Solyerian was over as the fourth day welcomed the tribal grounds, the stormy clouds in the sky signaling the official end of the three day holiday.

Onyx rose up early the next day, taking in her bare room and bare legs. Her hair was disheveled on her head, the cold wind from the window whipping her skin with goosebumps. She felt empty, emotionless as she got up and headed over to the showering chambers.

She took her time, undressing and soaking her body in the last bath she would ever take on the tribal grounds. Her body slipped and sunk into the warm water until the water was up to her chin, her wet hair sticking to her skin.

Thoughts swam in her head, pounding into her skull until she could no longer think. The Siphon didn't even know what to think at this point in her life. So many questions lingered inside her head, begging to be answered but none had the courage to actually slip past her lips.

All she knew was that she was that the minute she would step off the tribal grounds and flee to Elsavior with Draco, she would be free. Free to walk down her own path and free to conquer her own destiny. And right now, that is all that mattered.

When her fingers had prune from the water, the Siphon rose up and dried herself with the towel. She wrapped a robe around her body and toweled her hair off before heading back to her hut. She stopped at the stables to retrieve Aithne, pulling on her gold reins and guiding her back to her hut. Once near, she had the horse wait outside while she went inside to get ready.

On the oak chair laid her clothes she had set out for the day's occasion, a red cloak draped over her clothes and the ruby necklace Draco had given her tossed on top of it.

Onyx quickly got ready, doing any necessities possible before pulling on the pair of jeans and her midnight blue shirt. Her slightly dry hair now tumbled down past her shoulders in stringy curls. She strapped her diligent sword to her hips before pulling her red cloak over her shoulders and fashioning the necklace around her neck, clipping the gold lock together.

The Siphon dove underneath her bed, pulling out the black bag she had packed all her necessary stuff in. It was quite heavy but she didn't complain as she slung it over her shoulders, unzipping it. She dug around until her fingers curled around the carefully crafted end of a mirror.

Cautiously, she pulled it out and stared at her reflection for the last time on the tribal grounds. The girl that stared back at her was weak, defeated with dark bags underneath her eyes and a bony figure. Her collarbones protruded from a thin layer of skin, her cheekbones jutting from her face. Even her breasts, once full and voluptuous, were now flattening against her chest.

Even her eyes, once a lustrous gold ringed with a vibrant emerald that commanded power and attention, dulled into nothing but black, rusty coals and dying forest that screamed vulnerability and uselessness.

"So this is the woman you have become Onyx," the Siphon said, taking in a deep sigh. "This is what vulnerability and emotions do to you. Well, it's not a very good color on you, dear Siphon" she continued, talking to herself in the mirror. A hum escaped her lips, a hand running through her tangled locks.

"Well from now on, you will never let yourself feel anything besides anger and hunger. It is the only way to survive." With those words said, she threw the mirror to the ground and stomped her foot on it until the glass shattered into millions of pieces under her feet.

She crunched the broken pieces into fine, grinded grains, forever forgetting the girl she stared back at in that damned thing.

A knock sounded on the door as she zipped and locked her bag. The Siphon walked up and opened it to reveal Venix, a sad smile on her face. Beside her stood Lucien, his tired eyes scanning her last attire. "Is it true Onyx?" he asked in his husky morning voice. "Are you really fleeting to Elsavior with Draco?"

"And how did you retrieve this information?" she questioned, squinting her eyes at him. "Rheynoak stormed around the tribal grounds hours before you woke up, grumbling about how Draco stole you away" he explained, shrugging his shoulders. "And from the looks of his bloody knuckles, he had unleashed his anger on the emperor."

The Siphon mentally slapped her forehead, cursing herself for not knowing better. Of course, the emperor had confronted Rheynoak with that specific information. He knew it was one of the few things that could completely break the tribe leader's heart and soul.

Onyx nodded, leaning against her door frame. "It's far away from here, Lucien. I don't ever have to worry about seeing Rheynoak's face ever again." Hearing those words out of her lips sounded so foreign considering not even a week ago, she was screaming his name with pure joy.

