1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter IX

Isla Wardwell

I saw Alistair run away and a burning rage settled in me like a hellfire. But I pushed my resentment aside and I smirked. I realized what was set in store for him. "You're just gonna let him run off like that?" Killian questioned me.

"Don't worry about it" I say. I always had a plan and I knew my brother and I knew all about his suspicions of that girl being his mate. But in due time he'd learn of her true nature and what shame she brought to this clan. In due time, he'd be ready to throw a dagger at her neck.

"Alistair is dangerous he could—"

"Drop it Killian. I know you're jealous of Alistair and how I so easily let him assume his position after what he did. But you need to trust me and push this vendetta aside. I'll deal with him"

"How were you able to read my emotions?" Killian asks. I then feel his fear which reminds me of the taste of salt and hollow waters of death.

"How did your parents die again?" I ask Killian. This feeling of fear from Killian reminds of something but I can't quite explain it.

Killian gulps and says, "They died in battle over seas. They drowned..."

"You were there?" I ask.

"Yes. I was only a boy and our coven tried finding refuge in the east of Vrasails near the edge of the coast. But...another coven attacked us and my people didn't make it. I was the only one to survive as I washed up on the shore of where your family lived."

"Alistair found you—he saved you" I say remembering that day. It was hard to believe that it was only twenty years ago. Now that I'm 40 I look the same as I did at 20. "Alistair was 10 and curious. He wanted friends desperately and then he found you and begged our father to let you stay. You became a brother to him and from that day forward nothing could tear you guys apart."

"Yet he left me to die" Killian mutters. "His own "brother"

I laugh at the humor of it.

"When your family died did you ever get over it?" I wonder. I know the feeling yet this power I had let me concentrate on peoples emotions and relate them to past events in their lives. I never heard of a power quite like it.

"I haven't" Killian expresses. He looks to me and I see his mix match eyes fill with sadness that washes over him like he's forced to stay under. It was suffocating.

"Your fear smells of the ocean and feels cold and lonely. A tiny remnant of you is still there, I guess that's your greatest fear and you associate fear with your people died."

"How did you do that? I never heard of this gift," Killian ponders.

"Jasmeen dying might have been the best decision I have ever made. Now run along, nightfall is upon us and we have a very busy day tommorrow" I say.

Killian hurried out of the room and I strangely reluinquush in this new power brewing in me. It was like I was a new person. I was letting life guide itself and if I was certain this could help me beat the lycans and get my revenge on Elysia for what she did to me.

I felt powerful.

As the manor lays quiet, I step quietly down the steps into the depths of the calm forest. I always liked it out here. As I reach the garden, I see the plaques of everyone who perished in the raid. There, I see a name that make me smile a teary eyed grin. I drop to my knees, holding the ring that's wrapped along my finger. I hug myself and I let the harsh winds of this upcoming winter whip through my hair.