Chapitre 24
Athènia's POV
Mara looks at me as if I just said something she never expected.
" I will be ready to kill the greatest enemy if I have to, because I am the chosen one. I must fulfill my duty." I said
Garth looks at me with pride.
" I'll be by your side." said Garth
" Me too. I'll be there." said Asher
Mara places a hand on my shoulder.
" We're in this together, for better or worse." said Mara
I give them a smile.
" Thank you guys, you're always here even when times are hard." I said
"That's because we made a vow." said Garth
"Do you think we can take a walk in this forest?" asked Mara
" Let's ask Ken if we can." I said
" Oh right." said Mara
We step out after grabbing our things. I spot Ken in a hidden place away from the others. I move toward him while the others follow me.
" But where are we going? Isn't Mr. Ken's cabin on the other side?" asked Asher
" No, he's right here." I said
I walk through the bushes, the others following behind.
" Tevi." I called
Ken turns around, surprised to see us.
" You? What are you doing here? Who's Tevi? I'm Kendrick." said Tevi
" Oh really? You know nothing about Tevi Warrens?" I said
Tevi sighs before meeting my gaze.
"Fine… yes, I am Tevi Warrens. I knew you had strong powers, but I didn't realize they were this powerful." said Tevi
" And may I know who sent you to protect me?" I asked
" The gods." replied Tevi
We all stare at him in shock.
" What? How so?" I asked
" The gods sent me on a mission—to protect you and to teach you how to fight." replied Tevi
" But I already know how to fight." I said
" You're more skilled than most, but not as skilled as your enemy. To defeat him, you need to reach his level—or surpass it." said Tevi
" You do realize what this means for you, don't you?" I said
Tevi kneels on one knee, places his right hand over his heart.
" I, Tevi Warrens, swear loyalty to my supreme Alpha, Athènia Nancella Lisiane Gronds, and vow to give my life to protect her if necessary. My death will only be one step in the war." said Tevi
" Rise, Tevi." I said
He stands, bows, then straightens properly.
" I accept your allegiance. I know that even if I don't want anyone to die, fate is fate… and I myself must kill the enemy." I said
" I will teach you how to fight, my Alpha." said Tevi
" Are you a hybrid or a pure supernatural?" I said
" I am a warrior sorcerer" Said Tevi .
"Alright. Now, can we go walk through the forest?" I said
"You may do whatever you wish, Alpha." said Tevi
"Thank you, Ken." I said
We leave as Tevi returns to what he was doing. We walk through the forest, exploring our surroundings.
" This place looks amazing." said Mara
" Yeah, not bad at all." I said
We stop when we spot a lake.
" Perfect! Just what I needed." said Mara
"Good thing we brought our swimsuits." I said
" Let's go then." said Asher
We split into two sides to change. Then we come back out of hiding.
" Ready, girls?" said Asher
We answer with an enthusiastic "yes." We race toward the water—of course, I win. I jump in, splashing the others. We laugh and play like children discovering water for the first time. After a few hours, we climb out, dry off, and are about to leave when suddenly, I hear a voice calling me to follow.
" Guys, don't look for me. I'll be back tomorrow. If Tevi asks, tell him to come find me tomorrow." I said
" But how can we just leave you here?" asked Mara
"Mara, please. I have something to do." I replied
"Alright, but be careful." said Asher
They head off in the other direction while I start following the voice.
" Follow me and you'll discover the truth." said the voice
I keep going until I find myself in front of a cave. The voice speaks again, from inside. Without even questioning whether I should enter, my feet carry me straight in. Torches light up, illuminating the path. It doesn't comfort me much. I turn back, but instead of an entrance, there's a wall.
What kind of sick joke is this? So now I have to wander in this cave until I find a way out.
" And what am I, huh?" said Kora
I sigh—I'd forgotten about her.
" My best friend." I said
" Oh, you're the best too." said Kora
I follow the light as more torches ignite.
" Lis, the mate is here too." said Kora
As if things couldn't get worse. I'm trapped here with him. Why not throw in a crocodile while we're at it? Wait… there's another scent…
" Ahhhh!" I screamed
" Why aren't you dead?" said the Alpha.
Of course. The Alpha pounces on me, and we hit the ground.
" What are you even doing here!?" sais the Alpha.
" What do you think?" I said
I kick her, sending her crashing against the wall.
" Damn it!" said my mate.
My mate appears, staring at me.
" What!? Want a picture?" I said
The Alpha struggles to get back up.
" Serves her right." said Kora
I glare at the Alpha with contempt.
" What? Are you disappointed I'm not dead? Oh, sorry—I'm the daughter of a sorcerer who also happens to be a king. You think he wouldn't protect me?" I said
My tone is ice cold. From the corner of my eye, I see the vampire seething with anger.
" You tried to kill her!!" said the vampire
" Obviously. I was sent here to kill her—just like you, idiot." said the future Alpha.
" Of course. You were both sent by your parents to kill ME." I said
The Alpha glares at me with hatred. I place a hand dramatically over my chest.
" Ouch, so much hate." I said
I tie my hair into a ponytail.
" I don't know why you're here, but I need to uncover the truth about this so-called alliance… and find out who this woman is." I said
I look at them. They exchange glances, as if silently agreeing she makes sense.
"And I know you want to discover it too. So I propose a deal—we uncover it together." I said
I walk ahead, noticing several paths. I close my eyes, trying to hear the voice again—but nothing.
" You should try a location spell, recite the words." said Kora
" Will that even work?" I said
" Well, we managed the protection spell, didn't we?" said Kora
"That was pure luck." I said
She sighs.
" But can I do it without saying it aloud?" I said
" Why not just tell them?" asked Kora
"Because I can't risk revealing who I am." I said
" But Lis—" said Kora
" No, Kora. You won't change my mind. I'll keep my identity hidden—both wolf and powers. If the enemy is as strong as they say, I must keep my abilities secret as long as possible. Even if we ally, I won't tell them." I said
" What you're saying… makes sense." said Kora.
I focus, reciting the words in my head. An image appears, showing me the path leading to the voice. I open my eyes—seven paths before me. I walk down the third, because that's where the one who called us awaits.
As I go, torches light up, as if they had been extinguished for centuries. I wonder what this person wants to reveal. Does she know the true cause of the hatred between the three races? Because, as far as I know, no one in this generation understands why the hatred began centuries ago.
I'm certain what we're about to discover will force us into an alliance. I hear footsteps behind me—looks like they've decided to follow me after all.
We walk on, the torches blazing with every step… just like our thirst for truth, which is about to be revealed.