A disturbing knock on her door awoke Onyx from her sleep.

"Onyx, your Highness has requested your presence downstairs" one of Draco's maids reminded her from the other side of the door. The Mind Siphon groaned, pulling the comforter of her head. "Thank you. I'll be downstairs shortly."

The footsteps retreated and Onyx stayed in bed for a few more minutes before arising. Usually, her back would be aching and her muscles would be sore from the rigorous training the day before but now, her body felt relaxed. Although she was still somewhat sore, a good night's sleep has never occurred with her until last night.

Stretching her arms out, the Mind Siphon got out of bed and headed to the bathroom where she brushed her teeth and took a bath. When the arrived back in her room, a black box with a gold bow on top sat by her door, a note attached to the top. Curious, Onyx retrieved it and sat it down on the bed. The note, written in black ink, read:

Dear Onyx,

I hope you are enjoying your stay at Elsavior. Although I would love to show you around the kingdom and all its joyous history, we have to start getting to the bottom of things and discover what kind of hybrid you are exactly. I know, it's a task that doesn't seem like much fun but things have to be done in order to keep you safe. My Court and I will be in the dining hall waiting for you. Today, we will be heading over to a special friend of mine to decipher your true powers. This friend of mine, while helpful, is also rather big on first appearances so I have provided you a gift that will surely impress her and all of us as well.

See you downstairs.

Draco Vaolcris,

Royal Emperor of Elsavior

Smiling at the note, the Mind Siphon opened the box to reveal a beautiful midnight blue dress. It was floor length with a slit and a curved neckline. It was sequined with jewels and sparkled every time she turned it around. A pair of heels were also nestled inside the box.

Feeling a rush of excitement flood her body, Onyx quickly did all her after-shower routines before unwrapping the towel off of her hair. Carefully, she slipped her body into the dress, zipping herself back up. The material magically hugged her body despite her thin frame, the back of the dress plunging to reveal her skin.

Although she knew that the state she was in physically wouldn't last forever, Onyx couldn't help but miss her toned back and curves. Now as she stared into the mirror, she could see just how depraved and miserable she had been the past month. Ever since the oath and her unstable health, Rheynoak had babied her to the point where he watched what kind of food she consumed and how much she trained.

Never too much but never enough.

He claimed to be looking out for her and in that time, Onyx believed him. She had been so mesmerized by him and so weak mentally to think otherwise. Everything about their relationship seemed like a dream on the outside that no one ever stopped to see how much of an actual nightmare it was and by the time the situation was brought into the light, the damage had already been done.

A frown pulled on her lips. She didn't feel particularly beautiful but if this was going to help them in their mission today, the Siphon could stomach it for a few hours. Without a second thought, she slapped on the heels and made her way out of the room.

The hallway was empty except for a few maids sweeping and cleaning. One of them, a young lady with black hair, looked her way and immediately dropped her towel. "You look beautiful, Onyx," she said, making the Siphon blush. The other maids stopped momentarily to stare her direction, their eyes widening in approvement.

"Thank you. Do you happen to know where the dining hall is?" she asked. The maid nodded, taking her hand. "Come with me. I'll show you."

Nodding, Onyx followed her down the hallway to a set of stairs. "It's a bit far as this palace is about the size of the entire kingdom," the maid said, a light laugh escaping her lips. "But with time, you'll find all the little shortcuts."

As they descended down to the second floor, Onyx took a good look at the maid. She seemed to be in her early adulthood with dark hair and dark skin. Her eyes were light brown, a smile on her lips. "How long have you been working here?" the Siphon asked.

"A good six years" she answered. "Draco saved me from my village after I got impregnated. He brought me here, took care of my child and I and offered me a job and a place to stay while giving my child a proper education."

The maid turned around, eyeing the Siphon. "And in case you are wondering, I am a mortal."

