His Dark Obsession

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.

I wonder if they are because of the pain she’s feeling or

chest, and

ok?” Kash asks, about to move forward, but the force that is radiating off the altar is far too strong

don’t know how Evelyn is holding her own, but she’s far more powerful than

strained voice comes as she keeps her stance, no longer

fixed ahead, blazing a fluorescent

blurs, but I hold on,

I ask Ziahra, the doubt suddenly sending a glimmer of

to reply, but she gives me the

beating too violently, her hair whipping across her

fine.” Comes Evelyn’s

because of you… I didn’t consider the body.” I reply, my voice

Barely though.

collapses to her knees, her body slumping against me as a blinding light fills the room and a surge of power fills the

the air before her body

body. Both were thrown to the ground, getting to her before Gray could. He

the light, trying to see if it

out the outline of a circular portal. The entrance is hazy, as if

She’s done it.

in opening

pass through… you’re weak.” Ziahra mutters as Kash helps her sit up. Her head rests on his chest and only now do I see the dark blood that leaks

to.”

is no other option but to find the

before it shuts,” Ziahra

lift

She’s awake but unmoving.

her and go!’ Zerachiel

The portal won’t stay

before I go, I need to reassure her

“Little Lamb…”

told you… it will be easter… I’m drained…” She

her into my arms, hugging her tightly. My arms feel dead heavy as does her body, but I refuse to just let her go

one…” Ziahra

my stomach churning as Gray stands

Evelyn asks quietly. nod, “I promise to.” I

drag myself towards the awaiting stone

I can’t do it.

if wanting guidance. “I can’t do this to

killed, people.” Kash says, but I shake

Zerachiel has killed people! She’s not any different, she’s not going in there, not on my watch. Kash, keep an eye on her. Don’t let anyone hurt her.”

and Ziahra looks worried as she stares at the portal that has begun to

“Hurry.” She warns me.

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

to him. ‘Please, take care of her. Do this for Evangeline,

but I hope he does take care of her, for us all. He

down at her, and this time the tears

she’s still breathing weakly, her body still limp in my arms. Her hand

on your best behaviour for me, alright?” I

and I give her a

“I will… I promise.”