Chapter 1

Yesterday...

New York City Civil Court

11:30 am.

'Thank you, Miss Richelieu. You have saved me a fortune. I will be sure to send you that bottle of Pinot Noir' Mrs Emily Darby shook Eloise's hand with a smile.

'They don't call me the best closer in New York for nothing. I will be waiting on that bottle then. But one more thing, Emily. Don't go making more trouble, alright' Eloise told her with a smug smile.

Emily Darby laughed heading towards the elevator with her phone to her ear.

'The best closer, huh? I think you were just lucky as always, Eloise' Eloise turned to find Karim Forder behind her. Her longest rival in the cooperate law business, ever since she started eight years ago. She had no idea why he didn't like her but like many others, he was intimidated by her.

Eloise De Richelieu was one of New York's top corporate lawyers. She worked at Parson Hermes Cadwell, one of New York's most prestigious Law firms. Where she had remained the youngest partner for two years now. She made number one in Today's Women Magazine one month ago. Earning her more money and fame.

She was beautiful, young and successful. More than anything else, she was a game player. Eloise was hardworking, fierce, strong-willed and proud. She was the one you called when you had no way out. Over the year she'd earned the title of the best closer because she was the best at what she did. And relentless when she wanted something, and she always had her way. Always.

'There is no such thing as luck, Karim. You either lose or win. I am always the latter' Eloise turned to leave.

'There you are wrong. You are going to get what you deserve one of these days' He said his tone full of spite.

Eloise turned with a raised brow. She'd been at this game with this man for years. Right from the very first day at the DA's office, where they both worked as associates. She always figured he was jealous because everyone liked her and not him. But never did he ever sound this serious.

Eloise laughed heartily. 'I've always wondered what this obsession with me was. Don't you get tired of following me around? Hmm, Forder?' She asked with a smirk.

'You...'

'You know what? Forget I asked. You know I love a good challenge, so bring it on. But, sadly, you are always going to end up the loser. Good day, Mr Forder' Eloise turned away with a smirk.

Her smirk slowly vanished as she made her way to the elevator. A sudden shiver ran down her spine.

Call her crazy, but this was the fourth threat.

The fourth threat in a week. Once she would've taken this lightly and laughed about it. But things were different now. She was different now.

Right now...

Eloise woke up abruptly lying in a pile of ash. She groaned loudly, stepping out of her grey duvets naked.

'Not again' She headed towards the bathroom, leaving prints of ash every step she took.

She died again.

This was becoming more of a nuisance than the so called blessing her people called it. At first, she thought it would be fine. She was the Eloise De Richelieu, there was nothing she couldn't handle. She'd been a witch all her life but that never interrupted her normal life. It didn't interrupt because she ignored that side of her. That side of her that proved the world wasn't just as it seemed.

The other side of her identity came from another world. The world of the supernatural. The world of vampires, witches, wolves, fairies, shifters and other creatures. Creatures, human beings believed mere stories and myths. Stories created from human propaganda based on half truths, have been passed down and distorted for millennia.

But they were real and everywhere.

Walking amongst humans and leaving normal lives like everyone else.

A world, Eloise swore she'd never go back to. At least until she acquired this newly found power. A power which was overwhelming her and destroying her perfect life.

The power of the Phoenix.

A power which was believed lost over four hundred years ago. It was a sacred power the witches revered and worshipped. A power of immortality, strength and unfathomable firepower and magic.

Until a month ago, she was an ignorant witch, who had no idea how to cast a single spell. Now she was a full blown witch with power and knowledge she never knew she had.

As part of the quirks of her newfound power, she sometimes died and came back a few hours later. Usually, naked in a pile of ashes she had to clean.

She hated these powers and most time than often she wanted to get rid of them. Not only, was it interfering with the normal life she had worked her ass off and toiled for, but it also opened a new door of responsibility she was ready for.

Suprema to her people. The Supreme witch is commonly known amongst witches. The most powerful witch. Who is responsible for protecting the witches. What business did she, a twenty eight year old woman, with her whole life ahead of her have with protecting a lot she didn't even know?

It did sound selfish but she was never one with the superhero complex. She preferred her own so quiet normal life.

Eloise stood before the full length staring at her reflection. Her emerald eyes were bright like always. Her copper red hair had grown longer to her back. Her skin was soft and glowed. She looked beautiful and felt new. Everything felt different and she hated it.

She admitted being able to use magic now was nice. But there was nothing worse than the fear of not knowing when you'd pop into a pile of ash.

How was she ever going to explain it if there were ever human observers?

Her phone rang interrupting her thoughts.

She pulled on a blue robe and walked back to her bedroom. She wondered who would dare call her on such a sore Saturday morning.

She ignored the pile of ash on her bed, waiting to be cleaned. She picked up her phone from the bedside stand, tapping the receive button.

'Be snappy, I'm not in the best mood' she said in a grumpy tone, to receive a peal of shrill laughter on the other end of the line.

