“The ritual we must perform to cleanse Eva of the demon’s possession is ancient and powerful,” Nathan began, his voice carrying the weight of centuries-old wisdom. “It is a rite passed down through generations, designed to purge even the darkest of forces.”
Peter, sitting across from Nathan, leaned in, his eyes reflecting a mix of hope and fear. The others remained silent, hanging on Nathan’s every word.
“First, we will need to form a protective circle around Eva,” Nathan explained, gesturing to the empty space void of furniture; as if to say that the space could be used.
“Salt, iron, and holy water must be placed at the cardinal points to create a barrier that the demon cannot cross. Each of us will hold a lit candle, symbolizing the light that will drive out the darkness.”
He paused now, taking on a deep breath, as if his next words were quite heavy. “I’m not with the book needed for this, but I think I still have the incantation in my head. Ah, I would have brought our healer, if we had known of this mishap on time. However, we will chant this incantation in unison, the ancients and those with magic in their blood, focusing our collective will on expelling the demon. It will resist with all its might, and Eva will experience great pain, but we must not falter. Our strength and unity are paramount.”
Nathan’s eyes met Peter’s, conveying the urgency of the task ahead. “Do you think that is okay, Alpha?”
Peter exchanged glances with Melvina. There was no other choice. It has to be done. Derek was already possessed. His little daughter couldn’t be with the same fate too, no matter how painful it was.
“It’s okay, Prince. Let’s move on ahead. Is there anything else you need?”
Nathan shook his head, then pointed at Shane. “Shane, I need you to fetch Eva. Bring her here so we can prepare.”
Shane, taken aback for a second that the Prince had remembered his name, nodded fitfully, feeling the responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders. He rose from his seat immediately and left the dining hall, aware of the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
He hurried down the corridor to Eva’s room, each step echoing with urgency. Pushing open the door to her room, he called out, “Eva?”
Shane’s heart pounded as he scanned the room. The bed was empty, the blankets strewn about as if she had left in haste. Panic surged through him. “Eva!” He shouted, checking every corner, but the little girl was nowhere to be found.
Rushing back to the dining hall, Shane’s face was pale with fear. “She’s gone,” He announced breathlessly. “Eva’s not in her room.”
A stunned silence enveloped the room.
Silent chaos took a foothold amongst the occupants.
Nathan’s mind raced, grappling with the new complication. Without Eva, the ritual could not proceed, and the demon or whatever had possessed her, would continue to endanger her-and them all. They needed to find her, and quickly, before the dark force could tighten its grip on the innocent girl.
Melvina’s face contorted with a mix of fear and rage. Her daughter, the center of her world, was missing, and the demon’s hold was tightening its grip on their lives.
“Where is she?” Melvina’s voice, usually calm and soothing, was now a desperate cry. Her eyes burned with a wild intensity as she turned towards Nathan, her fists clenched at her sides. “How could you let this happen? We should have dealt with her issue when Yodah had brought her in at first, but you had asked her to be put to rest!”
Nathan, struggling to maintain his composure, tried to respond, tried to explain the reason for his earlier command. but Melvina was beyond reason. She stormed out of the dining hall, her movements frantic. She tore through the corridors, calling out Eva’s name, her voice echoing through the stone walls.
Peter stood frozen in the dining hall, his face pale and expressionless. The shock rendered him immobile, like a statue rooted to the spot. He had always been the strong, silent type, but now he was completely at a loss, his mind unable to process the unfolding nightmare.
Yodah felt a searing pain in his heart as he watched his lifemate’s mother abscond from the meeting. He struggled to keep his own emotions in check, knowing he couldn’t let known the bond at this moment, but it was hard seeing that she was missing.
A blood red tear stinged his eye when Freya placed her hand on his.
‘We will find her, Yodah. You will. Just stay calm, and think clearly. You are the only one who can scent her.’
***
The search for Eva began with a meticulous sweep of the grounds, each person using their keen senses to pick up any trace of her presence. Yodah, driven by a primal force, led the search, his heart pounding with determination and fear.
Peter had thought to wake up his warriors, but Nathan had decided against it. They didn’t need an uproar in the pack, not at this time. A lot of things could go wrong.
As the group, composed only of the people that had been in the dining hall moved through the forest surrounding their enclave, Yodah’s sharp eyes caught a faint trail. Broken branches and subtle footprints led away from the pack’s territory. He paused, crouching to inspect the trail more closely. The scent was unmistakable-Eva had passed this way.
“Over here!” Yodah called out, his voice carrying through the trees. The pack converged on his position, their eyes following the direction he pointed.
As they moved swiftly and silently through the woods, Yodah’s father, Dobah, caught up to him. Dobah’s face was a mask of concern and confusion.
“Yodah,” He began, struggling to keep his voice steady, “Why are you so certain about this? Why is this affecting you so deeply? And don’t try to cut me off, I saw Freya’s hand on yours before this search commenced. I might not be as observant as your mother, but I know a worrying tart when I see one.”
Yodah sighed and turned to face his father, his eyes blazing with an intensity Dobah had never seen before. “Because Eva is my mate,”
The shock on Dobah’s face was evident, but Yodah pressed on, unflinching. “I would do anything to find her, Father. Anything.”
Dobah opened his mouth, then shut it. Of course he understood now the depth of Yodah’s determination. But he was surprised at the match. Eva couldn’t be more than six years old. His son would have to wait like the healer had.
***
Zipfarah stood in her office, having returned to her community a few minutes ago, her sharp eyes scanning the latest report from her spy. The message was brief but startling:
Sheila had returned, not alone, but with another redhead and a group of people of unknown origin.
“I need more information,” She muttered, already planning her next move.