Chapter 4

• Allister POV
• I watched as Nerissa was coming down the stairs, meeting with Alex and me as we were about to go to meet with Annaya the Shaman.
• I felt like something was off and Nerissa was not telling us, and I couldn’t help but to wonder what that might be.
• “Ready, love?” I heard Alex ask as he walked towards her, intertwining their hands together.
• She looked up at him, giving him a warm smile; “I am.”
• Taking in a deep breath, I let it out slowly, trying to shake away the strange feeling. I walked up to her, making her head turn my way, and I could clearly see the hidden fear and uncertainty while she tried to put a brave mask on her face.
• I reached out and grabbed gently her other hand, saying; “No matter what she says, we; ” I pointed at Alex and myself to enhance my words, “We are by your side, always.”
• She smiled while her eyes turned teary, giving me a shy nod, letting me know she knew that what I was saying was true.
• “Ok, let’s go out and get this done,” I said to them, looking behind us at Cole, Ryder, and Emily, giving me a nod.
• We all walked outside at the front and I saw Alex walking to someone, giving out his final instructions before we left his territory.
• Soon as he was done, he walked towards us and looked at me; “Let’s go.”
• I let go of Nerissa’s hand, walking in front of them, readying myself to open the portal to my world.
• Turning my head as to look once again at Nerissa, she gave me a sweet smile, and I knew I couldn’t deny anything to her as she held my heart and my soul, forever.
• Raising up my hand, I summoned my powers and could feel the air around us engulfing us while little sparks appeared right in front of me, slowly creating the opening in the mid-air.
• As the portal opened, revealing only a blur inside it, I turned around and looked at the little group; “It’s ready. Enter it one by one, I’ll go last.”
• Ryder looked at Emily, taking her hand as he placed a kiss on her knuckles. I watched him take a step towards the portal, casting me a glance as I gave him a nod that it is ok.
• He took a deep breath, taking a step inside the portal, and soon enough we watched him disappear inside of it while Emily followed him.
• Cole was silent, but he was the next one to walk towards the portal, entering it with determination, holding his head high.
• Alex looked down at Nerissa, smiling at her, trying to calm her fast-beating heart, saying, “Whenever you're ready we can go.”
• She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath, opening them, and I saw her eyes shining with a new emotion. She said, looking at the portal; “I’m ready.”
• I watched them in silence as they walked towards the portal. Alex took a step inside it while Nerissa stood there, looking at me silently.
• “Don’t worry, I’m right behind you,” I reassured her.
• She walked inside the portal, and in a second I followed her, closing the portal behind me.
• We traveled at lightning speed and in no time, I could see the end of the portal opening as we reached our destination.
• Stepping into my world, the Underworld, the portal closes behind me and I saw everyone standing there, looking all around us.
• The vast castle stood in front of us, and I could see their faces were in awe as they took it in.
• The front entrance opened with Warit walking outside; “Welcome.”
• His eyes landed on Cole for a second, but he was fast to look away as Cole said nothing.
• I led everyone inside the castle, turning my attention to my cousin; not wasting time as I got to the point of our appearance here; “Where is Annaya?”
• Warit looked at me as he answered; “She is in the library. Why?”
• Not giving him any explanation, I just said; “Bring her to my study.”
• Before Warit could ask anything else, I walked towards my office, with others following behind me.
• Everyone took a seat on one of the couches that were in the room the moment we walked to the office, and I could feel the tension filling the quiet room while we waited for Annaya and Warit to join us.
• Alex was sitting next to Nerissa, holding her hand as she leaned her head onto his shoulder. Cole was on the other couch, sitting silently next to Emily and Ryder, who were snuggled together, making Cole feeling a little tense. I was feeling bad for the guy, but this was not something I should get involved in, especially when my own cousin was in the middle of their triangle.
• The door opened and inside walked Warit with Annaya.
• “Allister, my dear king, welcome back.” Annaya greeted me with a warm smile while I moved from the wall near the window where I was standing and watching everyone in the room.
• “Annaya,” I greeted, as she turned her attention to everyone else.
• “Nerissa!” Annaya’s eyes widened before a smile appeared on her face. I watched her rush to the seat next to Nerissa, taking Nerissa’s hand into her own.
• “How are you feeling, dear?” Annaya asked Nerissa, ignoring everyone else in the room.
• “I’m better, thank you. Annaya we are here because I have some questions for you.” Nerissa said, anxiously looking at the older woman.
