Chapter 6: The Witch King's Warning

Dark mist swallowed the estate as twenty hooded figures surrounded the mansion.

Magic crackled through the freezing air, making the ground tremble beneath their feet.

Evelyn instinctively stepped behind Thaddeus.

For the first time since meeting him, she didn't question whether he was a monster.

At that moment...

He was the only thing standing between her and certain death.

"Stay behind me," Thaddeus ordered calmly.

"No matter what happens."

Ryland's eyes glowed golden as his claws extended.

Orion's fangs slowly appeared while crimson energy surrounded his hands.

The leader of the hooded strangers smiled.

"The King of Darkness still protects what belongs to others."

Thaddeus narrowed his eyes.

"Speak your name before I bury you with the rest of your coven."

The man removed his hood completely.

Ancient black runes covered half of his face.

"Malachar."

"Last High Priest of the Obsidian Coven."

Orion's expression darkened.

"Impossible..."

"You died during the Purge."

Malachar laughed.

"Death is merely another doorway for those who understand forbidden magic."

"You've become a necromancer," Orion whispered.

"I've become something greater."

Without warning, dozens of dark chains erupted from the ground.

Ryland leaped aside while Thaddeus shattered another chain with a wave of his hand.

The battle exploded into chaos.

Magic collided with darkness.

Explosions echoed across the snowy estate.

Ryland charged straight into the enemy ranks, sending witches flying through the air.

Orion moved like a crimson blur, disarming every opponent who came close.

Meanwhile...

Malachar never took his eyes off Evelyn.

"Bring me the girl!" he shouted.

Several witches ignored Thaddeus completely and rushed toward Evelyn.

Fear gripped her heart.

She turned to run.

Before they could reach her, an invisible force blasted every attacker backward.

Evelyn froze.

"I... I didn't do that..."

Silver light surrounded her body.

The snow beneath her feet melted instantly.

Thaddeus stared in disbelief.

"Her magic..."

"It's awakening," Orion breathed.

Malachar smiled wider.

"Exactly as the prophecy foretold."

"What prophecy?" Evelyn shouted.

"The child born from the First Bloodline shall awaken when darkness finds her."

"Enough!"

Thaddeus slammed both hands onto the frozen ground.

A massive wave of black energy erupted outward.

The entire battlefield shook violently.

Trees snapped.

The witches were thrown dozens of feet away.

Even Malachar staggered backward.

"Still as powerful as ever," he admitted.

"But power alone won't save her."

"Leave now," Thaddeus warned.

"Or I finish what I started a century ago."

Malachar slowly straightened.

"You misunderstand, Dark King."

"I'm not here to fight."

"I'm here to deliver a message."

Everything suddenly became quiet.

"Seven nights from now..."

"...the Blood Moon will rise."

"When it does, the Last Blood Heir will awaken completely."

"And when she does..."

"The gates separating the human world from the Shadow Realm will open once again."

Evelyn looked around in confusion.

"I don't understand any of this!"

Malachar pointed directly at her.

"You don't have to understand."

"You only have to survive."

A dark portal opened beneath the witches.

"We'll meet again very soon."

"Enjoy your remaining days of peace."

Within seconds...

The coven vanished.

Only silence remained.

Snow slowly began falling once more.

Ryland shifted back into human form.

"Please tell me he was lying."

No one answered.

Thaddeus continued staring at the place where Malachar had disappeared.

"He wasn't."

"Then what's the Blood Moon?" Evelyn asked.

Orion sighed heavily.

"The rarest celestial event in supernatural history."

"It only appears once every thousand years."

"And according to every ancient prophecy..."

"It changes the fate of the world."

Evelyn swallowed hard.

"Because of me?"

Thaddeus finally turned toward her.

His usually emotionless face showed genuine concern.

"No..."

"Because everyone will come looking for you."

"And this time..."

"Not even I know if I can stop them."