"Oh, I couldn't tell," Onyx said with a shocked expression. The maid smiled as they neared an open door, sunlight spilling through the hallway. "No one can."

They entered the dining hall, a huge room with plenty of sunlight. Royal draperies were pushed open and the walls were embroidered with gold designs. In the middle of the room was a grand table filled with more food than anyone could ever imagine. Draco and his court sat around the table, eating and discussing in a joyous manner.

"Your Highness, Onyx has arrived." At the mention of her name, Draco turned around, smiling when his eyes landed on the dress she wore.

"Thank you, Malia." The maid bowed, giving Onyx a quick pat on her shoulder before walking away. The emperor got out of his seat, his trenchcoat kissing the tiles of the floor. "You look great" he complimented, smiling wider.

"Thank you but is it necessary?" she asked, cautiously tucking her exposed leg away. "It seems a bit too..daring." With a sigh, the Emperor nodded. "Sadly, yes. You'll understand once we've started our mission. Let's just say my friend is very big on first impressions."

With a reassuring smile, he gestured her towards the big breakfast table. The smell of grilled sausages and fried eggs met her nose, her stomach grumbling at the sight of the hearty breakfast. Syrup dripped off of pancakes, butter, and toast piled high on a plate. Fresh fruit and juice were arranged in an aesthetic pattern, baked sweets gathered in a basket.

"Morning" Azura greeted as Onyx sat down, nodding at her. Onyx managed to smile back, still in awe at the amount of food on the table. She didn't know where to start. Her fingers curled themselves in her lap, her eyes wandering around the table.

"Don't tell me Rheynoak never fed you?" Yongui said, raising her brows.

"He did but never to this extent. If anything, it was only on special occasions that we would eat to this maximum." Yongui scoffed again at her explanation, grabbing the plate in front of the Siphon and scooping a spoonful of eggs and toast on the plate.

"Clearly you are not an animal, Onyx. Beings, whether mortal or immortal, deserve to eat until they can no longer breathe." The witch passed her plate on to Azura who picked a fair share of food before passing it around the table to Castrin, Falcon, and Orion. When the plate came back around, it was filled with food.

Draco poured her a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice and set it in front of her. "Eat. You'll need the energy" he demanded. Not waiting for another second, Onyx grabbed a nearby fork and devoured her food. She didn't care for the individual flavor, only craving the satisfactory of her stomach being full.

"We need to discuss what we will be saying to Iredine when we arrive at her lair. You know that woman is anything but fair" Orion said, finishing his breakfast. Azura nodded, taking a bite of her curved sausage. "I don't think anything we say will change her mind. She has a twisted brain of her own."

"What if Castrin seduces her?" Yongui suggested, sarcasm in her words. "You know she won't be able to resist him." The dark magic summoner passed her a look, shaking his head. "I would rather stake myself with a white ash dagger" he replied back, disgust in his words.

"We can't be certain on what she'll do" Falcon reminded them all. "She's a very bipolar being. One minute she's jubilant and the next, she's ready to use somebody's head as a trophy but we have to approach her with a gift. You know how much she loves gifts."

Draco scoffed, cursing under his breath. "Maybe a bit too much but nonetheless, it is what has to be done. I have given the gift to Sahara who should be waiting near the palace cliff edge." He finished his coffee and whatever was left on his plate before pushing his chair back. "We must get going. Iredine hates late visitors."

Shoving as much as food as she could in her mouth. Onyx finished her breakfast and cleaned her mouth, falling into step with Azura as they all followed Draco out of the dining hall. The Mind Siphon took in the court's attire, seeing how elegantly dressed everyone was. Yongui was dressed in a long red skirt and white top while Azura chose an orange dress. The guys dressed in white button-down shirts and black pants, throwing a long trenchcoat over.

They made their way up a long flight of stairs and down a glass hallway before going through a set of double doors. The cold morning air greeted them as they stepped onto the surface of a grassy mountain. The sky was purple and pink, the city still asleep. Standing near the mountain's jagged edge was a rather tall woman with incredibly long hair.

