Chapter 137: Not For Long
“We welcome you again to the three realms, Annalise.”
The Elder spoke after they had finished eating and moved into the living room. The six elders sat together on a curved long couch, their bodies draped in heavy, dark blue robes as they watched Nina from across the room.
“We are the six elders of the Three Realms,” the woman who had always spoken continued. It was obvious she was their leader. “I am Elder Cersei, the God-Mother.”
Nina remained quiet, her eyes drifting toward the closed door down the hall, waiting for it to open. Her mother had left quickly after eating, without looking at her even once.
Nina’s heart sank. She wanted so desperately to talk to her—there were so many questions burning in her chest. Why had she never come for her? Why had she allowed Nina to grow up believing she was dead?
“Are you waiting for her?” Cersei’s voice pulled Nina’s attention back to the couch. The Elder chuckled lightly, a hollow sound. “I know you want to talk to her. After this, you can speak with her.” She paused. “But not for long. You must return before the Alpha begins to look for you.”
Right. Nina’s eyes widened slightly as reality rushed back. She had completely forgotten about him. She had already spent over three hours here; she needed to leave before he started searching for her.
She straightened, her hands folding tightly in her lap as she looked at the women in front of her.
“Why did I have to be the one to place this curse? It could have been anyone else—why me?” she asked directly.
Cersei was quiet for a moment. Something crossed her eyes, but disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by a small, knowing smile. “Because you are the primordial witch. The last descendant of the first witch, and the strongest witch alive. No one else has the power to lay a curse of this magnitude, Annalise. Only you.”
Nina dragged in a slow breath, her eyes falling to her hands. She was quiet for a long moment, gathering her courage, before looking back up at them.
“I know they have done a lot of evil,” Nina said softly. “But so have we.”
Cersei’s eyes darkened at her words, but Nina pushed past her hesitation and continued.
“You killed innocent women just because you wanted me as Luna, and you would have killed more if I had not gone in place of Sabrina. How then are we any different from the Lycans?”
The elders watched her quietly, not saying a word.
Nina leaned forward, her eyes pleading. “There are innocent ones among them. Why should we kill them all? We can find a way to stop them from killing humans when they turn, instead of totally annihilating their entire race.”
An eerie silence fell over the room. A cold chill crept up Nina’s spine.
She lowered her head. “Please… there should be another way…”
After a heavy moment of quiet, Cersei finally spoke. “Human emotions can be deceiving, Annalise.” Her voice was unnaturally calm.
Nina’s body stiffened, her fingers digging into her palms as her heart thudded violently against her ribs.
“You have fallen in love with a Lycan… and now you want to save him.”
Nina froze. Her eyes snapped up to the old woman. Her lips moved, but no words came. She wanted to deny it, wanted to scream that they were wrong, but her throat locked up. Her nails bit into her skin until she almost felt it tear. Her shoulders slumped slowly, and before she even realized what she was doing, she slid to her knees on the cold floor.
“Please…” Nina begged, her voice trembling. “It is not only about him. There are children involved. There are innocent people who don’t hurt humans.” She looked at the elders, pure desperation filling her voice. “Is there a way to save them? Please, let’s not destroy them.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “We can all live happily if we find a cure instead.”
Silence filled the hall, heavy and suffocating. The only sound was the low crackle of the fire burning in the hearth.
“You want to save them?” Cersei asked quietly.
Nina nodded, her vision blurry with unshed tears.
A slow, deliberate smile stretched across Cersei’s lips. “Okay.”
Nina’s head snapped up. “What?” She hadn’t expected her to yield so easily.
“Are you willing to do what is needed to save them?” Cersei asked.
“I would do anything,” Nina said without a second of hesitation. She would give up anything if it meant he would not have to die.
Cersei leaned in slightly. “No matter the cost?”
Nina’s nails dug deeper into her palms. “Anything.”
Cersei let the silence stretch, letting Nina’s desperation settle before speaking again. “In the Vothraki, there is a spell that can end the curse.”
Nina’s breath hitched. “A spell that can end the curse?”
“Yes,” Cersei nodded. “That is what the Lycans are searching for. But the spell can only be completed with the Earthstone. Bring the Vothraki to us, and we will help you find the Earthstone so you can perform the spell, after which we will find a cure for them.”
Nina’s heart leaped in her chest. Relief washed over her so violently it left her dizzy. Her hands were shaking—she couldn’t believe it. There was a way out. She shut her eyes as tears finally spilled over.
“Thank you,” her voice trembled. She quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Thank you. I will bring it to you.”
Cersei smiled smoothly. “Get up, child. You don’t need to kneel before us.”
Nina rose and sat back down on the couch, the crushing weight in her chest finally lifting.
“Have you found where the Vothraki is?” Cersei asked quietly, her eyes watching her closely.
Nina thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. I know where it is,” she said. “But it will take a while. I need to gain the Alpha’s trust to access the Vault. Once I have it, I will bring it to you.”
Cersei’s mouth stretched into a wide, satisfied smile. “Good.”