A L M I R A

Chapter 40
Almira Davenport

One long ride to doom later and Calix raised his hand, balling it into a fist, commanding all of us to stop. Groups scattered out, going in all different directions. Ambrielle, Lauren, and I hopped off of our horses, handing the leads to the soldiers we were riding with. We all departed and I lead the other two into the castle.

Seeing the familiar walls and hearing the screams of pain and terror made me shiver, the memories of my time spent here flashing through my mind. I took a deep breath. I was going to be fine. We were going to make this out alive, I just knew it. At least, I hoped I knew. There was no telling what would happen. We were on Alastor's grounds now, who knows what he has set up or in mind.

"Where are we going?" Ambrielle asked quietly, looking around. She pulled her cloak closer to her body, slightly shivering.

I had to admit, it was pretty cold down here. "There's a hallway, a tunnel, or something that leads to the witches lair. I remember it from when I was here," I replied.

"It's so dark, I can barely see a thing," Lauren mumbled, cautiously looking around.

I grabbed a hanging lamp from the wall and mumbled a spell before the lamp lit up brighter. "Hopefully this helps."

We made our way through the hallways, turning ever so often. I listened closely for any noise: footsteps, water, people, destruction, violence. I paused and help up my hand, telling the other two to stop. Footsteps came down the hallway, hushed voices gossping.

"Does he really want us to communicate with Sephtis again?" One old voice complained.

"Mhm. Maybe if he were a witch he'd know how draining Sephtis's energy is. Nonetheless, we were promised acres of land as far as the eye can see if we help, along with more power, so I see no problem saying hello again," A younger voice answered.

"I guess we better head that way then. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting."

Their footsteps walked right by us and I motioned for Ambrielle and Lauren to follow me. Ambrielle chanted a cloaking spell that concealed our magic and presence. We followed the witches, luckily following them into their lair. Other witches were already there when we arrive which made our task a bit more challenging.

I walked over to one of the spell books before hearing screaming come from down the hall. I glanced at Lauren and Ambrielle who both looked equally confused, concerned, and scared. I put my finger up for them to be quiet. Two dark guards brought in a squirming boy, surely in his mid-teens. They threw him in the center of the circle, one of the witches removing the bag that laid on top of his head.

The boy looked around frantically, tears streaming down his face. "Please, you don't have to do this!"

One of the witches shook her head. "Of course we do, darling. Sephtis demands it."

"But why me?" The boy wailed. The witches remained silent until Alastor walked into the room. My face dropped as I seen his face. Lauren let out a low growl. Her growl caught their attention but they blamed it on the boy. I put my finger over my lips, reminding her to be quiet or else we'd get caught. Lauren looked pissed.

Me too, Lauren. Me too.

"Let's see our man!" Alastor demanded, crossing his arms.

The witches slit the boys throat and began chanting, holding their hands out to the sky. Items were rattling and there was a swirling wind in the room while they chanted. I took this distraction as an opportunity to take Lauren and Ambrielle's hands. I looked at the hybrid creation spell and began reciting the spell. A sharp pain filled my lungs before the spell book exploded.

The witches and warlocks in the room ceased their spells, turning towards up. They raised their hands and soon Alastor's lips turning into a cocky smirk. "Almira? Lauren? Been a while, wouldn't you say?"

Lauren growled and lurched after Alastor, her claws replacing her nails. Alastor moved aside supernaturally fast, Lauren crashing into the wall. "Lauren!" I yelled.

What was she doing? She was going to get hurt or worse!

Ambrielle raised her hands, loudly chanting a spell. The other witches and warlocks began channeling each other, fighting us back. I began mumbling a spell to retreat. We did what we planned on doing, it was time we left.

Pain seared through my body as I continued the spell. Blood dripped from my nose and eyes. My chest felt like it was on fire, burning with each breath I took. A loud whimper echoed in the room. I turned to see Lauren laying in the ground, blood pooling out of her mouth and chest, Alastor dropping her heart beside her body.

A flash of white spread across the room, blinding us all. Before I know it, Lauren, Ambrielle, and I were all laying on the grass outside of the castle. I turned to looked at Lauren, her heart still laying beside her. "No, no, no, no!" I panicked, crawling over to her dead body.

I cradled her body in my arms, brushing her hair back from her eyes. I began heavily sobbing, my body trembling with mixed emotions. Ambrielle laid her hand on my shoulder. I tried saying a healing spell, but nothing was working. I shook my head. This wasn't supposed to happen. She shouldn't have died like that.

