Chapter 8 The Deal Between the Devil

Viktor's hands sent shadows that were not typical darkness; they moved with intention toward me, with tendrils whispering promises of power and freedom. I fell back but found nowhere to flee. We were encircled.

Kael growled, his body already starting to change, "Stay behind me.

Viktor purred, "How noble, but ultimately pointless. Nephew, the girl will come with me one way or another.

"Over my body.

That's feasible.

Wrapping around Kael's neck and elevating him off the ground, the shadows hit like lightning. His mostly changed form battled against the dark bonds, claws futilely tearing against the supernatural restraints.

I yelled; waves of power burst from me. My Celestial energy seemed to feed Viktor's shadows rather than dispel them, strengthening them.

Viktor laughed out across the renovated pavilion. "Excellent! Do you see, kid? Your might understands its actual character. Light and darkness are partners in the cosmic dance, not opposites.

Tears streaming down my face as Kael's difficulties worsened, I begged, "Let him go.

Viktor challenged, "Make me," and he said, "Embrace what you actually are, and I will think about forgiveness.

Desperate for any clue about the woman who had claimed to comprehend my difficulties, I stared at Seraphina. Her face, however, was stone; her loyalty definitely belonged to her brother now.

I mumbled, please

Viktor whispered, "The choice is yours, little star. Join me willingly, learn to use your strength free from the restrictions of morality and pack law, and your buddy survives. Decline. His gaze met mine, and I saw him trying to shake his head even in his anguish. He advised me not to do it. sacrifice yourself for him.

Still, how could I not?

"I'll go with you," I replied, the words ripping from my throat like fragments of my soul. "Just let him breathe.

Viktor's grin was triumphant. Kael gasped for air as the shadows loosened enough, but did not set him entirely free.

"Wise option. Viktor motioned, and more shadows streamed from the ground to surround us. have to demonstrate your devotion. But trust is gained, not granted.

"What do you want me to do?

"Something simple: use your strength to shatter the mate bond between you and my nephew.

The words struck me as a physical blow:

"The connection weakens you and splits your allegiance. Break it; then, I will know you are determined to welcome your whole potential.

The word escaped almost unheard.

Viktor's eyebrows arched. "Not even to save his life?

I gazed at Kael and noticed the hopelessness in his eyes, not for his own life, but for mine. He understood Viktor's request would obliterate something basic in us both.

I observed, "There has to be another way.

Viktor's voice stiffened, "There isn't. The link or his life. Choose right now. Breaking it would be ripping out my own heart, never-healing wound.

To let him pass away, nevertheless...

Kael rasped, "Aria, don't. let him win.

I mumbled, grabbing the connection with my power. "I'm sorry.

Something amazing happened when my celestial energy came into contact with that silvery link. The link burned brighter, stronger rather than breaking it, bearing with it a rush of shared memories and feelings almost toppled me to my knees.

Kael's eyes let me see myself as someone lovely and powerful, worthy of love, rather than as a monster to be feared. His assurance that I might overcome any darkness and his constant faith in me struck me.

I also realized Viktor had committed a serious mistake.

He believed the mating bond made me vulnerable.

He was incorrect.

It filled me entirely.

I said, eyes wide open to meet Viktor's irate look, "I can't break the bond.

Your partner then passes away.

"No," I replied more firmly. "You'll let him go.

Viktor chuckled. "And why would I do that?

I smiled, feeling power unlike anything I had ever experienced flowing through me-not just my own Celestial energy, but something deeper, older, born from the unbreakable connection between Kael and me.

"Because if you harm him, I'll show you exactly what a Celestial linked to an Alpha is actually capable of.

This time it wasn't just silvery light; the air all around me started to shimmer. The energy flowed with golden strands, making patterns that Viktor took an unconscious step back.

"Impossible," he murmured, adding, "The ancient ties were lost centuries ago.

"Were they? Kael's power coursed into me through our link, much like mine flowed into him. As our combined power pushed against them, the shadows holding him started to dissolve. "Or did you merely forget how to hunt for them?

Viktor seemed hesitant for the first time since he came. Responding to his moment of uncertainty, the shadows all around us swayed.

That was all the entrance we needed.

With a shout that shook the transformed pavilion's very foundation, Kael escaped his handcuffs. I let out everything-not just my Celestial power but also the combined might of our relationship, our love, our total opposition to be separated-at the same moment.

Viktor and Seraphina were flung backward by the burst of energy; their bodies faded into shadow and mist before reconstituting at the periphery of the clearing.

Viktor growled, but I could see the terror in his eyes now. "This isn't over," fear of what Kael and I had developed together.

"Yes, it is," I answered calmly. "Tell the Council, tell anyone who'll listen-we won't be caged, controlled, or used. We won't be separated.

Viktor started to disappear. You have no idea what you've just unleashed, child. Tomorrow evening, the blood moon rises, and every supernatural being on Earth will then know exactly where to locate you.

Kael said, approaching to stand by me, "Let them come. We'll be ready.

I felt something change in the environment as Viktor and Seraphina vanished totally. Other Alphas would hear about this battle. The Council would seek answers. Tomorrow evening's blood moon would bring challenges we couldn't even imagine.

But I wasn't scared for the first time since this entire nightmare started.

Because I wasn't tackling this on my own.

Kael grabbed my hand; our fingers intertwined as effortlessly as we inhaled. By way of our tie, I sensed his resolve matching my own.

He murmured, "Whatever comes next, we face it together.

Feeling the veracity of those statements sink into my bones, I gripped his hand.

"Together," I thought, agreeing.

However, even as we stood together in our changed haven, Viktor's parting words seemed to carry more weight than just threats.

The blood moon was less than twenty-four hours away.

Something told me that the actual conflict would finally start when it rose.