"So you're really leaving?" he asked in a husky voice. "For good?" The Siphon smiled, walking up and hugging the Hell Siphon. His arms held around her waist, his face buried in her hair. "Don't shed tears for me now, Lucien. You'll be fine without me."

The Hell Siphon laughed as they pulled apart, his eyes a bit red. "I just wish that we could have been close friends from the start" he whispered to her, patting her head. "Maybe some things would have been different."

Onyx smiled, squeezing his warm hand. "We'll always be friends Lucien no matter what. Without you, none of this would have been possible and I appreciate you for that." The Hell Siphon smiled once more. "Good luck on your journey" he uttered. "I wish you nothing but good luck."

"So do I" Venix chimed in, capturing her attention. The Bloodbone's usually violent eyes were filled with the first river of tears, lilac in the morning sun. Onyx smiled, embracing her friend in a tight hug. The witch hugged her back, her whimpering sobs so quiet, only the Siphon could hear it. "Don't forget about me," she said in her ear. "We're family no matter what blood ties say. You're my sister Onyx and I love you."

"I love you too Venix. We'll keep in contact" the Siphon stated when they finally parted away from each other. They held onto each other's arms, so tight a red ring formed on their skins. "We have a bond that goes deeper than blood and bones. Whenever you're in danger or if Lucien is being a nuisance" she said, earning a smug glare from the Hell Siphon. "Just whisper it down the bond and I'll be there."

"I would never bother you with such little disturbances," Venix said shaking her head. "This is your destiny, your future. Our paths do not cross. At least not right now. Focus on you and occasionally, I'll check up on you. Preferably when the sun goes down." Onyx laughed, hugging her tightly once again. "Fair enough" she replied back.

The Bloodbone nodded once again, squeezing her fingers together. "When do you two depart on your journey?" the Siphon asked. Lucien and Venix traded glances before the Bloodbone spoke. "Tomorrow. He was too lazy to pack yesterday."

"I was simply tired" he defended himself, crossing his arms over his chest. Both girls rolled their eyes at him.

"Contact me when you are at Exben" Onyx insisted. "And if he tries anything throughout your journey." The Hell Siphon grumbled and scoffed again, shaking his head. "I am simply the antagonist in your pretty mind, aren't I?"

"More so or less" the Mind Siphon replied back. Venix laughed a sad and broken one. "Of course I will" she insisted, her voice wavering as she spoke. Minutes passed by, the three of them just standing by the doorframe. The morning was still a few minutes away, the sun still hiding behind the storm clouds.

Footsteps crunched on the ground and the three magical beings picked up on the sound. Almost instantly, they turned around to see the faint silhouette of Rheynoak and Alesandria, Draco trailing close behind. The tribe leader didn't fashion his usual cloak, instead approaching them in his sleepwear, his usually neat hair a tangled mess.

Alesandria had a red silk wrapped around her shoulders, her black hair whipping past her face. Draco, however, stood out, choosing to wear his usual black attire but with a dark blue cloak this time. The gold embellishments around the material complemented the lightness of his eyes and the ruby rings on his fingers matched the blood red ring around his eyes.

"Ready to go?" the emperor questioned, catching up to the tribe leader who passed him an unpleasant look. Onyx nodded, taking hold of Aithne's golden reigns and pulling her forward. "Yes, I have everything I need with me."

"You are really going with him?" Rheynoak questioned with disgust in his voice. "Out of the places you could have wandered to, you chose to go to Elsavior with this piece of crap?" The Emperor shrugged, not paying attention to him. "I'll take that as your way of showing your undying love to me."

"It's as far away as I can get" Onyx replied back, ignoring Draco's snarky remark. "I don't want to be anywhere near this tribe or anywhere near you. Hate him all you want, despise me for all I care but nothing is going to change my mind about my decision. He offered me a place to stay and help to forge my path, something you never did for me."

The tribe leader locked his jaw in place, sending a glare towards the emperor. "If you asked, I could have helped" he defended himself. The Mind Siphon scoffed, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. "Please. The only thing you would have done is comfort me with useless words and fuck me senselessly."

Rheynoak grumbled and shook his head. "It's not like you would have complained" he retorted back.

