one would suspect him.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask. My voice betrays my fear.
“You’re too smart, kid,” he answers. “And now that you know the truth about who are you, I can’t let you live. As long as the Celestial Heir lives, I will never have control. My brother is weak. He isn’t fit to rule. I should be King, not him. And we don’t need some outsider who only just found out what she is to take over the throne. I hate for my brother to lose his soulmate after just finding her, but with time he’ll get over it.” He steps closer to me, pointing the blade at my chest.
“Why?” I whisper. “Your brother will never forgive you for this. You’ll lose everything.”
He shrugs. “I already did when I lost Carlita,” he replies. “I won’t stop until everyone pays. The world will run with blood by the time I’m done. I will build a new empire. I will have my revenge.” He doesn’t say anything else as he steps closer to me, brandishing the dagger.
I back away until I hit the bushes. “So, this is what you’ve chosen?” I ask in a shaky voice. “There’s no coming back from this, Azriel.”
He smiles cruelly. “And to think you fell for my act,” he shakes his head. “Your bleeding heart will be your downfall, princess. I just need a little more time of my brother being completely oblivious to set my plan in motion.”
“There won’t be any more time for that as soon as you harm me. Ari will know and he’ll avenge my death. I won’t let you do this,” I snap. He lunges at me, but I press backward, sliding through the bushes. The momentum carries me further and I fall onto my back in the forest. I waste no time as I scramble to my feet and take off running towards the beach. He said Arisen is in a meeting with Keanu. I just have to make it to them. I’m still a way away from the beach when a searing pain slices through my back, bringing me to my knees. A hoarse cry rips from my lips as I wrap my hands around my torso, clawing at the skin on my back. It feels like the skin and muscles are being shredded. I squeeze my eyes shut as I scream in pain. Everything fades away as I’m lost in an endless sea of misery. I’m not sure how long I lay on the forest floor in a fetal position but the pain leaves as suddenly as it appeared. My back feels sore as I slowly uncurl my body, stretching out.
Azriel stands nearby, leaning against a tree and fiddling with his blade. “Looks like the glamour officially wore off,” he says. “Too bad you won’t be able to stretch your powers and know what you’re capable of as the Celestial Heir.” He steps over to me and kneels by my side, placing a hand on my shoulder and pushing me flatter against the ground.
I’m exhausted as I stare up at the little bit of blue sky peeking through the treetops. I wonder if this is how I die. Am I really going to die at eighteen, before I’ve even had the chance to live? I think about Arisen and how devastated he’ll be. He’ll be vulnerable. It would be the perfect time for Azriel to attack when his brother is broken from his soulmate dying. It’s that thought, the thought of Arisen being destroyed, that pushes me to fight. Rage simmers just below the surface and explodes in a sudden ball of light ripping from my chest. Light floods the forest, blinding me for a second before my eyes adjust to it. My skin glows brightly as if I’m a human flashlight.
Fear flashes across Azriel’s face and he scrambles backward, holding his dagger out in front of him. I’m flooded with new energy, and I push myself to my feet. I feel like a new person and as I turn to Azriel, the anger turns to sadness.
“You chose the wrong path, Azriel,” I say in a voice that echoes around the clearing.
His lips curl into a sneer. “I don’t think so.” Before I can react, he throws the dagger at me.
I stare down in shock at the hilt of the blade embedded in my abdomen. The pain follows a second later and I groan, once again falling to my knees. I wrap my hands around the dagger and hold them to the wound, hoping to stop the blood flow. The sound of beating wings alerts me to the rapid approach of my soulmate.
Azriel glares at me. “This isn’t over, kid,” he growls. “We’ll have our war.” He disappears into the shadows without another word.
“Samara!” Arisen shouts as he lands by my side, kicking up a plume of dust. He wraps his arms around my body, and I lean against him heavily, soaking up his comfort and sighing in relief. “What happened?”
“Lots,” I manage to gasp. “Help.” He scoops me into his arms, and I lean my head against his neck, closing my eyes as I finally welcome the darkness.