Chapter 61

Cirilla's Point Of View

There was no way I could stop moving restlessly within the walls of my room. It was a few hours past midnight and I was going crazy with countless thoughts running in my head.

I couldn't stay still, nor did I have the capacity to sleep tonight. I needed to think. To clear my head and mind but even that was becoming impossible. I missed Nina now more than ever.

Drawing closer to the large bed at the center of the room, I fell on the edge, burying my face in my palms, and once more the thought of Ria flooded my mind. She didn't deserve to die at the hands of someone like Mason. And now that Mason had his powers, everything would only get worse.

I was up from the bed, feeling the hotness of the air in my lungs, suffocating me. I needed fresh air. I left the room in a haste, the passageway to the main stairs was completely quiet and empty. I was going down the second floor when I noticed the light coming from one of the large rooms at the distant end.

I realized it wasn't a room but a mini training room as I drew closer, stopping at the door which was slightly ajar. There was a fight going on between a bunch of masked warriors and the Luna Queen. But they weren't real. I could feel the enormous amount of magic in the air, they were conjured opponents in the flesh.

I leaned against the door, watching the fight but my entire attention was on her, taking in every single detail of her, every move she made, every kill she did that turned the warriors to dust. Everything about her was perfect. And the memory of everything that took place in the Alpha's office played back in my mind.

I swallowed a hard lump in my throat as the ache in my chest grew worse and my eyes stung.

I blinked several times about taking a step back when she finished off her last opponent and her eyes immediately came to me.

She let out a warm smile, moving to the end of the room where some sparring weapons were neatly arranged. “Can't fall asleep?”

My arms instinctively wrapped against my chest as I pulled away from the door. “Yeah, I was … uhm… about to go for a stroll,”

“Does it usually help to fall asleep?” She asked, thinking for a second before returning her attention to me.

“Not really,” I said honestly.

“I see. Then this might help,” She picked up one of the metal sticks and threw it at me at a fast speed, and I caught it in time. “I prefer fighting the rage and frustration out instead,”

I held onto the stick as she picked hers up. “Does it usually help?” I asked out of the blue, out of sheer curiosity as I walked further into the training room.

“Not really, but it helps me think clearly,”

We were a few feet apart when she moved with an insane amount of speed, charging at me. Thankfully, I managed to block her attack.

“Is it because of what happened tonight that you can't seem to fall asleep?” I asked as I delivered my attack.

She evaded me, going harder against me. “Amongst many things,”

“I have no idea how Mason found out about Ria,” The words came out before I could think about it and my eyes met hers instantly. I just needed her to know this.

“You don't need to explain anything, Cirilla, I know,”

Her words had an instant effect on me and the tightness in my lungs loosened. “Thank you,” I swung my weapon harder against her, and with an instant speed and reflex she came unto me, successfully making me lose my grip on the stick and it fell to the ground.

Her sudden attack caught me by surprise and without thinking I used a force of magic on her but the effect only tripped her a few steps backward, causing a small cut on her face.

“Oh my God! I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…” I started rambling but her instant laughter stopped me halfway.

“It's okay, that was just unexpected but nice,” She released another chuckle, suddenly tossing her stick to the floor. “I think we should ditch the sticks, what do you say?” She smiled in a comical way. “Show me what you've got, Cirilla,”

I watched her take a few steps backward and felt the sudden charge in the air. I could feel the rush of adrenaline within me, but I knew for a fact this wasn't a good idea. “I don't think this is a—”

“Don't hold back, it's okay,” She finally muttered before the atmosphere sparked alive with magic that was soon redirected at me.

I dismantled hers and charged harder. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as we indulged further in physical combat. I managed to jab her a few times with magic.

It went on for a little much longer until we were both out of breath.

I was panting hard as we fell against the hard floor, leaning against the wooden floor. I felt a great deal of exhaustion but at the same time, I felt my mind clearer and sharper.

“How do you feel?” I heard her ask without even the slightest break of exhaustion in her voice.

I turned to meet her curious sparkling blue eyes on me. “Exhausted,” A small smile broke through. “But lighter,” I added, keeping my head turned to her and for the second time admiring her beauty close up.

