Feral Bonds

Chapter 60: The Witch's Bond

The air in the grand hall of Vincent's mansion was cool and thick with the scent of incense and old wood. The towering structure was as imposing as it was dark, with its heavy stone arches and gothic décor, every detail exuding ancient power. Akecheta stood beside Cernunnos, his chest tight with anxiety, the remnants of the fae's twisted magic still clinging to his skin. He had hoped that coming here would be a step toward freedom, toward clearing his soul of the darkness that had nearly consumed him.

But now, standing in the cold, shadowy estate, the weight of dread pressed heavily on him.

The vampire healer, Emrys, appeared from one of the mansion's many doorways, his movements slow and deliberate. He was tall, gaunt, his crimson eyes gleaming with the intensity of someone who had lived far too many lifetimes. Draped in a black velvet robe, Emrys approached with an air of knowing authority, his presence both unnerving and commanding.

Without a word, Emrys circled Akecheta, his pale fingers tracing just above Akecheta's skin, sensing the dormant power of the runes still etched into his body. Akecheta stood still, his heart pounding as the vampire's sharp gaze seemed to pierce through him, peeling back layers of magic and pain.

Cernunnos remained close, his expression unreadable, but Akecheta could feel the god's simmering tension. They had come here for help, to rid Akecheta of the remnants of the fae's magic and the twisted runes that still bound him. Yet, the silence from Emrys was foreboding, and the longer it stretched, the more Akecheta felt his hope slipping away.

Finally, Emrys stepped back, his eyes narrowing slightly, and shook his head. "I will not help him," the vampire said coldly, his voice ringing through the stillness of the mansion.

Akecheta's heart dropped at the blunt dismissal, but before he could speak, Cernunnos stepped forward, his voice sharp with barely contained fury.

"Explain," Cernunnos growled, his presence suddenly filling the room with a dangerous, wild energy. "Why won't you help him?"

Emrys turned his cold gaze toward Cernunnos, unphased by the god's growing anger. "He is cursed beyond redemption," Emrys said, his tone flat and final. "There is nothing I can do."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence, and Akecheta felt the weight of them sink into his chest. But before he could react, Cernunnos's voice cut through the room again, low and dangerous. "You will help him, or you will face the consequences."

Emrys didn't flinch at the threat, though a flicker of caution passed through his eyes. "You don't understand what you're asking of me," the vampire replied, his voice calm but edged with warning. "This magic—the sigils that mar his skin—are not merely fae. They are part of a much darker ritual. I would not meddle in such things, nor would I interfere with a witch bond."

Cernunnos's eyes flashed with anger, and Akecheta could feel the god's grip tighten on his shoulder. "What do you mean by a 'witch bond'?" Cernunnos demanded, stepping closer, his presence growing more intense.

Emrys sighed, clearly irritated at having to explain. "The runes you see on him," Emrys said, gesturing toward the faint sigils on Akecheta's skin, "are part of a binding ritual. A powerful one. It wasn't just meant to control his body, but to reshape his very soul. This isn't just fae magic, it's something far more dangerous. And the witch who cast it knew exactly what she was doing."

Akecheta's stomach tightened, the weight of the vampire's words pressing heavily on his chest. He had known the runes were dark, had felt their influence twisting him, but hearing it spoken so plainly made the reality of it even more suffocating.

Cernunnos's fury grew sharper, his voice taut with barely restrained rage. "Who did this to him?" he asked, the words heavy with unspoken promises of retribution.

Emrys glanced briefly at Akecheta, his expression grim. "The witch who bound him to this magic... her name is Elowen."

The name hit Akecheta like a blow, ripping open old wounds he had tried to forget. Elowen—the witch who had once tried to save him, the woman who had left him. He had thought she was gone from his life, buried deep in his past, but now her name was back, as haunting as the magic she had left behind.

Cernunnos's voice cut through Akecheta's spiraling thoughts, sharp and demanding. "Explain," he commanded, his patience wearing thin.

Emrys crossed his arms, his crimson eyes glowing in the dim light as he spoke. "Elowen performed a ritual on him, a binding ritual that tied her magic to his soul. Perhaps her intentions were good, but the magic she used was old and twisted. The runes were meant to suppress the beast within him, to reshape him entirely. But when she abandoned him, when she left the bond unfulfilled, the magic didn't fade. It went dormant. Now, it lingers—waiting for something, or someone, to reactivate it."

Akecheta felt cold, the weight of the truth sinking in. Elowen hadn't just tried to save him—she had cursed him, bound him in ways that were now entwined with his very being. Even with the magic dormant, the runes still scarred him, and the possibility of them reawakening filled him with dread.

Cernunnos's fury flared again, his power palpable as he took a step toward Emrys. "Then remove it," he demanded, his voice like the growl of a storm.

Emrys shook his head, unphased by Cernunnos's growing rage. "I cannot," the vampire said bluntly. "Even if I wanted to, the bond is too deeply entwined with his soul. To remove it would be to tear him apart. And I will not meddle in a witch's work, especially one as dangerous as Elowen's."

Akecheta's heart sank further, the weight of his past pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. The remnants of Elowen's magic still held him, tied him to a darkness he couldn't escape.

Cernunnos's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with fury. "You refuse to help him?"

Emrys met Cernunnos's gaze steadily. "I refuse to endanger his soul. This magic isn't just about control—it's about reshaping his very essence. If you wish to rid him of it, you'll need the one who cast the spell to break it herself. Elowen is the only one who can truly free him."

Akecheta's breath hitched, the realization settling in with icy finality. He had thought Elowen was part of his past, that he had left her behind. But if he wanted to be free of the curse that still clung to him, if he wanted to rid himself of the runes that scarred his soul, he would have to confront her. He would have to face Elowen again.

Cernunnos's hand remained steady on Akecheta's shoulder as he turned to leave, his expression cold and determined. "Then we'll find her," Cernunnos said, his voice low but filled with purpose.

Akecheta followed, his heart heavy with the knowledge that the only way forward was through the woman who had once tried to save him—and who had ultimately cursed him.