Filed to story: Sheila Callaso and Alpha Killian Reid Book
“We don’t know yet,” Damion, an elder vampire, said. “But everyone knows how serious it is for the Phoenix stone to be in the hands of the Dark Circle.”
It was worse than being serious. It was dangerous. The Phoenix stones were one of the most powerful sources of magic. They had been around since the dawn of witchcraft. As powerful as it may be, it is also dangerous if all four are used together.
“Those Phoenix stones have great powers that are capable of the impossible. Whatever the Dark Circle’s aim is, it’s not good.” Elder Walter voiced.
“It has started, exactly as the prophecy had shown on the crystal stones in the fortress. The end of all our kinds is near. I can feel a storm heading our way, and it is capable of destroying every one of us.” When Amelie spoke for the first time, everyone’s gaze shifted to her. She leaned deeper into her chair, a finger to her temple. The dark circles around the skin of her eyes showed how weak and strained she was. It wasn’t easy having a gift like hers. Her gift was something not many witches would wish for. The gift of prophecy was taking a toll on her.
“It’s been fourteen years now since the attack on the Crystal Fortress by the Dark Circle. They even managed to infiltrate the Black Blood Pack and have the destined one killed. What more do those leeches want?” Felix sparked into a rage, his words ushering in a certain coldness that covered the court.
Everywhere went silent. It was as if everyone was thinking the same thing, remembering that night. Involuntary, my gaze fell on Leonardo’s, his blue eyes dark with pain and an understood rage. The Blacks were the ones that suffered the most. On that night, they lost everything. The Alpha, the Luna, and most importantly, the child the prophecy had spoken about, their sister.
I shut my eyes closed, pain eating through the depth of my soul, reminding me that everyone had lost something. When the prophecy formed on the crystal stones twenty-four odd years ago, no one knew exactly what it meant until the night the destined child with powers like that of the goddess herself was born.
The child spoken about in the prophecy is the one destined to save our world from the unknown darkness. But that child was stolen during the attack on Leonardo’s pack led by a Dark Circle member, Killian’s father. We tried everything to find her, but we couldn’t. We even tried locating her magic instead, but it came up blank. I sighed. It’s either she’s still missing or dead. Deep down, I hope it’s the former, even though many seem to think it’s the latter.
The Crystal Fortress tried to keep the prophecy within our walls, but somehow, the Dark Circle got to know about the child and her powers. They raided the fortress, murdering every witch until they found the identity of the child the prophecy had spoken of. Many witches lost their lives, and the Crystal Fortress was destroyed. It was the witches’ responsibility to protect that child, and we failed to.
“It wouldn’t do any good to speak of a past we have no power to change,” Elder Philip spoke up. “We know exactly what the Dark Circle is after, and for whatever reasons they are after the Phoenix stones, we mustn’t let them get hold of them.” He added
“Philip is right. They’ve already got one stone and will no doubt go after the other three. We must protect it.” Silas, another elder vampire, said.
I turned to find Killian’s gaze on me. Whatever they are proposing would require a lot of work. There were only four Phoenix stones with an equal amount of magic. They were separated and kept safely with the Fae, the vampires, the wolves, and the witches. The Fae were with one, and the vampires were with the second. Back then, the Crystal Fortress also held the stones, and so did the wolves. The last stone was entrusted to the Crescent North Pack, with Killian’s ancestors to be precise.
At that time, they were also one of the ancient trustworthy packs within the Council to protect the stone, before Killian’s father’s reign ruined everything. Nell Reid had withdrawn from the Council, and instead became part of the Dark Circle. He was an alpha whose soul went dark. Those kinds are called feral wolves, who have lost all morals and humanity.
Leonardo’s words filled the court, his dark eyes scowling at Killian. “We mustn’t forget, his father was a member of the Dark Circle, and he could have given the stone to them already,”
Killian returned with a glare. “I doubt the possibility of that. He had no idea where the Phoenix stone was. If that stone is somewhere within my pack, then I’ll find it with the help of the witches.”