Her floral black dress danced in the wind, her pretty face illuminated by the morning sun. In her hand was a small red box with a gold bow. "You clean up rather nice," she said to Draco, a hint of a smile pushing on her lips. He smiled back at her, enveloping her in a hug. "Tell me something I don't know, Sahara."

Sahara rolled her eyes, pulling back from the emperor. She greeted her fellow court members as well, her smile slowly widening as she hugged each one of them. However, when she stepped in front of Onyx, her entire facial expression changed. It was no longer happy, only stone cold and hard. Her eyes trailed her body up and down, making the Mind Siphon extremely nervous.

"This is the Mind Siphon, I presume" Sahara stated, looking her up and down. "You are Rheynoak's mate?"

"No, we are not mates but I was involved with him" Onyx admitted shamefully. Sahara rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She turned over to Draco, raising her eyebrows at him."If she's foolish enough to get involved with Rheynoak, why are we helping her? Obviously, she does not have a brain."

"Sahara, be nice" Azura warned, her calm demeanor replaced with a scowling expression. "Speak for yourself Azura," she replied back. Sahara ignored her, eyeing the emperor once more. "I'm not so sure Iredine will like this, Draco. You know how she feels about Desert Tribes."

"I'm sure her perspective of things will change once she realizes who Onyx is and her family line. Be optimistic." Despite the emperor's warning, she pushed further, belittling the Mind Siphon. "How are we sure she is the true heir to the throne? What if this is all an elaborate plan to set us into a trap? If there is one thing I will credit Rheynoak for, it is his mastermind thinking."

"I was present for everything that happened. Onyx decided to come to Elsavior on her own terms" Draco confirmed, his patience running thin. Sahara eyed the Siphon again. "Where is her sister then?" the woman questioned. "The proclaimed Lezandria Erovex?"

"She goes by the name Alesandria now and she has decided to stay with Rheynoak" Onyx answered, clearing her throat. "Although I have been informed that she is more than welcomed to stay here if she so chooses."

"If she so chooses. Well, aren't you the one to order. I suppose-"

"Take one more step towards her and you will be assassinated, Sahara." Draco's voice was no longer kind, a cruel expression on his face. Sahara turned around, a challenged expression on her face. "Draco, this is a risky move. What if the other emperors and empresses find out about this? They will be livid!"

"And I will deal with it when that comes up but as of right now, you will stop this idiotic belittling of Onyx! I asked you here to help us but if you have nothing better to do but make her feel out of place, I will dismiss you as quickly as you came!"

Draco stood with his arms crossed and his eyes glowing red. Sahara took a deep breath but nodded, ultimately bowing down to the emperor. "My apologies your highness," she said in a calming voice, handing the gift over to him. Although anger was still visible on her face, it was clear who had the dominating power.

"Save them for later. We are already late" he glared. "Lead the way, Sahara."

With a clear of her throat, she closed her eyes and summoned her wings. In a quick flash, luxurious black wings grew from her black, towering over her figure. Onyx gasped, jumping back. She looked around her surroundings, only to realize that everyone else had also summoned their wings, dark as night with little hints of glimmer.

They all threw themselves over the edge of the mountain only to immediately soar up into the sky and fly straight ahead, following Sahara.

Draco tucked the gift in the pocket of his trenchcoat, sighing as he went behind Onyx. "I'm sorry for her behavior. Her manners can be quite unruly when it comes to new residents." Tightening one arm around her shoulder and the other around her waist, he led them both to the edge of the mountain.

Onyx made the mistake of looking down, only to see clouds and mist that made her dizzy. "Relax" the emperor whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. "Enjoy the ride."

Before she could even speak, her feet flew off the floor and they both tumbled towards the earth only to soar back up into the sky. Onyx could hear the crash of oceans from afar, see the rising rays of the sun against the purple skies.

