Imogen's POV

"We are meeting today to learn the basics for defending ourselves," Robert spoke "We have to be able to defend ourselves from Taisla's group. Darius and Julian will lead the session," Robert said extending his arms for them.

Robert texted us about this meeting and how important it would be to come. All the families were here dressed in their gym clothes. I was pretty excited to learn how to defend myself. I wish I learned earlier, maybe I wouldn't have been kidnapped so often. 

We were outside the building that Robert rented for our practice. The fresh cleaned grass in the yard was wide enough for all of us to move comfortably. It would also be less painful getting pushed down into grass than concrete. I was admiring the gigantic lake towards the back of the yard, the water was glistening in the sun. 

Julian had Darius being his sparring partner, showing us some simple boxing moves to try as a warm-up. Kate asked me to be her sparring partner when it was our turn to go. Since I said yes Lucas got stuck with Sawyer who loves coming up with nicknames for everyone.

"Cowboy aren't you glad you paired up with me," I heard Sawyer whisper to Lucas "I know I'm ready to knock some sense into you."    

"Daenerys come and be the first example for everyone," Darius said, motioning for her to come to him. She walked up smiling from ear to ear, looking excited to tackle him. I can't help but have a small crush on Daenerys, she's just the nicest person I met and the prettiest. Robert really got lucky with this one especially since he's much older than her.

Daenerys did every move perfectly with even more energy than Julian had. Yet with every move, she looked so elegant, I don't get how that's possible. I know when it's my turn I'm going to look like a kangaroo. I hope Kate doesn't go easy on me, I might have skinny twigs but I can put up a fight.

"Give a round of applause for Dany," Darius said, as Daenerys started bowing down in front of us. "Okay everyone, get paired up and we come over to make sure everything is right."

"Can I do the punching first?" I asked Kate.

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Oh, how I was winded from all the lessons we learned today. The number of times I had to repeat my turn during boxing was uncountable. I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the moves we had to do just the punching. Thank god, they didn't put me on the spot since everyone was busy with their own practice.

After the boxing lesson was self-defense, Darius used Julian to demonstrate easy moves to use when being attacked. I hope I won't have to be in a situation to use them but at the rate, I probably will. Kate and I were able to get the moves down pat, even tried showing her daughter for entertainment.  

Sawyer ended up making his son cry when he was teaching him some moves. Lucas tried to calm him down but the boy was just over the whole thing. Kate then had a whole screaming rant about not making fun of the children since they are fragile but Sawyer didn't pay attention at all.   

It's been a couple of hours now of our practice and Julian finally announced it was break time. Robert had the servers cooking while we were practicing and were now just bringing out all the food they prepared. My mouth watered when eyeing the freshly made pasta coming out and huge meatballs on top. 

After they placed all the food down, I rushed up to be the first person to get food. This workout made my stomach use up all its energy and I was ready to consume all my carbs back. Everyone else formed a line behind me, getting ready to grab some pasta. 

I watched Robert enter the house after grabbing some pasta. I figured today would be the best time to tell him about the crescent half-moon on my foot. I have had time to digest that I'm the chosen one and have to carry the burden of what's coming.

"Lucas I'll be right back," I spoke leaving him in the company of Kate's children who were currently putting stickers all over his face.

I walked into the gigantic house, greeting all the servers. He wasn't in the ballroom which was connected to the backdoor. I kept searching through the rooms hoping to find him before the break was over. I stumbled upon the library room where we had our first meeting. I saw from the corner of my eye that someone was inside, and luckily it was Robert.

"Hi," he flinched against the chair, he was sitting in "Sorry didn't mean to scare you," I giggled.

"Oh, it's fine," he chuckled, closing his book "Come join me." 

I walked up to him and sat down at the chair next to him. I couldn't help but fidget with my sweaty fingers. I'm just so nervous to actually admit that it's me and I've known about it.

"I'm assuming you had something to discuss," he stated.

"Yes, actually," I said wiping my sweat on my leggings, "I think the ritual is approaching fast like faster than we thought," I spoke.

