58. Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Augustus
Astrid’s screams echo through the mountain. Possessiveness and the need to protect rips through me. She’s supposed to be safe here, I’m supposed to keep her safe, don’t tell me I’ve failed at my job already. The Demendians can’t get to her here, have the Night fae betrayed us? I sprint into the dining hall, my heart threatening to burst in my chest, as I shove through the large double doors. I freeze, unable to process the scene in front of me. The Crone stands over Ash, her deep brown eyes wide with surprise and terror as Astrid writhes in pain on the ground. A silver locket with a simple moon etched into it dangling from the old fae’s claws.
“What the fuck did you do?” I yell throwing myself over Astrid and a scream sounds from her crumpled form.
“She’s human, I couldn’t let her keep her sorcerer’s talisman and endanger the whole city,” the Crone hisses. A silver light wraps itself around Astrid over and over creating a chrysalis. I can feel her aura growing and pressing on me with every second that passes. It takes a second for the realization to dawn on me, that she’s been forced into her awakening. She didn’t even know she was fae, she has no idea what to expect as she confronts the root of her magic. She can’t be human, and as her aura presses into me trying to find a way through my personal wards, it’s clear that she is going to be one of the strongest fae to grace this world.
“Does she look human now?” I motion to the light that surrounds her. “She’s going through her awakening, and you forced it on her.” My voice lowers into a growl.
“Only fae children coming to age have an awakening, she’s far too old.” The Crone crosses her arms.
“Then how else do you explain this? Do you not feel the force of her aura filling the room?” I demand.
The Crone steps closer to where Astrid lies convulsing in pain and the Crone gasps, “If I would have known it was a ward... I--- would have never ...”
“What are you even saying?”
“The locket was a ward,” the Crone whispers, the blood draining from her face. “All her magic from since she was born has been locked inside of her,” she says, turning to face me. “We have to get her to the Onyx chamber, the walls will absorb her magic before she can bring the mountains down around us.”
Scooping Ash into my arms, her screams die down to low moans. With her this close I can see the red string of fate tying me to her. I sigh in relief when finally, she slips unconscious. I keep my voice low as I mutter a string of curses at the Crone as I carry Astrid to the infirmary. Her head lolls safely against my chest.
“If she’s not human, then who and what is she?”
“The only ones who may be able to shed some light on that is the registry. I’ll summon them,” the Crone says, splitting from me and disappearing down another corridor.