Chapter 32
AIDEN
As I stride through the underbrush, the scent of damp earth and crushed leaves fills my nostrils. The mountain trembles beneath my feet as if it knows that victory is close—my victory. The shouts of my men echo through the trees, their voices sharp with the thrill of the hunt. We’re closing in on her, the little witch who thought she could outsmart me. I can almost taste the triumph on my tongue.
“Spread out!” I bark, my voice cutting through the chaos like a whip. “She’s close! I want that flower, and I want her caught. No mistakes.”
The men under my command—just ordinary village men twisted into something more by the power of the Crimson Coven—fan out obediently, their footsteps echoing through the dense undergrowth. They move with the precision and silence of those who know what’s at stake, their eyes darting nervously to the shadows as they obey my orders without hesitation.
They’ve learned to fear me, to fear the darkness I command. And that’s just the way I want it.
Good. They know better than to cross me.
The forest around us is alive with the energy of the Coven, the very air pulsing with a dark, unsettling power. The Crimson Coven isn’t just a group—it’s a force, a living entity that thrives on control, manipulation, and the sacrifices of those who would dare to defy it. I’ve seen men crumble under its influence, their souls twisted into shadows of what they once were, their minds consumed by the hunger for power. But not me. I’ve mastered that hunger and bent it to my will. I’ve become something more—something stronger.
“I want no mistakes,” I hiss, my voice cutting through the oppressive silence. “Find her. She can’t have gone far.”
My men nod, fear flashing in their eyes as they disperse into the darkness. They know what will happen if they fail. They’ve seen what the Coven does to those who disappoint it, to those who disappoint me. I’ve worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let some girl stand in my way now. The flower is within my grasp, and I’m not about to let it slip through my fingers.
I’ve been after that flower for too long. Its power calls to me, a whisper in the back of my mind, promising everything I’ve ever wanted—power, control, immortality. And now, after all these years, it’s finally within reach. But that girl—Windy—she’s more than I anticipated. She’s a thorn in my side, a threat to everything I’ve built.
One of my men—a tall, lanky figure with a gaunt face—approaches, his eyes wide with fear. “We found tracks, my lord. She’s heading deeper into the forest.”
“Good,” I reply, a dark smile curling my lips. “Does she think she can hide from me? From the Crimson Coven?” I let out a low, menacing laugh, the sound echoing through the trees. “She has no idea who she’s dealing with.”
The man nods quickly and turns to relay the orders to the others.
I glance up at the darkened sky, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. The forest is on my side.
I can see the clearing up ahead, the faint glow of the flower casting an eerie light through the trees. The sight of it sends a surge of anticipation through my veins. She’ll never be able to harness it, not like I can.
“There!” one of the villagers shouts, and I follow the sound, my pulse quickening. I push through the last of the trees and step into the clearing, and there she is.
Windy.
She’s on the ground, trembling like a leaf in the wind, her eyes wide with fear as she stares up at the flower.
My flower.
“Well, well, well,” I say, a slow grin spreading across my face as I take in the scene. “What do we have here?”
She doesn’t respond, just stares at me with those big, terrified eyes. Pathetic. I step closer, savoring the moment, the way her fear hangs in the air like a palpable force. My men close in around us, forming a tight circle, their faces alight with anticipation.
They’re eager to see what I’ll do next, to witness my victory.
“I have to say, Windy,” I continue, my voice dripping with condescension as I close the distance between us, “I’m disappointed. I thought you might put up a fight. But here you are, cowering on the ground, too afraid to even touch the flower.” I let out a short, mocking laugh. “Did you think you could win?”
She’s trembling so hard I can see it from where I stand, her hands clutching the dirt as if she can ground herself with it. I can almost feel the waves of fear rolling off her, and it’s intoxicating. There’s something delicious about breaking someone so thoroughly, about watching hope drain from their eyes.
I kneel, close enough to see the tears in her eyes, the way her breath comes in shallow, ragged gasps. “You’re out of your depth, girl,” I whisper, my voice low and dangerous. “This was never yours to take. You should have known better than to challenge me.”
I can see the moment she realizes it’s over, that there’s no escape. Her shoulders slump, the last bit of fight draining out of her. And then she looks up at me, her eyes pleading, as if begging for mercy.
“There’s no point in crying,” I say, my voice hardening as I reach out and grab her by the wrist. “You lost, Windy. Now, you’ll watch as I take what’s rightfully mine.”
I jerk her to her feet, her small frame almost collapsing under my grip. I relish the way she winces, the way she tries to pull away but knows she’s too weak to break free. I drag her toward the flower, the soft glow of it growing brighter as we get closer. It’s so close I can almost feel its power pulsing in the air around us.
My men are watching, their eyes glued to the scene unfolding before them.
“Look at it,” I hiss, forcing her to look at the flower, her face inches from the glowing petals. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
I step forward, reaching out with a steady hand, and grasp the stem of the flower.
The moment my fingers wrap around it, I feel the power surge through me, a jolt of energy that makes my heart race. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before, pure and wild, the magic thrumming in my veins like a second heartbeat. I pull, and the flower comes free from the earth with a soft, almost reluctant snap.
I hold it up, staring at it in awe, the soft glow illuminating my face. “Magnificent,” I breathe, turning it in my hand to examine every petal, every inch of its perfect form. “This is what true power feels like.”