Holding her breath, she held on to Draco's arms a little tighter and prayed that they wouldn't be meeting their ends.

A tall building encased in glass stood in the center of the block they were on, all the floors lit up in dangling butterfly lights.

The clashing sounds of music and voices surrounded Kraiyin, Elsavior's busiest city of fashion, music, business. It was a breathtaking view with tall skyscrapers that seemed to touch the sky and building intertwined with millions of dazzling lights.

"So which floor does Iredine live on?" Onyx asked as the court stood in front of the building. Draco casted a look over to her, smiling slightly. "This entire building is her home" he informed her, ringing the doorbell next to the oak door. "She's built quite a reputation for herself."

"And has quite the victims in a grave" Castrin muttered as footsteps descended down the stairs. The lock twisted and the door opened to reveal a tall man with dark eyes and jet black hair. A snarl twisted on his lips as he seemed to scan the court, his disapproval deepening when his eyes landed on her.

"Is Iredine expecting you?" he asked, raising his brow. Draco rolled his eyes, pushing him aside.

"Are we really going to play this game again, Rajei?" he asked. "You're fully aware that Iredine is expecting us. I made sure of that last night."

"But you never mentioned in your request that you were bringing one extra guest" Rajei questioned, eyeing the Mind Siphon. Onyx felt herself shrink, folding her arms over her shoulders.

"We don't have time for your childish bantering, Rajei!" Azura said in a demanding voice, stepping up to him. Although she was tall, she seemed to dwarf under his hovering frame. Still, that didn't stop her from reaching up and clutching his shirt in her grip.

"Let us in or I will personally rip your teeth from your jaw and feed it to the mad dogs." Rajei scowled but growled, stumbling back as she released him. With a huff, he stepped aside and led them towards a set of spiraling stairs.

"As you can tell, we only carry Azura around for her persuading threats," Falcon said, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

"That and the fact that she actually goes through with them" Orion retaliated.

Annoyed by her friends, Azura pushed them both up the stairs, rolling her eyes. A big open living space welcomed them on the second floor. Panels of glass windows surrounded the area, plush couches decorated with soft pillows and a wide kitchen that barely looked used. Vases of flowers sat near the walls adorned with a shrine of paintings and a fireplace crackled in the pit. Small embers winked in the darkness.

"This is amazing," Onyx said, taking in the expensive interior.

"Why thank you. Took me quite a while to decorate it." At the sound of a sweet yet disturbing voice, they all turned around to see a woman descending down the stairs. Her dark blue dress kissed the floor, burgundy hair tumbling over her shoulders.

A pair of jade green eyes met their gaze and a warm smile welcomed them. "And to who do I owe the pleasure to?" the beautiful woman spoke, smiling. The emperor smirked, walking over and engulfing her in a hug. "Don't act dumb, love" he said, placing a kiss on her hand. "It's not a good shade on you."

"Insulting me now, are you?" the woman said, shaking her head. "Somethings never change."

The two beings embraced each other in a hug before she stepped back. The court greeted her, all bowing respectively. The woman smiled, winking in Castrin's direction who only seemed to shudder.

Onyx, confused, bowed halfway, her legs shaking under the heavy material of the dress. Iredine caught sight of her struggled and a smile formed on her face.

"And who is this lovely creature?" she asked, approaching Onyx. The Mind Siphon froze in her stature, watching as Iredine played with the coils of her hair. Cold eyes looked her up and down, taking in the pretty dress and her skinny frame attempting to fill it out.

"This is Onyx Ashrevion, one of the last two remaining Mind Siphons on Asxairo." Iredine was clearly impressed with her title, nodding her head. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Onyx. Draco never told me he finally found his mate."

Sahara snorted under her breath, the rest of the court trading flustered looks. Onyx simply gaze down at her feet while the emperor stuttered to come up with an excuse. "She's not my mate, simply a friend. We actually need your help."

