Chapter 22
Mark
The air inside the meeting room is heavy. I cross my arms over my chest as Ted speaks, his expression grim.
"Viklaus remains under observation. He has not yet fully regained his rationality. The thirst continues...
We are keeping him on the lower level of the company, locked up and isolated.
The vervain potion is administered regularly, and he has been receiving animal blood.
The ideal would be to feed him human blood again, gradually decreasing the amount, but that would mean going against his will.
If we did that and he regained consciousness, he would not forgive us.
I exhale deeply, rubbing my face with my hands.
Damn that grimoire.
Before I can say anything, the door opens and my assistant appears.
"Balthazar has arrived, sir."
"Let him in."
The wizard enters the room, his long black robe fluttering behind him.
"I don't have good news," he says as soon as he sees us, pressing his thin lips together.
I growl, clenching my hands into fists to control the Beast.
"Grimoires are not common objects. They are passed down from generation to generation or acquired through pacts with demons.
" He rubs his chin. "The emblem you described to me yesterday.
.. It didn't seem familiar. Normally, each witch family has its own symbol, a unique mark.
And in my research, I found nothing like it. "
"Someone must know where this thing came from," I grumble, frustrated.
He tilts his head, assessing me.
"The grimoire probably comes from a recent pact with a demon.
Only those who have made a pact with him can recognise the symbol.
" He scratches his grey beard thoughtfully.
"Since we don't know the name to invoke him, we can try using the symbol.
But pacts require sacrifices, and I will not sacrifice myself for this. However..."
"What?"
"The Elder may know. She has made pacts with many throughout her life and has vast knowledge."
The Elder is a reclusive witch who lives in one of the forests, and her hut is surrounded by spells and illusions. Those who manage to find her still pay dearly for her services.
"They say the Old Woman charges a high price. How much will it cost us?
"The rumours are true, but they don't mention money. The Old Woman demands priceless things."
I shake my head, my voice firm.
"Then no. Find an alternative."
Balthazar looks at me for a moment before shrugging.
"As you wish, I can continue researching." He turns to leave, but stops at the door, giving me an intense look. "I read the cards for you... Something bad is coming. Be careful."
My jaw tightens and I growl softly.
"Bad things are already happening, Balthazar. I don't know if you've noticed."
He shakes his head before leaving, leaving only his warning hanging in the air.
***
Upon entering the house, I am greeted with a purr and a feline body rubbing against my legs. A smile escapes before I can contain myself. I pick up my little cat, feeling her comforting warmth against my chest. The weight of all my problems fades a little as I pet her, listening to her purr louder.
But the tranquillity is fleeting. A chill runs down my spine, cold as a sharp blade. My instincts scream a primitive warning.
Something is approaching.
The air carries a metallic, earthy smell.
Wolves.
Their scent contaminates the wind like a subtle poison. My jaw clenches, and every muscle in my body tenses.
Then, the protective barrier vibrates.
The magic surrounding my home responds to the approach of intruders with hostile intentions. The ground seems to murmur a warning, and my breathing becomes heavier. They are close. Too close.
I set the cat back on the floor and growl towards the back door.
I let the Beast out, and it takes over me, filling every part of my being with raw power and predatory instinct. My body expands, my muscles and bones adjusting to the larger, fiercer form. My hands transform into lethal claws, my skin covered with thick fur.
The cat leaps backwards, startled by my sudden change, her eyes shining with uncertainty, but she does not run away.
"Go to the bedroom and don't come out for anything," I command, my voice reverberating in a guttural tone.
She meows softly and, as if understanding every word, runs for the stairs. Only when I hear the soft sound of her paws reaching the second floor do I leave.
The night air enters my lungs like a call to war. My eyes now see through the darkness with lethal clarity. Every detail of the surrounding forest stands out in sharp shadows.
And there they are.
Five figures standing inches from the barrier.
My fangs bare in a loud growl. I take one step, then another, and the power of magic sparkles as I approach the edge of the protection.
The vibrant energy makes my skin tingle, alerting me to danger, trying to keep me inside its shelter.
But I am the master of this territory, it bows to my will and allows me to pass.
I step out of the protection and find four grey eyes and one golden eye, similar to mine, fixed on me.
Liam is in front, his body tense, ready for the challenge.
He came as a human, fool. Without the full moon, he cannot assume his hybrid form, the only one that would give him any chance of survival in hand-to-hand combat.
Even so, he would still be weaker than me.
"What are you doing here?" My voice carries the weight of thunder, the warning of a predator.
He smiles. A provocative smile.
"I came to challenge you to a duel."
I laugh dryly. A guttural, threatening sound, meant to expose the foolishness of his words. His eyes flash with irritation, the muscles in his jaw twitching.
"You invaded my territory twice. Did you think I would let that slide?" He spits out the words with disdain.
"I didn't invade," I growl. "I just passed by."
"Don't play dumb. I know exactly what you were doing. You tried to provoke me, to test my authority. As Alpha, I cannot let this go unpunished. My territory, my leadership," he roars, the tension exploding.
I take a step forward, and the wolves behind him stiffen, watching my every move. Liam narrows his eyes, clenching his fists. Sharp claws protrude from his fingers.
"Do you really want this?"
"I do." His voice is firm. "On the first night of the full moon, in the central clearing of the forest. Duel with me."
I hold back a laugh, but the wild gleam in his eyes tells me he's serious. I look up at the crescent moon, already halfway through its cycle, which means the duel will be in four days.
I look back at him.
"It's a deal." My teeth bare in a menacing snarl. "Don't regret it later."
Liam smiles cynically, a hungry gleam of violence in his eyes.
"You'll be the one to regret it, you mongrel bastard," he says, arrogance overflowing from his words. "Let's seal the deal with a promise of blood and moonlight. Unless you want to back out..."
Before he even finishes his sentence, I press the tip of my claw against the palm of my other hand, piercing the skin just enough for a trickle of blood to drip onto the moonlit ground.
Liam does the same, extending his arm so that his blood falls next to mine.
The drops cross the barrier and meet, mixing together, and the pool sparkles for a brief moment — the pact is sealed.
"Done," I murmur, feeling the bond of the promise tie a knot inside me.
The full moon will be our reckoning.