Page 49 of Claws for Celebration
Lucien's panther form burst through the chaos, his midnight-black fur singed but his green eyes locked on her with desperate intensity. He shifted back to human form in one fluid motion, completely naked and apparently unconcerned about his vulnerability as he moved toward her through the magical firestorm.
"Don't touch me," she warned, backing away from him. "I'll burn you alive."
"No, you won't," he said with absolute certainty, his voice cutting through her panic like an anchor. "Your magic recognizes me. It won't hurt me."
"Lucien, you don't understand. I can feel it getting stronger. The power is feeding on itself now. I think I'm about to tear a hole in reality."
"Then let me help you," he said, extending his hand toward her despite the magical flames that danced between them."The mate bond can ground your power just like it did during training. But you have to trust me."
"Trust you?" The words came out harsher than she intended, shaped by twenty-six hours of abandonment and fear. "You left me. When I needed you most, you walked away."
"I was wrong," he admitted, his eyes never leaving hers even as the magical storm continued building around them. "I thought distance would protect you, but all I did was make you vulnerable when you needed strength."
Viktor laughed from his position near the broken window. "How touching. But it's far too late for reconciliation. The witch's power has already passed the critical threshold. She's going to burn herself out within minutes, and when she does, my coven will be here to catch what remains."
"The hell you will," Lucien snarled, but his attention remained focused on Moira. "Please. Let me help you."
Above them, something vast and terrible began to take shape in the space over the grimoire. Shadows coalesced into a form that hurt to look at directly, while whispers filled the air with promises of power and domination.
Yes, daughter of shadows. Let the magic flow freely. Feel how strong you truly are. Why contain such magnificent power for the sake of those who fear and abandon you?
"The grimoire is getting stronger," Moira said, her voice rising with panic as she felt the ancient evil's influence pressing against her consciousness. "I can hear it clearly now. It's telling me to stop fighting the magic."
"Don't listen to it," Elena called out from where she and the other witches were trying to contain the magical damage. "That book has been lying to you from the beginning."
They will never understand your true potential. Only I offer you the knowledge to wield your birthright without limitation.Accept my guidance, and reshape this world according to your will.
"It's so tempting," Moira whispered, watching as her power continued to grow beyond anything she'd thought possible. The golden flames now reached the ceiling, and she could feel the building's structural supports beginning to weaken under the magical assault. "It promises answers. Control. An end to feeling helpless."
"You're not helpless," Lucien said firmly, still approaching her despite the danger. "You're the strongest person I've ever known. You don't need that thing's corruption to be powerful."
"But what if I destroy Hollow Oak trying to save it? What if my magic tears apart everything I've grown to love?"
"Then we'll rebuild it together," he replied without hesitation. "But Moira, you have to make a choice right now. Trust me to help you control this power, or let the grimoire convince you that destruction is the only option."
The shadow above the ancient tome grew larger, more solid, as if her increasing magical output was providing it with the energy needed to manifest physically. Viktor and his remaining vampires watched with fascination, apparently content to let the supernatural forces tear each other apart before making their final move.
The mate seeks to limit you, as he has always limited you. I offer no such restrictions. With my guidance, you could become a goddess among mortals. Why settle for protecting one small town when you could rule entire nations?
"Because ruling was never what I wanted," Moira said aloud, the realization cutting through the grimoire's mental manipulation like a blade. "I wanted to belong somewhere. To be valued for who I am, not just what I can do."
"And you are valued," Lucien said, now close enough that she could see the sincerity in his dark green eyes. "By me, by thiscommunity, by everyone who's gotten to know the real you. Your magic is incredible, but it's not what makes you precious to us."
The truth in his words resonated through her chaotic power, creating the first moment of stability she'd felt since the barriers collapsed. But even as her magic began responding to his calming presence, the shadow above the grimoire surged forward with hungry intent.
You will complete the awakening whether you choose to or not, daughter of shadows. The ritual has already begun. Your power will serve my purposes regardless of your pathetic attachment to mortal concerns.
"No," Moira said, feeling rage replace panic as the entity's true nature revealed itself. "You've been manipulating me since the day I arrived. Using my feelings for Lucien, my desire to belong, my need to understand my family's history. All of it was designed to make me your weapon."
The magical flames around her suddenly shifted from chaotic destruction to focused fury, responding to her conscious will for the first time since the attack began. Golden fire flowed toward the manifesting shadow with deliberate precision, meeting darkness with light that carried the full weight of her accumulated power.
"Fascinating," Viktor murmured. "The witch has learned to weaponize her emotions."
"Get out of my town," Moira snarled, directing a portion of her magical assault toward the vampire coven. "All of you. Before I decide that burning you to ash would be a public service."
The vampires actually took a step backward, apparently recognizing that her threat carried genuine weight. But the shadow above the grimoire laughed with a sound like breaking glass.
You cannot destroy what is already beyond your mortal realm, foolish child. I am eternal. I am inevitable. And I will have my freedom whether you provide it willingly or not.
