Page 111 of Bound in Blood

Xavier’s heart beats a steady rhythm, and I feel our bond still firmly in place. He is very much alive but does not seem to be able to hear us calling to him.

“It’s the wraith’s magic,” Lucian croaks. “Giorgios was merely the vessel. He never wanted the wraith to return to the mortal realm because he was able to channel sufficient dark magic through the veil. Now the wraith is the one in control, and the spell will remain in place until the wraith is either returned to the netherworld or until he’s killed.”

“The wraith has opened the veil. Do you have any idea how he might have done that?”

“M-my blood. Spilling my blood with the Sword of Skotos. The Skotádi forged the weapon from the shadows of the netherworld centuries ago. That’s why they needed the one who first tasted her blood. That’s why the wraith left. It went to the ancient ruins where the magic is strongest. Giorgios wanted him to tear the veil until it fell. Until there was no separation between the land of the living and that of the dead.”

“Because if the entire world is in darkness, then she is dragged to the dark along with the rest of us?”

He nods.

“How do you know all of this?”

“I have been connected with Giorgios since I was a child. His mind and mine…” He squeezes his eyes closed. “It was a bond but… forged with dark magic.”

How could I have not known any of this? No, that is the wrong question to ask. How is it I let my son down so badly? He deserved better.

Like a rabid dog, he tries to shake his head from side to side, but I tighten my grip on him and continue holding the wound at his throat shut even as he struggles against me. It is as if he is trying to eject the bitter memories holding him hostage. And then he starts mumbling in ancient Greek.

“Lucian! Please help me understand. You can still help us stop this. How is it you tricked Giorgios into thinking you were dead?”

He sucks in a deep breath and mutters something unintelligible before his eyes return to mine. “I severed the bond with the help of the Skotádi warlocks. It was their last act of service to me before I killed them too. It was the only way to break the spell…” He coughs, and blood trickles from his lips. “H-he …” he sputters.

I stroke his face. Save your strength. Speak to me in here, I urge him.

I could force my way into his mind and comb his memories, but that would only earn me his unbridled—and deserved—anger. He would scurry away from me like a wounded animal. Besides, if we are to ever have any kind of relationship again, I cannot betray his trust in such a way.The only way to break the spell Giorgios had you under?

Yes. And because he believed me dead, I was able to enter his mind without him knowing. Observe his thoughts without detection.

Lucian’s eyes close, and he sucks in a ragged breath. I lift my hand from his neck and blood runs from the wound like a river.Quickly, I clamp my hand over it once more. “Why is this not healing, Lucian?”

The blade of Skotos. It was forged with unnatural magic. The blade continues to do damage after the cut is made. It will perhaps take a little longer than usual, but it will heal.

There is nothing to do but wait for it to heal, and although I bristle with impatience, I know I must focus on what else I need to know to stop the world from coming to an end.

Chapter

Fifty-Six

OPHELIA

15 MINUTES BEFORE THE LIGHT GOES OUT

Blood runs in a steady stream down my thigh from a gash on my hip, as the healing energy from the earth line that flows through me is far too depleted to close the wound. I run on, pain burning a trail through every ligament and every muscle. But I recall Cadence’s lifeless face, Enora’s silver hair as it was torn from her scalp. Sienna and Osiris, father and daughter fighting side by side, bloodied and bruised. My mates, all prepared to give up their lives in pursuit of the same goal—my survival.

But my survival is the one thing that cannot happen.

The words that have been spoken by so many echo through my thoughts:Always trust your light, child. You are the holy relic, Ophelia. The Chosen One.

Then lines from the prophecy, disjointed and out of order, ring louder:

And the light is tempted back from the darkness.

The child borne of fire and blood

shall be our ruin or our redemption.

To bring a balance that reigns through the ages.

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