The darkness, swirling like dust carried by the wind, stretched out like a hand, gently caressing the tears on her cheek.
Come to me, love, dont be afraid.
Move forward, Celine, she thought she heard, and at last, she took the first step, then the second, and the thirdfinally stepping into the territory under the vampire prince's control.
Always clinging to her like a parasite, Merkall followed closely, ensuring his spell remained active within Celine at all times.
Zarek might be powerful, but he had seized his greatest weakness.
They walked down a narrow, dark hallway.
Celines vampiric eyes worked at their fullest capacity, scanning her surroundings.
She had killed her supposed mate with her own hands and hadnt cared in the slightest.
When the sorcerers command had invaded her mind, she simply couldnt resist it, just like when he told Dante he had to enter the castle alone.
It was as if she were screaming inside her own head, begging her body to respond, yet it only obeyed Merkalls commands.
No matter that she had finally realized she was being manipulatedshe couldnt break free.
At least, since she had passed through the dark mist, the tormenting pain in her mind and chest had vanished, leaving only confusion and exhaustion.
---- Her wolf now seemed to be dozing peacefully in the depths of her consciousness, as if recovering.
Celine didnt understand anything, just as she hadnt from the very beginning.
She walked like an automaton through the dark corridors, passing through vast rooms filled with dust and the scent of dampness, the furniture covered in sheets that had once been white.
It seemed like an abandoned wing of the castle.
Soon, they arrived at a massive door several meters tall, crafted from dark ebony and finely carved with flowers and vines across the wood.
It creaked open slowly, and Celine swallowed hard, her heart pounding wildly as that comforting scent filled her lungs.
She took a step forward, but a rough hand grabbed her arm.
Listen carefullyhow you behave in there will determine whether you live or die.
Remember, I can make your veins explode in a second, so dont even think about resisting, Merkall whispered to her.
Keep wha I gave you close, in case you need to use it.
He had already sensed changes in Celines mind, her resistance to breaking free.
The girl had a strong spiritfew even realized when he controlled them However, she could do nothing; he had full confidence in his most powerful spell.
Move, he pushed her forward, and they finally stepped into the enchanted chamber that housed the heart of the castle.
The candelabras lining the walls flickered to life one by one, nrooreccively illuminatine the maccive hall which ctnond in ctark ways.
The damned sorcerer would have his mind and body torn apart, shredded in ways that would make him beg for death.
And the other, his beautiful prey who tempted him with her intoxicating scent, her presence, every inch of her delicious body...
she was the one he would savor the most.
He would devour her piece by piece, inch by inch.
Celine suddenly felt waves of heat flood through her core.
Prince Zarek, I command you to surrender control of the castle to me! Merkall found courage he didnt know he had, shouting as he pressed a dagger to Celines neck.
Even though his soul was already trembling before the presence of this ancient being, he still clung to the belief that this was just an illusion.
Zareks real body should still be chained deep within the dungeons...
right? Well, since you have my mate as your hostage, I have no choice but to comply with your wishes.
Gabrielle! Zareks implacable voice echoed through the hall.
From the entrance, the last Selenia Queen stepped forward.
With all the pieces gathered, the power of the vampire prince Zarek would soon change owners...
or perhaps...
rather, to an owner.
---- contrast to the decrepit rooms they had traversed.
Here, golden columns towered over a gleaming marble floor of pure white, matching the tall walls.
Such a grand and magnificent hall housed only one thingthe place where the infamous contract resided.
Awide marble staircase led to a hexagonal platform, where a column of silvery light stretched upward, touching the starry vaulted ceiling.
The dark, magical dome displayed twinkling constellations as if it were the real night sky.
For a brief moment, Merkall marveled at the sheer magic contained in this place.
His gaze wandered across the ceiling, which even seemed to shift, mimicking the heavens themselves.
However, Celines eyes were fixed on only one placeat the top of the marble stairs stood a man with his back turned.
Dressed in black with intricate gold embroidery adorning his princely garments, he slowly turned as if in slow motion, locking eyes with her with that same soul-consuming intensity that always made her tremble.
His furrowed brow and blood-red eyes darkened when he saw the man holding her arm.
Zarek had waited so long to have her within his domain; here, he was the master, and soon, he wouldn't be confined to just the castle.
But it wouldnt be that easy.
He was like a sleeping tiger who enjoyed toying with his prey before devouring it.
Those two intruderswho he now approached slowly, descending the stairswould be destroyed beneath his fangs, though in very different