Chapter 29
29
Amir
The Next Day—Aya Returns
S he didn’t reject me. I can’t stop thinking about it. Confessing my past, my mistakes, and seeing Anora look at me the same way—like she loves me—meant everything. The way she looked into my eyes, the sweetness, the understanding... it was proof she was made for me.
I carry mistakes thousands of years old, and yet she still sees me with love. I’d do anything to keep her heart, to protect her light. She’s everything I never thought I deserved.
But she doesn’t know everything. She doesn’t know about my madness, about how my loneliness consumed me—how I lost control of my own people. Would she still love me then? If she knew what I’ve done?
I try not to think about it. Instead, I watch her now, sitting at the bar, laughing with Andrew and Hazel. She blends in so easily with them, her smile lighting up the room. Still, I know we can’t stay here much longer.
Aya is close. I can feel her. She’s planning something, and I’m still waiting for Damon to retrieve the book. I should leave, help Damon, speed up the process. But the thought of leaving Anora alone doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve touched her, tasted her, and I want more. But not now. There’s too much happening.
Wintermoon is the safest place for her right now. Aya’s whispers are spreading among the humans, stirring them up. My gaze shifts to Andrew, who’s laughing, but it stills as he hears it too. The footsteps. Marching. A crowd heading toward the building.
Then I feel her. Aya. She’s here.
Anora notices Andrew’s sudden unease and looks my way, but I turn away from her, heading for the entrance. It’s midday, the bar is closed, but I know better than to think this is some human parade or celebration. I can smell it—the hatred, the bloodlust, the evil. The scent of radicals.
Aya has sent humans after me. A mob. I haven’t seen one of these since the Great War, when her whispers turned humans against us, sparking a war they didn’t understand.
Back then, she was attached to a human, against Fate’s law. She’ll never forgive me for killing him. But she didn’t love him—she couldn’t. Dark magic doesn’t allow love.
I push open the double doors and step outside, my hands clasped behind my back. Anora, Hazel, and Andrew stay inside. It’s just us here now—no shifters taking refuge in the building. They’ve gone straight to Wintermoon, which is good. I’d rather them be safe.
The mob is loud, holding signs painted with supernatural slurs. This building has always been a haven for supernaturals, right in the heart of Detroit. Humans tolerated it because they were fascinated by us, enchanted by what they didn’t understand. But now, they’re here, fueled by Aya’s lies and hate.
And there she is. Aya.
She stands in front of the mob, her blue eyes masked by a dark brown glamour. She’s dressed like a human—sleek dress clinging to her figure, heels, a long coat draped over her shoulders. Her thick hair is pulled into a high bun, neat and polished.
She looks confident, elegant, commanding. A leader they don’t know is their enemy. Witches are good at blending in as humans, but who they truly are always finds a way to creep through.
Aya gives me a smug grin as the humans behind her scream and spit their hatred, shouting slurs and curses at me.
“Sister,” I say, loud enough for the mob to hear. “Lovely of you to visit.”
Some of the humans glance at her, confused, their anger momentarily flickering with doubt. Aya stands firm. She smirks, winking at them before motioning with her hand for them to stay back. They obey, and she steps forward slowly, her sharp gaze locked on me.
When she’s close enough, she leans in, her voice low, meant only for me. “Do you really think I’m going to let you destroy dark magic?”
I grin back at her.
“I understand my duty now, sister,” I say, my voice steady.
Aya rolls her eyes, her posture casual, dismissive. “Duty? You want to talk about duty?” She gestures toward the mob of humans behind her, their shouts growing louder, calling for my death, for the death of all supernaturals.
“Look at them,” she says with a bitter laugh. “Always ready for blood. It only takes a promise, a whisper.”
“Just like the way you whispered to my master coven?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, unfazed by her taunts.
Her lips curl into a smirk, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Does Anora know what you really are?” she teases, her voice dripping with malice.
The sound of my mate’s name on her lips lights a fire in me. My anger surges, raw and unrelenting. A growl rumbles through my chest, and Aya laughs, amused.
“Yes, brother,” she says mockingly. “Show these humans what you’re really made of. You’re not a warlock anymore, Amir. When will you accept that? You’re something else now. You were supposed to stay dead, but she brought you back. You’re her little weapon, her special project. Designed to kill me. To kill these pathetic humans if necessary. Other than that, you’re nothing. Useless.”
“I know what you’re doing, Aya,” I say, my tone calm but firm. “You’re provoking me. You need these humans to see me as a monster. To know how dangerous I am. The creature erased from their history.”
I stop just short of her, my voice dropping lower. “Either dark magic leaves this earth, or you do. And despite everything you’ve done, I still have heart for you, sister. You’re still in there. I know you are. But the dark magic?—”
Before I can finish, she raises her hand, and a burst of magic explodes from her palm. The force slams into me, cutting me off and sending me flying backward.
