Page 40 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)

Zara

The shimmering barrier formed just in time. The castle's stone walls began to tremble and crack, chunks of debris crashing to the ground as Xavier transformed into a giant winged beast.

I could feel the heat emanating from him as raw power radiated outwards.

It was a sight both terrifying and remarkable. Iridescent scales shimmered in the dim light and refracted off the crumbling stone around us. Claws emerged, and his eyes became blazed with an untamed fury. My breath caught in my throat as wings unfurled from his body, their span brushing against the crumbling walls and sending more shards of stone flying.

I pressed closer to Julian, who was now at my side, my mouth open as I took in the towering beast before me. I was speechless; I knew he was a shapeshifter, but…this…this was terrifying and beautiful. I was grateful for the protective shield as the stone fell like rain over our heads.

The others who had been walking in sprinted for cover, casting shields for protection.

Xavier had launched himself into the sky, the powerful beats of his wings sending a gust of wind through the entryway. I watched in fascination as he ascended, a dark silhouette against the sky as a roar escaped him. The sound was deafening, and it shook the very foundations of the castle. I stumbled, but Julian held me upright as we watched him fly away.

Hours had passed, and the thought of Morgana reclaiming power in Nexia—taking control of an entire territory—twisted my gut in disgust.

Commotion in the entryway had drawn my attention from where I had been pacing in the ballroom. Aria’s griffin Agatha had arrived, carrying an unconscious Aria across her back. Blood ran down Aria’s legs, mingled with bright green pus—Daka poison. The griffin's frantic cries filled the air, her screams and whines echoing as Julian and Jaxon rushed down the stairs to help.

Julian and Gunnar were able to stop the poison, and her injuries had thankfully been easy to heal. Jaxon had taken her to his room, shadowing her there when she was healed enough to be moved.

Agatha, her griffin, had stormed into the castle, awkwardly climbing stairs to find her. The love and loyalty her griffin showed her was touching, and I had helped lead her to Jaxon's room. She had glared and tried to snap at me when I approached but realized…finally… that I was trying to help and only huffed, letting me pass and show her the way.

Theo and Dedra had taken off immediately, and Julian had sent owls to alert their villages and armies about what had happened. All I could do was wait for news, and the uncertainty was driving me insane. Two days had passed, and there still were no updates from Xavier or anyone else.

I cursed at the situation. The meeting with Morgana was tomorrow, and I couldn’t help but think this was planned. Morgana set the meeting time and place and had pulled this bullshit days before. But why?

As I paced in Xavier's room, I tried to figure out her next moves and think of ways to help. I had been doing this since he left: pacing and thinking. I felt useless.

It was almost midnight, and a noise in the hallway stopped my racing thoughts. I ran to the door and swung it open, finding Xavier naked and limping down the hallway. He looked like he was about to fall to his knees at the sight of me, and the relief and emotions his eyes held as they met mine shattered my heart.

I looped my arm around him, helping him to the bed.

His body was so hot that my skin, where it touched his, turned red from the heat.

I could feel his emotions. They overwhelmed me as he cupped my face, his eyes barely open as he smiled softly at me.

“Should I call for Julian?” My voice sounded panicked, and I tried to mask it.

“No, just sleep.” His voice was hoarse, and I couldn’t hide my concern, not when he looked and sounded like this.

His eyes shut, his hand falling from my face, and I immediately ran to find Julian.

Julian told me Xavier had been near burnout, which happens when someone uses too much magic for long periods or too quickly without rest. It was what happened to Dedra when she got injured that day in Moonhollow.

Julian assured me he would be fine, but my worry didn’t subside. I barely got any rest and had stayed up most of the night making sure he was still breathing. Julian had given him a tonic to help expedite his recovery and told me he would give him another one tomorrow as well.

I awoke to Xavier shifting beside me. I opened my eyes to see him looking at me, a smile on his lips as he pulled me into his chest. We stayed like that for a long time, not speaking.

“I was afraid,” I whispered, my voice muffled by his chest.

“I know,” he whispered back.

“We have to see her today,” I breathed, and Xavier hugged me tighter against him.

“I will fix this. All of it,” he said, but his voice sounded far away.

I would have to come face to face with the woman who pretended to be my mother my entire life. The person who killed Xavier and Jaxon's parents, who tried to enslave an entire kingdom…and is still trying to.

We reluctantly got out of bed and got ready for this horrible day.

I stood in front of the mirror, looking at the outfit Ms. Tia had dressed me in. It was elegant, regal, a dress befitting a queen, but I was no queen.

The gown, made of black pixie silk, complimented Xavier's usual black attire. An arching line of tiny emerald stars, embroidered on the silk fabric, lined the edge of the bodice and followed down the side of the dress to its end. The emerald swirls that now inked on my arm stood out against my skin's paleness and the dress's deep shadows.

A crown sat atop my head, the black and green jewels embedded in the silver material. It floated just above my head, some sort of magic, allowing it to act like it was sitting on my head without the weight bearing down on me.

