His Dark Obsession by Moonlight Muse

29. My Stance

ZEDKIEL.

I step forward as Ziahra holds her hand out to Evelyn, willing to take her offer.

“Your blood will power the portal.” She explains to her. She’s serious again, the weight of what she needs to do hanging above us all.

“I love creating rivers of blood.” Evelyn replies quietly, but there’s no humour in those eyes of hers and it only darkens the atmosphere surrounding us all.

Ziahra slices through Evelyn’s palm, her eyes staying fixed on hers.

She doesn’t trust her. No one in this room does, but I do.

I just don’t think she’s given that chance…

‘You are a fool.’

“If she pulls away mid-ritual, the chance is over. I will not be able to do this again.” Ziahra says to me as she lets her blood drip across the symbols on the altar.

“I trust her.” I say firmly.

“Fine.” Ziahra shakes her head before turning to Evelyn. “Now place your hand in the middle. It will hurt a little, but you have to bear it, Evelyn. This is absolutely vital.”

Evelyn nods and places her hand as commanded.

Her breath hitches and I see her aura swirling around her.

She’s in pain, but she’s trying to hide it.

Ziahra begins chanting and we’re all on edge. As Evelyn’s breathing becomes shallower, it feels like hours although I know it’s simply minutes.

The torches on the wall are blazing brightly, the power in the room becoming darker and more powerful as Evelyn’s aura keeps growing.

I can sense the one radiating from Ziahra and I can also see Evelyn’s dark aura being sucked from her and the surrounding air, straight into the stone of the altar.

The smell of blood in the room is potent, and the temptation to have a taste overcomes me.

I push the thought away as Ziahra keeps chanting, her hands held palm upwards and I can see the

glowing runes burning into the palms of her hands. Her arms are beginning to shake as she does her all to remain steady.

A layer of sweat covers her body, and her heart is beating violently.

“More power!” She groans. “We need more!”

I instantly step forward, slicing my hand with the discarded knife and slashing through my own palm and placing it on top of Evelyn’s.

I feel the faint spark of the bond and our eyes meet before pain rips right through me.

It’s as if every bone in my body is being crushed.

Is this what she’s feeling? If it is, she isn’t showing it.

Coppery blood fills my mouth as I try to focus on breathing steadily.

I gently close my hand around hers as my blood is pulled from me, covering her hand as it is sucked into the stone beneath.

This feeling is unexplainable. I can feel my power and blood being drained from me. Weakening me as we force our hands to stay fixed upon the runes.

Sensing Evelyn watching me, I turn to her. Her eyes are blurred with tears, and I wonder if they are because of the pain she’s feeling or because of what I’m going to do to her.

I’m sorry.

doesn’t deserve

from my chest, and I

asks, about to move forward, but the force that is radiating off the altar is far too

own, but she’s far more powerful than I am.

voice comes as she keeps her stance, no longer chanting anything.

are fixed ahead, blazing a

blurs, but I hold on, feeling Evelyn’s body begin to

she?” I ask Ziahra, the doubt suddenly

able to reply, but she gives me the tiniest shake of

too violently, her hair

body will be fine.” Comes Evelyn’s voice, it’s devoid

of you… I didn’t consider the body.” I reply, my voice strained as I fall to my knees, keeping my hand firmly

Barely though.

a blinding

air before her body

ground, getting to her before Gray could.

through the light, trying

heart racing when I make out the outline of a circular portal. The entrance is hazy, as if we are

She’s done it.

opening the

you’re weak.” Ziahra mutters as Kash helps her sit up. Her head rests on his chest and only now

to.” I say,

is no other option but to find the

it

I slowly lift Evelyn

awake but unmoving.

and go!’ Zerachiel

Zed. The portal won’t stay open forever.”

before I go, I need to reassure her that it’s going to be

“Little Lamb…”

be easter… I’m drained…”

as does her body, but I refuse to just let her go like this.

one…”

my stomach churning as Gray stands beside it, ready to seal

back for me?” Evelyn asks quietly.

“I promise to.” I vow as I slowly lift her

drag myself towards the awaiting stone casket,

can’t do

can’t do this.” I say, turning to Kash as if wanting guidance. “I can’t do this to her. She’s done nothing for us

killed, people.” Kash says, but I shake my head.

different, she’s not going in there, not on my watch.

she stares at the portal that has begun

warns me.

is a mistake!’ Zerachiel thunders ‘You are dooming us once again! Lock her

don’t know if I am, but I can’t do this.’ I reply to him. ‘Please, take care of her. Do this for Evangeline,

not me.’

take care of her, for us all. He needs to let his anger towards

this time the tears are flowing

you…” She whispers, she’s still breathing weakly, her body still limp

for me, alright?”

her a small smile, glancing at the shrinking

will… I