After the ceremony, they celebrated outside in the hot desert sun.

Tribal dances and rituals were performed throughout the day, the tribe leaders following along with the tradition as well. Tribe members painted their faces with paint, recreating the ancient style that was popular thousands of years ago.

Food was prepared and served outside, the rhythmic beat of drums echoing throughout the exotic day. Wine was poured into glasses and on the ground, staining the coral sand in a bloody scar. Long formal dresses and cloaks were swapped for short beaded ones, a scarf of silk circling their shoulders instead of the heavy material of the cloak.

The morning transitioned into the afternoon with the excitement only heightened, members using their exceptional powers to create tricks and illusions that dazzled others. But Onyx, as much as she tried to fit in and enjoy herself, a cloud of sadness clouded her heart to the point where every bit of energy seemed to die within her.

She wandered around the tribal grounds, seemingly lost. A bowl of grilled meats spiced with exotic herbs was in her hands, her fingers stained with red sauce. Even as the beads on her dress circled her feet and the flower crown crafted on her head transformed her into what some would compare to a goddess, her demeanor had something of a hellish queen.

After the ceremony, she made sure to stay away from Rheynoak, Lucien, and Draco. She stuck close to Alesandria and Venix but even they seemed to disperse from her at some point. It left only her and the numerous of tribe leaders keeping their gaze locked on her. The thought ran a chill down her spine, igniting that gold magic that illuminated her skin.

"Stop it!" she hissed to no one in particular, scowling at the illuminating magic. It seemed to taunt her, growing brighter with every second she pleaded. "I will poison myself if it means you won't appear once again!" The magic seemed to light up and smile but gradually fade until it dimmed and eventually disappeared under her skin.

"Talking to ourselves now, are we?" A voice like velvet caught her attention and she looked up to see Leader Heather Falyik, standing under the shade of a large sand dune. Her black tresses were gathered in an elegant updo, her dark attire swapped for a light, silk dress that breezed past her legs. She was decorated with diamonds and pearls, even her eyes sparkling like gemstones.

"The sun," the Siphon said without thinking. "The heat out here is insane" she fibbed, mustering a smile. The female leader smiled, leaning off of the sand dune. "Then why aren't you in the comfort of your lover's arms? Surely he can provide enough shade for you."

The mention of Rheynoak had her heart jump to her throat, feeling her body grow hot. "He's busy with cardinal affairs with other tribe leaders as you can imagine" she replied back, trying to sound as professional as possible.

Ultimately though, Heather laughed a cruel sound that mocked her. "My dear, as old as I am, my mind is still sharp. It humors me how even immortal hybrids can still reek with the innocence of mortal children." Her words were whispered, the leader walking around her in circles. The silk of her gown brushed past her legs and the Siphon felt her body lock, frowning at her.

"I don't know what you speak of."

She smiled once again, stopping in front of her. "How long have you and Rheynoak been together?"

The question was odd, a bit pressing and Onyx refused to answer. "I don't see how that's any of your business," she said, raising her brows. Heather raised her brows to challenge her, reaching out and taking the bowl of grilled meat from her hands.

"Hey!" Onyx protested, watching as the leader nibbled on some meet. She devoured it and sucked her fingers dry before gripping the Siphon's wrist in a death grip. It was tight, cutting circulation to her arm, the feeling of needles sinking into her skin.

"Answer the question" she insisted, staring deep into her eyes. The compulsion was strong, wiring Onyx's thoughts to satisfy her curiosity. "How long have you and Rheynoak been together."

The urge to answer her was too strong. "Not too long" Onyx replied, frowning. "We've been together ever since The Catalyst Oath."

"So about two months then" the leader confirmed. "Have you made your feelings for each other obvious?" she continued to ask, walking around the Siphon in circles, snacking on the meat in the bowl. "How much more obvious can we get?" she replied back.

"Have you experienced pleasure with him yet in bed?" This time, Onyx scoffed, scowling in disgust. "I don't see how my pleasure with him is any of your business" she retorted back, folding her arms over her chest. The tribe leader rolled her eyes, taking a step closer to her and taking a whiff.

Onyx backed away immediately, everything within her body locking. "Oh don't worry your head off, child. I can practically smell him on you" the tribe leader taunted, raising her brows. "Tell me, does he love you?" The Mind Siphon held back a curse in her throat, trying her hardest not to strangle the leader.

"Yes, he does." Heather smirked, a devilish twink in her eyes.

"And do you love him?"

The Siphon hesitated. She shouldn't have but she did. Maybe a month ago, she would have said yes with no question. But lately, she has felt something between them shift. Her feelings for him weren't as strong, even if her wanting for him was almost untamable. She didn't want to admit it to herself but it was true.

They were not the same anymore.

