Fates Intertwined

50. | The Key

Memories flashed at the forefront of Aurora's mind, all the names she had been unable to place clicking into place. All the faces she couldn't see clearly finally became clear.

"I'm Zyran."

"Eric, you're absolutely plastered and it's not even evening."

"It really doesn't matter, Eric."

"Well, as my dear friend Nara says..."

"Seriously, Nara?"

"Lina is a witch."

"...I'm sure Eric can't wait to meet you."

"He's human. But he's also Zyran's brother so he's automatically a part of the group."

"I'd recognize Nara's handiwork anywhere."

"This isn't Nara."

"Relax, would you, Nara? You're gonna scare the poor girl off again."

"Nara, go upstairs and find some clothes for Aurora to wear."

"Nara left a dress for you to put on."

"Zyran will love it."

"Zyran told us how you're homeless. If you don't have a home, where do you sleep?"

"Okay, okay, Nara. Stop shaking me."

"Sorry, Zyran. You'll have to fork over your bed for the night. Or you two could share a bed. I mean, I wouldn't care."

"Nara, stop playing matchmaker."

"Nara is going to force me into a new design the second we step foot through that door, and I'd like to at least get a wink of sleep."

"Come on. We'll head back to the house. Maybe Lina made some of her famous cookies."

Everything slowed. Though she wasn't awake, everything felt real. She stood in the throne room of Octavia's castle, in the city of Veritas. Gold accents mixed with colors of white, pillars leading to the miles-high ceiling.

She looked behind her, finding the door blocked by guards. But she also noticed that Zyran, Eric, Lina, and Nara were also locked in with her.

She turned back toward the throne. Octavia stepped down the stairs. "Glad you all could make it." She grinned maniacally.

"What are we doing here, O?" Aurora asked, confused.

"I gave you an opportunity, Aurie. And you rejected me." She shrugged. Her eyes seemed dark, disconnected. "You could've had everything you ever wanted. But you chose him." Her eyes slid to Zyran, who she glared at.

"I don't like you like that, Octavia, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends." Aurora said, stepping forward.

"Except we can't." She shrugged once more, a grin frozen on her lips. "They will forever take up all of your time. You never hang out with me anymore."

"I had a job, Octavia! I can't drop everything to be with you."

"But you could've!" She snapped. "You could've had everything. He can't give you what I can!"

"She doesn't like you!" Lina yelled. "She likes Zyran!"

"Precisely my point." She glared. Then she moved to the cauldron that sat in the middle of the room, between her and them. "I could've been your everything, Aurie. But you've made your choice." She began dropping pieces of hair into the cauldron.

They all glanced between each other. They didn't know what she was doin, but they were scared.

Octavia sighed in mock-disappointment. "I could've given you everything. Your friend. Your lover. I would've made you my queen. But not with them in the way." She glared up at Eric, Zyran, Nara, and Lina. "With Zyran in the way, you will never be mine. And with them in the way, you will never be my friend. The only thing left to do is to...end it." She shrugged simply.

"End what?" Nara asked, her brows creased in fear.

She looked up as she dropped something into the cauldron, light bursting from it as she answered, "Your relationships."

They didn't know what to do. How to get out. But they knew if she continued, they wouldn't make it out alive.

Octavia chanted a spell, waving a hand over the cauldron. "If the group of you ever meet up and stick together, you will have until the next full moon to separate or you will lose your memories."

"Octavia, please." Aurora begged.

"Don't do this!" Nara pleaded.

"And you two," She turned to Aurora and Nara with a wicked grin. "You two will never be able to have a relationship. You two will forever be cursed to live without the ability to touch without threatening your lives."

"Stop this!" Zyran demanded. "This is pathetic!"

"No," Octavia shook her head. "This is revenge."

"Octavia, don't do this! Please!" Aurora begged and pleaded, but with one final drop into the cauldron, they were sent flying back. The five landed on the floor. The others were already unconscious, but Aurora was fighting it.

Octavia walked toward her as Aurora felt a swell of panic flare up. Octavia crouched with a sigh. "I gave you a choice, Aurora. This is all on you."

Aurora tried to choke out the word please, but her body wasn't cooperating and her vision was darkening.

"You aren't strong enough to fight it, Aurie. It's inevitable." She leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You are the key to destroying their futures." She pulled back, just as Aurora's eyes fluttered shut.

When Aurora woke, she was surrounded by trees. There was no one around, and she couldn't remember how she got there.

"Hello?! Is anybody there?!" She yelled, in hopes someone would appear. "Hello?!"

She pushed herself up and began making her way through the woods, trying to find an exit as she yelled for someone to respond. She felt tears swell and drip down her face. She was lost, confused.

And her memory was gone.

Aurora shot forward with a gasp, Zyran right beside her. "Hey, hey. You're okay."

The only thing she could think was, "I'm the key."