Chapter Twenty-one

Anka kneeled before an altar set deep in a dark cave system known only to her and her most trusted witches. As she whispered her prayers to the darkness she worshipped and drew her power from, you could hear the drip, drip of water falling from the rocks, and the smell of incense permeated the air.

She heard footsteps approach behind her. “Asha? How can I help you?”

“Forgive me disturbing your devotion, Madam, but we have found the location of the second descendent, but she is now guarded.”

Anka bowed her head to the alter and stood. “The Debreks know Ms. MacDougall is bonded to Victorija then?”

“Shall we send a team to bring her to feed Victorija?” Asha asked.

Anka held up her hand. “Slow down, Asha. We take this slowly. I have been building my power and my resources for a very long time, and I will take my time on the next phase of my plans.”

“I’ll keep someone watching her then.”

“Yes. When the time comes to bring her here, it won’t be easy. Daisy MacDougall comes from a long line of agitators and general pains in the neck—trust me, I’ve met a few. I need to seal my position with the Dred clan, and then we will hand her over to Victorija. Only then can I absorb her power.”

“And then what?” Asha asked.

Anka laughed and started to walk through the cave, Asha by her side. “Then we will put our puppet Principe in charge of the Dreds, and Drasas would make a lovely puppet, don’t you agree?”

She laughed again and the echo reverberated through the cave system.

* * *

Alexis couldn’t believe she was standing here, under a floral archway in the Debrek mansion gardens, pledging her immortal life to someone. Not just someone, but Katie. Beautiful Katie who had started to mend her broken heart, fiery Katie whom she had squabbled with incessantly, sweet Katie with whom she woke each morning to a loving smile that brightened her day.

They stood under the archway, each with a cut on her palm, and clasping each other’s hand for the bonding ceremony.

Katie hadn’t wanted a big bonding ceremony, so she, her mum, Amelia, Sera, and Daisy planned this smaller—but still special—ceremony in the garden. The guests were seated in rows behind the happy couple, and luckily it was a warm, dry day.

Katie looked beautiful in the white dress that Amelia and Daisy designed for her, and she held a deep blood-red bouquet of roses. After swearing she’d never fall in love again, here Alexis was getting married in her dress uniform.