“See,” She added with a fragile chuckle, resting her back on the wooden wall “Were you always good at this or did Asher teach you?”

Another of her curious gaze met mine, before I shook my head, stifling a smile. “I always took some self-defense class whenever we moved, before I turned fourteen I was already so good,”

I watched the smile in her eyes cool off a little. “How was it?” I narrowed my eyes at her question but before I could ask, she added. “Growing up with her?”

I felt a deep tug in my chest, but I didn't look away. “It was…” I searched for the right word that could sum up my life with Jasmine. Brutal. Unbearable. Difficult? But I ended up with “... normal,”

There was a small beat of silence and the sad look in her eyes felt as though she could see past into my soul.

“I'm sorry,” Her words cut right through me. “For not finding you sooner,” Her voice cracked with emotion and her eyes were glassy.

“You did your best,” The words came out slowly as I fought the stinging in my eyes. But I meant every word. I had heard so much in my little time here. I knew how much they suffered too, yet they never stopped searching for me. “Besides, it wasn't that bad. Jasmine didn't have it easy as well,” I stifled a laugh, brushing off the tear that rolled down my cheek. But I didn't look away. And yet again, I considered how it would have been growing up with her. The thought alone forced another tear down my cheek.

“I can imagine,” She sniffled, chuckling, cocking her head a little to the side. “Do you want to hear a crazy story?”

“Besides you literally dying and then coming back to life?” I chuckled in amazement. I had to admit that part had to be my favorite from everything Kayla had told me.

She looked greatly amused as another soft laughter filled the room. “That was all your father, I swear,”

Kayla had told me that too, almost as if she were there. But I do admire the bond they shared. It was one of a kind.

“But this is about you,”

At her words, I sat straight against the wall, confused and all the more eager to hear her.

“When Cameron brought me back to life, I lost a piece of who I was. I lost every trace of my magic and became a full-fledged vampire. But eight years ago, I had a dream about you… my daughter…” Her eyes were drowned in tears. “For the first time, it gave us more hope than ever that we would find you, and at the same time, magically, you left me with something precious,” She rubbed her wrist gently. “My magic. You restored it,”

I stared at her with wide eyes and felt the softness of her hand on mine. “There was a time in my life I never thought I could ever meet someone like your father or have a family of my own, but I did. I never thought I'd finally escape the darkness I was in, but I did. Everyone will always have an opinion about you, especially when they fear you. But don't cave in…” Her hand gently pulled to my face, tucking back strands of my hair. “... you have no clue how powerful you are, no one knows that better than me. What's to come won't be easy, but you have to remain tough,”

“You are talking about the Council, aren't you?”

She nodded. “That too. We'll find a way to end this. I swear on my life, we'll protect you, at whatever cost,” The tears in her eyes glided down her cheeks effortlessly. “I always wanted to tell you this my sweet girl, your father and I have always loved you, even before you were born. You are our little miracle,”

I don't know if it was the look in her eyes or the words she had said, but tears of my own kept rushing out.

“I would give anything to have those eighteen years of your life back. I'd give anything to ensure I didn't lose you that night,” She inhaled, her sincerity weighing in her soaked eyes.

I leaned into her touch, completely breaking down. I wished I had those eighteen years of my life within these walls.

“It’s not too late…” I could barely recognize my own voice. My emotions were raw to the surface as I hesitated at my next word. “... Mum,”

Her entire body stiffened for a slow second as a wave of shock and an indescribable emotion flickered in her blue eyes.

“Mum,” I called again, and her initial shock washed away, and her eyes ushered some more tears as mine, and gently, her arms came around me, swallowing me in the warmest, heartfelt embrace.

I felt a special kind of warmth in my chest, swirling and spiraling, sending a rush of ecstasy to my soul.

And just then I knew exactly how it would have been growing up within the walls of this place. It would have been the best gift I could receive. A family.

I leaned into her arms, pulling my hand to her wrist when I felt the surge of currents zapping through me, charging from the mark on my shoulder.