"I can't believe I ever fell for you. I can't believe I even thought you had an ounce of purity in our soul. Maybe back then, I was blind and stupid but now I see that everything we had was nothing but a crafted lie. A lie I happily believed."

"You fell for me and I fell for you. It was never a lie." His words were said with a suffocating amount of force as if he even had to say it to believe it. He looked up at her with warm hazel eyes, filled with regret and sorrow but Onyx knew that underneath that layer was nothing but darkness and wickedness.

"Your heart will burn and I will spread the ashes over your grave" she threatened, her eyes flashing. "Gladly and willingly."

The Mind Siphon said nothing more, instead turning her attention to Alesandria. She had been standing there silently, watching the Siphon with tentative eyes. Cautiously, she stepped forward, her green-grey eyes meeting her own. "Say hi to my mom and Eros for me," she said, reaching out and squeezing her shoulders.

"You're not coming with me?" Onyx questioned. Alesandria nodded her head, sighing. "It was a hard decision for me but I chose to stay. There is still so much for me to learn. I'm not ready to go out on my own." As sad as the news was, Onyx nodded, placing her hand on top of her pale one.

"Be safe okay" she whispered to her. "I know we've only found out that we are related by blood only moments ago but we still have a bond, Alesandria. Since the first day we met, it was created and it will never be broken. Trust me on that."

Alesandria smiled, hugging her sister close. The Siphon hugged her back, squeezing her tightly before letting go. "Contact me when you reach Elsavior." The Mind Siphon nodded, running her fingers through her dark locks. "Will do." The horse snuggled close to Aithne, seeming to say goodbye to her as well. Alesandria hugged her back, stroking her mane.

"Sorry to interrupt the touching moment but we have to go Onyx. The journey isn't long but flying is quite exhausting" Draco informed her, raising his brows. The tribe leader grumbled under his breath but said nothing more.

Onyx nodded, hugging her friends and sister once more before stepping beside Draco with Aithne. He passed her a smile, petting the mystical creature beside her before going behind the siphon and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Have a safe journey Onyx" Venix waved at her, smiling.

"Thank you. I'll be in contact soon."

Those were the last words the Siphon could remember saying as black, beautiful wings grew from the emperor's back. They spread to the sky, made from, bones, blood, and silky black feather that twinkled with hints of diamonds and magic. Even in the gloomy shade of the morning, they were glorious. They slowly embodied the Siphon in a warm embrace, the smell of morning dew tickling her nose.

Light flashed before her eyes before black smoke and darkness suffocated her body.She felt her fingers slip from the horse's reins. A breath left her lips before sleep lulled her eyes to close, her body falling into an abyss with Draco holding her close to his side. The emperor pushed off his feet with a mighty force, his wings soaring them into the air, so fast they cut through the morning wind.

They easily transported over the brass gate that separated the tribe from the rest of the desert and sped through the course of the red land. For a while, everything was peaceful and calm. For a second, it seemed as if everything would be alright.

Until a wind knocked into her body and forced her eyes to open.

Her stomach dropped jumped up to her throat before dropping down in her guts once again. What had once been solid ground was now nothing but air, her legs flailing as they seemed to soar across the desert, the strong gust blowing her hair into her face. Her eyes felt like bleeding, pain shackling her body as they tore through sand dunes and past uncertain paths.

The Siphon closed her eyes again, fearful for her life and waiting for an impact.

But it never came.

Instead, everything slowed down once again and the strong gust of wind was now nothing but a whisper that passed her ears. She could hear the soft neighs of Aithne. Her feet touched the ground, the soft feeling of water crashing to her feet. The sound of waves hitting rocks met her ears and her eyes adjusted to see that they were standing near the ruins of the Rovien Sea.

Bones and skeletons scattered across the dark sand, the once vibrant ocean now grey and unwelcoming. It roared with a deep rumble, its deadly waves slapping the jagged rocks once again.

"This isn't Elsavior," Onyx said in a breathy whisper. Aithne seemed to agree, passing a trouble glance across the sea. The emperor nodded, his grip on her shoulders tightening. "I know but I want you to take this scenery in because it is possibly the last time you will ever see this damned kingdom and this cursed desert ever again."

