Chapter 207: Three Tall Guards
Special Thanks To Jennifer_Goliah For The Gift {≥≈≤}
...
Unable to sleep, Lilith watched the clock tick for over an hour before finally rising from the bed. She walked over to the mirror, smoothing her hair, then slipped out of the room toward the crypt where Salistra awaited.
The castle hallways were as silent as a graveyard, the only sound the sharp echo of her heels on the wooden floors. Even though the protective spell had been cast over the castle, the servants still refused to leave their rooms and Lilith couldn’t blame them. She only hoped they understood that it wasn’t Hades who was terrorizing them, but the demon inside him.
At the crypt door, she paused, inhaled deeply, and pushed it open. From the entrance to the cave, she could see the witch crouched low, lips moving in incantations, her hands working with urgency.
Lilith didn’t want to interrupt, so she lingered at the threshold, watching. It didn’t last long. Salistra suddenly turned, as though she had felt Lilith’s gaze, and offered a slight nod.
"Come in," she said, brushing her palms together as she stood. "It’s time to begin."
Lilith swallowed and stepped forward into the dim cave. Two wooden tables stood not far apart, and beside them a smaller table was cluttered with bottles, some shattered, others intact. along with small piles of salt, black sand, and an unidentifiable dark powder.
"Sit here," Salistra’s voice drew Lilith from her thoughts. She lowered herself to the ground where the witch indicated.
"Cross your legs."
Lilith obeyed, folding her legs in front of her. "What are we doing next?" she asked.
"I’m going to teach you a spell," Salistra explained, her tone flat. "The spell will create a rift between the demon and the prince, allowing you to reach him. You must convince him to break free, to reclaim control of his body. If you succeed, only then can we finally break the curse."
Lilith’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Very well. Let’s begin."
Salistra stepped closer, placing a thin rope around Lilith’s neck, a white, medium sized pearl resting against her collarbone. "Close your eyes and take a deep breath," she commanded.
Lilith obeyed.
"Repeat after me, slowly and calmly."
The witch began to chant, one line at a time, and Lilith followed, repeating each word carefully. The air in the cave seemed to shift, pressing in on her, making her feel as though she were floating. Her breathing slowed.
"Now," Salistra’s voice was almost a whisper, "place your hand on the pearl."
Lilith pressed her palm against it, wincing at the cold. Within seconds, the pearl began to warm then grow hot. The heat flared so sharply she almost pulled her hand away, but the witch’s voice cut through her mind, Don’t. Keep your hand on it.
With much difficulty, Lilith kept her hand on the pearl. She gritted her teeth, her hand trembling, heart pounding. The heat grew unbearable then came a sharp and searing pain that made her flinch.
Salistra had pulled her hand away and cut open her palm with a knife. She held Lilith’s hand and placed it back over the pearl as a sizzling sound hissed in the air. The witch pressed her hand against Lilith’s tightly as the girl cried out in pain.
Sweat glistened on her forehead and neck, soaking her dress as she writhed in blinding pain. Almost immediately, the pearl began to glow so brightly that Salistra was forced to shut her eyes. This lasted only a few seconds before the thick air around them began to disperse, allowing them to breathe properly.
They both opened their eyes, panting, as they stared at each other. Salistra’s gaze shifted to the pearl tied around Lilith’s neck. It was no longer white but bloody red, like blood was swirling inside it.
Noticing the witch’s fixed stare, Lilith looked down and her breath hitched. "It’s red now," she whispered.
"Yes, it is. It means the spell worked," Salistra said with a smile, looking back up at her. She rose to her feet and stretched out her arm to help Lilith up.
Placing her hand into Salistra’s, Lilith allowed herself to be pulled upright. The sudden movement made her stumble, clutching her head as a wave of headache swept over her. She took several deep breaths to steady herself. When the pain finally eased, she opened her eyes again.
"You will need to rest. Blood spells take a toll on witches," Salistra advised, moving to clear the small table.
Lilith leaned against the wall. "What am I going to do with the pearl?"
"You have to place it around the prince’s neck," the witch replied.
"What!?" Her eyes widened. "That’s impossible. The demon will kill me before I can even try."
Salistra turned to her. "That is the only way for the spell to work. The pearl must touch his skin in order to be effective. One way or another, you will have to get close enough to place it there."
Another wave of pain swept through her head, and Lilith massaged her temples. "How the hell am I supposed to do that?" she muttered under her breath.
"That, you will have to figure out yourself. But you must do it as soon as possible. Remember, we don’t have the luxury of time. We must act quickly," Salistra added.
"I do remember that. Every second of every day, I’m reminded how little time we have left," Lilith said to herself. Her eyes shifted back to the older witch. "I will think of something soon," she stated.
Salistra half smiled. "Very well. You are a smart woman, I’ve no doubt that you will."
"Thank you. I shall take my leave now. I need to rest, my legs are almost giving out on me." She returned the smile as she struggled toward the exit on shaky legs.
"Lilith?"
"Yes." She placed her hand on the doorframe for support before turning her head toward Salistra.
"I wish you the best of luck. Don’t get yourself killed."
Lilith’s smile widened. "Thank you. I have no plans of dying anytime soon."
"Good. Go rest, you need it."
Lilith nodded before turning back and walking out of the crypt. Salistra watched as her figure grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing through the door.
Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, hands trembling, heart pounding heavily in her chest. A rough cough tore from her throat once, then again until she brought a palm to her mouth. When she pulled it away, her gaze fell on the grotesque sight of a thick, black clot of blood resting in her hand.
Quickly, she snatched a piece of cloth and wiped it away, tossing the soiled fabric to the side as she leaned against the wall behind her with her eyes closed.
She had to endure it. Just a little longer. Until everything was over... until Hades was himself again. She must.
~~~
Lucian stood in front of three tall guards as they approached the prince’s study, where Viktor was waiting by the doorway. His arms were folded, his posture straight, but the hard line of his jaw betrayed the tension within him.
"These are the men you’ve chosen to guard the circle?" Viktor asked, his voice sharp as his eyes swept over them with a piercing intensity.
"Yes," Lucian replied. "I’ve worked alongside them for years. They are loyal, fearless... and brave enough to face what’s coming."
He placed a firm hand on the first man’s shoulder. "This is Leonard. He’s been serving here for over a decade."
Leonard stepped forward and bowed, his weathered face betraying neither fear nor hesitation.
Lucian moved to the second man. "This is Callum. Another decade of service. One of our finest swordsmen."
Callum bowed low, his eyes locking with Viktor’s for a brief moment.
Then Lucian turned to the last man, the tallest of the three. A long scar carved its way from the corner of his mouth to his ear, an old wound that had not dimmed the strength in his gaze. "And this... is Raphael. More than twenty years guarding Valyron’s walls. A man whose word is worth more than gold."
Raphael inclined his head in respect.
Viktor studied them in silence. "You’ve been told what’s at stake. This is no ordinary duty. If you fail..." His voice hardened, "...be ready to carry the weight of every death within these walls. We pray this danger will pass quickly, but until then, you must hold your oath, guard the circle, and protect His Highness and the people of Valyron with your lives."
"Yes, my lord! We shall not fail you!" the three answered in unison.
"Very well," Viktor said quietly. "Go."
They bowed and departed, their heavy footsteps fading into the distance.
Lucian stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Viktor’s shoulder. "They will not falter. I’ve seen them stand when others ran. Trust them."
Viktor’s gaze lingered on the corridor long after the guards were gone. "For all our sakes..." he murmured, "let’s hope you’re right."