Chapter 470
111 - Elara
“GIVE ME THE POWER OF THE RIFT!” She screams so close to my face, spittle flies out and hits me. The conversation with my mom is cut off. It takes everything in me to keep my face neutral.
So my mom is in my head, telling me I'm ready. Whatever the f*ck that means, and this chick is spitting on me. I am really getting annoyed with all the vague bullsh*t and I want some damn answers. But, the thing both my parents taught me is that not reacting is actually more annoying to your opponent than engaging in the conversation and being right. Once this is all done, my mom and I are going to have words. I don't care if she is a figment of my imagination in a stressful situation, we... will...have...words.
But first, psycho-b*tch.
I flex a little at the earthly restraints around my body. I need to know how tightly I am bound. She stares at me, waiting for the answer she wants. Not ever going to happen. If this place is so important to witches and is meant to be shared by all, the little dictator can go f*ck right off. I can feel her impatience growing and it makes me happy in a small sadistic way. When she moves to, more than likely, yell at me again. I speak up. Copyright© 2025 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions
"So, you're going to demand access to something that clearly doesn't like you from a person who you just met and can't even be bothered to give your name to. You need a better teacher in manners, little witch. The Rift didn't come to you it came to me. You have harmed a lot of people I care about. You don't deserve it." I use her same condescending tone. Stall. All I can do is stall. Maybe she'll tell me her plan, or at the very least give me an idea of what she's talking about. She clearly needs me or I would already be dead. Maybe Ben and the guys can have a chance to wake up and help me figure out what this girl is talking about so we can stop her.
She starts to pace behind me. I can
hear her trying to control her breathing At least she's learning don't do well with demands. No Alphadoes. She's out of my line of sight so I focus on the Rift in front of me. My toes on the edge, I can feel the pulse of energy undermy skin. It's pleasant, like the hit of caffeine from my first cup of coffee in the morning. The roots that have mess
immobile don't feel hostile either. They have me encased, but there is no damage to my skin or tension on my limbs. It feels more like armor than a cage.
I'm trying to not sound crazy to myself, while thinking like Brianna. The earth is her element, she can feel all of these vibrations and things She talks as if the earth and all the elements are sentient beings and can think and feel for
themselves. Maybe I can feel some of that as the Alpha of the land it chose to live on? A flash from one of the red stones jutting out of the cliff face across from me pulls my focus. It's so fast, I think it's a trick of the light. But then, it happens again. It's...pulsing? I can hear the witch still pacing back and forth behind me, muttering to herself. She hasn't noticed, or can't see it. The next flash, I feel a warmth in my left foot. Anger. The stone is.. angry? Okay I'm completely out of my mind, but this is the only thing I've got to work with right now. I focus on the cliff face in front of me. The red stones have a power that is more force, control, and anger. A purple stone glints this time, then a blue. They are slowly and dimly alternating their light. Protection. The Rift is protecting me. I feel insane, and yet, there is absolutely no doubt about what this magic is telling me. It is going to protect me so I can do the same.
Another wave of warmth rushes up my body, then I feel fabric brush my skin. The Rift likes the idea of protection. Good.
"Are my friends and my mate alright?" I hope it can hear my mind link. It's part of my wolf and so I hope it is part of the connection to the Rift too. Yep, definitely crazy. I worry when nothing happens. I look around to see if any of the stones are flashing or doing anything really. Then I feel fingers lace with mine.
Ben! I can feel him. He's okay. The sensation doesn't last long and I miss it instantly, but he's okay and can reach him through this bond even though ours is being blocked somehow...a sinking feeling bits me in the chest... f*cking Shadow Markers! This b*tch has to be using them and I bet the magic here makes them stronger Marietta said they were probably testing them on us. She has to know Ben and I can be separated by them, but how? Who was there for any of that? Ugh! Too many questions and not enough action. "Is she using Shadow Markers? Is there a way for me to stop her? This seems kind of hopeless. She's obviously been planning this for a while now and she has figured out all of our weak points. I have no idea what to do."
I still hear muttering, but now the air is starting to shift. It has a sickly sweet tang to
it. This girl is up to something, but my position doesn't allow me to see what she is doing behind me. Warmth rushes by me and my cheek feels like it has a sunburn, then a flash of yellow that blinds me for a minute when it hits an invisible barrier around the Rift. Copyright © 2025 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions
"Okay, Rift. You've got this. Why am I here? You don't seem to need me or my pack.” Another squeeze to my hands, both this time. Together. It wants to do this together. I guess. This is like trying to work with someone who speaks a different language and we are both fumbling through. It's not like any of us are going anywhere, though. "Tell me what you need me to do."