Pain shoots through me as I crash through the double doors, hitting the floor hard. My body slides across the nightclub, the impact finally stopping when I slam into the wall behind the bar. Dazed, I look to my left and see Hazel pulling Anora away from the bar area. Anora’s eyes are wide, locked on me, and she tries to break free, reaching toward me.
“No, Anora, stay back,” Hazel says firmly, holding her in place.
I force myself to my feet just as Aya steps into the nightclub. Her confidence is palpable as she strides in, taking her time, her heels clicking against the floor. She raises her hand, wiggling her fingers, and magic ripples from her fingertips, transforming her appearance.
Her cloak materializes first, black and flowing, draping over her form. Beneath it, she wears a sleek, dark dress, elegant but dangerous in its simplicity. Her thick, jet-black hair falls from its neat bun, spilling over her shoulders like a curtain. Her skin is smooth and flawless, pale but not sickly, glowing with an unnatural sheen. Her eyes, no longer hidden by the glamour, glow an electric blue, sharp and menacing.
Aya scans the room, her gaze calculating, taking in every detail. Andrew starts to move behind the bar, but she lifts her hand, and a small blue orb of magic rises from her palm.
“Move again, Andrew, and I’ll personally deliver your ashes to Mother Kade,” she says, her voice calm but laced with cruelty. She flashes him an evil grin, then flicks her wrist.
The double doors slam shut behind her, locking with a loud thud. From outside, I hear the humans pounding on the doors, their fists and screams echoing through the building.
Aya turns back to me, her grin widening. “Looks like you have a choice, brother. Are you going to show your little princess what you really are?”
“Mom!” Hazel yells, gripping Anora’s hand tightly.
Anora doesn’t take her eyes off me. I can see the fear in her gaze, not for herself, but for me. It paralyzes me. I can’t move. Aya will hurt her if I make the wrong choice. I need to think. I need to strategize.
I’m a fool. I should’ve taken her to Wintermoon from the start. It’s where she wanted to be, and I resisted.
Aya’s attention shifts to Hazel, her gaze hardening. “You little traitorous bitch,” she spits. “Do you really think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done, daughter?”
Then her eyes settle on Anora, and a wicked grin spreads across her face. She lifts a finger, pointing directly at her.
“You,” Aya says, her voice dripping with malice. “The pretty one. The reason for all of this.”
“Fuck you, bitch!” Anora yells at Aya, but I can see her confidence wavering. Still, I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. I’m proud of her. Watching my woman stand up to my sister—it’s more than I could’ve asked for.
Anora glances at Hazel, wincing. “Sorry.”
Hazel shakes her head. “You’re not wrong, Anora. She is a bitch.”
“Oh, please, Hazel.” Aya sneers, rolling her eyes. “Stop being such a big baby. You got raped because you didn’t listen. I told you to stay home, commanded you as a mother would a daughter. But what did you do? You snuck out. You should’ve trusted me when I told you your little friend had ill intentions.”
“Shut up!” Hazel screams, her voice shaking with rage.
Aya doesn’t stop. She shifts the ball of magic in her hand toward Hazel, and it slams into her, sending her flying into the wall. Hazel crumples to the floor as Aya lifts her wrist, and Anora is suddenly pulled into the air.
“Anora!” I step forward, but Aya raises her free hand, giving me a smug wink.
“Take another step, and I’ll break her neck.”
I stop, my hands clenched at my sides.
Aya tilts her head, watching me, her grin widening. “I had a little fun doing this with the House of Zorah. But it’s so much more satisfying doing it to you.”
“Aya, I’m begging you?—”
“The key, brother. You know why I’m here.” Her voice is calm, almost playful, but her eyes are sharp, dangerous. “You know the law. I can’t take it from you, but others can. It has to be placed in my hand by the one who holds it.”
“No!” Anora yells, her voice shaking.
The sound surprises me. She doesn’t even know the full story of the spellbook, yet here she is, fighting to protect it. My queen. Oh, I’m claiming her immediately after this. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I don’t care how she feels about being worshipped—she’ll accept it.
I shake my head, forcing my focus back to Aya. “Aya, don’t do this. I’m begging you.”
“The key, brother,” she repeats, her hand outstretched. “Put it in my palm. Right now.”
“Don’t, Amir! Don’t give it to her!” Anora cries, her feet dangling in the air.
Aya’s head snaps toward her, her gaze narrowing. “So this is the game you want to play? The noble little queen.” She smirks. “Fine. Let’s give your king some incentive.”
She turns back to me, muttering, “I need that key. If he gets The Book of the First, he’ll destroy dark magic, and I can’t have that. I need a leg up in this fight.”
Then she closes her fist .
Anora’s screams echo as every bone in her hand shatters. The sound is unbearable.
Every scream tears through me like razors, each cry of pain awakening something primal and deadly inside me. This is my mate—my queen—and someone is hurting her. The beast inside me doesn’t care that it’s my sister. It wants blood. It wants revenge. It wants to tear apart anything that dares to harm what’s mine.
