Prologue

A grey mist slowly crept down the steps of the dungeon, drifting toward the cells. The fog stopped when it reached the cell where Tristan was lying. “Oh, my young witch, you could have been such a wonderful asset to my plan, but your greediness for power was your demise—such a shame,” a voice said from the mist. Voices were heard coming from down the hall. “Come on, we need to check on the prisoner.” The mist started to move over Tristan’s body, and when the fog disappeared, so had he. Two warriors walked down the hallway to the cells. They were confused and shocked to see the cell empty. “Maybe the prisoner was moved to another cell?" one warriror said. “We must tell the Alpha what has happened,” the other replied. “Wait, the mating ceremony is tonight. Should we wait until after the ceremony for this?” The other warrior rubbed the back of his neck. “I just hope we don’t get in trouble for making the wrong decision.” They both turned, left the cells, and returned to prepare for the ceremony. *** Persephone sat in a dark room alone. She got up, walked to the dresser, and stared at her reflection. She sighed at the shell of a woman staring back at her. She closed her eyes as she tried to perform a simple incantation spell, but nothing happened. She could no longer feel the static of magic running through her core. The coven had stripped her of her magic, and she would be kicked out of her home tomorrow. Persephone grabbed a small trinket off of the dresser and smashed it against the mirror, causing the mirror to crack and splinter into pieces. The grey mist seeped through under the opening of her door and floated toward her. “My dear, what has happened to the woman I adored so much?” the voice said. Persephone turned to look behind her, and her breath hitched when she saw the mist moving toward her. Persephone started to back away until she found herself against the wall. Fear radiated from her body. “You could have had what you wanted if you had only been patient with the plan,” the mist said to her. Persephone's heart raced as she found the nerve to speak out, “Please, help me get my magic back. I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.” The mist drifted closer and closer until it wrapped itself around her neck. “I no longer have a use for you.” “Please, I need to find my son.” The voice chuckled through the mist. “Now, that is something I can help you with.” Persephone felt her throat tighten as she tried to cough and catch her breath. “Wait,” she coughed again. “Please.” The mist stopped momentarily and answered, “You asked me to help you find your son. I’m simply fulfilling your wish.” The realization had struck Persephone as she continued to cough. She reached for her neck to pull away the invisible hand strangling her, but nothing was there. She continued to cough and choke until the life went from her eyes, and she collapsed to the floor. “Do give my regards to Hades for me,” the mist said with a chuckle. The fog covered the remains and lingered for a moment. When the smoke slowly dissolved, so did Persephone, leaving nothing behind. *** Ophelia sat dazed as she rocked herself back and forth in the chair she was sitting in. Her mind was in a haze, and she wasn’t listening to a word the men asked of her. “What did the witch tell you?” the man asked as he slammed his hand down on the table to get any reaction from Ophelia. Ophelia continued to look away and not answer their questions. “This is getting us nowhere,” another warrior spoke out. “Alpha ordered us to question her, and that’s what we’re doing,” the first warrior snarled. The second warrior closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The mist crept into the room, lingering close to the darker parts so as not to be seen. Colson walked into the room a few moments later. The first warrior narrowed his eyes at his partner, who merely shrugged. Colson walked over to the table and stared at his sister. “Leave us,” he ordered. The men quickly left the room. Colson pulled out the chair and sat in front of his sister. Ophelia refused to make eye contact with her brother. “You know I hate having you down here,” he confided. Ophelia tapped her fingers against the table. Colson leaned forward. “Did Trystan mention working with someone else?” Ophelia continued to play with her fingers on the table. She sucked in a breath when she saw the mist shift from across the room. He pulled his sister’s hand into his, “Please, let me help you.” Ophelia slowly turned and stared at her brother. Ophelia’s mouth opened slowly as she quietly sang, “I’ll never tell, I’ll never tell, I’ll never tell.” Colson’s shoulders slumped as he pulled his hand away from Ophelia’s. He pushed the chair away from the table and walked to the door. The mist swiveled around her, whispered, “That’s my good pet,” and disappeared. Ophelia smiled as she continued to rock herself in her chair. He opened the door and ordered the men, “Take my sister to the pack hospital and have them sedate her. She’s still considered a threat to the pack and the other factions. Maintain twenty-four watch on her.” “Yes, Alpha.” Colson pulled out his phone and checked the time. He needed to leave if he wanted to pick up Gretchen on time. Colson pressed a name from his contacts list and raised the phone to his ear. “I’m headed to the mating ceremony at the Stonecrest Pack. Ophelia is to be sedated and monitored. If you have any problems, let me know.” Colson closed his phone and put it back into his pocket; he looked back at his sister one last time before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him. *** On the forest’s edge, the grey mist moved quickly down a long path, where a large dark cottage stood at the end. As the smoke progressed, a tall young man emerged from the fog, walking toward the cabin. As he got closer to the front door, it opened for him. He walked in, and the door closed behind him. “Any news?” he called out. “Nothing yet, your grace,” an elderly gentleman answered. The tall man stopped for a moment. “Let me know the moment you hear anything,” he demanded. The older gentleman bowed. “Yes, your grace.” The young man walked over and opened the door to a cellar. The room was dark but came to life once he entered. A coffin sat lonely in the center; he walked over and ran his hand over its surface. “Soon, my love. Soon we will be able to bring you back and be together again.” He kissed the coffin and left the room.