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.

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

if something is being torn from my chest, and I fall forward. My knee hits the

that is radiating

is holding her own, but she’s far more powerful than I

strained voice comes as she keeps her stance, no

are fixed ahead, blazing

on, feeling Evelyn’s body begin

Ziahra, the doubt suddenly sending a

me the

wind is beating too violently, her

body will be fine.” Comes

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

Barely though.

even reply, she collapses to her knees, her body slumping against me as a

into the air before her body is

he catches her body. Both were thrown to the ground,

the light, trying to see

of a circular portal. The entrance is hazy, as if we

She’s done it.

succeeded in

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 from her nose and

have to.” I

no other option but

it shuts,”

lift Evelyn

She’s awake but unmoving.

and go!’ Zerachiel

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

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

“Little Lamb…”

you… it will be easter…

heavy as does her body, but

empty one…”

at it, my stomach churning as Gray stands beside it, ready

I vow as

drag myself towards the awaiting stone casket, coming

I can’t do it.

can’t do this.” I say, turning to Kash as if wanting guidance. “I can’t do this to her. She’s done

Kash says, but I

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

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

“Hurry.” She warns me.

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

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

her, for us all. He

look down at her, and this time

you…” She whispers, she’s still breathing weakly, her body still limp in my arms. Her hand weakly clutching my

for me, alright?”

a small smile,

“I will… I promise.”