Chapter 49 The Old Magic
Amara’s POV
Once more, the earth under the altar rumbled.
At the edge of the grove, I stopped running for some reason. My chest quickly rose and sank. I wanted to keep going, but the altar's pull pulled at me like an uncut thread.
I went around again.
The altar's light was no longer gentle. It had a strong, bright brightness that was nearly blinding. Silver and white and wild, the engravings throbbed with ancient force.
My heart was racing. "What do you want me to see? "
I went to my knees in front of the altar as a powerful blast of wind struck me. As though I had no control, my hand reached out on its own. I gasped as my fingers dug into the stone.
Everything vanished from my surroundings.
Darkness. Then the moon shone brightly.
I was hovering somewhere in the middle, not on the earth, nor in the sky.
Around me, voices rose.
Not upset. Not mean. But powerful. Stern. Old.
"Priestess," someone said quietly. "You've located us once more."
"Are you looking for the old ways?” Someone else inquired. “Do you agree to the cost? "
"How much?” I shivered and said.
Once more, the light flashed.
All of a sudden, I experienced unpleasant, quick, and sharp visuals.
Arms up, a woman stood on a precipice. Moonlight streamed into her hands, creating a shimmering weapon that was a combination of flame and blade. Her hands burned, but she saved her people by sending it crashing into a shadow beast.
One more picture. With her eyes flashing white and her mate's body broken, the same woman stood before him. She had put power before love.
Additional visions. Before me were priestesses. They all have the same mark. To keep the globe safe, they are all using light and moonfire.
But they were all in pain.
None of them retained both magic and affection.
Tears streamed down my face. "I don't want to make a decision."
A soft yet forceful voice answered. "You have to."
Once more, the altar ignited.
It exploded with moonlight that hit my chest hard.
I let out a yell.
It was not a cut-like discomfort. It was more profound. As if my soul were being cut with something. I was afraid my mark could melt off my skin because it was so hot.
"No! Hold on!” I sobbed.
However, it continued.
My eyes went white.
I had visions of calling down the moon, conjuring healing breezes, and turning light into a weapon, but each time the suffering intensified.
Something inside of me broke.
Next, reconstruct.
Break once again.
I was having trouble breathing.
Gleaming white light split my flesh, and the mark began to creep up my arms, onto my shoulders, and around my ribs.
I gasped and fell forward, my entire body shaking.
Then—
Quiet.
The light dimmed.
The visions ceased.
I lay motionless with my cheek against the chilly floor.
I believed I heard footsteps in the distance.
However, I was immobile.
Unable to talk.
I had no idea whether I was still alive.
How long I lay there was unknown to me.
Everything hurt. I had the impression that my body had been pulled through flames. I was unable to open my eyes. I feared that if I did, the moonlight would still be scorching beneath my skin.
Then a voice, distant at first, but getting closer, came to me. "Amara! "
My heart gave a feeble flutter.
Kian.
The woodland echoed with his footsteps. His breathing was laboured and frantic as I heard him crash through the undergrowth. "Where are you, Amara?"
My skull was too heavy for me to lift.
"Please," I said in a whisper. "I'm present."
He must have heard because he appeared out of nowhere, gently flipping me over with his hands on my shoulders.
"Moon above..." he said, his voice breaking. "How did you fare? "
At last, I opened my eyes. Kian's pale, terrified face hung over mine. As he stared at the markings that now coiled around my arms and collarbone, he said, "You're glowing."
I exhaled, "I... I touched the altar." "Kian, it showed me stuff. Visions. Strength.”
My cheek was touched by his hand. "You're on fire."
I answered, "I sense it." "Within me. As if something had awakened.”
Kian looked down at the fresh silver-white lines that glinted across my skin like starlight on my arms. "These weren't previously here."
"No," I said. "I got them off the altar. The magic is now stronger.”
He gently lifted me into his lap and put his arms around me. "This should not have been done by you alone."
"I needed to," I whispered. "I needed to be aware of who I am."
Kian hugged me. His arms were trembling so tightly that I could feel him attempting to maintain his strength for us both. "We'll face whatever it is together."
I wanted to think he was real. But I kept thinking about what the voices had said.
"You have to make a decision."
Did my power cost me this?
Would saving everyone require me to sacrifice everything?
My face was buried in Kian's chest. "It hurts."
"I understand." He said softly. “However, I am present. I will not allow you to face this situation alone once more.”
The wind changed at that very moment.
Before I heard it, I sensed it.
A murmur. Not Kian's. Not my.
As though the trees themselves were holding their breath, the surrounding woodland fell silent.
The voice snarled, "Soon." "Very soon."
I tensed up.
Kian felt it, too. "What was that? "
With my heart racing, I looked into the forest's blackness. "She is aware," I remarked. "Lilith. She sensed the power waking up.
His expression hardened as he looked at me. "Then you must leave this place."
I gave a feeble nod, but I knew in my heart that there was no running. No more.
It had been sensed by the Hollow Witch.
The ancient magic was back.
And she was on her way.