"And here I was thinking you were dropping off a personal wedding invitation" Iredine commented with a smile. She ruffled Draco's hair with a playful smile. "It's okay, my dear. That day will come soon."

Iredine led them to the comfy chairs, ordering Rajei over. "Fetch the guests some refreshments" she demanded with a hard stare. Rajei quickly obeyed, bowing before retreating into the kitchen. "How may I be of assistance?" she questioned.

"To make a long story short, Onyx was a part of Rheynoak's tribe in the desert" Draco started off. This statement immediately brought a sour scowl on Iredine's face but she nodded, allowing him to continue. "She served him for many years and in return, he quested her with a mission to find the last Mind Siphon on Asxairo. Rumor has it that there was one more being with such power. Onyx managed to find her but later found out that she was a hybrid so Castrin invited Yongui and me over to his home in Asxairo to assist in the Catalyst Oath The good news is that she survived but the bad news is that the Oath supposedly revealed that she was the true heir to throne of Crojesian."

"Crojesian? King Aries's daughters each perished in the tragedies that struck their homeland. How would they still be alive?"

"Let me finish" the emperor persisted. "For a while, things were okay but we later found out that Rheynoak had in fact been lying to us all and that Onyx was the true heir to the throne. Although, it was also revealed that Alesandria was, in fact, King Aries's first child, Lezandria Erovex. So Onyx fled and she is staying with me until we can figure things out. There are a lot of details I left out but I will fill you in on those later."

Iredine was silent for a moment, eyeing Onyx. Rajei appeared with a glasses of sparkling wine on a clear tray. Carefully, Iredine picked up her glass, took a long sip, and contemplated on her next words. Finally, when it seemed like she has had enough time, she turned to the emperor once again.

"So why are you here exactly? This sounds more like a you problem."

The emperor sighed again, running his fingers through his hair. "The Catalyst Oath didn't go as planned and instead transformed everyone that was present in their true form. Onyx was affected by it too and was revealed to be a demi-hybrid. The problem is that we don't know exactly what kind of Demi-hybrid she is."

"And you need my powers and rituals to figure it out" Iredine finished, nodding her head. A light laughter left her lips, setting the glass down on a table beside her. "Draco, I love you. You know that as much as I do. You are one of my oldest friends and I would bleed for you if anything as ever to come your way but this secret that you are hiding from the other emperors and empresses is threatening. We have all lived our lives and have mourned the fallen kingdoms of Crojesian and Durvalieon. We have all believed in the tragic deaths of the royal family but to stand in front of me and tell me that this girl is Onouxia Ravenur Ashrevion Kaslibieth, the heir to the Crojesian throne is absurd."

"I know it sounds absurd," the emperor said, rising from his seat. "And it is but you are the only one that can help us unlock her true identity. I understand that I am putting all of us in a very dangerous situation but we have a miracle on our hands. With Onyx, we can rebuild Crojesian and make the Inner Circle Stronger. We can defeat our enemies."

"But this is more than just the Inner Circle, Draco" Iredine persisted, shaking her head. "The Desert Tribes, the mortal kingdoms, the underworld, the Gods. Everyone is involved in this. If people find out, we are doomed and there will not be another chance to redeem ourselves."

For a moment, she stopped shaking her head, crossing her arm over her chest. "Not to mention that I don't stand well with the other emperors and empresses. My ground with them is not solid and if they find out that I am involved in something like this, my head will be used as a mop. Call me selfish but my life is on the line too."

"I understand that but please, Iredine. I laya har. I faal ae skranr kannakkoan ka har khaek I haeyan'k falk vokh aenyana. I kaen'k lak har ra. Nak nav. "

Silence settled in between the two powerful beings. No one uttered a word but traded uncertain looks around. Sighing, Onyx stood up, hesitantly opening her mouth. "I know this is not an ideal situation but Draco has gone out of his way to help me. I'm sorry that this whole situation upsets the balance of everything but right now, I really need your help. Please, I just want to know who I am and my mission in life and if it involves helping all of you, I would be more than happy to do so."

