Chapter 25 Blood Bonds
Amara’s POV
When Mira brought me into the sacred circle, the night was calm. I had no idea what to anticipate. As I stepped barefoot onto the cool, dewy grass, my hands shook a little. Above us, the moon hung large and full, illuminating the clearing with a faint glow. Symbols were drawn on the ground in silver powder, and candles flickered everywhere. With each breath I drew, they shone dimly.
With a calm yet forceful tone, Mira stated, "This ritual will uncover truths that are hidden deep within your soul." It could be painful. You might notice things that you dislike. However, you must comprehend who you were and what you are carrying.
Kian was standing close by, keeping a watchful eye. With his jaw tight and his arms folded, Rowan took a position farther back. The tension between them was palpable to me, like a storm that was about to erupt. But they weren't the focus of tonight. It has to do with me.
I nodded, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm prepared."
Mira knelt before me and dipped her fingers into a basin of moon water that contained crushed moonstone and herbs. She touched my hands, then my chest, then my forehead.
She said, "Close your eyes."
I did what I was told.
"Take a deep breath."
I took a deep breath.
"Now release it."
Something changed inside of me the instant I released my breath. Around us, the wind started to stir. The candles were crazily flickering. My mark was blazing hot. I gasped as a frigid sensation swept across my body.
All of a sudden, I was no longer in the jungle.
I was in another place.
A large hall. There are torches on the walls. A throne of gold. And me, with my long, flowing hair, dressed in silver and white. Selene, my wolf, was standing next to me, glowing. I was a Priestess. A leader. A guardian.
Then I caught sight of him.
Rowan.
He was wearing old warrior gear, but not as he currently appeared. His eyes were ferocious and his face was desperate as he approached me.
In the vision, he declared, "I have to protect you." "They will pursue you. The witches are aware of your identity.
In my memory, I said, "You swore loyalty," in a tone that was colder than I had ever heard myself. "You made a vow of love."
His look shifted. Hardened.
Then there was betrayal. He lifted his sword. My wolf let forth a cry. I felt a sharp pain.
He had hit me.
I let out a yell.
I staggered back, the vision gone. The sacred circle's air became heavy and dense. I shuddered. I was having trouble breathing.
"No!" I clutched my head as I sobbed. "That wasn't real, no!"
Mira tried to steady me by holding out her hands. "Listen to me, Amara! Your former life was what you saw. One of several. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Pale and trembling, Rowan took a step forward. "I also saw it," he said. "I saw who I was and what I did."
There was horror in his eyes.
With a broken voice, he said, "I killed you." "In your previous life, I deceived you."
My face started to well up with tears. "Why? Why would you act in such a way?
With his hands in his hair, Rowan fell to his knees. "I'm not sure. I believed I was keeping you safe. However, I was mistaken. I opened the door to the darkness. I opened the door for her.
Mira's look expanded. "Her?"
"The Hollow Witch," said Rowan. She was present. Even so.
The candles were swirled out by the abrupt howl of the wind. Across the trees, shadows danced.
Then my wrist erupted with anguish.
My mark became bright as a brand. Pulsing with vitality, glowing red and gold. I let out a cry and collapsed to the floor.
"Amara!" Kian yelled and hurried over to me.
Waves of dark energy erupted from my mark, jagged and harsh. It struck out in all directions. The trees stooped. The Earth splintered. The air was scorched.
Just as a burst of energy blasted past where Rowan had been crouching, Mira grabbed him and pulled him back.
"It's the connection!" Mira shouted above the din. "The betrayal is remembered by her spirit!"
"I didn't intend to!" With terrified eyes, Rowan sobbed.
I squirmed in Kian's arms, but he held me tight. "Amara, hold on. You are more powerful than this. You are not a prisoner of her!
But I was unable to stop it. The power continued to flow. I had visions of blood in the moonlight, fire dropping from the sky, and wolves battling.
Then—her face.
"The Hollow Witch"
Grinning.
Observing.
Feeding off the chaos.
Her voice simultaneously sounded like a whisper and a scream as it echoed through my mind.
"I own your soul, Priestess." future, present, and past.
When the power peaked, I yelled once more.
Everything turned white.
And I heard Mira whisper, terrified, right before I fainted—
"She's making progress."