But my satisfaction is short-lived. I glance back at Windy, expecting to see her cowering, but instead, there’s a look of desperation on her face that I hadn’t anticipated.
She takes a step toward me, her voice trembling but determined. “Aiden, please,” she says, her eyes pleading. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. The flower’s power—it’s too much for one person. It will destroy you.”
I throw my head back and laugh, a harsh, bitter sound that echoes off the rocks. “Destroy me?” I scoff, looking at her like she’s a fool. “You think I’m that weak? No, Windy. This flower is mine, and its power is mine to control.”
But she doesn’t back down, doesn’t look away. “Please,” she begs, her voice breaking. “You don’t have to do this. Just let it go.”
Her desperation is almost pitiful, but I feel a strange twist of something in my chest—something almost like doubt. It’s fleeting, though, gone before I can grasp it. I’ve come too far, sacrificed too much, to turn back now.
I shake my head, tightening my grip on the flower. “It’s already too late,” I say, my voice cold and final. “You had your chance, Windy, but you were too weak. Now, you’ll watch as I take everything you couldn’t.”
Just as I think we’re in the clear, a rustle in the bushes catches my attention. I whip around, and my eyes narrow as three figures step out from the shadows—Warrick, Wallace, and Willow.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” I call out, tightening my grip on the flower. “Come to join the party, boys? You’re a bit late, though. The fun’s already over.”
Warrick’s eyes blaze with anger as he steps forward, his tall frame tense with barely contained rage. “Aiden, you have no idea what you’re messing with. Hand over the flower before you doom us all.”
I let out a mocking laugh, my gaze flicking between the three of them. “Doom? Spare me the theatrics, Warrick. I’m not some na?ve fool. This flower’s power is mine now. I won it fair and square.”
Willow steps forward next, his eyes calculating, his voice cold. “You don’t understand, Aiden. That flower isn’t just some magical trinket. It’s a force of nature, and you’re toying with something far beyond your control. Give it to us, and we’ll consider letting you walk away.”
A flash of irritation spikes through me.
They think they can intimidate me, that I’ll just hand over my prize because they’ve decided to play hero?
Not a chance.
I take a step back, raising the flower in front of me as if to ward them off. “You think you can scare me? You’re delusional. This flower is mine, and I’m not giving it up.”
Wallace’s voice, usually calm and collected, carries a dangerous edge as he speaks. “Aiden, you’re making a mistake. The power you’re holding will consume you.”
I laugh again, but this time, there’s a hint of unease in my voice. They’re too confident, too sure of themselves. But then I tighten my grip on the flower, feeling its power thrumming through me, and I push those doubts aside.
“Enough of this nonsense,” I snap, gesturing to my men. “Deal with them. I’ve got what I came for.”
My men spring into action, surging forward to engage the three of them. The clearing erupts into chaos—grunts, shouts, and the clashing of weapons filling the air. I stay back, keeping the flower close, my eyes darting around for an escape route. I need to get out of here before they overwhelm us.
Warrick charges at one of my men, his movements swift and precise as he dodges a blow and lands a heavy punch to the man’s gut. The man crumples to the ground, gasping for breath. Wallace is a blur of motion, his sword flashing in the dim light as he parries and counters every attack thrown his way. Willow hangs back, his eyes locked on me, his lips moving in a low murmur that I can barely hear over the noise. Magic. He’s trying to use magic against me.
I grit my teeth, feeling the pressure closing in on me. I can’t let them take the flower. I won’t let them. I scan the clearing, looking for an opening, for any chance to escape with my prize.
Just then, Warrick slams into me, knocking me off balance. I stagger back, nearly dropping the flower, but manage to keep my grip. He’s relentless, his fists flying, and I’m forced to defend myself, dodging and weaving, trying to keep him at bay.
“Give it up, Aiden!” Warrick shouts, his voice laced with fury. “You can’t win this!”
But I don’t respond. I can’t. I’m too focused on getting out of this alive, on holding on to the flower. I lash out with a kick, catching Warrick in the side and sending him stumbling back.
It’s the opening I need.
I turn and bolt for the tree line, the flower clutched tightly in my hand. My heart pounds in my chest as I hear their shouts behind me, hear the sounds of pursuit. But I don’t look back. I can’t afford to.
“Stop him!” Willow’s voice rings out, but I’m already too far gone, my legs pumping as I sprint through the trees, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
Branches whip at my face, the ground uneven beneath my feet, but I don’t slow down. I can still hear them behind me, hear the pounding of their footsteps, but they’re getting fainter, their voices fading. I’m getting away.
The ground slopes downward, and I practically throw myself down the incline, my momentum carrying me faster than I thought possible. The trees blur around me, the darkness swallowing me whole, but I don’t stop.
I can’t stop.
Finally, when the sounds of pursuit have all but disappeared, I allow myself to slow down, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. I glance down at the flower in my hand, its glow dim in the darkness, but still present, still powerful. I’ve done it. I’ve won.
A slow grin spreads across my face as I clutch the flower tighter. They underestimated me, all of them. They thought I was weak, that I’d crumble under the pressure.
But I’ve proven them wrong.
I laugh to myself, the sound echoing through the empty forest. And as I disappear into the shadows, the flower’s glow lighting my way, I know that my victory is complete. The power is mine, and the world will soon see what I can do with it.