Iredine took a deep breath, rubbing her temple. She took one look at Draco before sliding her gaze over to Onyx. With a sigh, she nodded, threading her fingers through her hair. "I lavo vai xrav vlaek vai aeuo sokk'rs vaiutorg 'rka. Ig klo lo'u ag Cuatot'aer 't kuirv vaiu daeko, vai laeqo ae rak ka kaeuuv. Taexo kaeuo ag lou." A pause before she continued speaking. "I'll help you but on one condition" she proposed to the emperor. "Keep my name out of your mouth. I don't want any trouble with the emperors and empresses. "

Draco nodded, a smile nudging his lips. "You have my word."

The emperor reached into his coat and pulled out the present. He placed it in her hand with a smirk. "You didn't think I would come here without a gift did you?" She smiled, placing the gift close to her heart. "Your heart is too mortal for your own good, Draco."

Iredine took another swing of her drink before gesturing towards the staircase. "Sahara, I will be needing your assistance. Onouxia, please follow me."

Shuddering at the unfamiliar name, Onyx cautiously took a step towards the spiraling staircase, holding on to the banister. Sahara breezed past her, walking in step with Iredine as they disappeared upstairs. The rest of the court remained downstairs, each picking up a glass of wine.

Onyx looked over her shoulder to see Draco's concerned eyes following her. Even with his hopeful smile, he wasn't deceiving anyone. She managed to muster a smile towards his direction, nodding before disappearing out of sight.

Iredine led them into a dark hallway lit only with flickering candles. At the end of the hallway were two double doors with scarlet drapes pulled over. "This way, my dear" she gestured towards Onyx as she pulled back the curtains, opening the doors and revealing a dark tomb room.

Hesitantly, Onyx stepped in, waiting in the dark as Iredine and Sahara walked in. The door slammed shut and the room lit up with flickering candles. Shelves were lined up on the cobblestone walls, bottles filled with unknown substances.

Iredine set the gift Draco had given her on an empty shelf, tying her hair into a long ponytail. "Draco is going to great lengths to protect you, Onouxia," she said, dusting her fingers with a red powder stored away in a glass jar. "With an understandable motive, of course. We don't want you to die."

"Speak for yourself, Iredine" Sahara said with a cold tone, taking a book off of one of the shelves. Iredine scowled, shaking her head. "Ignore her. Her mate has not returned to restore her compassion."

Sahara scowled at her but did not utter a single word as she sat in the middle of the room. A book rested in her hand. Onyx sat in the middle of the room too, crossing her legs as Iredine stooped down in front of her.

"This is a very simple ritual called Thu caullonj if shu siels or The calling of the soul. While it won't take too long to complete, it will require traveling through your mind. This ritual will allow me insight into your soul and perhaps sever bonds with other people if I choose to do so. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Onyx simply replied back. She had nothing to lose anyway.

"Good. Just relax. This might hurt a bit." Before the Siphon could question what she was doing, Iredine grasped her face and burned her fingers into her temple with a forceful push, cracking through the barriers of her mind. Onyx screamed, feeling her whole body bend to the powers overtaking her body.

Her limbs felt bound to the ground, her mind wandering outside of sanity and no matter how much she tried, she could not break free. A scream tore from her throat, her eyes watering but soon enough, her pleas for help were drowned out by a cloud of darkness and her mind drifted into a deep slumber.

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

I just came back from Boston and I started a new job so my updating will be a bit funky but still a lot more frequent!

Anyway, this chapter took a while to write and delete and rewrite but I am satisfied for now. We are not halfway done so there are so many new characters to meet, so much drama to plunge into, and so many people to kill!

I mean...get to know ;)

Teheeee

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