At this time the wind had risen, circulating leaves and dust as Aria and Elias walked back through the forest. The forest now appeared lively with trees swaying and creaking above them, as if saying something which the two could not comprehend.
The encounter with the stone circle, and understanding of how thin the veil had become made Aria's heart sick. Every move became faster, and more decisive – as if with each passing seconds delayed pushed them closer to the edge.
"Dominic", Aria whispered. For a moment the name felt strange in her mouth. Elias had once mentioned him – a mysterious man who was as influential as any nobleman and very connected to Wolvesbane Hollow. She had sensed it in her mind the first time she heard his name that he would be useful in unlocking the mysteries of the town, but he had been mainly an enigmatic figure.
Elias who was now a few steps in front of her, slightly turned and looked at her. He said nothing but his face was clearly tensed. Aria was fully aware that he did not trust Dominic, but they were left with no other option. The veil was thinning, and Dominic was their only shot for stopping the catastrophe on the horizon.
As they reached the northern region of the town, the path became higher and the forest sparse, the large stone mansion came into view. Dominic's estate was looming as a dark and ominous structure placed on a hill, protecting Wolvesbane Hollow from afar.
Aria paused as she surveyed the view, looking entirely at it. The house was old; it was made of black stone and was overlaid with moss and creeping ivy. The windows were tall and narrow providing the impression of the declining light of day, bathed in a rather sinister kind of light. The place felt somehow as if far worse things went on there, than anything she had likely found.
"We're here," said Elias softly, his voice breaking through the stillness. He glanced at Aria again, his eyes filled with an unspoken question: "Are you ready?"
Aria gave him a brief nod and she braced herself for the worst. "Let's do this."
They went towards the large iron gates side by side. The gate opened as if it was expecting them, the sound reverberated in the still air. A shiver went down Aria's spine as they walked through the gate and moved on the overgrown lawn to the front door. Every step she made, made her closer to the truth - closer to Dominic.
The door to the mansion opened before they got near it and a tall man stood by the door. He was as tall and large as his house: with broad shoulders, and a tight face which seemed chiselled from stone. He had dark thick hair and deep eyes with steady twinkling which made him look unnatural in the dimming light.
Aria felt the depth of his gaze on her that she couldn't breathe for a second. There was something in his eyes, a familiar feeling of the forest and the veil. It was as though he, too, was connected to the mysteries of the place.
"Aria Hart," Dominic said, radiating authority in his voice. "I knew you would come," he said.
His word made Aria shiver. How did he know she was coming? What again did he know about her that she didn't?
Elias moved forward, his expression taut. "We have to talk, Dominic. The veil is weakening. It was quite evident in the forest"
Dominic's eyes shifted towards Elias, his face impassive. "I know. The signs have been observed for weeks. The wolves grow heady and the forest roused ancient power."
Aria's heart stopped for a moment. "You knew this was happening, and you did not feel compelled to raise the alarm?" she said, more forcefully than she had wanted to.
Dominic looked into her eyes again and she felt the weight of his presence. "The veil is not easily controlled Aria, it has been getting thin for many years now, but your presence accelerated the whole process. I had thought that it would remain constant for a while at least".
Aria gulped "What does my being here have to do with the veil?"
"The blood of the guardians flows through your veins," Dominic said getting nearer to her.
"Your grandmother was the last guardian, and when she passed away the balance was disturbed. Your presence here, your connection to the veil, it's like a signal, a call to those who want to destroy it."
Aria's confused mind tried to grasp all that had been said to her. Her grandmother's death had rendered the veil frail and now her presence was making it frail too. But there had to be more to it than that.
"There has to be something we can do to it" replied Aria, almost whispering. "We can't just let the veil collapse."
Dominic looked serious. "There is a way, but it too costly, The veil was created by blood magic which is very powerful, if you want to replace the veil then you need to perform some ritual that needs the sacrifice of something dear to you."
Aria's heart began to race. "Sacrifice?"
Dominic nodded. "The veil is tied to the guardians' bloodline. To make it stronger you have to give a piece of yourself, something that is tied to your soul."
Elias moved closer to them, his voice firm. "We don't have time for riddles, Dominic. What exactly are you asking of her?"
Dominic's eyes met with Elias, his face impassive. "She still needs to lose something dear to her: a memory, a part of her soul, maybe even a dear relation, depending on what the veil demand; and if she cannot do it, then the veil will not cease to unravel."
Aria could feel the knot tighten in her stomach. The idea of giving up something she considered so dear was rather frightening to her. But what option did she have? The entire future of the Wolvesbane Hollow and maybe, even the whole world depended on her.
"I'll do it," Aria replied her tone calm though she felt a shiver down her spine. "What do I need to do?"
Elias faced her, expressing concern in his face. "Aria, are you sure? This is not something you can reverse."
"Yes,I know," she said, looking into his eyes. "But I can't let the veil fall. I have to do this—for my grandmother, for the town, for all of us."
Dominic nodded, looking serious. "Then we will start the preparations," Dominic started, "The ritual has to be conducted at the Stone circle, at full moon; before that you have to prepare yourself for what is coming; the forces that want to break the veil will not wait."
As Dominic led them into the mansion, Aria felt the weight of her decision settle on her like a heavy cloak. She had chosen to fight, but the price to pay for victory hasn't been calculated. And as she followed through the
corridors of Dominic's house she felt the worst is yet to come.