Zeriyah’s gaze darted swiftly to me. “Please do Valerie. We must get the remaining three stones together, and they must be kept safely.”
I nodded to her words. After a while, the meeting was adjourned, and everyone exited the supreme court.
Killian and I moved to our horses, getting on them.
“Do you think the stone is still within the pack?” I asked him, after a long time of silence.
He nodded, sparing me a glance. “Yes. Now it makes sense why the Dark Circle attacked the pack. They came seeking the stone. This only means it’s still somewhere within the pack, and they’ll be coming for it,”
A worried expression settled on his face at his last words.
“Then we must find it,” I said.
“And be ready when they come.”
Killian’s point of view
Valerie and I just crossed into your territory, along with Adam, Jax, and a few warriors that accompanied us to the Council’s meeting. I headed straight to the castle. I jumped off my horse, which was being led away by a warrior. I was on my way inside when Mason called out to me, speedily catching up to me.
“How did the meeting go?” He spoke as we started for the castle’s doors.
“Bad” was all I could say. And that was the truth. The fact that the Dark Circle has reappeared in North Central was bad enough, and now, only the goddess knows what they are cooking up now, going after the Phoenix stones. And that was another problem in itself. Even if my father hadn’t given the stone to the Dark Circle, I had no idea where it could possibly be. The best option we’ve got is the witches. Hopefully, Valerie and the coven could do some kind of spell to find it, while we prepare the pack for another attack from the Dark Circle.
Somehow, that worries me more. Last time they sent a bunch of rogues to find the stone, this time I’m having a really bad feeling for some reason.
I stopped in my tracks, turning to Mason. “We need to prepare, just in case there’s another attack. Get the bunkers ready, and, please, see to it that the younger wolves triple their training.”
Mason’s wide eyes narrowed. “Is it that bad?”
I nodded.
“And why will the Dark Circle attack again?” He asked.
“I’ll explain it better during tonight’s meeting,” I said to him. It was just then that my eyes caught the metal chains that stood in his hands.
My eyes shot up to meet his.
“It’s the night after tomorrow. You didn’t forget, right? ” He questioned
Bloody fuck! I did. I did forget. I pulled my rough palms to my face, rubbing it tightly.
“I actually forgot,” I said, pinching the skin on my brow and scanning my surroundings. Everyone was moving about; they had begun preparations already.
“Well, I can’t blame you. A lot has been happening recently. But I think you should be with Thea. It’ll help.” Mason said.
I nodded. I watched him leave. I also made my way to my chamber. I abandoned my clothes, taking a quick shower, after which I wore a fresh set of clothes.
The door pushed open instantly, and Morgan walked in, leaning against the wall. “How did it go?” He asked.
I sighed, repeating everything I had told Mason and what happened at the supreme court.
“Why will the Dark Circle be after the stones?” He asked, curiously.
I shrugged. “Who knows?”
“I need you to take charge of patrolling and the pack’s defenses. We need to be on high alert in case we are attacked.”
Morgan nodded in agreement.
“I’ll speak to the witches to have a barrier spell placed around the territory,” I said, again, moving past Morgan when I got a whiff of a familiar scent on him.
My eyes flashed rage, growling. “Why is Sheila’s scent all over you?”
Morgan held a smirk. “Maybe because I’ve been training her.”
“What training?”
“You really don’t pay any attention to her, do you?” He moved from the wall, stalking closer. “Well, since you wouldn’t want her to train with the warriors, she asked me to train her instead. And you know me, brother, I don’t turn down requests, especially when it’s from a beautiful lady.”
His words provoked Ryker and me. Before I knew it, my hands were over his neck, and Morgan was against the wall, smiling carelessly.
A sudden knock interrupted us; the door was pushed open in haste. Allen’s horror-filled gaze traveled from Morgan to me. He seemed like he had something urgent to say.