His words were threatening, his tone deadly. The Mind Siphon swallowed harshly, letting her eyes take in the blue of the sky and the grey of the ocean. The red desert sand clashed with the black sand of the ruins they stood on. The violent waves shook the rocks, spraying some debris their way. Somewhere far away, the first rays of the sun broke through the horizon, blinding her momentarily.

Everything was beautiful, perfect. Just like how she had always imagined it. "It's perfect" she uttered as the wind blew through her hair.

"Ready to truly embark now?" he asked, his voice growing relentless. "Because I can promise you, Elsavior is far more beautiful than this desert you have wandered on so many times." The Siphon swallowed once again, feeling her fingers shake as she clutched onto him.

Even though she was more than ready to leave that tribe, the thought of leaving the desert saddened her. It was one of her favorite places to be. She would miss the warm sun and the creatures that inhabited the enclosed spaces.

She would miss the stain of the red sand on her clothes and the feeling of the strong desert wind against her skin. Even the little flecks of pebbles that always seem to bruise her skin would be a memory the siphon would treasure.

The desert has been a shelter for so long. It had protected her despite hurting her also. But who knows. Maybe Elsavior would be her true home.

"I'm ready" she finally said in a confident voice. "Where do we go from here? East or west?"

Draco smiled, looking up into the grey skies. "We live above the ground, up in the sky Onyx. There is a reason why it is called the Inner Circle" The Mind Siphon frowned, passing him a confused look. "So you reside in the heavens?" she asked.

The emperor shook his head, that same smile illuminating his face. "No, but it's pretty damn close." His hold on her tightened, his soft wings tickling her skin. "You might want to hold on tight and close your eyes." He passed a glance over to the horse beside the Siphon. "You two Aithne. I hope your wings are fast enough to keep up with mine."

The horse glared at the emperor but seemed to nod her head, stomping her hoofs on the dark sand.

With no sudden warning, Draco pushed off his feet, his wings soaring them into the clouds. Aithne followed, the mystical horse channeling its powers to grow wings that allowed it to soar behind the emperor. A scream escaped Onyx's lips as the ground fell from her feet and her steps were now wandering on fragile air. She only caught a glimpse of the dark waves of the ocean before a powerful wind knocked into her body and forced her eyes shut.

Her ears were plugged so she couldn't hear her own screams and a for a while, she thought that she was falling. But a quick reassurance from Draco by the tightening squeeze of his hold and the soft neighs of Aithne and the Siphon was once again reminded that she was safe.

For now at least.

Minutes seemed like years and soon enough, the Siphon drifted into an unstable sleep. Draco held on tightly as he soared around clouds and through the broadening skies, his elegant wings whipping past the strong winds the heavens had sent down. The journey to Elsavior was rather short but the emperor's impatience made it seem like it was a never-ending cycle.

He looked over his shoulder to see the mystical horse soar past him, its mane whipping past his mane. He shook his head.

Damn those cursed creatures.

Another five minutes passed before the emperor looked down to see the small sliver of darkness he had been looking for. A smile curled on his lips. He sailed downwards, confident in his landing.

Life knocked back into Onyx's body, prompting her to open her eyes and take a deep breath just in time to see the first hint of the earth meet her eyes. She closed her eyes tightly once again and curled her fingers into Draco's arms as all three of them trespassed the protective barrier that shielded the Inner Circle from the rest of Asxairo.

A heavy feeling settled on her shoulders and everything spun back to normal as their bodies passed through several barriers before the silver glint of Elsavior's forest came into place. They flew through the trees and past branches until a clear landing spot behind a high wall welcomed them.

Soft dirt landed under their feet and Onyx flew out of his arms and crashed into the concrete wall. Her heavy bag slugged her shoulders, creating a bruise she was sure wouldn't go away for a few days. Aithne stumbled next to her, the horse regaining its posture quickly and shaking its head. The wings that had spread from its body slowly molded back into its coat, not leaving a scar behind.

"Sorry" the emperor apologized, dusting some leaves off his cloak. "It's been a while since I have flown back to this place."