"In my own way, I do" she managed to answer back, swallowing down a huge lump of guilt. A hum escaped the tribe leaders lips, followed by the smack of her lips sucking off the sauce off her fingers. "That's quite interesting considering what we all saw today" the tribe leader teased, raising her brows.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, raising her brows. "Oh please, everyone could see the connection between you and Draco. It was almost too obvious and quite hilarious considering you are supposedly mated with his nemesis."

"Draco and I are no more than acquaintances. Friends even but never together" the Siphon defended herself even as she felt the slight ting of lies ache in her heart. Heather scoffed, continuing to eat what was left in the bowl she held. "You say that now, my dear" she whispered, getting uncomfortably close to the Siphon.

Onyx held her breath and took several steps back until her back hit the unwelcoming, jagged surface of the sand dunes. Little pebbles cut into her skin, wild eyes meetings hers as her breath hurried out of her lips in quick spurts. "But you the truth will be revealed in sure time. Look at me and tell me that you didn't feel anything when you were dancing with Draco."

Eyes trailed down her body. "That you didn't feel butterflies in your stomach when he held your waist." The tribe leader's fingers trailed down the Siphon's waist, tickling her skin.

"Or that your breath didn't catch in your throat when he held your hand." Momentarily, their hands intertwined before Onyx pulled hers away, harshly. That only provoked a naughty smile from Heather.

"Or that you didn't feel your heart beat when you glide across the desert sand with him, heartbeat synchronized in one. Or that your whole body didn't ache when he smiled your way." The convincing eyes of the tribe leader met hers and suddenly, Onyx felt hot. Her body grew extremely warm and sickly, her head pounding and swarming with thoughts.

All of them involving Draco.

His eyes, his smile, his unnecessarily but somewhat cocky remarks.

His piercing, his hair, his body, his tattoos.

Everything of him suffocated her thoughts until she could no longer take it. Onyx fought off a warning smile, digging her nails into her palms and taking in calming breaths. She squeezed her legs shut and threw her head back, trying to calm down the steady increase of her heartbeat.

She pushed the provocative tribe leader far away from her, hoping she would vanish. Instead, she only stumbled a few feet away. "Get out of my head! I'm with Rheynoak" she managed to croak out through breaths and whispers, taking in small breaths.

"Is that what you tell yourself to not run into Draco's arms? Because no one would blame you if you did. Draco is quite the sight to look at. And he's fabulous in bed" the tribe leader said but only got a curse as a response from the Siphon. "Get away from me! Get away!"

Heather stood there for a few seconds, letting nothing but the wind pass through them. She examined the Siphon, broken and trying to rebuild herself together. The sight was almost too sad to find funny.

Almost.

"One way or another, everyone will know if they already don't know," she said, taking a step back. "Enjoy the festivities."

And with a mocking laugh and a daunting smile, she walked away, leaving the Siphon to sink down to the desert grounds, covering her face with her hands.

She didn't know whether to weep or scream so she did both in the little corner she sat, letting the tears run down her face like endless rivers. She didn't know why she was crying but all she knew was that she had to.

No question, no reason.

So Onyx Ashrevion, the once highly proclaimed deadly Mind Siphon and Assassin of Asxairo. The one who had been called The Midnight Killer by her peers and The Bloody Barbarian by her enemies sobbed to herself in a completely broken version of the person she once used to be.

Instead of being surrounded by fire, blood, and smoke, sadness, death, and sorrow only followed her wherever she went. A continuous, torturous cycle that never seemed to end.

Once all the tears had fallen and her eyes didn't sting anymore, she gathered herself up and wiped her face clean before getting out of the corner she resided in and joining the others who seemed to be having a good time. She blended in with the crowd, instinctively moving her body to the rhythmic drums tribe members played.

She avoiding any eye contact with Rheynoak, knowing that Draco would be standing right next to him with his mysterious, depth-filled eyes and sinful smile. She avoided her friends, knowing they would question her and she would break down in front of everyone.

Instead, she held her head up and blended in, plastering a smile on her face.

Even though she felt dead on the inside.

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Fifteen!

OOOO, I can't contain my excitement! I just want to spill all the beans but I can't!

Okay, I really need to calm down and not spill secrets but I can't contain myself and I really just want to yell everything and say everything and just be done with it!

BUTTT...

There is a reason why this is called suspense!

So try not to fall off the edge of your chair!

Okay, you know what, tell me what you guys think is going to happen? Questions, issues, conspiracies! Tell me!

At this point, I want to hear what YOU guys think of this very important and critical chapter! PLEASE!

So tell me what you guys thought of this chapter.

Any specific scenes you liked! Any conspiracies? I would love to hear them!

Thank you guys for all your constant support. It means so much to me that you enjoy this book. I enjoy writing it and to hear your feedback always makes my day!

So tell me what your thoughts are on this chapter and don't forget to comment down below and vote if you liked it.

Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May