Chapter 137

Hannah

“Do we know for certain that this will work?” Sebastian asked looking over Gemma’s shoulder to peer at the book. “How do we know it’s safe?”

“We won’t unless we try,” I said. “Sebastian, we must get this portal open. We need to get our wolves back.”

“But we have to be smart about it,” Sebastian said in return. “We can’t risk the rest of the kingdom.”

He was right; if this didn’t work and we released the vampires upon our lands, everybody would pay the price. I looked at Wren who was now staring at me; she had a small smile on her lips, and it tugged at my heart. I loved her so much. I never wanted to put her in any kind of danger; what was the moon goddess thinking when she appointed Wrenley as the main key? This wasn’t making any sense. Why did she choose us?

I wish more than anything that I had Nora with me; I felt so defenseless.

“It’s a ritual I can do,” Gemma said staring between the two of us. “I just need some supplies, but I can do this ritual. I’ve spoken to the moon goddess before when I needed her the most. Maybe I can speak with her again and get her guidance.”

“You would do that? You would help us get the portal open? Even if it meant putting you in danger?” I asked.

As grateful as I was that Gemma was now willing to do her part and help us, I knew how frightened she was. She was set against getting that portal open because she knew the risks and it wasn’t worth it to her.

“The vampire king has a hold of your wolves,” Gemma said, staring between the two of us. “That’s more dangerous than any outcome I can think of. Once he finishes his ritual tonight, you will be under his control and there’s no telling what he’ll do. This entire kingdom is in danger. We officially have no other options.”

“Thank you, Gemma,” I said to her. “What is it you need for this ritual?”

“Sage,” she answered. “With amethyst crystals inside of it. I’ll also need a black rose petal and a pale of water from king’s creek. I’ll also need a flame, but that can be as simple as a match. The portal will need to be opened at the same time as the ritual so make sure we also have the scepter along with Wrenley.”

I nodded and looked over at Sebastian for confirmation of the plan.

“The florist in the city has many odd flowers from all over the kingdom. I’m sure she will have a black rose. While I’m in the town I’ll also go to the witchery store and get the sage,” Sebastian said, looking between the two of us.

“Then I’ll go to king’s creek and get a pale of water. That’s not far from here and it’s past the hospital so I’ll be able to see Liam…” I told them.

I haven’t seen my brother in days; not including the fake images, I saw in Lila’s crystal ball. I still shuddered at the thought of my brother dying such a horrific death at the hands of my husband. But I knew now that it never happened. Sebastian gave me a concerned look as I mentioned going to visit Liam and I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him about it.

I knew we were running short on time, but I couldn’t pass by the hospital without paying him a short visit.

“I just found out that he was alive. I saw him die…” I said softly; I could hardly even finish that sentence. “I need to see for myself that he’s okay.”

Sebastian gave me a head nod before turning back to Gemma.

“We’ll have the ritual in the gardens at sundown,” Sebastian told her. “Make sure you prepare yourself.”

Sebastian finally turned to me, and I felt a ping of worry in my chest. I knew he was very capable of caring for himself, even if he didn’t have his wolf. But I still worried for his safety. If I felt defenseless and weak without my wolf, I could only imagine how he must have been feeling. He gave me a small smile and pressed his lips gently against mine. I breathed him in, basking in his amazing scent and the warmth his body brought to me. Even without a wolf, he still had such an effect on me.

I felt more drawn to him than I ever had, and I never wanted that feeling to go away. I had a feeling once I got my wolf back, that feeling would only grow stronger. I pulled away from him, trying to keep the worry out of my face but I knew he could sense it just the same. He placed his thumb under my chin and lifted my gaze to meet his.

“I need you to be safe,” he told me in a low murmur for just my ears. I nodded my head, fighting the tears from my eyes. I was terrified of what was going to happen, but I needed to remain strong.

“You too,” I told him, keeping my eyes locked on his.

He kissed me again before pulling away from me.

…

Parting from Sebastian was becoming more difficult with each passing moment. It was like my body didn’t want to listen to my mind and remained with him. I felt like we were both a rubber band and the more distance that grew between us, the more resistant my body became. I just wanted to go back with him, but I knew I couldn’t. I needed to get the stuff for the ritual and help get our wolves back.

I had Wrenley strapped to my chest as I walked toward the hospital. Sebastian told me that he wanted me to take the car, but king’s creek was in the forest, and I wouldn’t be able to get a car into the forest without damaging it. So, I told him I would just go on foot.

I needed the fresh air anyway.

I reached the hospital at a much slower pace than I would have if I were to have my wolf. As I reached my brother’s room, I found myself pausing at the doorway for a long while. I wasn’t sure why I was suddenly so nervous. I knew that my brother was in there and alive; at least his body was. But after seeing what I saw in Lila’s crystal ball, I couldn’t help but worry that maybe it wasn’t fake after all.

“Are you going in?” I heard a voice from beside me.

I turned to see Dr. Davis standing before me.

“Yes, I just need a minute,” I told him honestly. I didn’t want to tell him why I was so hesitant though.

“His condition hasn’t changed if that’s what you’re worried about. I changed his fluids recently. We ran every test we can think of Hannah…” Dr. Davis said sadly. “I’m not sure what more we can do for him…”

He was thinking about unplugging my brother. I knew that’s why he was saying all this stuff to me. But I refused to hear that, I turned away from him.

“Thank you,” I said to him in a dismissing tone. “I’m going to see my brother now.”

He said nothing more as he watched me go into the hospital room. I was half expecting him to follow me, but he didn’t. I felt a wave of relief as I got a look at my brother. He was still in the same condition as he was when I saw him a few days ago. Technically this wasn’t good, but there were no stab wounds, and he was alive.

I went to his bedside and sighed as I took a hold of his stiff and cold hands. My heart squeezed painfully for him.

“I just want you to be okay and wake up…” I whispered to him. “You need to meet your niece. You’re going to love her, Liam.”

I sniffled away some of the tears that managed to escape my eyes. I couldn’t stay there much longer; I needed to get to king’s creek.

“I would quit while you’re ahead.”

I heard a voice coming from somewhere in the room. I turned quickly and gasped as I saw a hooded figure lurking in the shadows in the corner.