Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 61 – Dark Auras

“But nothing makes a room feel emptier than wanting someone in it.“– Calla Quinn

Third Person POV

“I don’t like this.”

“What do you mean, Phoebe?”

“Too many eyes are around us. Our allies aren’t the only ones on the streets.”

Phoebe’s amethyst orbs tailed the pedestrians strolling along the warm summer streets of central San Jose. Pulsating colors surrounded each individual, generating a sea of rainbow only she can see. Detecting auras have helped the witch out of dangerous situations with ill–minded people, and she felt lucky to be blessed with such an ability. She doesn’t use this ability often, but she figured now is as good a time as any.

Sapphire’s golden hair danced with the wind from the driver side window as her blues concentrated on the road ahead of her. Her mate, Isaiah, now a newly bonded member to Garnet Moon, focused his attention on the streets. With the aim to finding their friend, the three joined the statewide search party. They recently came back from the popular supernatural club in the city, The Den, speaking to some supernaturals if they’re

familiar with Osiris.

Some didn’t know who he was, others refused to answer. All hope seemed lost. However, those who were unusually forthcoming in their answers laid cryptic messages for the trio that brought chills down their spines.

“The end is near. Soon, your souls will be devoured by imminent darkness.”

Phoebe’s leg bounced as she thought back on what her fellow witch had said. Her smile dripped in malice and her aura pulsed with corruption. Whether that witch was forced to bind themselves to darkness or not bothered her. Some witches practice black magic without the intention of hurting others, but that one was more than prepared to create mayhem. Judging by the watchful gazes she felt against her back, there was a slew of similar witches and sorcerers with the same mindset as the cryptic one back at the club. Phoebe ground her teeth to quell her frustration, pressing a hand to her leg for it to stop bouncing.

Corrupted auras were everywhere. And it made her uneasy. She feared the same happened to Kiya. With Osiris and the legacy he left behind with her and the other avatars, the witch held no doubts that he’d done something wicked. Phoebe shook when she recounted the collection of night terrors she had from her treatment in the run–down asylum.

“Should we tell Alpha Anthony?” Sapphire asked, arching an eyebrow. She eyed Phoebe through the rear–view mirror. “Could Osiris have his minions out here?”

“I…” Phoebe pondered in thought. “It’d be best to inform him of the recent developments. There are people. with malevolent auras and intentions, but it wouldn’t be wise to assume they all come from Osiris. Some people just have negative energy.”

“We can’t take any chances.” Isaiah spoke through the tense atmosphere. “Back in Chicago, my old pack did

Chapter 61 – Dark Auras.

things the old–fashioned way. When we’re sure about who is involved in what, we snatch them and take them in for questioning. Nine times out of ten, we get the information we’re looking for. With Kiya’s disappearance, we need every lead we can get.”

“Should we really kidnap people off the street based on unfounded suspicion?” Sapphire asked, turning a corner. “It unethical, not to mention illegal. If we were to take someone, it should’ve been that freaky witch back at the club. What the f*ck did she mean by ‘darkness will eat our souls“?”

“Cryptic bullshit.” Isaiah retorted.

“Not exactly.” Phoebe quipped. “Dark witches exist. Some are nice, but some can be petty. I don’t know if Osiris would be arrogant enough to have his minions out on the street, knowing well we’re searching for Kiya.”

“Villains have to slip up some time.” The blond shrugged her shoulders. “Once they get too comfortable, they

make mistakes.”

avatars for who knows how long, avoiding detection. His plans fell because his servants, Nadia and Lucien,

of a villain when you know nothing about them.” Isaiah sighed, rubbing his thumb over Sapphire’s free hand as she controlled the steering wheel with another. His mate smiled lovingly, pink blossoming on her cheeks. A ‘ding!‘ resounded from Phoebe’s

not too far from here!”

gasped. “Where?” When told the address, the woman slammed her foot on the gas pedal and rocketed toward the location where Kiya was last seen. Her heart pounded in both excitement and fear because it meant

her

destination, Lyra and Nikolai caught them up on what happened. Kiya’s scent had long disappeared since then, but Lyra’s tears have not dried. The devastation of a mother is a powerful sensation that is complex to comprehend. It hurt beyond measure. Encouraged by Sapphire and Isaiah, the married couple drove home

further when it

shadowy, desolate alleyway was a direct contract to the populous sidewalks. Shops and stores lined from one intersection to another. Perfume, fresh linen clothes, assortments

up to cover more ground. Sapphire and Isaiah went one way while Phoebe went the

–

of hatred embedded within. Her instinct is to help to purify their energies from their evil affliction, but those beings disappeared faster than

everyone can

stopped to purchase a water bottle from a concession

a mighty surge of sinister energy knocked her

hatred, evil, and…sadness? It was unlike

of the aura, her purples landed on a pair of glowing reds. On the far side of the street, Phoebe spotted Kiya sporting a stoic expression. Her aura, ordinarily a glittering silver and blue, donned a cloak of black and crimson. Kiya stared back at her witch friend, unblinking and unmoving. “Kiya?”

Phoebe whispered, hoping that what she is seeing

turned on her heels and took off down another alleyway.

This was the closest she has come to finding her friend, and she wouldn’t stop now. But her hope decimated when the blaring of car horns killed her focus and she was yanked back to the pavement by two pairs of hands. Her water bottle

did you

shock. “I called after her,

she smiled and waved.” Isaiah mentioned. “What the actual f*ck is going on

back at the spot where Kiya was at,

cut this short…” Sapphire droned, a hand working through her golden curls. “Alpha

“What? Why?”

know, but its urgent.”

can’t leave!” Phoebe

We’ll notify the members already out here to

her Alpha’s orders. As much as she loathed it, she had to return. Sending

61- Dark

back to Sapphire’s car and drove down the road back

redwood forest.

Phoebe’s

Neron

streets, just as I have. Relief blew through me like a wisp of cool air; having many trusted people searching for

I’m

to find Kiya and bring

Osiris, information gathered from the habitants of The Witching Hour club were helpful to an extent. Osiris was a frequent flyer, prowling for prey. His efforts were

hasn’t visited in a month. The timeline matched up to when Kiya told me when