Promised in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 2)
Promised in Blood: Chapter 34

Osiris paces the room, and Enora regards me from her armchair. “Do you recall me asking you to look into the person responsible for Ophelia’s attendance at this institution, Osiris?”

He pauses his steps and nods. “And I found nothing. I used all my usual resources and couldn’t get anything more than what I gave you. Like I told you before, whoever was responsible hid their tracks expertly.”

“Nazeel Danraath admitted that it was she who was responsible for Ophelia coming here, but I believe there are others who wanted her at Montridge as well.”

His piercing eyes narrow. “But what does this have to do with Esme?”

“I believe it is all connected. The witch being killed here last week, Esme today, the poorly disguised attempt to frame me and then the Onyx vampires. All of it is linked to Ophelia.”

I feel Ophelia bristle beside me, but when I glance sideways at her, she has her shoulders rolled back, and she meets the suspicious gazes of both the wolf and the witch with a fiery determination that makes pride swell inside me. Such a fearsome creature, but nobody would ever suspect it.

“How? Why is everyone so interested in this girl, Alexandros? You, Nazeel Danraath?” Osiris takes a step toward her.

I growl a warning at him along with Axl, Xavier, and Malachi, which increases the tension in this small room one hundredfold.

“We are all on the same side here, aren’t we?” Ophelia says, her jaw tilted defiantly. “And I would also love to know why anyone would take an interest in me, Professor Brackenwolf.”

Her confident tone does something to soothe his anger. “You may call me Osiris.”

She offers him a single nod and a faint smile that has the possessive beast inside all three of my boys wanting to break free. I warn them to control their tempers and focus on my old friends. Two people at Montridge who are amongst those I trust most in this world. As much as I would prefer to keep Ophelia’s identity to myself, I meant what I said earlier—we need allies to help us ensure her safety.

“It’s a question that begs to be answered,” Osiris goes on. “Why are people being killed for this girl?”

An intense wave of guilt washes over her, so profound that she sways on her feet. I place a steadying hand on her arm. “Nobody is being killed for her.” The warning in my tone is abundantly clear, and Osiris doesn’t push further.

“Can’t we just ask this Nazeel woman why she wanted Ophelia to come here?” Axl asks. “If she’s interested in Ophelia, maybe she knows who else is.”

Enora shakes her head. “You cannot simply speak to a member of the Order. They are supposed to remain hidden away. Their identities are a closely guarded secret. At least they are supposed to be.”

“There is nothing I would keep from any of my sireds,” I remind her. “You can trust them as you would me.” I am aware that the first part of that statement is a lie. I kept Lucian from them for years, and even now I keep part of him from them. At least what I saw in the Onyx pledge’s mind earlier.

“Regardless, it’s not that simple,” Osiris tells Axl before he turns his attention to me. “You have known there was something different about Ophelia since the start of semester. I have never known you take an interest in any witch before, old friend.”

I tip my face to the ceiling and suck in a deep breath, the weight of what I am about to disclose sitting heavy on me. As though sensing my hesitation, Ophelia reminds me that this decision is not mine alone. I want them to know, and I think you’re right to trust them, she says in her gentle, soothing voice. Cadence and Sienna too.

She is not wrong. In the coming months, Ophelia will need as many friends as she can get. Cadence has proven her trustworthiness to a degree, and Sienna is Osiris’s daughter. He will ensure her compliance. Things are happening at a faster pace than I anticipated, and we no longer have the luxury of time to determine who we can and cannot trust. But if I am forced to rely on the intuition of another, I cannot say I am displeased that Ophelia’s are the instincts we must listen to. Elementai are known for their skills in this area, and she has proven herself no exception. “Are the girls here? Cadence and Sienna?”

Enora gives me a suspicious look. “Indeed they are. Are they important to this discussion?”

I glance sideways at my fearless elementai. “They are important to Ophelia, so yes, they are.”

Osiris regards me with curiosity, his wolf glimmering in his eyes, not far from the surface. “I will summon Sienna.”

