Chapter 65
Lucie felt herself transform back into her human. She looked at her hands and balled them into fists. Was that it? The last time she would ever be in her feral form?
“I have another question. What of the girl? Who is she? What about her memories? She will be waking up in a world where everyone she loved is gone.”
“She will be able to heal. Having her fated mate will ease her mind. She is the lycan princess of the original kingdom. It is through her and Aedan’s line that a descendant will help aid in reclaiming the world. At least, that is one of the legacies seen.”
“Selene again?” Lucie said in annoyance. This was getting ridiculous.
“Unfortunately, a terrifying future will come. And at this time, Elysia will seal to protect those inside it. It will become a refuge for all magical creatures that seek safety. The kingdom will expand and create a parallel world of its own. However, some will choose to stay and fight, and what happens to humanity will be on their shoulders alone. Instead of saving themselves, they will choose to stay and fight to protect the humans. They will become the guardians of the world. We all know of this potential future. The deities will not be able to get involved in this war, because doing so would cause a war among the gods. Instead, those on the side of humanity can only do one thing: try to stack the chess pieces on the board and hope it’s enough. ”
“Like Selene did with the demon war?”
“Only on a larger scale. What is coming will not be a simple war. This is going to be a life-altering time. Think about it … for Elysia to be sealed, the threat must be monumental.” Lycaon could see realization hit her then.
“In reality, me helping this girl is more than just helping Aedan’s mate. The future also depends on it. Talk about there not really being a choice.”
“But there is always a choice, Lucie. And there is always a cause and effect from the choices made.”
“This isn’t a choice for me. I won’t see my brother miserable. I love him, and his happiness is important to me. I could never be happy if he wasn’t happy. So … tell me what I need to do.”
The ice barrier collapsed, and the spring returned to a trickle of water. Aedan came to Lucie and put his head in her hand. The barrier had prevented him from mindlinking, but he could still hear the conversation.
Don’t do it, Lucie. Don’t. I’ll be okay. I won’t have you destroying yourself.
Lucie patted her brother on the head and smiled.
“I’m the vampire princess now, Aedan. I don’t need my lycan.
But you need your mate, and the Black Ice Pack needs their alpha and luna.
The wolves need their king and queen.” She shook her head.
“This is what I can do to help out my old pack too. Don’t worry …
I’ll adjust.” Her heart hurt as she explained.
This was a painful decision, albeit a necessary one.
It would take time to adjust, but she had time.
She was immortal. She would be okay. She had Derrick.
Thinking of Derrick gave her strength. Her love was waiting for her and probably worrying.
She looked up at Lycaon, who nodded his head toward the encapsulated young lady.
Lucie jumped over the trickling water and noticed the black heap shredded in the corner. It was a monstrous-sized scorpion. She looked back at Aedan, quickly scanning his body for any wounds, but he looked fine. With a sigh of relief, she took a step forward.
Aedan’s jaws clamped around her wrist. No, Lucie! Aedan growled and tugged on her arm.
Lycaon smirked, and a second later, Aedan released her.
Damn it Lucie, don’t do it! Please … Lucie! Please don’t …
Aedan seemed to be frozen in place. He loved her enough not to let her sacrifice a part of herself, but she loved him enough to sacrifice it. He was the best brother she could have ever asked for. She smiled at him, showing him it was okay before turning back to look at the crystal.
She could hear Aedan’s loud growls in protest as she got closer.
She looked into the crystal at the young lady.
The woman had light blonde hair, looked to be around their age, and was curled up in a fetal position.
She looked scared and lonely. She wasn’t sure what to do, but something inside her told her to touch the crystal.
She breathed in deeply and reached out, her fingers gently touching the clear solid encasement.
She felt her fingers turn ice cold as the warmth of her lycan flowed into the crystal.
The icy feeling spread through her body.
She trembled as the cold bit at her from the inside, her breath becoming ragged as ice seized her lungs.
She felt like all of her warmth was flowing out of her and into the crystal.
The young woman’s body began to illuminate, and the crystal started to slowly drip away. It oozed onto the ground like a gel and disappeared into the stone floor. Lucie felt the crystal shrink away from her hand and the girl landed slowly on the ground.
Lucie felt arms around her, and she curled into the warmth. She was freezing. Her whole body was like ice. She recognized the smoked cedar smell as she rested her head on his chest. Aedan approached in his human form, his eyes darting to the woman on the floor and back to Lucie.
“I-I-I’m f-f-f-fine. Take care of your m-m-mate,” Lucie shivered out.
Aedan lifted the girl into his chest. She was still unconscious. He started crying and looked up at Lucie. “Thank you, Lucie. I can never … for what you sacrificed for me …”
“Shush,” Lucie said, her lips blue and quivering.
They could hear loud footsteps rapidly approaching, and Derrick and Justice crashed into the room.
Derrick sprinted to her and robbed her from Abe’s arms. She felt his heat embracing her body and calming her heart. And she HEARD his thoughts of worry.
