Chapter 35
Chapter
Thirty-Five
TORIN
“Anna,” I kept shouting.
The room had hushed, and my voice echoed over the silence. But I didn’t care what everyone else was doing.
She was gone, and she’d taken my heart with her.
I felt so empty.
My little witch wolf was meant to be my redemption. My life.
I placed my hand over her chest where her heart was supposed to beat, for me only, but there wasn’t even a flutter.
Her life essence stained the marble floor around my legs as I cradled her lifeless body in my arms, her still heart a heavy weight against my chest. I couldn’t breathe.
The battle had stopped, but I could only see her pale face framed by tendrils of chocolate hair matted with blood. There were so many things I didn’t have the chance to tell her and show her.
A stabbing pain cut through my body, and I exhaled painfully. I should have shared my secrets with her earlier, but I feared losing her.
I wanted to marry her, have kids together, and give her the family she’d always wanted. She thought I didn’t know or understand what she desired, but I was so in tune with her that I could read her with one glance or touch.
Clomping footsteps alerted me to incoming danger. Hayden had taken my mate away from me, and he would pay for it. All I saw was red as I glared up at him.
I wanted to tear him apart, limb by limb, slowly and painfully. But I didn’t want to let Anna’s body go.
My vampire registered the danger, but I couldn’t separate from my mate. Hayden could swing his sword at me for all I knew, and I wouldn’t move a muscle.
Standing at my side, Hayden stared at his hands, now slick with Anna’s blood, as if they belonged to someone else.
"What have I done?" he murmured with a tremor, raw anguish lacing his voice.
Tears streamed down his face, carving trails through the dirt and grime.
The clash of weapons had ceased, replaced by the shocked gasps of our allies and the choked sobs. Even Hayden's men stood frozen, their faces etched with disbelief and horror.
The profound sense of loss suffocated me, leaving me breathless and numb. I’d never felt so helpless in my life, even when that bitch had me chained for her entertainment. The only way I survived her torture was by closing my eyes, enduring it all, while thinking about my Anna.
She was the only one who could call my vampire to surface and the only one who could calm me, could control my beast.
Anger toward Hayden simmered inside me, but my own guilt overshadowed it. I should have been faster and stronger—I should have protected her. If only I'd been there to shield her from his blade. I would have gladly stood in its way.
"Alpha Torin," came a familiar female voice, and I pressed my lips together.
I was in no mood to face the dark witch.
Cordelia emerged from the shadows of a tall marble column, closing the distance. She knelt beside me, reaching out a tentative hand to touch Anna's cold cheek. I almost swatted her fragile-looking hand away.
I’d lost track of time, but I was sure our deal was up. Not that it mattered to me anymore. What else could she want?
"Are you here to claim your athame?" I said and gritted my teeth.
The witch knife had been the source of so much strife, but at this moment, it seemed inconsequential.
A small, sad smile graced her lips as she looked at me. "I don't care about the athame now that my niece is dead, Alpha."
Niece? That was a first. I clenched my jaw so much that it hurt.
My gaze strayed to Hayden, who still stood frozen, his grief-stricken face smeared with tears and blood. A primal urge to tear him apart surged through me, the need for retribution consuming my every thought.
“Now is not the time, young Alpha,” Cordelia said, and I almost laughed. "Breanna's soul has not yet ascended. She is still in the spirit realm. Only minutes are left, but we can still catch her and bring her back. But it will come at a cost."
I snapped my gaze to Cordelia. Could this be true? My heart clenched at the possibility, hope and desperation clawing at my chest. In that instant, I would have given anything—sacrificed everything—to feel the warmth of my mate’s touch and hear her laughter ring through the air once more.
"What must I do?" I asked. “I’m ready.”
Cordelia hesitated, her gaze filled with sorrow. "There is a price to be paid for meddling with the natural order of life and death," she explained, her voice heavy. "But if you're willing to take that risk, we must act quickly."
"Tell me what I need to do." My voice came out louder than intended.
“I can take your soul to Breanna’s and bring it into the spirit realm. Since I’ll use dark magic to bring back her soul, I must leave a soul in Breanna’s place to keep the balance in the spirit realm. Do you understand, Alpha?”
I nodded. “How’s this possible?”
“Only a soul linked to the one in the spirit realm can enter the spirit realm. You’re her mate, so you can go. And I can cast the spell because I’m a witch. We can enter any realm, like the dream or the spirit realms.”
“Take me and leave my soul there in exchange for bringing back Anna’s.” I stared at the witch. “Why would you help us now? After everything you've done to Anna and me?"
She sighed. “I was wrong. Holding on to past trauma only consumed me with darkness.” She swallowed. “I didn’t have a chance to apologize to my sister…for many indiscretions.”
I could relate to that. It had taken me a long time to start living again, but I’d done it for Anna.
“I only realized the importance of having a family too late. Now Willa and Breanna are gone. But if we hurry, we may be able to help my niece.”
I nodded, urging her to start.
Cordelia said words I couldn’t understand as she bowed her head and extended her arm to me.
A small, dark light lifted an inch off her palm, igniting her dark magic. I reached for her hand, but before I could touch it, Hayden swatted mine away and grabbed Cordelia’s hand.
“No!” I shouted.
Hayden’s eyes rolled back, and he dropped to his knees. His grip disconnected from Cordelia’s as his limp body fell to the ground. The dark witch dropped onto her side.
No. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. Hayden, that bastard, had taken everything from me—first Anna, and now my chance. He didn’t deserve her. Was this his desperate attempt to atone for his unforgivable actions?
None of it mattered. He was gone. And I was left here with a hollow ache in my heart and the bitter taste of despair.
I couldn’t do anything but wait.