3

At my words, Redakai’s gaze searched the clearing, his nostrils flaring. He was looking for something, some sign of what had happened. And when his eyes found it, his expression grew darker. A single flower lay at the edge of the clearing, crushed and mangled. The same flower that had been in my basket before I had dropped it. The same flower that was my reason to be in the forest.

He looked back at me, his eyes piercing. “It’s ruined.”

I stumbled over my words, trying to explain. “It-it was an accident. I swear, I didn’t mean to—“

But he wasn’t listening. Instead, his grip tightened, and he pulled me along with him, his strides long and fast as we left the clearing behind.

When we reached the edge of the forest, the stone fortress came into view. I had never been so relieved to see its looming figure.

Redakai dragged me through the open gates, the guards watching us with a mix of curiosity and fear. They knew better than to question their leader, especially when he looked as he did now. His eyes were glowing red with fury, and his fangs were bared.

Once we were inside, he flung me into a nearby room, the door slamming shut behind me. I stumbled forward, catching myself on a chair. The room was dimly lit, with candles flickering along the walls. It smelled faintly of earth and something else, something that made my stomach turn. I knew what it was; it was the scent of fear.

He followed me in, his eyes never leaving mine. “You will tell me everything.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “I-I didn’t know the Olympus were near.”

He leaned in closer. “You are a witch of the forest. You know every plant, every creature. You expect me to believe you didn’t know werewolves were in the forest around you?”

I felt the tears stinging my eyes. “I-I don’t know what you want from me!”

The silence grew thick, tension in the air. Redakai stared at me, his eyes searching my soul. And for the first time, I felt like he saw me, really saw me. Not just the girl who gathered herbs for his coven, but the girl who had just survived a werewolf attack. The girl who was afraid. The girl who was hiding something. And it was in that moment, I realized what I had done. I had stepped into the middle of a war that was far bigger than I ever could have imagined. And I had no idea how to get out.

With a frustrated growl, Redakai released me, pacing the room like a caged animal. His movements were fluid, almost graceful, despite his size. He was so powerful, so terrifying, and yet, I couldn’t help but feel a strange pull towards him. It was as if he was the embodiment of the very danger I feared and the protection I craved.

“Did… Did you lose many today,” I croaked out my question, referring to the newborns; those who were still unable to walk within the daylight.

Redakai glared at me, then ignoring my question, he ordered, his voice low and firm. “Do not leave this room until I come for you. Is that clear?”

I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. He slammed the door behind him, leaving me in the dim light of the candles. I collapsed into the chair, my legs giving out beneath me. The room spun, and I took deep breaths, trying to calm down. What had I done? I had seen the way he looked at that flower. It was more than just important; it was vital. And now it was gone. I had failed, and the consequences of that failure were dire.

The minutes ticked by, turning into hours. The sun grew lower in the sky, and the room grew darker. I could hear the whispers of the coven outside, the hushed tones of fear.

Finally, the door swung open, and Javaleen swept in. Her eyes were cold, her face tight with anger. “What have you done?” she spat. “The potion was due at sunup! Redakai is furious!”

I looked up at her, feeling the weight of her wrath. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—“

She slapped me, hard. “Don’t you dare lie to me, girl!” she screeched. “I know what you’re capable of. I’ve seen the way you look at him!”

The pain was a shock, and I felt my cheek burn. “What are you talking about?”

Her eyes narrowed. “The way you look at Redakai. You hate him.”

My heart sank. She was right, but I would never deliberately endanger him or his brothers.

The door opened again, and Redakai filled the frame, his expression dark. “It’s time we had a little talk, Kaisha. Come.”

My legs shook and my heart pounded. I knew whatever was going to happen, would change everything.

As I followed Redakai further into the mansion, I felt the eyes of the vampires, old and the newborns alike, boring into my back. Unease crawled along my spine, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d see another day. I sent up a tiny prayer to the Goddess that I would.

I continued following Redakai as he led me to a chamber unlike any of the others I’d been into. The walls were lined with ancient books, and the air was thick with the scent of leather and ink.

A massive wooden table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs that looked like thrones. As Redakai sat in one, he gestured for me to take the one across from him. Taking my own seat and making myself as comfortable as possible when I feared I was looking death in the face, I shuddered a little beneath eyes that never left me; his gaze was unwavering and intense.

I sat, silently awaiting his words. Finally, he began, his voice low and biting, “Do you know the seriousness of what you’ve done, Kaisha? That the flower you had was not just a simple ingredient for a potion, but possibly the key to helping my coven survive? And now, because of your carelessness, it is lost to us for another thousand years. You may have just very well exterminated my race.”