Her frown quickly morphed into a smile. Who wouldn't melt at that sound? she thought.

'Let me guess, you woke up in a pile of ashes?' Cole said in a teasing tone.

'Such a genius you are?' Eloise said sarcastically a small smile playing on her lips as she slouched on the bed. At the part where there wasn't a pile of heaping ashes of course.

Cole laughed again.

'Well, guess I called at the right time. I woke up this morning to find a bottle of Pinot Noir at my door. I was thinking dinner and glass would be nice. But it looks like we will be needing it this morning' he told her, following a soft knock on her door. Eloise walked to the door opening it, with her smile wider than before.

'Oh god, I love you' She hung up the phone and fell into Cole's strong arms.

'You better' He chuckled. Hugging her and placing a kiss on her head. Eloise looked up at him with a smile.

His dirty blonde hair looked darker, and so was his blue eyes. He was 6.3 feet tall, with a strongly built body and a handsome face.

Unlike her, Cole Chamberlain was a six hundred old vampire. He looked not a day older than thirty. Vampires aged slower than their age.

Growing up she like many of her kind, was never a fan of vampires. But she knew she loved him the very day she set eyes on him, a year ago. She didn't care what he was.

'You in a better mood now?' Cole asked, caressing her face and wiping a smudge of ash off her face.

'I am' She tiptoed to kiss him.

Their lips collided gently with their tongues intertwining.

They slowly trotted into the room, lips still hooked slowly falling onto the bed.

Cole turned her over, laying his weight on her, kissing her lips with his hands roaming on all the delicate spots on her body. Eloise wasn't an easy woman to love. She was strong headed and so stubborn; it drove him so mad sometimes.

But in bed, she was the most delicate, sensitive and never fought back.

There was a sudden loud clang downstairs interrupting them. Eloise sat up quickly, abruptly pulling away from Cole and heading for the door.

'El, ignore it. Come back here' Cole groaned.

'No, did you not hear that' She quickly pulled on her robe heading for the door.

Eloise rushed down the stairs towards the kitchen where the sound came from. She was going to burn whoever it was to crisp. Some nerve they had to interrupt her in the middle of the best orgasm, she could've had.

She flipped her left hand, creating a glowing ball of fire instantly.

Eloise stepped into the kitchen and froze.

'Father, Mother?' She muttered in astonishment, next to them were her five sisters, then her cousin Elaina. Who had an apologetic look on her face. She was the only one who knew where she stayed, she probably told them after being threatened, either by her sisters Herren or Lillian.

'What you doing here?' Eloise asked flatly.

'El....' Cole walked in behind her with nothing but a towel around his waist, exposing his magnificent torso.

Her fourth sister Catherine whistled and her other sisters chuckled.

'Mm, yummy' she said in a throaty tone.

'That's enough, the three of you' Their father, Heron De Richelieu snapped.

'What are you doing here? Ten years and that's all you can say, Eloise?' Tarrah, her second eldest said.

'She doesn't even look happy to see us' Veronica, her third sister said.

'I told you this was a bloody waste of time' Lillian, her fourth muttered roaming around the large kitchen.

'Same old Eloise. I see you haven't changed at all' Catherine said with a sly smile. She was the fifth daughter with Eloise being the last. Her sisters were never fond of her, and neither were they of themselves.

'Well, no one sent you to take along. If it displeases you so much, you can all go back to wherever you came from. And Lillian quitting touching those' Eloise snapped at them.

'Eloise Bella De Richelieu, that is no way to talk to your elders' Her mother said in a stern tone.

Eloise rolled her eyes, for some reason, she was being punished this morning.

'Well, I didn't ask you to show up here, did I?' Eloise said flatly her displeasure showing on her face.

'That's no way to speak to your mother. Apologize now Eloise' Herren demanded. She was the eldest and the scariest, with her trimmed boyish haircut and military built body. She was fifty two years old, ex-military, married with three children.

'Whatever, I don't have time for this. Show yourselves out' Eloise turned away to leave but Cole stepped in her path.

Eloise glared at him. 'At least listen to them 'he said in a soft tone.

'Listen, to the vampire, he seems wiser than you' Veronica said.

'And handsome too' Catherine winked at Cole.

'Cole! That's his name' Eloise snapped.

'That's enough, all of you. Excuse us. We will talk to your sister alone from here' Their father said. The sisters left quickly leaving the four behind.

'I think I should leave too...'

'No, stay' Eloise said ignoring the distasteful looks her parents had on. She was probably a huge disappointment to her parents. Not only had she left home ten years ago, abandoning her people, but she was also in love with a vampire, an enemy to her people. But Eloise was past caring what anyone thought of her now, even her parents.

'You know there's no way I'm going back, right?' She folded her arms to her chest with the same frown her father had on. His curly dark copper hair had strings of grey in them now. The wrinkled lines on his face were huge than before. The years had indeed taken a toll on him.

