Chapter 6: The Price of Bringing Her Back

Justin stared at Isolde as the meaning of the healer's words sank in.

The one whose blood caused this entire tragedy.

His eyes slowly moved to the newborn in her arms.

The child's veins were turning darker by the second.

Isolde clutched him tighter, shaking her head.

"No. You can't mean me."

The healer remained silent.

Justin's voice was dangerously calm.

"Explain."

The old healer unfolded the blood-stained scroll again.

"The forbidden archives describe a second condition that was deliberately removed from the official prophecy."

He pointed to a faded passage.

"The Progenitor's blessing can only awaken through a true hybrid heir. If that heir dies before receiving the blessing, the curse will seek another vessel."

Justin looked at Isolde's child.

"And it chose him."

The healer nodded grimly.

"Because the ritual forced the blessing onto a pureblood child who was never meant to receive it."

Isolde's face turned white.

"That's not my fault! I was told my child was the chosen one!"

Justin turned toward her.

"Who told you?"

Isolde's lips parted, but no answer came.

Morwen stepped forward.

"Justin, enough. The past cannot be changed."

"It can if Gracie is still within the Veil."

His voice was cold.

"You said she was gone," Morwen replied.

"The healer said there is a chance."

Justin looked toward the Bloodspring Sanctuary.

"And I'm taking it."

Morwen grabbed his arm.

"You cannot enter the Bloodspring while the Progenitor's blessing is unstable. The magic could destroy you."

Justin pulled his arm free.

"I don't care."

"You are the Vampire Lord!"

"Then let the Vampire Lord die for the woman he failed to protect."

Silence fell over the sanctuary.

Justin turned to the healer.

"What does the ritual require?"

The healer hesitated.

"A living anchor connected to the soul you're trying to retrieve."

Justin frowned.

"Her mate bond is gone."

"Not completely."

The healer reached toward Justin's chest.

"Your bond with Lady Gracie was burned into your soul. Even if the visible mark has vanished, the connection may still exist beneath the curse."

Justin's heart tightened.

"Then use it."

The healer shook his head.

"There is another problem."

"What?"

"The Bloodspring requires an equal exchange. A soul cannot simply be pulled back from the Veil. Something of equal value must be given in return."

Justin's expression hardened.

"My life."

"No."

The healer looked toward Isolde.

"The price must come from the source of the corruption."

Isolde took a terrified step backward.

"You can't sacrifice me!"

Justin stared at her.

For years, he had protected her without question.

He had believed her tears, her weakness, and every accusation she made against Gracie.

Now he finally saw the truth.

Isolde had not merely been a victim of the curse.

Her blood magic had been used to create the false heir.

Her ritual had stolen the blessing meant for Gracie's child.

And because of that, the curse had awakened.

"I won't kill you," Justin said.

Isolde's eyes filled with relief.

"But I will take back what you stole."

The relief vanished from her face.

"No..."

Justin turned to the guards.

"Take Isolde to the Bloodspring."

Morwen stepped forward in outrage.

"Justin, think carefully! If you use Isolde's blood as the price, the clan will never forgive you."

Justin looked at his mother.

"The clan already took everything from Gracie."

His voice cracked for the first time.

"They took her child. They took her life. They took her trust in me."

He looked toward the chamber where Gracie lay.

"I won't let them take her soul too."

The guards dragged Isolde toward the sanctuary.

She struggled desperately.

"Justin! You love me! You can't do this to me!"

Justin didn't look back.

"I thought I did."

Those four words destroyed the last of Isolde's composure.

Inside the Bloodspring chamber, the ancient pool began to glow.

The water that had always been silver now turned deep crimson.

The healer placed Gracie's body beside the spring.

Justin stood at her side, holding her hand.

Her fingers were cold and lifeless.

He lowered his head.

"Gracie, if you can hear me... please come back."

Nothing happened.

The healer began chanting.

Ancient runes appeared across the floor.

Isolde was forced to kneel at the edge of the spring.

The healer drew a single drop of her blood.

The moment it touched the water, the entire sanctuary shook.

A deep growl came from beneath the spring.

Justin's eyes widened.

Something was waking beneath the water.

Then Gracie's fingers suddenly moved.

Justin froze.

"Gracie?"

Her hand twitched again.

The healer gasped.

"Her soul has heard you."

Justin gripped her hand tightly.

"Come back to me."

A single tear rolled down Gracie's closed eyelid.

Then a voice whispered through the sanctuary.

"Why should I?"

Justin's heart shattered.

It was Gracie's voice.

But there was no warmth in it.

Only pain.