88. "DON'T HURT THE ONES I LOVE."

I bid farewell to Alaric, against his wishes, as he wanted me to stay the night by his side again. But I can't. I have to talk to Anna, see if she agrees to perform the ritual and tell her what I found out about Mom and Elijah, to let her know that I'm the daughter of the last man I wanted as a father.

Elijah is naturally sarcastic, exuding a carefully calculated cruelty. Why did my mother hide this information from me, to spare me from the clear danger he represents? What did he really plan to do with me when he found me?

Now I understand what he meant by "You're more powerful than you realize..." I roll my eyes as I open the door to my room, expecting to find Anna, but she's not on the bed. I walk to the bathroom, still not finding her.

I call her name throughout the room, heading towards the closet.

Nothing.

I narrow my eyes, intrigued by her leaving the room as dusk falls, knowing that Elijah is in this castle against everyone's will. He's surrounding us like prey for his pleasure. Leaving the room, I decide to go to the garden, where she found me last time. For some reason, she must be heading there, maybe to practice magic.

The hallway is silent as I hurry to the garden, my mind spinning with possibilities and fears. Anna has always had a special connection with gardens, just like me; it has always been our refuge when we needed to think or escape the demands that life imposed on us. Perhaps she felt the need to be outside, surrounded by the nature she loves so much, to find some comfort or clarity.

As I cross the entrance leading to the gardens, the night breeze envelops me, carrying with it the soft scent of jasmine and damp earth.

"Anna?" I call again, my voice slightly louder, hoping she'll respond from her favorite hiding spot or perhaps from behind one of the many old trees.

There's no answer, just the sound of leaves rustling gently in the wind. My heart starts to beat faster, a mixture of concern and urgency growing within me. Why would she leave without saying anything, especially now, with the threat of Elijah looming over us?

I keep walking, my eyes scanning every dark corner of the garden. The moon is full and high, casting a silvery light that illuminates the pathways and creates dancing shadows. The garden, usually a place of peace and beauty, now seems strangely ominous.

Suddenly, a sharp scream pierces the night's silence, making my heart leap. I recognize the voice immediately—it's Anna's. Without thinking, I start running toward the sound, the damp grass under my feet almost causing me to slip. "Anna!" I shout again, desperation tingeing my voice.

The scream is followed by another, more distressed, pleading to be released. My pace quickens, every beat of my heart echoing the fear I feel for her. Zion suddenly appears at my side, his expression as alarmed as mine.

"You heard that?" he asks, though it's obvious.

"Yes, it's Anna. We need to find her, fast," I respond, and together, we run toward the mist-covered forest that borders the garden.

As we enter the forest, the air becomes denser and colder. The moon, which had previously illuminated our path, now seems to hide behind the clouds, casting strange shadows among the old trees. Each step increases the tension in my nerves.

"Anna!" I call again, my voice louder, desperate for a response. Nothing returns to me except the muffled sound of our own footsteps and the whisper of leaves in the wind.

Suddenly, the screams abruptly cease, as if cut off by an invisible force. My heart races, the silence suddenly more frightening than Anna's desperate cries.

Zion and I stop for a moment, trying to listen for any sound that might indicate Anna's direction. The forest seems to hold its breath with us, leaving the atmosphere tense.

"Where to now?" Zion whispers, looking around, trying to identify any movement or noise that might guide us.

I close my eyes, trying to focus, searching for any sign that the nature around us can offer. Then, a subtle, almost imperceptible sound catches my attention: a faint murmur, a muffled voice. "This way," I say, pointing toward a dense thicket where the sound seems to emanate from.

We advance cautiously, our senses sharp, each movement calculated to avoid alarming whoever may have captured Anna. As we get closer, Anna's voice becomes clearer, her words filled with struggle and determination.

"Let me go, you cowards!" she shouts, and the sound of her voice guides us through the darkness. I run toward the sounds, with Zion following closely. As I feel Zion's hesitant touch on my waist, I stop abruptly.

"Wait, something's off," he murmurs cautiously, watching the clearing ahead where Anna struggles against two hooded figures.

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of the scene before us. The figures don't seem as aggressive as they should; they seem more like they're restraining Anna than trying to harm her.

"This seems like a trap," I whisper back, suspicion growing within me.

At that moment, a cold, calculated voice echoes from the shadows: "I figured your little sister would be the perfect weapon to lure you away from that castle." Elijah emerges from the trees, a sadistic smile playing on his lips. He walks slowly toward us, each step measured to maximize the impact of his words.