• Annaya looked at others for a second before turning her attention back to Nerissa. I walked towards the group, taking my seat on the chair, waiting for the answers.
• Annaya exhaled deeply, sadness and worry shining through her eyes as she looked at Nerissa; “I will try my best to provide you with all the answers I know.”
• Nerissa smiled warmly, relief showing in her features as she heard the old woman’s words.
• “Tell me, dear, what do you wish to know?” Annaya gently asked Nerissa.
• “I want to know how effective this curse is?” Nerissa asked.
• Alex was tense next to her, watching like a hawk at the old woman, waiting for her answer.
• “It is said that if a curse falls upon you, and activates, your mates and you will die.” Annaya slowly answered.
• I could hear Nerissa gasp as she held Alex’s hand. Alex wrapped his arm over her shoulders, trying to comfort her while I stood up and took my place right in front of Nerissa, dragging her attention on me; “It will be ok.”
• It filled her eyes with panic as she looked at the older woman, asking; “Can this be undone?”
• I have noticed Annaya’s eyes glance warily at me before she answered; “I’m not fully sure but I was doing a lot of research while you were unconscious and I managed to find some answers.”
• I was feeling impatient while the nagging feeling like something is wrong never left me.
• Annaya continued to say; “There might be a few ways to do it, but I need to ask you something first.”
• Nerissa nodded her head, saying; “Yes, of course.”
• “Have you shifted recently at all?” Annaya asked her, making me frown at her question, not understanding why her shifting is of any importance with this whole situation, and not because I was afraid of my own death because I wasn’t. I would rather die than lose my mate.
• Nerissa looked over at Alex and me before she turned her attention to Annaya, giving her the answer; “I-I haven’t.”
• Annaya made a sound; “Hmm,” as she was deep in her thoughts.
• Nerissa glanced over at Alex and me, noticing us frowning, not understanding where Annaya was going with this question.
• I have never given too much notice if Nerissa shifted or not. I was content to just be with her, one way or another.
• “Why haven’t you shifted?” Annaya suddenly asked her.
• Nerissa squirmed in her seat as she answered; “I-I tried b-but I couldn’t.”
• The last part she said in almost like a whisper voice, then I heard Alex ask her; “What do you mean you couldn’t?”
• Nerissa looked at Alex, who had confusion and frown clearly showing on his face. She glanced my way and I was sure my own face displayed the same emotions as I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t shift, so I asked her; “You mean you tried to shift before or after this curse?”
• She avoided both Alex’s and my eye contact as we heard her answer; “I tried before the curse.”
• She glanced over at us, looking down as she continued to speak; “Do you both remember the day when you two fought each other a-and almost… killed each other?”
• We both nodded our heads, wondering what does that have to do with her shifting or not.
• We watched her take in a deep, shaky breath as she continued to speak; “W-well, that day I-I tried to shift, but something felt wrong and I-I couldn’t.”
• Alex and I were silent, giving her time to speak while Annaya jumped in and said; “It is because a part of you is still missing.”
• All three of us looked at Annaya. Both Alex and I were frowning while Nerissa asked; “What do you mean?”
• Annaya placed her calming palm over Nerissa’s that she was still holding in her hand and said; “That is something you will need to find out for yourself when the time comes.”
• Nerissa opened her mouth to say something, but Annaya continued to speak, smiling warmly at her; “This could actually be a good thing if my findings are correct.” She looked at Nerissa, Alex, and me, saying; “There is a way to defeat the curse. One of it is to find the Oracle Azria, as she is the one to help you with giving you more answers.”
• Annaya squeezed Nerissa's hand gently, “If what I found is true, then Azria can help to lead you to the answer you're seeking, but there is another way as well, which might not be something you would wish to hear.”
• Nerissa held onto Annaya’s hands, asking her; “I need to know everything. Please tell me no matter what it might be.”
• Annaya’s eyes glanced over at Alex and me before she focused on Nerissa, saying; “The one that is strong enough and has the needed power to help you all by lifting this curse… no, better not, I’ll try to find another way...”
• Nerissa pressed on Annaya’s hands, while she pleaded with her; “Please, tell me.”
• Annaya let a deep breath out, giving in as she said; “The one that can help you with is a powerful dark magic witch that you have already encountered once.”
• Emily’s anxious voice reached us, asking, “Who?”
• Annaya looked over to Emily, returning her gaze to Nerissa, saying “You’ll need to seek Hilda’s help.”