"You don't say," the Siphon said in a harsh tone, pushing herself up. She grasped on to the wall that had broken her fall, blood knuckles splintered open. Her hands found the gold reins of the horse, tugging it lightly so that it would come closer.

Her golden eyes adjusted to the scenery around her. They were in the middle of the forest, the entrance way to the city covered by a curtain of vines and leaves. The sky was a pepper blue with hints of gold and pink streaks, the stars fading but never leaving the skies completely.

The roar of an ocean could be heard from miles away, the smell of morning due welcoming her. "Elsavior looks like a mortal's overgrown garden" she seethed, passing the emperor a glare. He simply laughed, tucking his wings away. They disappeared with a flash, molding back into his body without a scar.

"You humor me," he said, rushing his fingers through his windswept hair. He took several steps forward until he was beside her, fixing his messy curls. "Push the vines aside" he suggested, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Onyx frowned but obeyed, grasping the gnarly branches and pushing them aside.

Light spilled into her eyes the more she pushed them aside, the branches curling away and slowly revealing a city skyline. The more she pushed, the more that was revealed. The curve of a fountain, the glance of a downtown area. The trickle of fountains. When the last of the branches were pushed aside, the radiant sun of Elsavior shined into her eyes and revealed the city in a whole new way.

Aithne neighed happily at the sight, her eyes scanning the beautiful scenery in front of her. The Mind Siphon nearly gasped at the beautiful sight. It was even more gorgeous than she had imagined.

The whole city seemed to be sitting on a slant, creating a rolling effect in the street designs that seemed very comparable to the way the hills from afar curved. Green hills covered in smog rolled in the highland, twinkling with thousands of lights. Tall buildings of glass shined and shimmered, looking down at the streets that were twinkling with lights from street lamps and carriages.

Floating bridges built over large bodies of water suspended in the air, held by thin string lights. The silhouettes of palaces and estate mansions peaked through the light fog that covered the city, also twinkling with what seemed like jewels.

Stores were built and fashioned with crafted precision, each corner of the city decorated with vines of flowers that shimmered like diamonds under a radiant light. The vines curled around tall columns, hugging it like a snake constricting its prey.

But that wasn't even the most beautiful part of the city. It wasn't the lights or the glass or the curling patterns of the vines. Instead, it was the ocean, the waterfall, the luscious trees that grew in the far background. A sparkling waterfall tumbled from one of the high mountains, the water pouring like tears. It merged with the salty ocean, creating rippling effects that also seem to have a shine to them.

Weeping willow trees provided water for the flowers that were flourishing below them, creating shade that also protected those around them. The light of the sun made it all complete, casting a bright silhouette of the natural beauty across the surface of the water.

Onyx was at a complete loss for words, her fingers tightened around the reigns of the horse. She looked up at the light blue sky that illuminated with colors of gold and pink, the fading outline of stars still present for one to trace. "This is Salion, the capital of Elsavior or as I like to call it, the City of Nightshadows and Fallenstars"

"No kidding," the Mind Siphon exclaimed in pure ecstasy. She passed a look at her horse, stroking her mane softly. "This is Elsavior?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. Draco took one look at her shocked expression and smiled. "Yes, this is Elsavior. The Realm of Night Dwellers, Nightshadows, and Fallenstars."

Rheynoak snarled underneath his breath, dragging Alesandria into his office by her wrist.

He stormed up the spiraling stairs with the girl by his side, her cries for protest not heard by a soul. She pulled and tugged at his arm but he only yanked her harder, prompting her to keep her lips pressed together. The other tribal leaders had requested her presence but the fear in her soul had caused her to shut down and become unresponsive and shaky. The tribe leader was guessing that without Onyx, her confidence had plummeted to a fleeting speck. It gave him no other choice but to drag her protesting self against her will.

The doors to his office flew open and they both entered, the door slamming shut with a shudder.

"Please, let me go!" she protested with a cry, struggling against his grip. The remaining tribe leaders that were present in his office the day before turned around to see the commotion. The tribe leader passed a glance over to her, finally letting go of her wrist and throwing her to the floor.