I fall to my knees, her pain-filled voice tearing into me like a blade. It’s too much. The pull between us is too strong—I can feel her agony, and it’s killing me.
The madness stirs inside me, clawing its way to the surface. I can feel it, the beasts breaking free. I’m going to snap.
The beasts within me are no longer separate entities—they’re merging, becoming something new, something darker than anything I’ve ever been. This is what Fate created me to be: a weapon of destruction, a guardian who would burn the world to protect what’s mine. And right now, every cell in my body is screaming for violence.
I’m going to kill everything in this building, maybe even outside of it. I scream, the last thread of my control slipping.
This is it. I have to kill my sister. This is my destiny. If I don’t, she’ll take Anora from me.
I push myself to my feet, trembling with rage as I pull the key from my wrist. Slowly, I step toward Aya.
“Amir!” Anora cries through her pain, her voice desperate.
I can’t look at her. I can’t stop.
I stretch out my hand, ready to place the key in Aya’s palm. Ready to kill her the moment she takes it.
But before the key touches her hand, a burst of blue magic slams into both of us, sending us flying in opposite directions. The levitation spell breaks, and Anora crashes to the floor, landing on her knees with a sharp cry of pain.
Hazel stands over us, her arms raised, magic glowing in both palms. Her stance is firm, her expression cold. It’s not just her. It’s Fate. She’s a vessel now, guarding Anora, keeping us in our place.
Hazel stretches her hand, and the key lifts from the ground, floating into her palm. She doesn’t hesitate. She runs to Anora, pulling her to her feet. Anora screams in agony, her mangled hand crumpled and useless.
I force myself up, ready to charge toward them, but Hazel moves faster. She opens a portal, hues of blue and green swirling as it forms. The edges ripple like water, revealing the other side—Wintermoon.
Hazel shoves Anora through the portal, then jumps in after her.
I sprint toward them, but even with my speed, the portal closes before I can reach it. I stop short, standing alone in the nightclub.
Aya dusts herself off, her smirk returning as she stands across from me. Andrew is still behind the bar, frozen in place, his movements limited by Aya’s earlier spell.
It’s just the three of us now.
I turn to my sister, my eyes burning with pure venom.
“Get the fuck out of here,” I snarl. “And good luck showing up to Wintermoon. Not only do you have nearly the entire shifter community that wants your head on a spike, you also have the Blackwoods to deal with.”
Aya screams in fury, the sound sharp and piercing, her anger boiling over now that the key is out of her reach again. She glares at me for a moment longer, then stands, opening a portal. She disappears through it, leaving me alone with Andrew .
I turn to him, my chest aching as I try to steady my racing heart. Anora is safe in Wintermoon, and that thought fills me with relief. But fear creeps in right behind it. She’s with Hazel, and the Blackwoods. They’ll see her as the enemy.
“Come with me, Andrew.” I hold my hand out to him, my voice calm but firm.
He doesn’t move. He stays behind the bar, shaking his head.
“I’ll be okay, Grandfather,” he says.
The word grandfather nearly brings me to my knees. In all my centuries of existence, no word has ever held such power over me. It’s more than just a title—it’s acceptance, family, belonging.
Everything I’ve craved since the beginning of time, wrapped up in one simple word from this brave, stubborn young man who somehow sees past all my darkness.
It’s not something he says to me, I usually have to draw it out of him, and hearing it now fills me with emotions I can’t even name.
“Go save our girls,” he adds, his voice steady but soft.
I teleport to him, pulling him into my arms. I hold him tightly, feeling the depth of his words settle over me.
“I’m going to come back for you,” I promise, my voice low but firm.
“I know,” he says, and I hear the faintest hint of a smile in his tone. “And I promise you, Thirst Trap will still be standing when you get back.”
I pull back slightly, glancing toward the double doors. The pounding from the mob outside grows louder, the wood splintering under the pressure. That door isn’t going to hold much longer.
If Andrew stays, they’ll kill him. I know I should take him by force, but something in his eyes—something strong and unshakable—tells me he needs to stay.
I place my hands on his shoulders, pressing my forehead to his.
“If they get through that door, promise me you’ll run,” I say, my voice breaking just slightly. “If I find out they hurt you, I’ll kill them all.”
A tear slips down his cheek, but he nods.
“You’re everything Kade said you were,” he whispers. “I love you, Grandfather.”
The words hit me harder than any blow ever could. I pull back, bowing my head slightly to him.
“I love you too, Andrew,” I say quietly. “Remember what I said.”
I give him a quick wink, forcing a small smile, then teleport away before I lose my resolve.
The icy cold of Wintermoon hits me immediately. The air is sharp against my skin. Snow falls steadily, blanketing the forest in white, the flakes melting as they land. Everything is quiet, except for the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. The chill seeps into my lungs as I search for her scent, letting it guide me.
When it hits me, my eyes snap open.
Anora is at the House of Zorah.