Page 68 of Scorned

The word she spoke was one I’d never heard before. “Argentum?”

“Your surname means silver in Latin. Do not confuse it with Argentium silver, which is the material used to make your dagger and other weapons around the camp.”

“I know what Argentium silver is, but you have the wrong person. My last name is Argent. Like you said.”

Shayla grinned proudly. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

I waited for more information to come but she mindfully said nothing, and the other women she was with were also silent.

Ravage appeared astonishingly fast, causing me to suck in a hard breath.

“That’s a name I haven’t heard in years.” Smoke from a bit of sun hitting his face steamed into the air before he took a few steps back, going under the canopy of the trees. His expression as it healed told me this conversation was about to get interesting. “Argentum was the original surname for your family before they shortened it in the eighteenth century. The same year they renamed the VEM society to Venom.”

I was about to ask him what the hell he was talking about when Lyric and Erik came sprinting up, gasping for air. Drag held up his hand, letting them know I was safe and they halted whatever plan they had to save me.

“You are the one, the silver. The witch to end the war,” Shayla said, bringing my attention back to her. “It will take you many, many moons to finish the battle of fang and foe, but with help from your coven, you will prevail. I have envisioned it.”

Shayla’s words left me bewildered. I blinked a few times, my gaze lingering over the freckles near her right temple, if connected, they’d form a star. She had big, almond-shaped eyes which were neither blue nor green, but somehow a perfect blend of each.

She was mystical. Unlike me.

Considering I had no magical powers, her accusations of me being a witch had to be false. I tapped my finger on my thigh as I waited for more information, and once I realized she wasn’t going to give me any, I glanced at Ravage for clarification.

“She’s telling you she’s a seer and has the capability of predicting the future. They’re witches.”

Although I had already realized what they were, the words being spoken aloud sent shock flooding through me. Despite my knowledge of vampires and werewolves, the idea of witches existing seemed unbelievable, and I found it even harder to accept that I might be one of them.

Shayla released my hand and took a step back. “I speak the truth of prophecies long forgotten. You are the silver to end the war.”

The trio raised their hands in a V shape, palms toward the sky, closed their eyes, and spoke in unison.

“Fangs and silver destined to unite.

Foe becomes friend under lover’s light.

A new creature has formed, strong and mystique.

No spelled silver shall make it weak.

A family unfolds as the blood moon cries.

With fangs bared, together they rise.

Death will come when swords clash.

The fires burn bright, leaving nothing but ash.

When silver strikes, the snake will fall.

Only a new era of union will bring peace to all.”

Their eyes popped open, the last of the sunset glittering across their faces.

I shook my head, bringing myself out of my unrelenting daze. “But I’m not a witch, nor am I in a coven.”

“Your genesis bloodline has birthed witches for centuries. The magic in your body is so strong, you formed a coven at age nine, which is extremely rare for such a youngling.” Shayla’s gaze drifted to Lyric and Erik before it came back to me. “The siblings were your first two members and have lovingly stayed by your side through all weather. You three live by Blood of the Coven. It has come out of your mouth for many moons.”

“Many moons, many moons,” Cece repeated.

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