All eyes were on her when my old mentor walked into the room.
"Welcome back. Hope your hunt was fruitful." Asher sighed.
The elegant black-haired vampire greeted the group before smirking.
"More than fruitful, I know where these rogues are located. Well, kind of." Tania announced, leaving everyone stunned.
When she was abruptly taken away from my teachings, they assigned her to travel around the world to find any information about the coven who eluded the world. After all these years, she had finally found her marks.
"They're in no man's lands, Celestelia. The half-breeds live there and are hard to deal with, but I managed to get my way." She reported bowing down to the council.
Celestelia... the land of dead gods, or so the legends say.
Pure breeds abandoned the land because of the accidents that used to happen there. It was also home to many hybrids who didn't find their footing in our world. Usually, when humans and another race breed, their offspring resemble the race of dominance.
However, in other cases, they could also form a half-breed known as luma for Lycans, peredhil for elves, and dhampirs for vampires. All of them had their characteristics and manners of being. Even though they weren't sought after, they also had their perks.
Although they weren't as powerful as the pure breeds, only half-breeds between elves were the ones who could outclass the pure ones, and those were rare.
"Ah... No wonder we haven't found them. Those forsaken lands are the perfect hiding spot for rogue witches." Charles commented, leaving a nasty taste in my mouth.
Hybrids were usually shunned everywhere they appeared.
Will my child be like that, too? Or will Fenris's dominant genes kick in, saving it from that fate?
There was no way I would know until I birthed them.
Perhaps if I run further studies on my... No, I don't even want to think about it.
"It's a land like any other. Now we have to find where they're located in Celestelia." My wolf tried to keep them on track.
He wouldn't allow their prejudices to take control. This wasn't the time to shun any race, which included the hybrids. However, the hybrids in Celestelia were another pressing issue. These were hostile to all purebreds because of their treatment on the mainland.
"From what I heard, they were seen near the Howling Forest," Tania added, placing the map she had used on the table.
"Interesting. Where have I heard that before?" Fenris commented but couldn't place it in time when the female vampire continued with her testimony.
"They call it that because of the howls the forest makes when the wind hits. The locals also mention it's as cursed as Bloodfalls. No poison there, though." Tania shrugged, tapping her finger on the largest forest in Celestelia.
Bloodfalls was another historic location where the War of the Gods took place, or at least that is what the history books said. It was another location in Celestelia covered in poisonous miasma.
"Why is that?" Charles asked the vampire.
She shrugged, "I don't know, but when I went, the worst feeling was present. All the hair in my body stood up, and every instinct told me to run out of there, but I saw no witches. I think their true hideout is somewhere else."
"The locals said nothing more?" The earth queried, rolling her eyes.
There were still too many unknowns, so I understood her frustration.
"No, they aren't friendly to outsiders or purebreds like me. I had to manage alone but can't cover the entire forest." The female vampire pointed out.
Jaxon sighed, "It isn't like we treated them with dignity."
"Damn, hybrids will ruin us one day," Kaiden commented.
"Wait, they aren't at fault. We haven't been kind to them, so why should they help us? I know I wouldn't." Fenris pointed out, crossing his arms.
Silence filled the air again as he shrugged, "We'll have to scout the place without alerting the witches to our presence. Tania did all she could, but it's not enough."
"No, all we need is an artifact to stop Alijah," I stated, wishing not to go in circles.
My words caused their glances to return to me. Thanks to Amelia and Melody, I got my footing once again. However, the stress would bring me down again if this didn't finish quickly.
"Ah, if you want one so bad. How about we test your devotion to this world, then?" The blaze elf turned his aggression towards me.
"What?" I mumbled, unable to follow.
"Mortal, how dare you! Lily has been trying to save you all for far longer than you realize!" Shade huffed, scowling at the elf from my shoulder.
"Quiet cat, this isn't a place for you to speak." The elf huffed, standing from his chair, "If you want an artifact, how about you offer that familiar of yours in payment?" Kaiden suggested, smirking.