"Why is that," he raised his brow.

"You remember that crescent half-moon Ben mentioned," I trailed off. 

"Yes," he said looking deep in my eyes.

"Well, I noticed a mark on my foot that was a shape of half-moon a couple of weeks ago," I confessed, trying to ignore his gaze.

"Ah my suspicion was right," his lips curled into a smile.

"What do you mean," I asked? 

"I had a feeling that you would be the chosen one, Daenerys thought it would be Rebel we even made a bet, I know how childish that sounds," he covered his mouth while laughing. 

"I'm glad my stress brought you happiness," I joked.

"I'm sorry," he said, holding his laughter "I would have appreciated if you told me sooner since now we will have less time to prepare," he commented.

"I know.. I didn't want to accept that I'm the chosen one and I thought if I kept it to myself it would just go away but then the party happened and I realized I can't hide from it," I responded. 

"I know it must be stressful for you but I'm here to help you whenever you need," Robert comforted me.

"How long do we have till the ritual," I pondered?

"I would say around two months at least," he explained. "I will make sure Darius and Julian work hard and are able to protect you at all times, especially during the ritual." 

"What could happen during the ritual," I wonder?

"During the ritual which has to occur during a solar eclipse, we all form a circle while saying a spell to contact the spirits. You're in the middle reciting the spell as well. When the earth is engulfed in a shadow cast by the moon, a bright light will form going through you but during those moments you're at your most vulnerable state," He informed me, looking deep into my eyes.

"Vulnerable state? Aren't I supposed to receive all the powers during it," I asked with a concerned look?

"You will when the light goes through you.." he stops looking like he's trying to figure out what to say next "but the moments before that..you won't have any powers and that's where Taisla would try to attack. In order for Taisla to receive all the powers, you would have to die," he confessed, my eyes widened, I felt like I just got kicked in the stomach.

"So you're saying I could d-die and not come b-back," I stuttered, feeling my throat become dry. I was already terrified of the responsibility I have to take on but now I could die.  

"That's the only moment that could but we will do everything to make sure that won't happen," he placed his arm on my back rubbing it. 

"Well, I didn't realize my life was at stake," I huffed. 

"Julian was born to be a top assassin for the chosen one, he," he shook his head "we protect you!" 

"Everyone is looking all over for you, break is over," Daenerys beamed strolling into the room, her smile soon faded when she met my disturb gaze "What did you tell her," she gently smacked his shoulder? 

"About what could occur during the ritual," he said, meeting her concerned gaze. 

"Why would you scare the poor girl," she commented, bending down on her knees in front of me. "Did he tell you about losing your powers," she said, placing my loose strands of hair behind my ears and I nod.

"How long am I vulnerable for," I asked?

"Taisla only has three minutes, Imogen," she said lifting my face for my eyes to meet her crystal blue ones "We all pledge to keep you save, we are all willing to risk everything for you, not just because you're the chosen one," she added, doing quotes with her fingers "but because your a younger girl who has her whole life ahead of her," she flashed a small smile. 

Do I really want other people risking their lives for me? What happens if Kate or Sawyer are killed, their children would be left alone in this world. What about Daenerys? She's supposed to be getting married. Even Lucas, he could be hurt in the process. There has to be a way that I can just give the responsibility away right?

My thoughts were interrupted by her "Hey, Imogen do you feel better now?"

"Um, oh yeah," I grinned.

"Okay then let's go back to practice so we can whoop Taisla's ass," she joked, getting up from her knees.

I lifted myself up from the seat as Daenerys interlocked our arms together. She kept talking, saying random jokes but I couldn't focus on her. My mind was consumed by anything that could happen during the ritual. I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep peacefully tonight.

THANK YOU FOR READING MY CHAPTER!!! SO NOW YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN DURING RITUAL... 

If you were Imogen would you be scared?

Are you excited to see what comes next?

Next chapter will be somewhat of a filler but important at least in my opinion.  Thank you for leaving a comment, vote, and just reading!!! LOVE YOU