Chapter 93: THE RITUAL

Chapter 93

CYRIL’S POV

I insisted on coming with them even though Aloha tried convincing me against it.

“Your presence wouldn't be necessary, all she needs is your mate mark and we're good.’’ She'd interrupted when I spoke about joining them tonight back at the mansion.

Once Lance parked properly behind the black aventador Alan had driven the ladies with, I stepped out immediately, only to meet Alan's figure on the car bonnet. He turned instantly, alerted by my footsteps.

“I was waiting for your arrival. They are over there.’’ He approached, swatting his chin towards the thin pathway to the hilltop.

“Why are you parked here then?’’ Lance grumbled.

“Cause cars shouldn't be on the venue dummy. I dropped them off and drove down here to park.’’ Alan fired back nearly immediately.

Something seemed weirdly off about his demeanor lately, but I'd been preoccupied with more pressing matters to investigate further. Probably when all this is over, I choose to believe that he's just been stressed out with everything.

As we reached the top, Alessia's figure was the first thing in sight, standing at a distance. Aloha stood farther away, lighting white and red candles that were stuck into the ground to create a small circular pattern.

I swallowed a thick lump down my throat. Our footsteps must have announced our presence because both women turned in our direction.

While Alessia looked surprised, Aloha simply sighed and resumed with the candles.

I could see a thousand questions in Alessia’s eyes, but it seemed she'd vowed not to speak a word again since I left her wet on her pants. It wasn't intentional, time just didn't permit more.

Aloha went spreading a white substance to match the spaces between the candles into a perfect circle. She got a small round gourd with a feather in it, before looking up at Alessia.

“Come over.’’ She beckoned.

I could smell Alessia's fear like a burning gas in the air, although she tried to look calm so it was almost unnoticeable.

I stepped forward to grab her arm before she moved, gazing into her feeble green eyes.

“Get through this. Come back fine let's finish with what we started back at my chambers tonight.’’ I said, more like an order she must obey.

“Please let her, we must finish with the setting before midnight.’’ Aloha sounded.

Alessia quietly took her arm from me, heading down to meet Aloha without even a gesture of agreement or assurance.

I keep convincing myself to believe she didn't give up yet, but she keeps giving me reasons to think otherwise.

After restricting us from coming any close, Aloha made Alessia take off her slippers and stand in the circle. She took out something like a knife and approached Alessia. I didn’t realise what it really was until a painful whimper sounded from Alessia.

“What are you doing?’’ I screamed horrifically as blood streamed down Alessia's wrist into the gourd Aloha held in place.

I'd gotten on my heels immediately, propelled by shock and fright, but Alan and Lance were quick to stop me from going close.

“She's hurting her.’’ I snapped.

“It's just a part of the ritual requirements.’’ Lance chimed. “You're sure he can watch this?’’ He redirected to Alan.

“Aloha talked him against it but he wouldn't listen.’’

‘‘My king….’’

“Quiet!’’ I hushed, irritated by their silly chatters.

Aloha went dripping Alessia's blood into the candles, mixing the melted wax with the blood.

It was all too exhausting to watch, but more overwhelming to think about not watching.

“Get on your knees, eyes shut.’’ Aloha commanded, and Alessia got down immediately though slightly sluggish since she struggled with the pain from her wounded wrist.

“Fuck this whole shit!’’ I spat in deep frustration.

“Calm down. We don't have to be here yuuno….” Lance tried saying, but one hard glare from me locked the rest of his gibberish up in his throat.

“The time is now. No interruption is allowed henceforth. I'd rather you leave this moment if you won't be able to handle it.’’ Aloha announced, passing her gaze through each of us before turning back to Alessia in the circle.

“You are not to open your eyes let alone move a bulge from your spot no matter what happens, Alessia.’’ She instructed finally.

Shutting her eyes as she lifted the gourd which I guessed still had some content of Alessia's blood in it, she began reciting spells.

The atmosphere thickened with tension and perceivable dread every passing second with Aloha’s voice heightening.

“I don't think it was a good idea coming here.’’ Lance shuddered in silent fear. His echoing heartbeat was nothing compared to mine. My chest was going to burst open anytime soon.

A strange wind suddenly erupted, ravaging the hills with heavy whooshing sounds. I was forced to hold onto Lance and Alan for stability. But surprisingly, despite the whole chaos the candles didn't go off. Instead the fires lit up wilder, growing dangerously as Aloha chanted power over it.

I could barely see Alessia's figure through the ravaging candles, quivering unnaturally. I'd been doing so much holding back from moving any close, but a piercing scream leaving Alessia's lips was the last straw.

I raced madly to the scene, uncared about the fiercely blazing candles, or the whooshing wind terrorizing the haze, or even Aloha’s unyielding voice reciting further spells. I was getting Alessia the fuck out of this whole craziness.

I almost stormed into the circle, but an electrifying voltage like an invisible boundary protecting the circle struck me hard with a vehement force, sending my frame back with a flying thud.

“My king!’’ Alan and Lance screamed horrifically in unison, but none dared stepped closer to the scene.

Another agonizing scream from Alessia seized the air again. Only this time, I couldn't move a single limb. The striking voltage from the invisible bounding on the circle seemed to have paralyzed my bones.

I couldn't help but imagine if Alessia was probably going through worse.

“Stop this!’’ I yelled, having enough already.

Alessia had my pub. I couldn't let her die with it. I couldn't lose them both.

“Stop this, Aloha!!’’ I screamed desperately, my heart clogging with bitterness at my pathetic helplessness.