Less than a moment later, the two girls walk into the room, and after a quick greeting to Ophelia, they sit on the sofa. Their eyes lock on me, cheeks lined with the tracks of their tears. Osiris must have told his daughter what happened to her packmate.

“What I am about to tell you must stay within this room,” I begin. “No one is to know. You must swear me a blood oath.”

Osiris scowls. “You cannot ask such a thing of us. We have people who depend on us. Those we need to protect from harm. May I remind you that it was a wolf who was killed tonight, Alexandros? A member of my pack. I cannot hush this up like we did with the witch.” Crescent packs are unlike the typical familial wolf packs that exist outside of Montridge. The bond each member feels is manufactured and lasts only as long as they remain here, whereas a familial pack bond lasts for eternity. However, the fleeting nature of the bond does not diminish its intensity. Manufactured bond or not, I am aware that the loss of a member is felt keenly by every wolf within the pack, and I am not unsympathetic to their pain. I merely do not have time for it at the moment.

“Dad!” Sienna says, her eyes pleading with him to let me finish.

Enora lays a hand on his arm. “I have known this man for six hundred years, and he has never asked me to swear such an oath, Osiris. I can only imagine he has good reason for doing so now.”

I doubt that he thinks me foolish enough to have not considered all the consequences and it is likely his grief speaking, so I permit him his outburst without rebuke. “I do not expect you to break your word, Osiris. If I thought it would put your pack in jeopardy, I would never ask you to make such an oath. Your loyalty lies, as it should, with your pack, and I would not endanger Ophelia by foolishly asking you to forsake your responsibility.”

He does not respond right away, but Cadence and Sienna glance at each other and then at Ophelia. “I’m in,” Cadence says. “I don’t know what it is, but I’m in.”

Sienna nods. “Me too.”

Osiris glares at his daughter. “If you swear a blood oath and break it, he will know you have broken it, and according to ancient vampire law, he will have every right to tear off your head.”

Sienna shrugs and glares back at her father. “Then I guess I won’t break it.”

Osiris throw his hands in the air, and Ophelia tries to suppress a snort but fails. I scold her with a look that she simply shrugs off. She is becoming far too feisty for my liking. My palm twitches, desperate to take her in hand right now, but I focus on the current situation.

“Fine.” He takes a breath and continues. “I, Osiris Brackenwolf, in front of these witnesses present, swear you, Alexandros Drakos, a blood oath.” He slices a cut in his hand with his razor-sharp teeth and allows a drop of blood to fall into my outstretched palm.

Sienna, Enora, and Cadence repeat the oath, the latter with the assistance of Enora’s spells to cut and heal. Satisfied I have secured their compliance, I lick my palm clean. Then I clear my throat, giving myself no time to reconsider my decision. “Ophelia is an elementai.”

Enora claps her hand over her mouth, her gray eyes filling with tears.

Osiris folds his arms across his chest. “Prove it.”

I suppress the urge to snarl a warning. “She does not have to prove anything.”

“You’re telling me this girl is one of a species that died out⁠—”

“That was exterminated,” I remind him with a growl.

He offers me a slight nod to indicate he has heeded my warning. “That were exterminated over five hundred years ago. I believe we are entitled to a little proof of such a claim.”

“It’s okay,” Ophelia says. “I mean, I get it. I didn’t believe it either at first.”

“Ophelia, you’re really an elementai?” Cadence asks, staring at her friend in awe.

Ophelia nods, embarrassed at being the center of attention. Her eyes drop to the floor for a moment. “At least I think so.”

I fix her with a glare. “You are.”

Enora moves over to Ophelia and takes her hands. She peers closely at them, turning them over and inspecting her palms and then her fingertips. “I knew there was something very special about you, child, but I had no idea.” Her tone is full of wonderment. “I have not been in the presence of a being such as you for longer than I care to admit. Would you be so kind as to demonstrate your power?”

Ophelia looks to me for permission, and the plea in her eyes is the only thing that makes me acquiesce. Show them, little one. It is time they knew of your power.

