Chapter 231: The Key!
"You can’t stop them," Elric sneered. "You’ll be the key to opening the seal."
"Then you’re a fool," Oriana said, lifting her chin. "If you think blood alone gives you power, then you know nothing about the old magic."
"Enjoy your last moments," he spat before turning toward the coven.
The chanting grew louder now, rising like a tide. The witches raised their hands, and the air thickened with dark and cold power. Oriana clenched her fists, fingers trembling against the manacles.
They were going to start soon. She had little time left. She could hear their chant growing louder. She did not recognize the language they were speaking, but she could feel it in her bones. The flames of the violet torches flared high, licking at the sky as if summoned.
The sky had turned darker and clouds started to rumble in the sky as if they all wanted to break. Evelyn stood beside the high priestess. Her long braid was coiled atop her head, her face serene, but her eyes found Oriana and narrowed with venomous triumph.
Behind Evelyn, a man and woman stood, draped in ceremonial garb. Oriana froze as recognition struck.
Her blood ran cold as Evelyn stepped forward. "Bring them," she said coldly. Two cloaked figures moved toward the crying girls.
"No!" Oriana strained against the chains as the first girl was pulled. She was barely more than a child. She was dragged into the center of the circle. She screamed and kicked, but the witches began drawing symbols around her with black ash, ignoring her pleas.