Did I hear you right? You want…
"What did you just say?!" Fenris growled, glowering at the elf.
"Silver blood, that familiar is a dead god's soul, or maybe one of its minions. I'm sure I can find some willing elves to make you one artifact for you to use with it as a canvas. After all, why should we give in ours when you can create your own?" Kaiden clarified his intentions.
In an instant, I saw red, triggering my body to radiate a deep color of blue.
How… dare you?!
Energy pulsed through me, sending Amelia and Melody into the air. Luckily, they were caught by Ben and Liam before they hit the wall while everyone else held on to dear life.
Lily, it's okay. If you need my life, I'll gladly give it to you. Shade tried to comfort me, purring against my cheek.
Never! I'll never give you up! You're the one thing I wouldn't trade for anything!
She and Fenris were the only things that were sacred to me.
"Is this a test? If it isn't, I was wrong to believe you would be of any help." I smirked at Kaiden, who floated in the air with everyone around him. The only one unaffected was my wolf, who easily repelled my magic.
"Lilith, it's okay. I won't allow anyone to—" He stepped towards me, and my aura soon gave off a purple hint.
The whispers that usually tormented me remained silent once as I was in control for the first time without outside influences.
"No! Don't stand in my way!" I snapped, turning my glance straight at Kaiden.
"You're disappointing, but what did I expect from a fool willing to give more lives than to hand over stupid artifacts you already have." I scolded.
Kaiden realized too late that I was no pushover. Though I felt like I could fall at any moment, my state of being didn't matter—not when he threatened the only being who had been by my side since the fall of Silverant.
The only one who had protected and loved me no matter what happened.
That's unforgivable. It doesn't matter if you're a goddess or not. You're my Shade!
I stepped forward instantly to warp towards him without uttering a single spell. The elf's eyes dilated as I gripped his chin in my fingertips.
"If you even try to touch a single hair on her head! I'll make sure your insides end up splattered on the wall behind you! Or better yet, they come out of your fucking mouth!" I promised, ensuring he knew it was no mere threat.
Letting him go, I stared at the trembling elf before smirking, "Witches are terrifying, you say. My strength probably matches an eternal witch's, yet here you are, thinking you can control me! You don't, and I'm here because I want to save the world of those I love, which doesn't include you!" I announced.
If I have to be a monster, I'll welcome the bloodshed. To protect them all, I'll do everything necessary!
"That means respect us, mortal, before you turn into a slime." Shade snickered.
Before I knew it, Fenris grabbed my arm, yanking me into his warmth. Covering my eyes with his hand, I felt my magic dissipate instantly at his touch. Blood moon Lycans truly were terrifying beings as he made his presence known instantly, turning me off like a light switch.
"Excuse my pregnant fiancée's actions. Her hormones are all over the place, making her jumpy. So, I refer you don't do that again for your good." He tried to hide the anger behind his voice, but it was too prevalent.
He wanted blood as well, but taking it there would start an all-out war within the races, tarnishing our chances at a world where our children would have better days.
"Fenris..." I mumbled.
He sighed, shaking his head, "It also seems you were mistaken in my intentions when I said I wouldn't dissolve the council. I want it to stay open for you a lot so you can choose what happens. After all, it's better than my father's tyranny, but..."
Although his hand covered my eyes, I rested my head on his chest, allowing me to peek through to see his face. His eyes shone brightly, and he had a prevalent scowl on them. The room returned to normal, far away from the influence of my magic.
"If you threaten my family once again. I assure you. Lilith won't be the one dirtying her hands in your blood if that time ever comes. You'll all see how scary the Lycan tyranny can be with me in the head." My wolf declared, uncovering my eyes.
However, he kept me in his arms as his face turned cold. All the heads stared at Kaiden, who had brought this upon himself.
"Fenris, I'm—" Instead of letting me finish, my wolf shook his head before kissing my forehead.
His affection was all I needed to get a grip. This was far from over, especially after he declared me his fiancée, which triggered all the Lycans in the room to be eerily quiet.