Chapter 43: Chapter 43

SCARLET

I watched while Ethan’s eyes went glossy. Someone was clearly mind-linking him. His lips were pressed into a line as he concentrated on the conversation until his eyes dilated in surprise.

“What’s wrong?” I question as soon as his gaze comes into focus.

“We need to go down to the dungeons. A witch was found at our borders,” he answers gruffly. He gets up, and I immediately follow.

“A witch? What does she want? What’s she doing here?” I ask in a panic.

I feel my anxiety spike. Ethan seems to notice as he places his hands on my shoulders.

We arrive there shortly after and walk down the stone steps. Once we reach the bottom, we see Cassia. Her features stand out more in person.

She’s a young woman with brown eyes and the same raven hair and olive skin as Andromeda. However, she is much more petite and looks several years younger than the woman that tried to dissolve my mating bond with Ethan.

She also has softer features, where Andromeda’s were severe. I then notice the silver shackles on her wrists. Silver doesn’t burn witches like it does werewolves, but it does block their magic so they're unable to perform any spells.

“Cassia?” Ethan asks as he approaches.

“Ethan. I’m going to need that protection, now.” Cassia turns to me. “Hi, Scarlet. Wonderful to meet you in the flesh.”

“What happened? And apologies for the silver cuffs. My guards are simply trying to be cautious.” Ethan motions to the guards to take off the cuffs.

“Do you mind if we sit? I’ve traveled quite far to get here,” Cassia says.

“Of course.” Ethan leads us all to a nearby office.

“Did the cure work? I’m sorry I couldn’t project and let you know about it. I…got caught. The leaders suspect I’m against them, so I decided to flee.”

“Yes, the cure worked wonderfully. I’m glad you came here. You have our protection and am grateful you risked yourself to cure my wolves.”

“My sister returned to our coven late last night telling us of the luna’s great powers. Scarlet, I didn’t realize you had powers otherwise I would have put together the pieces much earlier.”

“Your sister?” I ask.

“Yes, my older sister, Andromeda.” My eyes widen in shock and fear. I inhale deeply as I try to calm myself and my nerves.

~Cassia has been nothing but helpful to us, but why would she be willing to go against her sister?~

“I’m sorry for my sister’s part in your recent ordeal with the alpha of the Silver Shadow Pack. They apparently struck a deal. My sister would remove your mark, and Lucian would temporarily turn you over to our coven’s master.”

I nodded with a small smile. “I will not hold your sister’s actions against you, so it’s not necessary for you to apologize. What does your master want from me?”

“Our leader, Master Aamon has been around for centuries and has become power-hungry these last few decades. He has become very powerful over the years because he can absorb the magic out of others.”

“So… they want to steal my powers?”

She nods hesitantly. “Typically, they will take the magic from any vampires, werewolves, or witches that come onto our land. However, your gifts seem to be something special, much more than what they would get from any other magical creature. They will seek you out in order to absorb it. I wish to help prevent that from happening.”

“Cassia,” Ethan pipes in, “thank you for all you’ve done for us. But I have to ask, I imagine the bond witches feel for a coven is similar to what werewolves feel for our pack. How can I make sure you won’t turn on us?”

“I understand your hesitancy, but I have no love for my coven. They see no value in the lives of others. They see them as a means to an end, people who should be there only to serve them. They are cruel, and I don’t want them gaining any more power than they already have. They will surely do treacherous things with it,” she insists.

I place a hand on Ethan’s elbow, drawing his attention to me before leaning toward him. My lips are a mere inch from his ear as I whisper, “I believe her.”

Ethan gives me a slight smile and kisses me on the forehead.

“Okay, Cassia. What do we do now?”

***

I sit next to Cassia as Ethan passes the office.

“My coven is quite large compared to most and also more powerful. They will likely come for Scarlet directly. It feels like the coven is tired of playing games. They tried to reduce your numbers, but they realize now with the events of last night, that your pack will be preparing,” she answers.”

“And how do you suggest we stop them?” Ethan inquires.”

“Well, I know several protective charms and counter-spells that could help against a direct attack or infiltration. I would start by placing charms along your borders and that wall you’re building. It will help to keep intruders and dark magic out. But I’m not powerful enough to hold them off indefinitely. I can give you more time and do my best to shield Scarlet if they manage to break through. I know a cloaking spell that should help.”

“Okay, so what good would some extra time give us?”