She nods. “I’m not that great at it yet, but … here goes.”

She waves a hand at the fireplace, and a fire bursts to life, flames crackling.

Osiris narrows his eyes. “She could have used a spell.”

Enora claps her hands together, an uncharacteristic squeal of delight falling from her lips. “She did not use a spell, Osiris. I would know if a spell had been cast in this room.”

Ophelia smiles appreciatively at the giddy professor, and I already know that Enora is going to be one of our greatest allies. My old friend fans her face, seemingly overwhelmed. “Mastery of fire. Extraordinary.”

Ophelia closes her eyes, and the ground begins to shake beneath our feet.

“That’s our girl,” Malachi murmurs as a round of gasps ripples around the room.

“Earth and fire?” Enora shrieks.

Even Osiris is looking suitably impressed now, as he should.

A flush creeps over Ophelia’s cheeks. “Shall I show them more?” she asks me.

I nod, pride filling me as they watch her with astonishment. My three boys stand beside me, arms folded across their chests, and we all bask in the glory of our perfect elementai. Ours. That word vibrates through my entire being. I wish we could have kept her to ourselves a bit longer, but her destiny is moving at lightning speed.

“Okay, air is a little harder to demonstrate.” She balls her hands into fists, and a few seconds later, the air has all but disappeared from the room.

“Ophelia,” I gasp, and her eyes widen before oxygen floods the space once more. Everyone sucks in a deep breath. “Your powers grow stronger each day.”

“Air too?” Osiris asks. “But that’s impossible. No being in over a thousand years has had power over three elements.”

I wonder how wise it is to reveal that Ophelia is only the second creature in existence to have mastery over four. No one in this room could be called a fool. They will all know that her rarity means something. Something more than we already know that I do not wish to contemplate. “So you see why it is so vitally important that we keep Ophelia’s identity a secret?”

He nods solemnly. “I understand.”

Shall I show them water too?

The quiver in her voice assuages my doubt. She is spectacular, and the time for hiding her, at least from the people in this room, has come to an end.

Xavier wraps his arms around her waist and presses a possessive kiss on her shoulder. “You haven’t seen her final trick yet.” The unmistakable pride in his voice makes her blush deeper.

“Show them your power over water, Ophelia,” I encourage her, and the smile she rewards me with is dazzling.

“Impossible.” Osiris shakes his head. “Not since Azezal himself …” He trails off but keeps his attention locked on Ophelia. Meanwhile, his daughter jumps up from her seat, her eyes shining as though urging Ophelia to go on.

Ophelia directs her attention to the large monstera plant sitting in the corner of the room. With nothing more revealing than a twitch of her lips, a small cloud the size of a football appears above the plant—and it starts to rain.

Enora stumbles back into the nearby armchair, her hand over her mouth and her face as pale as the waning full moon.

“Alexandros.” Osiris’s voice contains a sensible hint of fear. “This …” He opens and closes his mouth and blows out a breath.

“Is fricking epic!” Sienna squeals.

Cadence stares, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. “Wow, Ophelia. All four elements!”

“The plant, sweet girl.” Malachi brings all our attention back to the monstera with its own rain cloud, which has almost doubled in size in the past minute.

“Oh, damn,” Ophelia mutters, and the cloud disappears. “It’s all still so new. I’m getting used to everything.”

“How long have you had your powers, child?” Enora asks, regaining her composure and climbing to her feet.

She glances at me, her teeth sinking into her luscious lower lip and making me long to take her from this room and have her to myself. I motion for her to answer.

“Almost four weeks now,” she whispers.

Enora shakes her head in disbelief. “Four weeks? Surely not.”

Ophelia wrings her hands together. “I know I’m not great, but Alexandros and the guys are teaching me. I have lessons every⁠—”

“Ophelia.” Enora goes over to Ophelia once more and places her hand on her perfectly smooth cheek. “My sweet child. The fact you have mastered such powers in four short weeks is extraordinary.”

