From The Ashes

Chapter Forty-Three

Time seemed to slow down. It felt like my body was moving in slow motion as I pulled against Valen and Von.

I watched as the dagger slowly glided through the air, aimed directly at Artemis's throat.

I could hear Seraphine cackling at the scene, but it sounded as if her voice was underwater. 

Just as the blade was about to pierce Artemis, Celia thrust her arm forward- effectively stabbing her mother in the thigh.

There were no more tears now, only a look of fierce determination on her face.

She had made her choice. 

I dropped to the ground as my knees failed me. Everything seemed to come back into focus. Artemis stared open-mouthed at Celia, who was breathing heavily. 

"I won't be your pawn anymore," she whispered to her mother. 

Seraphine clutched at her wound, but you could see her body locking up as the Fate Spinner's venom coursed through her system.

She was howling in pain as a dark spot of blood steadily grew on her pant leg. 

"I should have killed you, too," she hissed at her daughter just before her jaw locked closed.

Her body was now unmoving but you could see the hatred seething in her eyes. She would not live much longer.

Von dropped my arms and rushed to his mate's side. He caressed her cheek and placed a quick, passionate kiss on her lips before grabbing her restraints and breaking them in his hands.

Once she was freed, Artemis threw her arms around him and crushed him to her. They were both sobbing as they held each other close, whispering words of love and comfort. 

I could hear someone calling my name. I turned my head to the side and saw Valen trying to get my attention. He took my face between his hands and stared into my eyes. 

"Indigo, are you okay?" 

I numbly nodded my head back at him. I couldn't bring myself to speak just yet.

Valen sighed and leaned his forehead against mine. I took in his comfort and closed my eyes. 

A loud banging sound brought me out of my reprieve. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked behind me.

The gate was rattling and I could hear the snarling of several wolves on the other side. I suddenly snapped back to my senses. We were still at war. 

I jumped back onto my feet, pulling Valen up with me. 

"Help them get the door open," I commanded him.

He nodded and took off. I looked around for my father, and saw him walking quickly back to the palace. He would throw glances back our way every few feet.

Alexander was hurrying along beside him, trying to guide him forward as fast as possible. 

They knew we wouldn't forgive this. 

I leapt from the ground and shifted in mid air. I heard the earth crack as I landed hard on the other side of Celia.

She cowered away from me for a moment, expecting me to attack. I stood there and nodded my head toward the door. She understood my signal and ran to help Valen.

Soon after she got there I could hear the wood begin to splinter and break. The doors would be open soon. I turned on my heel and dashed in the direction my father had gone. I was going to end this tonight. 

"Indigo, wait!" Valen shouted over mind-link.

I pushed his pleas aside and kept running down the familiar roads. I didn't have to use my senses to track my father. I knew where he was headed. I made a sharp right onto a dimly lit street.