As dawn turn to dust and the rays of the sun exchanged to the radiance of moonlight, the day of holiness settled behind the horizon, ready to welcome the second day.

The day of Sacrifice.

They had celebrated well into the night, various tribe members performing ancient dance rituals and showering the leaders with what they presumed to be holy water and the blood of all their sacrifices.

Diamonds and gold littered the tribal grounds, feasts and the bones of their leftovers covering the dining halls they would have to clean for tomorrow. Gold wine sparkled on the table the leaders had feasted on, glitter covering their seats.

And as the night settled well into midnight, the tribe leaders retreated back into their guest rooms in the castle Rheynoak, Draco and Lucien accompanied themselves in.

And while they made themselves comfortable and fell asleep, Onyx had chosen to sit outside in the cold air, goosebumps arising on her skin. She had changed out of the dreadful gown she was forced to wear, nothing but a white, silk robe wrapping around her body.

Blood tainted her fingers, staining the strands of hair that tumbled over her shoulders. A copper taste lingered in the back of her mouth, disguising everything else. On the red sand was a pool of blood she had thrown up, quickly sinking into the soil as the winds dried everything.

Her whole body shook, her heart hammering so deep in her chest and her breaths coming out in quick puffs. Her skin burned and her eyes flashed, feeling so cold and alone even when she was surrounded by the stars in the sky.

The Siphon could barely comprehend her friend calling her name out into the distance until warm hands settled around her shoulders and held her in a tight embrace. "Onyx, look at me" Venix pleaded, kneeling in front of her friend, cradling her face in her hands.

The Siphon looked into her violet eyes, taking deep breaths to calm down her pulsing nerves. "What happened, Onyx?" her friend asked, squeezing her fingers tightly in her hand.

The Siphon struggled to push the words out of her mouth, her body still trembling in the cold. "I couldn't sleep" she explained in a hushed whisper. "I felt hot and sick so I came outside to relax my thoughts. But I felt so dizzy, so faint and before I knew it, I was kneeling beside a rock, trying to catch my breath."

Her words were a bit slurred but Venix could comprehend what had happened. She took one look at the pool of blood not too far away from her and another look at her shivering friend and nodded. "It's okay, Onyx. It's okay" she reassured, wiping her friend's mouth with the back of her hand.

Onyx shook, a choked sob escaping her lips. She leaned on her friend's shoulder wrapping her arms around her back as the Bloodbone gently stroked her hair. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Venix. I honestly think I'm dying."

She paused in between her words to catch her breath, whispering in a choked voice. "I don't want to die. Not yet, at least."

"And you won't die, love" her friend reassured, hugging her tightly once again. She squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, rocking her back and forth. She could feel the Siphon's body shrink in her arms, the once powerful being becoming nothing more than a mere infant in her embrace.

Skinny fingers grasped at her silk red robe, dried tears falling on her shoulders. "Do you want me to take you to Rheynoak?" the Bloodbone asked, despite hating the fact that the tribe leader was her first option. He didn't seem like he would be any help, considering the fact that his concern for Onyx didn't seem as alarming as she would have thought.

"No, please. I won't be able to sleep." Onyx's plea was a statement that shocked Venix but she didn't protest, instead nodding her head. "Okay. Let me take you back to your hut. I'll stay with you for the rest of the night."

"Okay" was simply Onyx's reply.

After holding on to Venix for five more minutes, she allowed herself to get up, intertwining her fingers with her friend's and leaning all her weight on her friend's shoulders. Venix aided her back to her hut where they would fall asleep for the rest of the night, their silhouettes disappearing as they stepped away from the moon's light and entered the darkness of its shadows.

But behind the sand dunes, entertaining himself by twirling his fingers along the strings of moonlight was Draco. He had been wandering around the tribal grounds, clearing his mind when he stumbled upon Onyx suffering.

He should have helped her. He should have stepped in. Comforted her.

But it would only complicate the story and the truth that was bound to unfold as long as they were celebrating Solyerian.

Looking up at the bright moon that shined its rays upon him, he smiled devilishly, knowing that all hell would break loose and fall from the sky, burning everything and everyone in its path. 

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

I know this is a super short chapter but I really wanted to throw a little bit of mystery for Y'all! I just couldn't help myself. 

Onyx is definitely edging towards her breaking point and it's going to collide with all the secrets that are going to be exposed during the second and last day of Solyerian which will cause for some big drama!

Rheynoak got some explaining to do!

And I am living for it!

But what do you guys think Draco is up to? He is definitely creeping on to something? Is he planning a sinister plot or simply waiting for the disaster to happen? 

And he always seems to show up at the most mysterious times. Then again....he's just being Draco! XD

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