** Lili's POV**

"There is no way, I'm letting you take my blood if you are going to die," I say clutching Ingrid's arm tightly.

"But this is what I want. There are chances it might work and chances of me staying with you and not watch you die from afar,"

"But I can't watch you die," I yell. 

"Babe, we don't have time. If your blood falls in the wrong hands, it can destroy people and change the world as we know it," he says, inhaling sharply. 

"What are you talking about?" I ask, not sure where is this headed to.

"I think I know why Iryll wants your blood," he says and pauses.

"And why is that?" Ingrid asks, still standing in front of me.

"Your blood can make him all-powerful. It can give him enough strength to yield all the power he wants for the coming blood moon,"

"What are you saying?" I ask shocked. He wanted me for my blood? To kill me?"

"Yes, precisely. That's why we are here to infiltrate your blood so he can't use it,  but keep a small dose aside for Kylian so he can use it when he wants to break his curse,"

"Infiltrate my blood ?" 

"Yes, inject it with vervain, but conceal the smell of that. And when he tries to use your blood he ends up dying,"

"Oh!" I say still in shock unable to process the new information. 

"Don't worry babe, we all will be there for you. I'll ensure he doesn't touch as much as a single hair on your body," he says coming close. Ingrid finally steps aside and he hugs me. 

I hug him too and before I know what is going on, I feel a small tinge of pain in my arm and Kylian holds me close to his body not letting me go. 

"What are you doing?" I ask trying to push him. 

"Shush. Nothing will happen to you," he says pulling me closer. 

"Done!" says Vali and I immediately look around to see a tube of blood in her hand. 

"Now on to the infiltrating part," she says exiting the room. 

"So you brought me here to steal my blood?" I ask, looking at him grumpily. 

"No, to just ensure he doesn't get your blood," he says looking at me with those puppy eyes. 

"So what exactly is the plan?" Ingrid questions. 

"So w--" he was cut off by a phone ring.

"Hey Em!" Ingrid answers the call.

"What?"

"Shit! Be careful.. aha.. sure..bye!" she says all in a minute it was hard to understand what was going on

"What happen?" I question anxiously.

"They found two dead bodies by the forest one of whom was a forest guard. And Iryll was absent at school today," she answers.

"Damn! He already started his preparations for the eclipse," Kylian says, running his hand through his hair. 

He definitely is tensed. Damn! what will happen?

"We better brace ourselves," says Vali from the door.

"We? Will you also be joining us?" Ingrid asks, with a tinge of distaste in her voice. 

"Yes, as much as you hate it. I have to be there. After all, I'm an ancient witch and you guys will be stronger with me by your side,"

"So what next?" I ask, unable to think of a proper way this won't end up in bloodshed. 

"First things first. Let's start with your blood," she says and points to a chair. 

I go sit there and she injects a transparent liquid into my body. I don't feel a thing but I see the way Kylian clenched his jaw. Maybe it does affect vampires. 

"Does this mean, I can't kiss you?" slips from my mouth as I stare into Kylian's black orbs.

"Oh, definitely not. I just can't taste your sweet blood for a few days now," he says grinning at me. 

"Not days, this is a stronger dose and will last a few weeks," Vali says and injects another tube of the same transparent stuff.

"So he can't take my blood now?" I ask unsure of how long will this last.

"Yes and if he tries to use it, it will backfire," she says, looking determined at me.

After a while of "poisoning my blood", we go back home with an extra member. We stop for lunch on the way and reach home a little after school time. I don't feel any big change after taking the vervain, but Kylian's expression sure has changed. 

They drop us home and go to Mrs Potts place to stay lest my dad starts doubting who this new woman is. 

"Bye, I'll be sneaking over tonight. Meet me at the outhouse," he says before kissing me goodbye.

We reach home to see Em waiting for us in the living room. 

"Hey Em."  I say going close to hug her.

"You smell different," she says hugging me.

"Oh, I don't feel a thing!" I say sniffing my hand. 

"Well, she got vervain injected into her body. Don't tell anyone about this though,"

"Why did she get vervain injected?"

Ingrid goes on to repeat the whole story and Em stares at us flabbergasted. 

"So she is the main key here!" she says still in a shock with the whole 'Blood thing'.

She stays at our place and we discuss everything that we have to do in detail, when we realise we will have to repeat the same thing over to Kevin and Jake tomorrow. 

Kyle: 'Meet me in your Outhouse, NOW!'

Me: 'Okay!'

Kyle: 'Get Emma and Ingrid too, we have a lot to discuss.' 

We immediately make our way to the outhouse. The soft breeze fans my hair and refreshes me. The evening sky looks beautiful with the diverse hues of the setting sun. 

We open the outhouse to see Kylian standing there with Vali beside him.

"This is Vali," Kylian says before Em could question. 

We were about to start the discussion when Kevin and Jake also join us. 

"Hey guys!" they say joining us. 

"So we heard something about blood being poisoned from Kylian. What's that about ?" Jake asks, sitting beside Em.

We repeat the story for the third time today and go ahead with further discussions.

"So what kind of ritual is he going to do on me?" I ask. This question has been burning inside of me since the minute they told he needs my blood. I just hope he won't burn me alive in a fire or something of that sort. 

"Chill, it's not a big ritual or anything, he will just try to take your blood and mix it with a potion which I believe he has already formulated and drinks it, after offering a life of an innocent,"  Vali says, as if it's not big news. 

"So that was what the killings were for?" I ask, shocked at what people can do for power.

"Yes,"

"What will he get doing this,"  Kevin asks. 

"Finally a good question," Em says.

"Well he had magic powers but he gave those up to become a vampire, so he probably wants to become a witch again. And since your blood can break my curse, it can also give him the strength to yield the power needed for him to get back his powers," Vali says.

"Damn, he will become too powerful, "I say.

"But there is a catch!" Vali answers.

"He can't get his powers without someone giving up theirs, so do not under any circumstances give up your powers. Any one of you!" she says with warning lacing in her eyes.

After a heated discussion and planning, we all decide t call it a night. Everyone decide to sleepover at my place, given tomorrow was the D-Day!

Author's Note:

Sorry for the super late update. But I will be completing this book in a day or two, so yaaayyy.

The ending is near, what do you think will happen?

If you liked this chapter, hit the star and comment below what you think of it!

Feedback and suggestions are welcome. 

Until the next chapter, 

Lots of Love,
            ~ Vaishnavi.