Chapter 321: The Ultimate Risk

Chapter 321: The Ultimate Risk
Cyrus's POV

Ravenna moved through her small kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards until she found a wooden bowl. She returned to the table, placing it in the center. Then she walked to the other side of the kitchen, searching through some drawers until she found a bag of coffee grounds.

She pulled a knife from another drawer, placed it on the table, and sat down.

Opening the coffee bag, she sprinkled some of the grounds into the bowl. Then she picked up the knife, hovering her palm over the bowl.

Just before Ravenna was about to cut her palm, a violent knocking at the door diverted our attention.

"I'll see who it is," Elizabeth said, rising to her feet.

Elizabeth walked to the door and opened it.

"There's something outside! It's in the distance!" a young woman stammered.

I quickly stood up and followed Elizabeth outside. When we saw what Thalia had spotted in the distance, we both froze simultaneously.

There was a massive cloud in the sky; or maybe it was smoke. It looked like it was surging toward us.

"It's coming fast," Elizabeth breathed.

Sebastian, whom I hadn't noticed was right behind us, said, "That's the dark curse. It will render everyone powerless."

Ravenna also gazed outside and said, "I don't think my shields will be enough to stop it."

She took a deep breath, glancing at the young woman who was trembling in the corner.

"Tell everyone to get inside their homes," Ravenna commanded. Then she looked at me. "We need to perform this spell quickly, before I lose my power."

We hurried back inside, gathering around her kitchen table.

Sebastian stood at the door, watching the dark curse approach with a grim expression.

"We have less than a minute. Cast the spell now!" he announced.

Ravenna began chanting in Latin; as she spoke, a wild wind howled around her house, whipping our hair. The table began to shake violently, and she gripped the bowl tightly.

As the lights began to flicker, Sebastian started counting down from fifteen.

When he reached five seconds, Ravenna grabbed the knife.

With a quick slash, the blade cut across her palm, and blood poured into the bowl. To my surprise, flames shot up from the wooden bowl, and the entire room grew hot.

When Sebastian finished counting, he rushed inside, slamming and locking the door behind him.

"It's here!" The entire house began to shake and tremble like an earthquake.

The flames started to die down, and at that moment, darkness covered the windows and began seeping into the house.

Soon, everything was pitch black.

Maeve's POV

"What do we do? Sit here and watch?" one of the rogue guards asked.

"You heard the boss; we need to make sure nothing happens to her. The ritual is still hours away, and she doesn't want any accidents," the other guard grumbled.

I listened to these rogues talk about me as if I wasn't even there, my heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but it wasn't working.

"So what's the plan with this ritual anyway?" one guard asked, trying to make conversation with the other.

"I think they plan to drain all the blood from this Callisto and have the other girl drink it. Something like that," he shrugged.

"What's the point of creating another Callisto? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" the first guard muttered.

"It's to create some sort of ultimate weapon, apparently."

Hearing their words made my stomach twist. I gently touched my belly, knowing I was carrying pups who would never see the world if I didn't find a way out soon. I couldn't let that happen.

"Did you see the girl they're planning to turn into a Callisto? She looks like she could die any minute."

"That's probably why she's in the medical room upstairs."

I shot to my feet; Juniper was in the medical room upstairs? I was certain that if Juniper knew the truth, she would never agree to this. I had to find a way to see Juniper.

I swallowed hard, trying to think of the best way to get to the medical room.

"I might have an idea... but it's risky," Katie's voice was filled with uncertainty.

She had been quiet for most of the day, so hearing her voice startled me.

"What is it?" I quickly asked.

Katie was silent for a moment, seeming to choose her words carefully.

"Katie... tell me. What is it?" I urged.

"Okay, so here's the plan... I have a little bit of power and energy left. It's the only way I can fully shift and be with you."

"Hm?" I said impatiently.

"We need to get to the medical room, and I don't think they're going to let us go unless something really serious happens."

"Katie, please get to the point..."

Katie was silent for another moment before continuing. "There's a way to ensure they rush us to the medical room immediately. They have wolfsbane here... which means they probably have holy water too."

My entire heart sank. "Katie, I'm severely allergic to holy water. I could die."

"If they get you to the medical room fast enough, they'll save you. It takes a while for holy water to actually kill you."

"I'm pregnant. I can't risk our pups' lives."

"I possess the ability to shield them from the holy water's effects. With my remaining energy, I can offer protection, though it would subsequently force me into hibernation."

"This is too risky... I can't—"

"We need to get to find Juniper, Maeve. If we don't, they'll kill us, and that vessel will be born. This is bigger than us."

With a deep breath, I nodded. Katie seemed certain she could protect our pups, and I had no alternative. I had to trust her.

Noticing the distracted guards, I struck the metal bars and shouted, "Release me, you bastards, or I'll slaughter you all!"

They turned, startled. "Bold words from a prisoner," one remarked, crossing his arms.

"You believe this cage restrains me? I'm the mightiest Callisto alive," I sneered.

"What's she talking about? Phoebe assured us this would hold her," one guard questioned.

"She's bluffing. She can't escape," but his voice had grown cautious.

Drawing on Katie's energy, I approached him with a fierce growl. "Only holy water truly subdues a Callisto wolf," I stated, maintaining eye contact.

"Holy water?" he called nervously. "Fetch holy water in a dart gun from medical."

The other rogue ran out at top speed. The one who stayed kept his eyes on me.

"You're in trouble now," he hissed.

As his companion rushed out, he glared. "You'll regret this."

I continued my feral act, violently shaking the cage. When holy water returned with the dart gun, the first guard commanded, "Shoot before she escapes!"

I intensified my growls as Katie's energy enveloped my belly, safeguarding our pups.

"Trust me..." she whispered.

When the dart struck my neck, I surrendered to the sting and the cold liquid entering my veins.

Everything turned frigid; I couldn't breathe.

Before darkness claimed me, one thought remained: These bastards better not let me die.