Chapter 52

Nuri gasped and pulled her grip away from Dominic's face. She gazed at the ground, her body trembling with emotions. The werewolves stared at her in concern as Dominic inched away in caution. Nuri tore her gaze away from the floor and faced Dominic.

"You!" She snapped at him. Her eyes were now filled with rage. The sound of thunder was heard outside as the manor shook violently.

"It was you!" Nuri continued. "The whole time it was you. You destroyed my village!"

Dominic trembled at her heated gaze while Verona stared at her in confusion.

"Nuri." Verona stepped closer. "What's going on? What do you mean?"

Nuri faced her and then returned her gaze back to Dominic.

"This monster is responsible for the destruction of our village," Nuri said.

"But, Matteo," Verona said.

"Matteo was compelled!" Nuri cut her off. "Compelled by this beast that stands before me!"

"What?" Verona halted as the throat hit her. She felt woozy all of a sudden. She stumbled backwards into the arms of Jeremy.

"I got you," he said calmly.

He then turned towards the drama that was unfolding before them. Nuri was walking dangerously close to Dominic, her eyes filled with hatred and anger.

"For sixteen years," she growled. "You manipulated me. Twisted my emotions and turned me against the very spirits I worshipped and the sister I loved. You made me believe that humans were evil. This whole time I was angry at the wrong people and stood by the wrong person. You claim that werewolves are savage beasts but you're no better. You are a heartless monster, Dominic. You don't deserve...."

Overwhelmed with blind rage, Nuri failed to see Dominic reach behind him until it was too late. A sharp scream escaped her throat as Dominic plunged a dagger into her chest.

"You were always too easy, Nuri." He drove the dagger deeper. "It's a pity the dissolution of our alliance has to happen this way."

"Nuri!" Verona cried out in horror.

Nuri's eyes widened with shock as blood flowed out of her lips. The rest of the room were petrified with shock and Dominic took advantage. He sped out of the room before anyone could react.

"Dominic!" Jeremy sped out of the room in pursuit. Mandy made to go after him but Gerard put a hand on her shoulder.

"Uncle G!" She stared at him questioningly.

"He'll be fine," Gerard said. "Trust him."

Mandy noticed his eyes were not on her as he spoke. But rather on the unconscious form of Dahlia. She was yet to wake up since they had arrived. Mandy took a clearer look at her uncle's face and saw something. Fear and Worry. Her eyes then darted to Dahlia. Her chest rose and fell slowly. She seemed to be getting weaker.

Verona had gathered Nuri into her arms. Nuri coughed violently and opened her eyes. She smiled weakly at Verona.

"Nuri," Verona called out softly.

"I'm so sorry, sister," Nuri chuckled weakly.

"'Sister'" Verona smiled through the tears. "I never thought I would hear you use that word again."

"That is because you've always been that to me," Nuri replied. "I was too blinded by misguided rage to see that."

"You can heal," Verona said.

"I've lost a lot of blood." Nuri stared at the pool of blood before them. "You know how the spell works."

Tears began to flow from her eyes as she stared upwards at Verona.

"I can heal you, sister," Verona said. "Please, let me save you. Please."

"No." Nuri shook her head. "After the crimes I committed against humanity and my treachery against the spirits, I don't deserve their gift of life. I guess I have received my just reward."

Verona held her tightly as tears began to flow harder. Nuri turned her gaze towards the fallen Dahlia.

"Heal the vampire," Nuri said to vampire. "Use your powers to heal her. She needs the strength to bear that child within her. That child's life is very important."

Gerard perked up as he heard those words. He gazed at Verona and their eyes met. He gave her a pleading look. Verona shut her eyes tight in consideration and then opened them to stare at her friend. She nodded.

"You've been steadfast in keeping the laws despite all you've faced and how much I tried to turn you away." Nuri smiled, her voice now hoarse. "I feel the light dimming from my eyes and my soul leaving this world. Before I depart, I have a parting gift for you."

Nuri raised her hand weakly and touched Verona's cheek. She chanted as a purple glow left her and entered Verona. Verona winced in pain and opened her eyes, one of which glowed purple. A smile crossed her face as she understood what happened. Nuri had just given her her powers.

"Thank you, sister." She smiled down at her friend.

Her smile left her face when Nuri's lifeless eyes met hers. Verona's body shook with sobs as she put her hand over her friend's eyes to seal them shut.

"Rest in peace, sister." She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Nuri's forehead. "And may the spirits forgive you and welcome you to their abode."

Placing the deceased body of her friend aside, she turned around to Dahlia's unconscious form. She stared at Gerard and Mandy who gave her hopeful looks. Sighing, she stretched her hand over Dahlia's body and chanted a foreign tone. Her left eye glowed purple and Dahlia's form did as well.

A groan escaped Dahlia's lips as her eyes fluttered open. Gerard's eyes widened with surprise and words could barely escape his lips. Overcome with joy, he rushed towards Dahlia and scooped her in his arms.

"Gerard?" Dahlia clutched him tightly. Her eyes darted around the room frantically at intervals.

"It's okay. It's me," he soothed. "I'm here."

Dahlia's eyes shifted to Mandy who waved at her. She smiled in return and then her eyes landed to Verona and a gasp escaped her lips.

"Verona!" she cried. "Your eye!"

"I know." Verona smiled. The iris of her other eye was now a permanent purple. Dahlia tilted her head sideways in confusion and then her eyes landed on the dead body of Nuri.

"What happened?" she questioned.

Verona filled her gaze to the body and sighed.

"A lot," she said.

Dahlia stared at the body for a while and then something hit her.

"Where's Dominic?"