Page 141 of Cursed

Despair washed over the woman’s features, and tears cascaded down her cheeks, but she pressed her hands to her face to smother her sobs. It was a suffocating moment, thick enough to choke on, and my stomach churned.

Whatever this was—it was not just dark magic—it was a brutal display of power.

I could sense that Lucian was savoring the moment, and his pale, ghostly eyes glinted with sadistic pleasure as he surveyed the scene before him.

“Gather round,” Lucian commanded, his voice steady. “Tonight, we welcome our guest.” He gestured toward the trembling woman, his smile sharp enough to cut. “A sacrifice, chosen by fate, and soon to be honored by our rituals.” The young woman let out a cry as she was dragged forward.

“Tonight we pay homage to the Necromi, and ensure that our power remains unchallenged!”

Avril stood rigid in front of him, her body tense and her hand clenched at her sides. Dread filled her hazel eyes, and her jaw was tight.

Lucian leaned over Avril to speak into her ear, but we could all hear his words. “This is your time, Avril— A gift… for you, from your devoted servant.” His tone was filled with a strange calmness and Avril’s eyes closed briefly as the words echoed in the room.

What was he expecting her to do?

She was too weak—her pale magic couldn’t protect her from the oppressive weight of Lucian’s influence. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, desperate to shield her from whatever my father had planned.

“Do you recognize her?” he asked.

And in that moment, I saw Avril’s brave facade shatter—her shoulders quaked slightly, and a flicker of fear ignited in her expressive eyes.

“Yes,” she whispered.

The room fell still, the atmosphere electric with expectation. The unknown girl trembled at the center of the gathering, vulnerability etched into every line of her terrified face, while Avril stood on the precipice of her own doom.

Lucian straightened, and his fingers tightened on Avril’s shoulders. She winced, but then stilled as his voice filled the room.

“Tonight,” Lucian said, “your loyalty shall be put to the test, and our legacy will be strengthened by it. But this… atonement.” His fingers flexed on Avril’s shoulders and satisfaction danced in his pale eyes. “Tonight, we shall guide our newest acolyte through her initiation.”

No.

“Tonight, my bride will embrace her destiny and take her place among you as one of the Necromi.”

Murmurs of approval and hunger rippled through the crowd. The young woman let out a low moan as the black-cloaked guards pushed her to her knees. Her mother choked back a barely restrained sob.

Who was she? What was happening?

“He can’t be serious,” Bastian hissed. “She’s not— she’s not ready—”

“She won’t survive it,” I hissed back.

“Shut up, both of you,” Titus growled.

“I can’t just stand here,” I choked out.

Titus’ glare was hard and unyielding. “You have to.”

Anger bubbled just beneath the surface. My fists clenched involuntarily and the tendons in my forearms strained as I fought against the tide of emotions that threatened to tear me apart. Loyalty to Lucian battled against the fierce protectiveness I felt for Avril.

She didn’t belong here.

“Valen, keep it together,” Titus hissed.

I could tell that he didn’t like this either—but how were we powerless? How could we stand by and watch this happen?

My initiation had left me with months of nightmares—and I had been ready… Avril wasn’t ready.

As I watched, Avril’s gaze flickered, searching the room—not for approval or acceptance, but for mercy. For a savior.

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