"Lauren!" I screamed. A power surge erupted from my body, blowing through trees, grass, and killing Alastor's soldiers. I pulled Lauren's cold body closer to mine, tears running of my face onto hers.

Footsteps came behind us and soon sparks egnited from my shoulders and spread through my body. Calix. "Almira," He murmured.

I shooked my head. Cole sat down beside me and stared at Lauren. "Is she..."

Ambrielle nodded. Cole grew silent before running his fingers through her hair. A growl filled with grief, pain, agony, and sorrow made it's way from Cole's chest.

"Let's get everyone home. We'll discuss her later," Alexander suggested, rested his hand on Cole's head. Cole took Lauren from my arms and stood up, carrying her to his horse. I stood up, my legs trembling as my lips quivered. Calix rubbed my arm, giving me a sympathetic smile.

I rode with Calix on the way back home.

Home.

Thoughts of how empty it would be without Lauren, Ashli, Ryker, or Estelle to fill the void filled my mind. The bad thoughts flooded my mind, engulfing me with negativity and pain. I silently cried on the way back, my arms wrapped around Calix's torso. 

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I watched the pallbearers lower my dead sister's casket into the ground. I sniffled, covering my mouth. My entire family, dead. Gone. I was the last one standing. I wasn't going to be like Ryker and submit myself to death out of sorrow and grief, but I wanted to live, for them. I buried my head into Calix's chest, the tears rolling down my cheeks like heavy rain on a window.

After the funeral, we all departed. Calix and I made our way back up to our bedroom, changing into our night clothes. I stared out at the window numbly, looking over at the village. Even all the way up here, kids laughter and joy rang throughout the village. I envied them. I envied them being happy.

"Almira," Calix called out, resting his hand on my own. I turned to him with bloodshot eyes. "Say something, please."

I shook my head. "What am I supposed to say?"

Calix frowned and lead me to the bed, pulling me on top of him. I straddled him, looking into his silvery grey eyes. He looked back at me with a sympathetic look. "I don't know."

"I knew it was going to happen," I began. "I guess a part of me didn't want to admit that I'd actually lose her."

Calix nodded his head understandingly. "Sometimes our brains do that."

I looked at Calix, taking a deep breath. "Calix?"

"Yes, dear?" He responded.

"I love you."

Calix looked at me, his expression blank for a moment. He planting a soft kiss onto my lips. "I love you too, Almira."

I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck. Calix slid his hands down to my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our kisses became more feverish, our bodies craving each other. My body ignited with a pleasing sensation at his touch.

Calix trailed kisses from my mouth down my jawline, making his way to my neck. He kissed and sucked on my neck, moving my hair out of his way. I tilted my neck, giving him better access. A moan escaped my lips, earning a pleased growl from Calix. I felt Calix's fangs against my skin before he hesitated. "Almira-"

"Go ahead," I granted, playing with his hair. Calix sunk his teeth into my neck, my blood pouring into his mouth. Calix didn't drink too much before he began kissing my neck again, making the pain subside. I pulled his face back up to mine, kissing him again.

Our kisses were passionate and filled with hunger and desire. Calix flipped me over and trailed kisses down my neck and along my collar bone. I ran my hands across his bare chest before he slid his hands up and under my nightgown, sliding it off. I laid there, vulnerable to Calix's touch.

He trailed kisses down my stomach, tingles being left where his lips once were. I arched my back as he got down to the lower part of my stomach. Calix looked up at me before I bit my lip. Did I want this? Now?

I nodded my head and Calix ripped my undergarments off, continuing down past my hips. He began kissing and licking my lower region, causing me to let out breaths of pleasure I didn't know were possible. Calix slid his underwear off, teasing me. He looked into my eyes before going in, a gasp of pleasure leaving my lips.

Calix continued, letting me adjust to the new feeling before going faster, each thrust pleasing me more than the last. Calix groaned in pleasure, kissing me as he continued. My stomach began to knot up before I stuttered. "C-Calix."

"I know," Calix huskily said, trailing kisses back down to my neck and chest. I arched my back and closed my eyes as we both finished at the same time. We both took some time to catch our breaths before Calix laid beside me, pulling me closer to him.

"Get some rest, babe," Calix soothed me, kissing my temple.

I nuzzled into his chest, feeling his touch and warmth against my bare back. "Goodnight, Calix."

"Goodnight, my queen."

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