I had refused to wear it, but Ms. Tia had insisted, giving me a look so severe I didn’t argue.

It moved with me as I turned to Xavier, his arms wrapping around my waist as he cupped my cheek. “Ready?” Xavier's gruff voice sounded.

“As ready as I'm going to be.” I breathed a sigh, dipping my eyes to his chest, which was peeking out of his shirt, as usual. The side of my lip quirked at the sight.

We used Lord Gunnar's carriages again and rode in silence. We all rode in the largest one together. Jaxon, Julian, and Gunnar were the only ones coming with us to the meeting. They were all similarly dressed, and I felt Jaxon’s gaze land on me more than a few times. I glanced his way after the third time, and he smirked, eyeing the crown on top of my head.

I rolled my eyes at him, and Xavier shifted beside me. I looked at him, but he was looking out the window, his eyes distant in thought, and we rode the entire way there in silence.

“We are here.” Gunnar's voice sounded, and the carriage came to a stop. My stomach flipped, and the doors swung down, creating a ramp for us to exit.

My breath caught as I looked out onto the lake. Its smooth surface did not have even the slightest ripple from the windblowing around us. It looked like glass as it reflected its surroundings. Lush emerald mountains surrounded the far side of the lake, its top disappearing through the clouds that lingered at its top.

We were surrounded by dense foliage and forest, which encircled us, enclosing us in its space. At the edge of the lake, one large structure stood in ruins. Its stone walls crumbled, and rubble scattered across the grass of the clearing. I wondered if the damage had been recent or if it had been destroyed when his father had fought Morgana here. The moss coating the stone and the weathered, eroded look made me think the latter.

Xavier had guards lining the tree line behind us. Their emerald green uniforms almost camouflaged into the trees themselves.

On the other side of the crumpled tower stood five figures, all clad in black.

Morgana.

A guard approached from behind us, and Xavier clasped hands with him. The male stood tall next to Xavier in an emerald green and black uniform. He had black hair shaved close to his head and dark eyes that seemed to shine, almost metallic-like. The male had dark-tanned skin and a close-shaved beard that hugged the lower half of his face.

“Randy,” Xavier said in greeting to the guard who approached.

Randy's eyes moved over Xavier's shoulder, and he winked before returning his gaze to Xavier.

I followed where he had looked and found Julian smiling broadly at the male. My lips twitched. Julian looked over at me, his smile faltering slightly as I raised an eyebrow at him. He only shrugged as his smile widened.

“We checked the surrounding area, and there doesn't seem to be any traps waiting for us,” Randy stated, facing the five people across the clearing. “They arrived only moments ago, just like yourself, but we will continue to check the area for any suspicious activity.” Randy’s voice sounded deep and low and was full of authority. “We will alert you if we see anything.”

Xavier nodded and looked over his shoulder at all of us. “Let’s go.” His gold-flecked emerald eyes landed on me, and he extended his hand. I took it, staring back at him with the same intensity.

Morgana stood at the center. Her blonde hair was pinned to her head, and she wore a dark cloak outlined in purple thread. The sight of her made my blood boil. To her right, my father stood, his face set in a scowl as usual. His pink, jagged scar stood out against his black uniform.

Next to him, Duke Atticus stood. He wore the same black uniform, his metallic eyes shimmering in the low light. His black wavey hair came down to his chin, his jawline sharp and angular as he looked our way.

He looked between me and Xavier, his eyes looking down at our entwined hands and then at our matching tattoos. Anger brimmed in his eyes as he met mine, and I cringed back at the intensity.

I narrowed my eyes at the woman on her left. It was that witch who kidnapped me, Lana. She wore black leather pants, a tucked-in white shirt, and a vest. Her scars gleamed in the light, and her hair was pulled back into a tight braid.

Next to her stood another male who looked slightly familiar, but I couldn’t place how. His hands were tied in front of him, and his eyes flared in panic as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

My eyes widened in understanding. That must be their uncle.

Morgana’s eyes met mine, a wicked smile curling her lips. I glared back, and beside me, Xavier went rigid. When I turned to look at him, his face was ashen, drained of all color. He stared, horrified, in her direction. Beyond him, Jaxon, Julian, and Gunnar mirrored his terror.

“What is it?” I hissed, panic clawing at my insides.

“I believe it's me, dear.” Morgana’s silky voice sliced through the tension, her eyes locking onto Xavier’s. They seemed to soften as she took him in, her gaze flitting to Jaxon and then back to Xavier.

“They thought me dead after all,” Morgana said again, her icy stare now on their uncle. “After all this time, I’m flattered.”

“What is she talking about?” I demanded, my voice shaking as I tried to break through Xavier’s trance.

“I- It's…” Xavier stammered, his voice barely a whisper.

In an instant, Morgana's body transformed. No longer the tall, blonde figure she had been, she was now petite and dark-haired. The change was so sudden that I had to blink a few times to register what happened.

“Miss me, darlings?”