“You’re a very well-known alpha. I trust in your abilities to fight and strategize. I’m sure you can come up with something. Witches die just as easily as humans. We just have magic to help protect and heal us from most ailments. All you have to do is kill them swiftly so that they aren’t able to treat their injuries. And I can whip up a potion that can help protect you and your fighters from the effects of certain spells. I can also help with teaching Scarlet some enchantments that will be helpful.”

Both Ethan and I nod as he gets lost in thought.

“I will send for my strategists and lieutenants, and we will start thinking up ideas. While I’m doing that, I want you to start on that potion you mentioned. What all do you need?”

“Do you have a pen and paper?”

He swiftly reaches to the small drawer in a nearby desk and pulls out the pen and paper, handing it to Cassia. She jots down a list of ingredients before passing it back to Ethan. He reads over it and cocks an eyebrow at her. “Mustard seed, mandrake root, and jacklebeet?”

“Yes. And don’t forget the beetle toe and billing’s root. Then of course I’ll need a cauldron to mix it all in,” she replies. He nods before setting the list down.

“Is there anything we should know? Anything else you can tell us?”

Her head bobs before she turns to me. “I can tell you where Scarlet got her powers from.”

“You know? How?”

“Well, I don’t know yet. But remember how I can see people’s past, present, and future? Well now that we are in person, I can do that for you, Scarlet.”

“So, you know how this fight with your coven will end?”

She instantly grimaces.

“Not exactly. Futures are the hardest to see because they are always changing. Just my coming here changed your possible futures. There are several outcomes depending on what decisions key players make. Though, I will do my best to make sure the right decisions are made.”

“Okay… so how will you find out where my powers came from?”

“I just have to search through your past.”

“How?”

She holds her hand out to me, and after a moment, I give her mine. Grasping it, she turns it over so that my palm is turned up, and her fingers lightly begin to trace the lines as she closes her eyes.

I give Ethan a confused look and he shrugs at me and shakes his head. After a few minutes she looks up at me with a surprised expression.

“What?” I ask hesitantly.

“It’s just… I would have never expected this… It’s unheard of…”

My eyebrows furrow, and my lips pinch together as I tilt my head in confusion. I wait for her to continue, but she seems to be lost in thought, so I clear my throat to gain her attention.

“So… what is it? Where did I get my powers?”

“It’s just that… well, you’re the daughter of the Moon Goddess,” she states in awe.

I raise an eyebrow at her.

“All werewolves are considered the sons and daughters of the Moon Goddess. That wouldn’t give me extra gifts,” I remark.

“No. I mean that you’re the LITERAL daughter of the Moon Goddess.”

Now it’s my turn to look shocked. She couldn’t be serious. There is no way my mother is the Goddess. I couldn’t remember much about my parents since they died when I was so young, but surely, I would have known if she were.

“No… That can’t be…”

“But it is. Your father was the future alpha of the Moonlight Pack. The girl that was meant to be his mate died before they even met. The Goddess fell in love with your father when he was just twenty. They had a brief romantic relationship, and she got pregnant.

“It was forbidden for her to fraternize with those that live in the human world, so she was forced to leave you behind. They were both devastated, so she promised she’d give him a second-chance mate, one who would love and understand both him and their newborn baby girl.

“The woman you thought was your mother was the first second-chance mate the Goddess ever created,” she answers as she places her hand comfortingly over mine.

I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around this new information. ~My mother… The Moon Goddess? ~

It’s hard to believe. Especially with how I grew up with nothing in the Scourge.

“And you’re sure?” Ethan asks as he leans forward in his seat.

“Positive,” she responds confidently.

“It would explain a lot of things,” he begins as he looks over at me. “You've conjured orbs like stars and shining white light. The light that comes from you looks like bursts of moonlight…,” he trails off as I nod in agreement.

I guess he has a point. Leaning back in my seat, I let out a sigh. My heart hammers in my chest. Maybe she's right.

“You may have noticed that Ethan has had a surge in power as well. That’s because you've marked and mated. So now your power flows through him as well, though not to the same degree. His mark enabled you to unleash your powers to their full extent,” she adds with an excited smile that shows her pearly white teeth.

We sit in silence for a while as I digest everything before Ethan speaks up again, “I have my brother Xander and some of my men coming to fetch you. They will drop you off at your room. I’ll keep guards with you so that you remain safe. Then Xander and the others hunt down the ingredients you need for that potion.”

Out of nowhere, the office door slams open with a loud bang. Xander stands there, his eyes wide and black as his chest heaves rapidly. As soon as he steps into the room, he inhales deeply before turning to Cassia and locking his gaze on her.

“Mine,” he growls.