'We didn't come here to force you to do anything, sweetheart. Trust me we didn't want to show up here but....'

'Do not butter it up, Rebecca' Heron said abruptly, interrupting his wife.

'Please, Heron be reasonable' Rebecca told her husband.

'You don't have to shield from his words, mother. I can take it' Eloise said firmly.

Heron's eyes hardened but suddenly turned softer. He sat on the closest chair with a sigh. Eloise had always been his favourite. Not only did she look like him, but she also took his character too. There wasn't a day she didn't defy him when she was little. She was so stubborn and rebelled every chance she got. Exactly the way he was when was younger. He was stern with all his daughters, he raised the, like boys and made sure they would obey his every whim. But not Eloise, she began disobeying him from the very day she learned to speak. She had the right to, he wasn't the most ideal father figure.

He chuckled slightly at her defensive posture, ready to lash back if he did anything but say anything that didn't sit well with her.

'Sit down, Sun bee' Heron said softly. Eloise's eyes wavered a second but hardened again. She wasn't about to let her guard down because he addressed her with the name, she used to be fond of.

She sat the chair around the small round table with Cole standing behind her.

'Eloise, things are not well back at home. Our people are being murdered by the day by the Halo Society. It started with the kidnapping of witch civilians and then murdering them. Lately, it's a wide outbreak of the witch scourge. For some reason, only witch communities are being targeted' Her father told her.

'First Salem, the French Quarter in New Orleans then....'

'The Rivera in Saint Tropez' Eloise muttered; she saw the mass evacuation of that area due to the outbreak of an unknown disease on the news yesterday.

Heron nodded; glad she had a fair idea of the situation at hand. 'We fear human exposure, they have gotten too close to the situation as it is. Our people on the inside are trying to hush it up, but we fear it's just a matter of time before any of them make a discovery. Humans aren't as easy to handle as before' Rebecca told her, the worry in her voice evident.

The Discovery of Witches, how grand that sounded. Probable headlines will be blowing the news for a century or more. Fueling more human propaganda and a risk of exposing the whole supernatural world. Witches have suffered too much as it is. Chances of them being wiped out if news of them came to light were high. Something, not even her, Eloise, wished upon herself or any other witch out there. The extinction of her kind.

'Both your mother and I, along with the other leaders have sat down and decided to take aid from the Imperium' Her father said.

'What?' Eloise's eyes flew with surprise.

The Imperium was a sovereign entity of all supernatural creatures, under the authority of one Lord Imperio, who was a primal creature of every single race. A single creature yet of many races. Vampire, wolf, witch, shifter, daemon and fairy all in one man. He was the strongest creature ever born, feared by every race but not witches. He was seen as an abomination to the very roots of magic. No creature was supposed to wield such powers, it evaded every rule of the Natural laws of nature.

For a millennium, the Imperium has tried to bring the witch under its rule. Yet the witches have been able to resist them every time. It was the exact opposite this time.

'It's the only way, to protect our people....'

'Can't you see, you are eating right into their hands. Who knows the imperium is the one behind all this? Their sick attempt to get you to finally...'

'Darius was killed a month ago!' Heron yelled. Eloise gasped softly.

'He was sealed, bled out in a witch circle drawn in his blood. With the mark of the Halo scorched on his forehead. He was tortured to death. This is a sign of war, Eloise. I will make sure to sniff out every single one of these evil creatures, even if I have to sell my soul. At least what's left of it' Heron said in a sad tone. Rebecca placed a hand on his shoulder.

Eloise furrowed her brow, what more bad news did they bring apart from, the death of her best friend?

Heron slowly pulled off his left glove, revealing a nearly rotten hand. Eloise stepped away from her seat, kneeling before her father.

'Father' She muttered sadly. He had been affected by the witch scourge too. An incurable disease with unknown origins. It rotted its host to the bones until there was nothing left. A forbidden and cursed spell only very powerful witches can cast.

'I was in Saint Tropez when the last wave hit. We can't keep leaving in fear of death. I have to protect the last of our people at all cost...'

'What does the Imperium want in exchange?' Eloise asked, slowly standing to her feet. The Imperium never gave without taking back. They weren't making an exception this time around for the good of their hearts.

Both Heron and Rebecca exchanged knowing looks as if they were about to drop the worst news yet.

'The Lord Imperio, to accept this arrangement in totality has requested for an unbreakable alliance between our two families. A bond that would tie us for generations to come' Rebecca told her.

Eloise frowned; she didn't like where this was heading.

'This alliance will be sealed with a marriage' Her father said. Eloise let out a sigh. There she was dreading the worst.

'That isn't a problem. My four sisters are unmarried. You could get one of them to marry him. Catherine will be thrilled, I think....' The look on her parent's faces stopped her from saying anything else.

'He asked for you' Both Heron and Rebecca replied.