“Oh Lucie,” Derrick whimpered. He knew what she had sacrificed. He looked up to see the steady streams flowing from Aedan’s eyes and nodded, letting him know that Lucie was okay. And at this moment she was. That could change in time, but for now, she was mostly in shock.
Justice placed his hand on Lucie’s cheek and pushed his energy into her to give her the warmth her body needed. He looked over at Aedan and the unknown girl who stirred ever so slightly. Lucie lifted herself to look behind the men and found nothing. Lycaon was gone.
“I’m good now. Thank you, Justice,” Lucie said quietly.
She didn’t feel empty. She felt the disconnection like she had the last few days when her magic was blocked, so she was already used to the feeling.
The difference was that now she could feel her other powers more prominently.
She leaned into Derrick’s chest while looking at her brother’s mate.
The woman’s eyes opened to reveal pale silver irises. She looked around in confusion until her eyes met Aedan’s. The two of them just stared at one another, the moment incredibly intimate.
“Hey. We have a lot to catch up on. I’m Aedan.”
“Deeana,” she whispered. She glanced around the room and at the other people she didn’t recognize. “How am I alive?”
“My sister,” Aedan croaked out. “My sister gave a part of herself to you so that you could live.”
Justice’s eyes were instantly on Lucie as he studied her curiously. What had she given up?
Deeana’s eyes flashed over to Lucie, and she studied her for a moment before she gasped. “I’ve seen you before … in my dreams.” She squirmed slightly, and Aedan lowered her gently to her feet. “It’s quiet.” She touched her chest. “They’re all gone …”
“I’m afraid you’ve been in there for quite some time.” Aedan could see her shock and distress.
“What did I do in your dream?” Lucie was curious. Was this a premonition? Or was this something else?
“You told me not to be afraid, that you would come for me. I guess you did.” Deeana looked into Lucie’s green eyes. “But you don’t remember sending me those messages?”
Lucie shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t.”
“It feels like everything just happened. Like no time has passed. And yet …” Deeana looked at the clothes everyone was wearing. “It has been a long time. I can’t even smell the scent of my pack members anymore.”
“I think it’s been well over a century.” Aedan watched her silver eyes snap up to his.
“Hope you don’t mind younger men,” Justice teased, and a crooked grin landed on his lips.
“Let’s leave them alone to talk for a bit,” Lucie said quietly. She walked out with the three guys and back up into the light, which was now fading into dusk.
“What did you give up, Lucie?” Justice asked, his gaze locked on hers.
Derrick squeezed Lucie’s arm and looked at Justice and Abe. “She gave her lycan to Deeana.”
“How? The lycan is her! That’s impossible.” Justice growled angrily. Abe just quietly stared at Lucie, not saying anything.
“How does it feel?” Abe asked softly.
“Similar to how it did with the magic block. But I can feel my other powers.” Lucie watched as Abe slowly nodded his head. Something unreadable flashed in his eyes as he studied her closely.
“So, this was the thing that only Lucie could do.” Justice growled angrily. “I’m tired of these damn deities.”
“Justice, it’s okay. Aedan has his mate now. I’m okay. I have you guys and Derrick.” Derrick held her close. “I feel okay right now. Honestly. And I’m relieved that Aedan has found his mate.”
Levi materialized in front of them and looked over at Abe. The two seemed to have a quiet conversation as their eyes glazed over. He looked back over at Lucie and sighed.
“Always something going on with you …”
“I guess so,” Lucie said with a faint smile.
“Geez. Uncle Levi, you could have killed those Shrieks earlier for us. I thought we were goners,” Justice said with a snort.
“I was holding off until the last possible second when I saw someone else decide they couldn’t wait any longer.
That rascal. I need to figure out what to do with Ken too.
” Levi ran his hand through his hair. “Alright. Well, let’s get you guys back.
I know your parents are worried.” He looked at Justice and Lucie.
“We can’t leave Aedan,” Lucie protested.
“You’re not. I’ll have him and his mate brought back to a room of their own. I think they need some time alone.” Levi cleared his throat. “Alright, no more crazy stuff happening, or I’ll be waging my own war against the other deities.”
“Uncle Levi, do you also know about the war that’s coming? One where Elysia will be sealed?” Lucie asked, and his eyes softened.
“Yes … but so do you. You’ve seen it too. In your premonition.” He sighed and shook his head. “Don’t go adding this to your worries. That fight isn’t yours. Your kind will be going to the alternate world Elysia creates.”
“But—”
“You’ll see when the time comes. It’s way too soon in the timeline for all of this to make sense. And still … it’s only one future. The future is always changing.” Levi smiled at her.
The future was unpredictable; it changed with every choice that was made.
While some outcomes were more clear, nothing was certain, only probable.
The war that would be coming wouldn’t be her fight.
The preservation of their species would lead her to protect her people.
But some would stay. Levi’s eyes found Justice.
Some would stay to protect humanity. And the future of the world would be in their hands.