Chapter Twenty #2
She then takes out a knife similar to the one that she used to cut her palm and let us into the ritual circle where my powers were unbound.
This time though she slices her palm deeper and lets blood rush into a large gold bowl placed in the middle of the circle.
She wraps her still bleeding hand in a strip of cloth and then walks over to the far edge of the circle to an animal crate that I hadn’t even noticed.
My stomach sinks as she brings out a beautiful black raven similar to Knot’s raven form but almost twice the size.
I start to panic that she’s somehow gotten hold of her.
I haven’t seen her since the first night here but a nudge on my leg has me looking down and smiling as Knot’s fox form gazes up at me.
I turn back to the Director just in time to see her slice the magnificent birds throat over the gold bowl, it’s life blood pouring into it and mixing with hers.
My soul cries out, the creatures eyes meeting mine as it’s life fades to nothing. I know I should be being strong right now but I can’t help the single tear that escapes as the Director carelessly throws the Ravens body to the floor.
“I hear you child.” Nyx’s voice echoes through my mind and confuses me.
Suddenly a weight appears on my shoulder and something rubs against the top of my head gently.
I gape up at the giant raven sat on my shoulder as the others stare at me in disbelief.
Sure enough when I check the space where the Director carelessly threw his body, he’s not there.
Around the Raven’s neck is a silver scar, further proof that he is the same creature we just watched die.
He looks at me with eyes full of love and I grin when Knot hops up onto my other shoulder in her much smaller raven form.
“He is now your familiar too. I shared some of my essence with him. In time he may change forms like Knot can but for now it’s all new to him.
He is likely to be around more than Knot as she has other duties to attend to.
” The goddesses voice explains in my head and I smile brightly as I reach up my hands to stroke the soft feathers on Knot and my new familiars chest.
“Ghost.” An amused voice sounds in my head and I look towards the new raven in shock.
He nods his head and I grin.
“Alright Ghost can be your name.” I answer aloud softly.
The others are all still staring at the three of us wide-eyed but I suddenly remember why we are out here.
I focus back on the circle in time to see the Director throw something else in with the blood.
She then throws her head back and starts muttering in another language. I’m not even sure it’s Latin this time.
She steps away from the bowl as dark green and black smoke starts to ooze from it and a ginormous hooded figure rises from the blood, unfortunately facing away from us so we can’t tell who it is.
His voice is deep and carries through the clearing making Knot and Ghost ruffle their feathers uneasily.
“You displease me Annabel.” He says harshly.
The director drops to her knees and bows her head.
“I do not understand sire?” She replies her voice laced with panic. “I brought the Order, Rebecca and her Bonded just like you asked.”
I fucking knew she was a dodgy bitch!
“True, in that task you did well.” He hums his voice other worldly and dark. “They still have no idea who they have truly been working for over the centuries but thanks to you not being able to keep your mouth shut . . .” He snaps growling.
A shudder of fear goes down my spine, I am sort of grateful we can’t see his face, his voice alone is terrifying enough. Kai and Maverick thread their fingers through mine and squeeze tightly.
“A couple of the newer Order members are beginning to ask questions and I have had to dispatch some of my trusted pets to depose of them.” He continues a dark growl to his voice.
“I-I-I am so sorry my sire.” The Director grovels at his feet, panic clearly heard in her shaking voice now.
“As if that isn’t bad enough, slave!” He spits, “You’ve also failed to follow simple direction and leave Sage and her little friends alone! We do not need any more attention brought to us at this crucial moment!”
I share a shocked look with the others. How the hell does this thing know about us?
I suppose we should be grateful that he’s leaving us alone for now but I know that it won’t always be that way and the simple fact that he knows of us fills me with sick dread.
“I thought it would please you to get rid of the bitch. The vampires where absolutely useless and that whore Nicole was starting to get suspicious.” The Director spits with so much venom in her tone that it makes me cringe.
How can someone hate me so much? “I will do better though Sire, I will leave her be.” She grovels again, reigning in her temper.
Even I can hear the lie in her tone.
“Yes you will.” The hooded figure growls before swiping at her with deadly looking claws.
The world stills for a second all of us holding our breath as the Director looks at the figure in wide eyed shock for a mere second before her eyes roll back in her skull and her head slides clean off of her body.
Landing with a thump on the floor and rolling towards the figure.
Her body dropping in an undignified heap, blood pooling around it and soaking the ground.
I hold in my horror filled gasp barely, my grip on my guys hand punishingly tight.
We watch as the figure crouches down looking at the Director’s head just within his reach.
He dips his clawed fingers into the blood gathered on her neck and brings them towards where I assume his face to be no doubt tasting it.
I barely hold back my gag.
“I know you are there Sage.” His terrifying voice fills the clearing once again and we all stiffen.
I dare not move.
Willing myself and the others to remain deathly still. He chuckles, even his laughter sends a chill down my spine.
“Do not worry Daughter of Nyx.” He growls out the last word, “You are safe for now. The fates denied my request to feast on your flesh just yet. Make no mistake though the Order are coming for you Little Queen.” His dark voice turns darker, goosebumps raise on my skin as his threat takes hold.
Knot and Ghost suddenly take to the air heading straight for the figure.
“No!” I call out panicking but it’s no use as they dive for him.
He raises his claws swiping at Ghost and devastation hits me as I think I’m going to lose him again, for real this time. My mouth drops open as the figures claws swipe through Ghost’s form like he’s made of mist, his form instantly reforming.
“Now that is interesting.” The figure says sounding equal parts shocked and more terrifyingly, excited.
My familiars start to dive for him again but he disappears in the same dark green and black smoke like magic that bought him here.