Chapter 104
The room was dimly lit, a soft glow from the candles casting dancing shadows on the walls. Amara sat beside me, her voice soothing as she read stories to my swollen belly. My hands rested on the expanse of my abdomen, feeling the movements of life within. It was a peaceful moment, a respite from the worries that had consumed me in recent weeks.
But suddenly, without warning, a searing pain lanced through me. I cried out, my body tensing as the agony coursed through my veins. Amara's voice faded into the background as the pain consumed my senses. It was as if a darkness had descended upon me, a malevolent force intent on tearing me apart from the inside.
Sharma's voice cut through the haze, urgent and commanding. "Get her to the center of the room, quickly!"
Strong arms lifted me, and I was placed within a circle of salt that Sharma had hastily drawn on the ground. The salt formed a barrier, protecting me from the sinister magic that was at work.
As if on instinct, Sharma began to prepare a bath, filling it with saltwater. I was lowered into the soothing embrace of the water, my body trembling from the pain that continued to ravage me. Every fiber of my being screamed in protest, as if I was being torn apart piece by piece.
Sharma's eyes were focused, her movements swift and purposeful. She began to speak words of incantation, her voice strong and unwavering. As she chanted, a sense of calm spread through the water, enveloping me in a cocoon of tranquility.
Beside the bath, Amara and Lewis worked together, gathering every piece of jewelry, every trinket, every book that had been given to me during my time in the hidden location. They piled them together, a stack of memories that suddenly felt tainted by the darkness that had befallen me.
Lewis left the room, his steps urgent as he rushed to find Alexander, to inform him of the dire situation. The seconds stretched into eternity as I clung to the edge of consciousness, the pain threatening to consume me entirely.
And then, as if a storm had passed, a presence filled the room. Alexander strode in, his eyes ablaze with a fierce determination. His gaze found mine, and in that moment, I felt a surge of strength unlike anything I had ever known.
He didn't hesitate, didn't waste a second. With powerful strides, he entered the water, his arms wrapping around me as if to shield me from the pain. His touch was both grounding and electrifying, his presence a lifeline that pulled me back from the abyss.
Sharma's voice rose in intensity, her incantations taking on a new fervor. The water around us shimmered with energy, a powerful force that seemed to battle against the darkness that had taken hold of me.
And then, as if a dam had burst, the pain receded. It was as if the darkness had been severed, the malevolent connection broken. Relief washed over me, leaving me breathless and weak.
Alexander held me close, his arms a sanctuary of safety. His gaze met mine, a fierce emotion burning within his eyes. "You're safe now, Lucy."
Tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of gratitude and overwhelming emotion. "Alexander, please... don't leave me again."
His grip on me tightened, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room. "I won't, Lucy. I promise you, I'll always be by your side."
As the tension in the room eased, I allowed myself to lean into his embrace, finding solace in his strength.The atmosphere in the room was heavy with a mix of tension and relief as I returned from the harrowing experience. Karen, her red hair a fiery contrast to her stern expression, stepped forward, her eyes fixed on me.
"Alexander, this was a bad idea," she declared, her voice carrying a weight of concern. "Lucy should have remained hidden until the child was born. It's not safe for her to be out in the open."
Alexander's gaze met mine, his jaw clenched with a mix of determination and worry. "I can't keep her hidden away like a prisoner, Karen."
Karen's eyes remained steady, her tone unwavering. "I understand the sentiment, but this isn't just about sentiment. Lucy's presence is a danger magnet, and now that she's carrying a hybrid, the risks are even higher."
Before Alexander could respond, Sharma's voice cut through the conversation. "Karen, even if Lucy had remained hidden, the darkness that attacked her isn't something that can be evaded by mere physical distance. Dark magic can track, it can infiltrate. There's no running from it."
Karen's gaze shifted to Sharma, her expression a mix of skepticism and concern. "Are you saying we're powerless against this magic?"
Sharma's eyes held a glint of determination. "Not powerless, but we need to address this head-on. The best way to protect Lucy, the child, and all of us is to face the threat, to eliminate it."
Alexander's gaze shifted from Karen to Sharma, his voice firm. "Sharma, what do you suggest?"
Sharma took a deep breath, her expression serious. "We need to be vigilant, to find those who are orchestrating this dark magic. We can't afford to wait until they strike again. We need to seek out the threats and eliminate them."
Karen's eyes narrowed as she considered Sharma's words. "And how do you propose we do that? How do we find them?"
Sharma's lips curved into a determined smile. "I have my ways. I can tap into the darker aspects of magic to trace their presence, their intentions. But it won't be easy, and it won't be without risks."
Alexander's gaze remained fixed on Sharma, a mix of skepticism and reliance. "And what if this leads us into a trap?"
Sharma's expression turned serious. "We'll tread carefully, and we won't act blindly. But hiding away won't keep us safe either. We need to face this darkness head-on, together."
Karen's shoulders relaxed slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "If there's a way to root out these threats and protect Lucy and the child, then I'm with you. But we need to be strategic, calculated."
Alexander nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting from Karen to me. "Lucy, what do you think?"
My heart pounded in my chest as all eyes turned to me. I swallowed, my gaze meeting Alexander's with a mixture of determination and apprehension. "I trust Sharma's expertise. If this is the only way to keep our child safe and eliminate the threats, then we have to face it together."
Sharma's smile was a mix of gratitude and resolve. "Then it's settled. We won't be driven into hiding by fear. We'll confront the darkness and protect what's ours."
As the conversation continued, my heart swelled with a sense of unity and purpose. The challenges ahead were daunting, the threats ominous, but I knew that we were not alone in this battle. With the strength of our bond and the determination of those around us, we would face the darkness head-on and emerge victorious, no matter the cost.