❝If you knew that your soulmate were standing right in front of you, and that no one would make your heart beat the same way, you would understand why I'm fighting as hard as I am to keep you.❞
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All Amara Valencia wanted was to build her...
I freeze at this, from the corner of my eye I see Jace go rigid as well.
"Death would be mercy at this point. I don't see that I have much to lose." He asserts, coldly.
Elder Vittoria raises an eyebrow at this. "If you listen to my instructions, then this will go accordingly."
She goes to stand before us with her back turned to the water. With a solemn expression she gestures for both of us to come forward.
"Bring your palms forward." She advises.
Hesitantly, I reach my hand towards her and Jace does the same.
She reaches into her dress pocket, and pulls out a small dagger. Although small, it's mesmerizing. The blade is translucent, with slight movement it refracts light in transfixing patterns.
She reaches for Jace' open palm first, and in a quick slice, cuts a wound.
Elder Vittoria then reaches for my hand and does the same. I barely feel a thing, I don't notice that a cut was created until the crimson color peaks out from the wound.
"You will not accomplish this ritual without the Moon Stone, it has the properties that will pull the energy from you and intertwine it with the earth. In turn, you will not feel the pain from it's blade. That is why it is dangerous." She advises, lowly. "You don't feel the pain until it may be too late."
She answers as if she had read my mind.
"Now let's begin. Stand before one another and hold palms."
Jace shows his hands first, opening them to me. I grasp his hands, just wanting to get this over with.
Last week he was a monster that almost murdered me and now he's standing in front of me having to hold hands. When will this nightmare end?
I'd love to know also.
I gasp out loud at this, abruptly pulling my hands from him.
"Why are you in my head?"
"What are you talking about? You said that out loud." He states, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Elder Vittoria looks to us with disdain, almost like a parent losing patience in their children. "You both know you are intertwined, the Moon Stone has amplified your connection, although temporarily. Now join hands once more."
Hesitantly, We reach for each other and tightly grasp hands.
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"Now close your eyes." With a gentle yet firm voice, she instructs. "Focus on your breath, center your mind and body with the present."
I close my eyes and surrender to the elder's instructions, a sense of trepidation washes over me. But amidst the fear, I can't help but feel a flicker of curiosity about what's to come.
The sounds around us feel heightened in this moment. The sound of the forest's tree limbs rattling with the wind, ruffling of dry leaves against the forest floor- the crashing of waves onto the stoney shore.
Softly, almost in a murmur, Elder Vittoria begins her incantations. I can't make out the words that are being said because of how low she is speaking it.
The sounds that were apparent feel like they're being pulled away until it's a silence. Only the Elder's low murmur remain.
And then, it happens. It emerges from the darkness, a large claw reaches forward, each step is deliberate, its massive paws making soft, almost silent contact with the ground as it advances. Its body undulates with a sinuous rhythm, muscles rippling beneath its sleek fur with every effortless stride.
Everything in me is screaming to run, but I am frozen. Unable to open my eyes, unable to move.
Then it looks up, its Violet eyes meet mine, and for a moment, there is a silent exchange of recognition.
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In that moment of connection, there's a surge of power that bursts through my veins, as if the essence of the wolf is beckoning to become one.
"You see it too, the wolf."
I nod my head, ignoring the tremor in my limbs.
"Invite it in." She beckons, sternly.
Paw by paw, it takes steps closer. A sense of fear cements me to the ground, despite the fear a certain power resonates from the wolf.
And it feels inviting.
but why does it feel like there's a block? A wall in the way from getting closer.
"It feels like there's a wall." Jace mutters in frustration.
His grasp in mine feels all the more apparent and the noises from our surroundings return in volume. I feel a firm tug forward, and my eyes open with a gasp.
Jace looks to me expectantly, Still firmly holding my hands in his.
"Are..you okay?" He asks, lowly.
I pull my hands from his, "I think that you're the last person who should be asking me this." I scoff.
The Elder examines us with an unreadable expression. "It seems that's as far as we can go today. Let's return."