The feeling was overpowering, and at once I felt myself zapped into an overpowering feeling of sadness. They were memories. It wasn't mine but hers. I gasped as her memories flooded my mind at the quickest of speed. Like I was witnessing them. At first, it didn't make any sense, not until I saw the purple-eyed woman, Jasmine's friend. And then the ritual, her death, and life of pain and sadness of eighteen years.

I felt a rush of electricity in my bones, crackling forcing me to gasp and as my eyes pulled open they fell into her blue eyes that were drowning in tears.

I didn't know I had been crying until I felt the hot trail down my cheeks, burning me just like the pain in my chest.

Her gaze was filled with sudden shock, sadness, and tears like she'd seen something in my mind as well.

I was about to speak when my eyes caught the mark on her wrist that I held.

Without thinking, I pulled her hand, inspecting the small symbol on her wrist.

Fuck, it was identical to that woman's. I couldn't be mistaken.

“What's wrong, Cirilla?”

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the symbol. “What’s this?”

I looked up at her, and her eyes were on me, observing me.

“It's our family's ancestral rune. The Amnell clan of witches. Every witch from our family always has one. You'll get one too, right after your awakening,” She explained. “Now tell me what's the look on your face?”

“Oh my God!” I released her hand, meeting her gaze. “She had the same symbol on her wrist too,”

Her brows shot up in curiosity. “Who?”

“Asula. The tribe elder that had banished Kali and Mason. She had given Kali the phoenix blade too. I swear she had exactly the same rune on her wrist,” I told her without a doubt.

*****

Davina's Point Of View

It took a few more minutes after I watched Cirilla walk into her room before I left for Cameron's office, unfortunately, he wasn't in.

I headed straight to our bedroom, my heart almost bursting with an uncontrollable euphoria. Never had I expected the night to turn out the way it did.

As I entered the room, Cameron's glorious form filled my vision. He was leaning against the balcony window, reading through some papers.

His eyes immediately darted to me as he dropped the papers aside, a huge grin slitting through his lips. His eyes reflected as much happiness that bubbled through me as he snaked his arms around my waist.

“Cam…” I called with fresh tears forming in my eyes. “...Our daughter… she… “ I could hardly make coherent words before his lips pressed on mine for the longest seconds, silencing me.

He pulled away only a little as one of his hands pulled up to my cheek. “I saw you both in the training room. Actually, Theo and I,” he chuckled, kissing me again on my lips, sending a never-ending series of sparks coursing through my entire being.

“I feel so happy, Cam. She's finally opening up and feeling comfortable,” As another careless tear of mine escaped my eyes, his thumb brushed it away.

“Our family's finally complete,”

“I know,” I leaned in, pressing my lips to his, until we both pulled apart. “What do we do now?”

I didn't need to elaborate, he knew exactly what I was talking about. The sudden dynamics had changed for the worse.

“The Council sent an invitation,” As Cameron spoke, I felt a sudden churn in the pit of my stomach. “For her. They claim it's simply a friendly trial to determine if she's to be trusted or not,”

I shut my eyes, and my legs begin to pace back and forth in the massive bedroom.

“Everyone's frustrated and on the edge. They'll get into her head,” I stopped, turning towards Cameron as he approached me.

“That's why she's not going. She has neither reclaimed her wolf yet nor has her magic under control. She also needs more training to control her vampire urges. The Council failed in one simple task of keeping the young girl safe. They are looking for who to blame and it won't be our daughter,” Cameron's eyes flashed with golden streaks, indicating Vittorio's presence. He breathed to calm himself. “Things are only about to get worse with Mason on the loose. He has everything he needs and we have no plan to stop him,”

“Yet,” I said, stepping closer to him as his eyebrows pulled together, puzzled. “Cirilla told me something tonight about the phoenix blade. We were right, it was made with a phoenix stone,”

“A phoenix stone? How is that possible?” He asked. “The phoenix stones has always been in—”

“My family,” I finished. “Cirilla told me the witch who made it had one of these,” I pulled my wrist up, pointing at my ancestral rune. “She was an Amnell witch. My ancestor. I think there's a way to make another phoenix blade, and this time lethal enough to end the darkness,”