Her body hit the carpet with a thud, a strangled gasp escaping her lips. "Well, you definitely know your way with the ladies" tribe leader Arsen Regbay commented in an unimpressed voice, watching as the false queen struggled to regain her posture. Irene smirked, lifting the glass of wine in her hand to her lips. "Considering he just lost his lover, his skills are a bit rusty to me."

The tribe leader looked over, taking in Rheynoak's angry face and smiling once again. "Don't be so angry with me, Rhey. It's not like I am telling a lie." Rheynoak passed her a sharp look, walking around Alesandria who had regained her posture and leaned against a chair, holding her red wrist.

"Well, Onyx is gone" he replied back in a gritty voice as he approached his desk. He clenched his fist tight, digging his nails into his wrist. "And worst of all, she has fled to Elsavior with that deplorable excuse of an emperor, Draco." His fist pounded against the desk, a growl escaping his lips.

"Elsavior you say" Heather perked up, straightening the lilac silk of her dress. "Rheynoak, this is the perfect opportunity for us to finally gain control of the Inner Circle. Since Draco fled with Onyx, we now have a motive and a reason to finally attack." The tribe leader passed her a confused look, his words still slurred with anger. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"The Inner Circle and the Desert Tribes have had very thick tension between them for hundreds of years" Heather explained. "Once, they were a combined kingdom and coexisted with one another but a war broke out, dividing the two. The Inner Circle created themselves as a safe realm up in the skies for magical beings to escape to. Each kingdom was dedicated to a specific creature although anyone was welcomed. The Desert Tribes, however, did not agree with that and were a lot more traditional in their ways. They decided to take several magical beings and train them in rigorous ways of a warrior or an assassin, combining their magical abilities with physical abilities. The Inner Circle was threatened by this and declared war on the Desert Tribes. The war never happened though as the Inner Circle decided on shielding themselves from the rest of Asxairo by creating a magical barrier that shielded them. Only a few know how to enter the kingdoms."

"I am still not understanding the reason to attack them," Rheynoak said raising his brows.

Heather sighed, passing a look over to the other tribe leaders. "Somebody else explain, please. I can't do this."

Tribal Leader Enseme Brakin stepped in, tossing her long locks over her shoulders. "Although the Inner Circle and The Desert Tribes never went to war, they did attack them several times, the last known attack imprisoning the one threat that could destroy them all."

"My father" Rheynoak chimed in, finishing her claim. She nodded but the tribe leader still met his gaze with a confused expression. "Are you still telling people that you murdered your entire family?" she asked, raising her brows. "Because that just seems a bit extreme."

"My father left me simple instructions on what to say in case anything ever happened to him"Rheynoak explained, running his fingers through his hair. "After he gave Onyx to one of his people to flee away with and giving the throne back to me, he left me specific instructions on what to do and say. When he was imprisoned, I simply honored his wishes."

"Do you know where he was imprisoned at?" the tribe leader asked. Rheynoak shook his head. "I was more focused on making sure that King Arie's daughters would never reunite."

Heather snorted, folding her arms together. "That turned out well didn't it?"

He ignored her snarky comment. "But my father never left instructions on attacking the Inner Circle. He simply said that I couldn't let them overpower the Desert Tribes."

"But they already have!" Irene exclaimed. "Let's face it. They have grown stronger century after century. They have attacked us numerous of times to prove that they are far more advanced and capable than we are. They have killed and slaughtered our own people while taking them away as well. Even the RiverBeak Sorceress Clan and the Twilight Witch Clan are siding with them and they are not allies. We are losing our power and we need to regain that back. We can't let them take over because if they do, our legacy and our people we have fought to protect will be gone and we will cease to exist."

"And how do we do that?" he asked. Irene passed a look over to Alesandria who was leaning over a chair, her face slightly pale and hurried breaths escaping from her lips. A smile curled on her face as she got up, approaching the young being.

"We play them at their own game." Without warning, she yanked the poor hybrid by her black locks, earning a curse from Alesandria's lips. The village girl whispered as the more powerful tribe leader held her close, her hand cupping her gaunt face. "They will never know what hit them" she explained, tracing her cheekbones.

