Chapter 6 - BLOOD ON THE ALTAR
Evelyn acted purely on instinct.
Years of dragging heavy crate loads of apothecary supplies and working long hours in her father’s shop had made her stronger than her pampered younger sister anticipated.
Evelyn caught Clara’s wrist mid-air, inches from her throat.
"I loved you!" Evelyn screamed, her voice echoing off the obsidian walls. "I would have died for you!"
"Then die for me now!" Clara shrieked, pressing down with all her weight.
The silver knife nicked Evelyn’s shoulder. A single drop of crimson blood trickled down her skin and fell onto the black floorboards.
The moment the blood hit the stone, the entire castle shook violently.
BOOM!
Behind them, the iron gate burst into crimson flames. Three more massive chains snapped with deafening cracks. A terrifying, demonic howl ripped through the chapel as a giant, shadowy claw pushed through the widening gap in the gate.
"Yes!" Clara laughed hysterically. "It's awakening!"
Through the choking red smoke, a heavy, metallic hand slammed down onto Clara’s shoulder.
Alaric, ignoring the burning agony on his corrupted face, hoisted Clara into the air by her collar and threw her across the room. She crashed into the stone altar, dropping the ritual knife, which skidded across the floor.
Alaric turned to Evelyn, his grey eye wide with desperation. "We have to seal it now! If the final chain snaps, the Warden breaks free!"
"How?!" Evelyn cried out, clutching her bleeding shoulder. "My blood is opening it!"
"Your blood is the key," Alaric explained quickly, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the marriage book on the altar. "Your father signed the contract with his blood, binding your life to the demon. But the contract was forged on a lie! You came here thinking you were sacrificing yourself for Clara, not fulfilling a dark pact!"
He pointed to the glowing golden pages of the marriage book.
"If you claim your right as the Master of Hollowspire's true bride—if you choose to bind your life to me instead of the contract—we can rewrite the magic!" Alaric urged. "But it means tying your soul to my curse forever. You will never be able to return to the human world."
Evelyn looked back at the breaking gate. She looked at her sister, who was groaning on the floor, reaching again for the knife. Then she looked at Alaric—the boy who had kept her cheap copper moon for eighteen years.
"I was never going back to that world anyway," Evelyn said firmly.
May you like
She grabbed the silver knife from the floor, sliced her own palm, and slammed her bleeding hand down onto the ancient marriage ledger.
"I choose you, Alaric Thorne!" she shouted.