“Ophelia is extraordinary,” I say, my eyes darting between Osiris, Cadence, and Sienna before coming back to Enora. “Which is why the secret of her identity and the magic she is capable of must not leave this room.”

I take Ophelia’s hand in mine, lacing her nimble fingers through my own. Xavier does the same with her other hand. Malachi and Axl stand behind us.

Osiris continues to stare at her like he is witnessing a miracle, and I suppose that he is. “You cannot keep her a secret forever, old friend. People will realize what she is. Power like that cannot be hidden for long. It is possible that the Order is already aware. It’s almost certain that the Skotádi know something if they’ve been here on campus.”

Sienna rubs her hands on her jeans. “But why did they come for Esme? If they know about Ophelia, why not come for her?”

“We are not yet sure of what the Skotádi do or do not know. I am certain they are not aware of the full extent of Ophelia’s powers. Otherwise, they surely would have made some attempt to get to her. But there are still far too many unanswered questions. Such as why the Skotádi made both the murder of the young wolf and that of the witch at Silver Vale appear as though they were committed by vampires.”

“What witch at Silver Vale? Meg?” Sienna asks.

Her father nods solemnly. “I will explain later.”

I rub my temples and try to drown out the growing cacophony of questions racing through the minds of everyone in this room. Tasting their blood has permitted me entry to their innermost thoughts. “We are aware that there will be a time when we cannot conceal Ophelia’s identity any longer.”

“But you saw how good she is already,” Xavier adds. “The more time we have to help her learn to control her powers, the stronger she’ll be when that time comes.”

“She’s already more powerful than everyone in this room,” Axl says.

“I am not.” Ophelia blushes, so self-deprecating in spite of what she just showed us.

You are, little one, I tell her through our bond.

Malachi drops a kiss on the top of her head. “And her powers keep growing every day.”

“We are going to do what we can to give Ophelia as much time as she needs to learn to control her powers, and we are asking nothing of you but your loyalty. My boys and I will keep Ophelia safe. We will take care of her training. The five of us will leave this place if and when it becomes necessary.”

“The five points of a pentagram,” Enora murmurs, a knowing smile on her face.

“You can’t leave,” Cadence says, jumping from her seat.

Ophelia brushes a tear from her cheek, and her sadness causes a dull ache in my heart. “I don’t want to.”

I give Ophelia’s hand a reassuring squeeze. I wish I could tell her that we will never have to leave here, but reality closes in on us more with each passing day. “This is bigger than all of us.”

Enora clears her throat and nods. “Bigger than anything we have ever dealt with before. Cadence and I will do all we can, Alexandros. I know an elementai’s powers are channeled differently, but the fundamentals of use are the same. If there is anything I can do to assist in Ophelia’s lessons, it would be an honor.”

Cadence nods eagerly. “I’m here whatever you need, Ophelia.”

Osiris wraps an arm around his daughter’s shoulder. “Ophelia’s secrets are safe with us, old friend.”

Sienna rolls her eyes. “My new bestie is the most powerful being who ever lived, and I can’t even tell people. That sure as hell sucks.” She flashes Ophelia a smirk that makes her giggle.

Ophelia leans against me, and I wrap an arm around her, pressing her into the crook of my shoulder.

They know, and they didn’t freak out, she says.

Not too much anyway, Axl replies.

They’ve got your back, Cupcake.

But not as much as we do, sweet girl.

I inhale the scent of her, letting it flood my senses. Never as much as we do, little one. Never forget that.

Whilst I take some comfort in knowing that the people in this room have sworn an oath to protect her identity, and I have no doubt they will stop at nothing to protect her as well when the time comes, the events of this day continue to feed my unease.

Lucian was here at Montridge. He used dark magic to control the two Onyx recruits and, for reasons I still cannot fathom, to target a young wolf girl. Does he know Ophelia is an elementai? Does he know of how truly powerful she is? Or is this all one big coincidence?

I hold her tighter, sure of only one thing. My son or not … I would end him and every other soul in existence to protect her.