"Please don't kill me" Alesandria pleaded, her hands folded together. "I'll do anything but please, spare my life."

Irene's smiled grew wider as she dragged the hybrid over to Rheynoak, dropping the girl in his lap. "She is perfect bait. Pretty, brainless and related to one of the most powerful heirs in all of Asxairo. She'll make a very useful puppet."

Rheynoak sighed, looking down at Alesandria who looked back at him with watery eyes. Fear was written on her face, a whimper escaping her lips. Her fingers curled into his cloak, a silent prayer on her lips. "This is unfair to her. She's done nothing wrong. The whole point of bringing her to my tribe was to protect her. This twisted plan you have all plotted will put her in the exact opposite situation."

"Too bad, you have no choice" Heather replied back with an icy stare. "She's a magical being for a reason. And remember, you are the one that lied to us. You pay the price as well, dear Rheynoak."

The tribe leader's eyes went back to the hybrid, his heart wrenching for her seeing the being so weak and useless. He knew that what they demanded of him was too much. But what could he do? At this point, his power was dwindling and hanging on a string.

In some ways, that's how his powers have always been. Hanging on a string. Maybe his control and influence over people weren't as powerful as he once thought.

"You have nothing left Rheynoak" Irene pressured, sensing his hesitation. "Your lover has left with your enemy and soon, your right-hand man will be fleeing away with a Bloodbone witch. There is nothing else left for you to lose besides your life. Besides, think of how proud your father will, standing next to your side again. His son, the most honored tribe leader in history."

The thought of his father being proud of him again sparked a fire in his soul, his thoughts clouded by that sheer imagination. Carefully, he cupped Alesandria's face, lifting her chin so that their eyes met. He could make out the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty she felt.

But he also had to make her feel that he had no choice. It was either this or death.

And knowing the tribe leaders he's been sitting with, they wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

"I'm sorry Alesandria but this is the only way to right my wrongs." Those words struck a wrong chord in her soul as the Hell Siphon channeled his compulsion against hers. A groan escaped from her lips, her eyes struggling to tear from his as he slowly bent her under his control unwillingly. His ancient magic was much more dominant over her fetus like powers, easily bending her point of views.

Visions of hell flashed in her eyes and a snap of her bones could be heard. Another scream escaped from her lips, a bright light flashing on her neck as the symbol of a Hell Siphon's control tattooed on the skin above her ear, her dark hair covering the symbol. Ancient symbols were scribbled in the mark, a tiny dot visible to only those who looked close enough.

Alesandria's scream stopped, her eyes flashing with something that could only be described as sinister. Carefully, she rose up, cracking the bones in her neck. She was composed, cool and far from the fidgety being she once was. Under Rheynoak's control, she was his puppet, his slave and would obey no one but him.

"The perfect puppet already," Irene said, nodding with approvement. "Those damned emperors and empresses won't know what hit them."

Judging the look in her eyes, Rheynoak knew that even he wouldn't know what was to come but that whatever it was, it would split their world apart into darkness and destruction. Turning her body around, Alesandria met his gaze once, her fingers brushing against the material of her dress.

Her voice was sweet yet threatening as she slowly bowed to him and pledged. "I am at your service, master."

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Nineteen and the first part of The Septic Curse is complete!

WOW, THAT TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED BUT I AM SO GLAD TO BE OVER WITH THIS FIRST PART BECAUSE THE SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK WILL BE VERY ACTION PACKED AND FST PACED. THERE IS A LOT TO BE PLANNED AND RELEASED!

I can not wait and I can not wait to release the first Novella, The Emerald Crown. I did have an order I wanted to go through with it but I decided to rearrange it and abandon it last minute. Onyx's story will go up first instead o Draco. Hopefully, that will appear this week with this beautiful cover!

Anyway, tell me what you guys think of this chapter! What do you think of the Inner Circle and Elsavior?

What about Rheynoak using Alesandria as his own puppet now? Will that plan go as planned?

What will happened between the Desert Tribes and Inner Circle! Tell me your thoughts! TELL, TELL!

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