Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Third POV

Valence teleported Nivaan to a large dark cave. The musty and stale air made Nivaan shift restlessly even in his unconscious state.

An array of candles were spread on the floor. There was a large circle in the center. Hundreds of arm-like patterns emerged from the circumference of the circle.

Valence teleported Nivaan to the center of the circle and spread his arms and legs in the position of an eagle. Then she picked up a knife and slit open her palm, letting the blood trickle on the circumference. She held her palm steady until the red liquid had formed a complete circle.

Then she sat down in the lotus position in front of him. Her lips trembled as she started chanting an ancient spell. As the words echoed in the cave, the candles started lighting up one by one. Soon, the cave was lit up with the dazzle of candles.

The incantations grew in pitch and strength causing the floor to tremble. A streak of blood flowed out of Vally’s nose but she didn’t stop chanting. The candles flared higher and higher; their glow mingled together forming an orb of sorts.

The orb’s color changed from white to red to sheer black. Then with an abrupt flare, the candles went out. Valence’s eyes snapped open and her lips lifted in a victorious smile.

She lit up a large candle in the center using magic before waking Nivaan up. He groaned a few times before sitting up with a start. His eyes widened in horror and his terrified voice resounded in the room, “Where is everyone? Where is Kiara? Is she alright?”

Valence lowered her gaze and shook her head, “I am sorry, Nivaan. I couldn’t save Kiara or Kevin. A group of witches attacked the packhouse stealthily and set everything on fire. I managed to kill Araiana but couldn’t reach the packhouse on time.”

The color drained from Nivaan’s face and he gaped at her, “You mean to say that everyone is gone… my sister…”

“She is dead too… I am so sorry…”

The responding cry was so loud that the walls of the cave trembled, “No! That is not possible! She can’t die!”

Valence pulled him into a tight hug and patted his back, “I am so sorry, Nivaan. It is all my fault. I should have done a better job.”

Nivaan was so shattered by the news of Kiara’s death that he fainted.

A young girl with long, golden hair entered the cave. Looking at the array with curiosity, she asked, “Which ritual did you perform, Magus?”

“Brisanje.”

“The memory wiping ritual?”

“Yes, I have wiped out all the memories for the past five years. Now, he will never ask about Emilia Ryanwood.”

“What about his sister and brother-in-law?”

“I told him that they were killed during the battle with the witches.”

The girl’s eyes widened, “He believed you?”

Valence’s eyes lit up with an evil glint, “What do you think? He fainted when I told him that his sister is dead.”

“Don’t you think you are too cruel?”

“How cruel is too cruel?” Valence raised her eyebrows and took a step towards the girl. She gripped her hand and placed the point of the knife on her smooth skin.

The girl’s face turned ashen and she pulled her hand away. “I still have some errands to run,” she stuttered as she ran out of the room. Valence’s evil laughter resounded in the cave adding a sinister touch to the sound of hurried footsteps.

Valence fished out Nivaan’s phone and typed a message to Kiara, ‘You once told me that you want to see me happy. I have figured out that my happiness lies in Valence. So, I am leaving with her.’

The phone beeped with Kiara’s reply, ‘You can do that by living here too.’

Nivaan: ‘I want to start afresh Kiara. I can’t do that if I keep running into Emilia Ryanwood.’

Kiara: At least come and see your son’s face one time. He looks so much like you.

Valence gritted her teeth. Kiara sure knew how to appeal to her brother’s emotions. If Nivaan was awake he would have rushed to see his son.

‘I have got nothing to do with him.’

‘Farewell, Kiara,’ with these words, Valence used her magic to melt the phone. The word ‘Typing’ at the top of the chat screen blurred out as the device caught fire and went up in flames….

Valence took out her phone and sent another message to Emilia saying that she would kill Nivaan if she didn’t leave the city at once. Emilia was already broken and she didn’t have it in her to oppose her. So, she went to live with her distant uncle miles away from Kiara, Nivaan, and her past life.

Epilogue

Three years later…

A small boy is seen lifting a rock as big as himself. His hands tremble as he tries to hold it over his head. He manages to hold it still for a moment before it drops to the ground.

Emilia cries out in horror as the rock crashes to the ground raising a cloud of dust. The wood she was carving drops on the ground as she runs towards the boy.

The dust settles revealing the little boy standing on the rock. He had moved swiftly to the side before jumping on the top of the rock. He is grinning widely at Emilia.

Emilia lifts him in her arms; her panic-stricken eyes darting all over his body. Tears roll down her eyes and she scolds him, “How many times have I told you not to pull such stunts? If you do this again, I will lock you up alone in your bedroom.”

The boy presses his lips together and bats his eyelashes. His expression turns extremely serious and he says in a confident voice, “I am not afraid of being alone. Mommy, you can lock me up.”

Emilia looks at him with desperation before crushing him to her chest, “Do you have any idea how worried I got seeing that huge rock fall? You might not be afraid of pulling these stunts but I am terrified of losing you.” Her grip around him tightens, “What will your mother do if something happens to you?”

The boy buried his head on her shoulder and spoke in a barely audible voice, “Evaan wants to be strong. Evaan has to be strong. Then he can defeat the evil witch and bring father home.”

Emilia’s throat gets choked up with emotions. She hadn’t expected Evaan to react so strongly when she told him about the incident that shattered their lives.

She rocks him in his arms and kisses his forehead. His words give her hope that maybe someday, they would be reunited again. It is probably just an illusion, a mirage but that is enough to keep her afloat in the sea of darkness and despair. It is enough for the mother, son duo to keep living…