"What do you want, Elijah?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear beginning to spread through me.

"Simple, Nyra. I want you," he replies. "Anna was just a means to ensure that you would come here. And now that you're here, you're not going anywhere."

I glance quickly at Anna, who stops struggling, her eyes meeting mine in a silent apology. She's scared, and I know that whatever happens from now on, it happens to her too.

"You're wrong," I say firmly, taking a step forward. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Elijah laughs, a sound that makes my stomach churn. "You don't have much of a choice, dear."

Zion steps between me and Elijah, ready to protect me. His protective stance lasts only a moment before Elijah, with a swift and precise movement, advances. He grabs Zion by the neck, lifting him effortlessly, as if the weight of a grown man means nothing.

"Foolish human, do you really think she needs your protection?" Elijah taunts, holding Zion in the air. "I see you care quite a bit for her. Love is a peculiar feeling, isn't it..."

I try to move forward, but a cold, strong hand grips my shoulder, preventing me from helping Zion. Helplessness washes over me as I watch Zion struggle, trying to break free from Elijah's grasp.

"Let him go, Elijah! This has nothing to do with him!" I shout, my voice choked with emotion and fear.

Elijah smiles, a smile that shows no joy, only cruelty. "Ah, but it has everything to do with him, Nyra. Everything to do with you, after all, you're his weakness. Love makes them so... vulnerable."

His eyes gleam with malice that sends a shiver down my spine. He tightens his grip on Zion's neck, and I can see the pain in Zion's eyes, the struggle to breathe as he fights against the pressure.

"Please, Elijah, don't hurt him. What do you want from me?" My voice is a desperate whisper, fear for Zion overpowering my own fear of Elijah.

"I want you to come with me, dear, to do as I say, just like your mother did." Elijah's voice is cold, calculating.

Tears begin to stream down my face as desperation consumes me. I can't lose Zion, I can't allow Elijah to destroy him because of his obsession with power and control.

"Alright!" The word escapes me before I can think of the consequences. "I'll do whatever you want. Please, just... let him go."

Elijah considers my offer for a long moment, the heavy silence between us. Then, slowly, he lowers Zion, who falls gasping and weak, but alive. I rush to him, supporting him, while Elijah watches us with satisfaction.

"Smart choice, Nyra. Remember that if you ever think to surprise me. I'm always one step ahead of you." He whispers now so close to me, it makes me nauseous.

How can this man be my father, a cruel, cold being obsessed with power?

"Why do you want to manipulate me so much, what do I have besides your blood, useless running through my veins?" I grit between my teeth, staring directly at him standing in front of me again.

Elijah pauses, his imposing figure blocking the faint light filtering through the trees. He stares at me with those eyes that are so much like mine, yet so devoid of any human warmth. His coldness is almost palpable, and his response comes slow and deliberate, as if he savors every word.

"You are much more than just my daughter, Nyra. You are the culmination of centuries of carefully cultivated power. It's not just my blood running through your veins, but the power of an ancient, powerful lineage. You have a potential that you don't even understand... yet."

His hand raises, a gesture that instinctively makes me step back, but he only smiles, a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I don't just want to manipulate you, Nyra. I want you to accept your place by my side. Together, we could be unstoppable."

I take a deep breath, trying to control the anger and fear that his presence evokes in me. "And what if I refuse? What if I choose to fight against you every step of the way?" I challenge, my voice steady despite the internal tremor.

Elijah shrugs, his indifference only heightening my frustration. "Then, you'll be choosing a path of constant conflict and pain. Not just for yourself, but for all those you love. Think carefully, Nyra. Do you really want to risk their lives?"

I glance at Zion, who stands steadfastly by my side, his gaze giving me strength. "I'm not alone in this. And I never will be as long as I have people who truly care about me by my side."

Elijah sighs, as if dealing with a stubborn child. "There's still so much you need to learn... And you will learn, sooner or later. We're all pieces in a much larger game, Nyra. The question is whether you'll play as master or pawn."

He approaches Anna, touching a strand of her hair, so reminiscent of the man I always called father. A bitter and resentful smile creeps onto Elijah's lips.

"You are a copy of that traitor, how refreshing it was to end his life, before my very eyes." Elijah says, widening the smile on his face, as if he had emerged victorious.

Wait, my eyes blink, processing what he's saying. He... He killed my father? He killed the man I thought died because of the loss of our mother?