THE ROYAL CEMETERY
Morgana and Lady Celeste stood in the center of the royal cemetery, shrouded in the eerie stillness of the place. Ancient tombstones surrounded them, their carvings worn by centuries of wind and rain. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, the ominous silence broken only by the rustling of leaves.
They stood before an ornate black marble grave. The name etched into the stone glinted under the weak sunlight: Selene Black.
Selene had been Magnus’s first mate, chosen by fate before he even met Aria. She was known for her stunning beauty and her compassionate heart. But jealousy had led to her untimely demise. Magnus’s best friend, driven mad by unrequited love, had ended her life before Magnus even had the chance to bond with her. When the truth was revealed, Magnus had been forced to kill his friend, an act that had left a permanent scar on his soul.
And now, Morgana and Lady Celeste planned to exploit that wound.
“This is the key to breaking him,” Morgana said, her voice a venomous whisper. “If Selene returns, his bond with Aria will mean nothing. He’ll be consumed by the past, too broken to protect her.”
Lady Celeste nodded, her eyes gleaming with dark intent. “Then let’s waste no time.”
Under the blazing sun, the witches began their chant. The ancient language of dark magic spilled from their lips, each word imbued with malice and power. A gust of wind swirled around them, carrying with it an unnatural chill. The ground trembled, cracks spreading across the grave’s surface like spiderwebs.