Chapter 212 - 212
Heat.
That was the first thing Adina could feel. The night was fast approaching, and the warriors were covered in a green paste meant to conceal their scents and not alert the enemies.
Adina stood by a tree, arms crossed over her chest. She was sweating more than usual, especially as she was in a place where the air never ceased.
"In an hour's time, it will begin. Are you ready?" The voice made her flinch slightly. She turned around only to find Thessara behind her.
"More than ready," she replied, pushing off the tree. "You've come to apply the paste on me too?" she asked.
Thessara's lips curved slightly. "A little. Just to mask your scent. It's the strongest right now," she said.
Adina's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her scent was the strongest?
"Come with me," Thessara said, leading her towards a space and sat down. She pulled her arms out and began to apply the paste.
"Are you okay?" Thessara asked, and Adina nodded.
"You're a little hotter than usual," she glanced at her as she applied the paste. "Almost like you're burning up."
Adina shook her head, "It's the weather. It's messing with me," she said, pulling back as soon as Thessara was done applying the paste.
"I understand, but should you feel even a little out of place, tell me," she emphasized, looking at her warily.
"Of course, but really, Thessara, I'm fine," Adina said firmly.
A strange look crossed Thessara's face, but she let it go. "Very well," she murmured.
Adina looked away, back to the warriors who had been split into two, their bodies covered in the paste Thessara had applied. She inhaled deeply, knowing this was the one fight that would determine her life, and most importantly her daughter's.
Soon, the clouds darkened as night finally fell. By the time the moon rose, Thorne gave the signal.
The deeper they went into the woods, the stranger it was. The trees seemed to twist unnaturally. The air smelled wrong, like something rotten mixed with something burnt.
Thorne, who led the group, paused, hand raised, and shut his eyes, connecting with his Lycan. His eyes flew open, and he nodded, pointing to his right, and they all moved along.
The more they walked, the more it seemed they were never going to find it.
Until Thorne raised his hand suddenly, stopping everyone. Ahead, through the thick trees, a faint red glow flickered.
The warriors crouched lower instantly. Through the clearing, the sight before them was horrifying.
Thessara covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock at the sight.
Five figures clad in black robes stood in a circle around a massive fire that burned endlessly. The flames were unnaturally red.
Their hands and heads were raised toward the sky as they chanted strange ancient words under their breaths.
"This is even worse than I imagined," Mason muttered under his breath.
"Quiet," Caelum whispered.
Adina couldn't look away from the scene. Near the edge of the circle was Carter, holding the core in his hands, head raised to the sky as he also chanted the same words.
And behind him was—
Adina's breath hitched, she clasped her hand over her mouth. There was Virelle.
Her daughter. She was there and alive too.
Adina's eyes blurred with tears. The infant was in the arms of a younger witch, crying loudly, tiny fists trembling helplessly. She was scared of the sight.
Adina's heart clenched tight, she nearly moved immediately, but Thorne caught her wrist first.
"Wait," his voice was low and tight. He shook his head, motioning for her to look around. There was no way Carter and the witches were in this place without protection or security.
And just as he said it through the mindlink, her eyes darted around the clearing. Around the clearing, beasts prowled like guards, their glowing eyes fixed outward into the forest.
The beasts he brought to attack the palace. He'd gotten even more of them now.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed. One of the beasts had sensed something. Its head snapped toward the trees, glowing eyes narrowing dangerously.
Thorne's grip tightened, his fangs slipping out. "We don't have much time," he muttered.
At the center of the circle, Alma's chanting suddenly grew louder. The fire sparked higher violently, red embers flying into the sky.
The wind shifted unnaturally, like a tornado moving. The witches repeated the incantation faster now, their voices overlapping into something almost inhuman.
The core in Carter's hand pulsed brighter and brighter each time.
Adina's skin burned hotter, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Something was wrong.
At the same time, Thorne gave the signal, his two fingers raised and pointed towards the witches.
"Now!"
The forest exploded immediately. Hundreds of wolves howled as they jumped into the witches' midst. The beasts that had been guarding them reacted instantly.
Carter's eyes flew open at the noise, his eyes widening. He'd known he had little time before Thorne caught up but not now, not in the middle of the ascension. They were almost done.
Their chants were disrupted, and the hands lifted into the sky, broken, their magic balance tampered with.
"Protect the ritual!" Alma screamed.
The witches quickly held onto each other again, panicking even as they began chanting yet again.
Carter didn't move from his place within the circle. His grip on the core tightened as he continued reciting the incantation without pause.
"Do not stop!" he roared, the core pulsed even faster now.
Before him, bloodshed began, wolves sinking their fangs into the beasts, tearing them apart.
Adina's eyes found the junior witch who held Virelle, and she moved immediately.
"Adina!" Thorne yelled.
"Virelle! I have to get Virelle," she screamed back.
The second the warriors created an opening, she sprinted straight toward Virelle.
"Stop her!" one of the witches shrieked. The young witch holding Virelle barely had time to react before Adina slammed into her hard enough to send both of them crashing to the ground.
The infant burst into louder cries instantly. Adina grabbed her daughter quickly, clutching her tightly against her chest.
"Virelle…" she breathed shakily. Tears burned her eyes immediately. Her daughter was alive.