Lyla
"No!" Ramsey scrambled to his feet and approached the circle, but it was too late now; there seemed to be some barrier over it. "Circe, what are you doing?"
Circe straightened to her full height, power pulsed from her as she turned to face Xander, who was as surprised to see her as we were. "What I was always meant to do."
Xander’s confident expression faltered. "This isn’t how it’s supposed to happen. The Moonsinger must be the sacrifice. That is how it has always been."
"The prophecy speaks of sacrifice, yes," Circe said calmly, walking toward him. "It said it must be the Moonsinger..." As she walked, she paused for a minute and opened a small vial containing a red liquid, then drank it in one go. "Lyla’s blood runs through me now. Her essence from her mother is in me, and I can wield Neriah’s sword so... I’m technically the Moonsinger now."
Ramsey spun round, seeking Nanny’s face. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears, as were those of Terra. No one was saying anything; I didn’t understand it either.
"What are you talking about?" Ramsey asked. "What is going on here? Circe, come out of there this instance, this is my cross to bear. You already performed the ritual on me. I am supposed to..."
"I did nothing to you, Ramsey. Everything I asked for was for my own use. Lyla couldn’t come, so we had to use the next thing closest to her that shares her bond. I only took that. Besides, I’ve seen this night in my visions for decades. I will not survive this war, Ramsey. I am meant to die from a brutal Feral attack," she chuckled, "And this is the path I choose. I didn’t want to waste my death."
By this time, Ramsey had returned to his human form. He was battered, his skin was torn, and he was bleeding in different places. "No, I won’t let you die for us!"
"This isn’t about you," Circe said gently. "This is about balance. About ensuring life continues," her eyes moved to my stomach, where my children grew. "About protecting the future."
"This is not what we agreed." Ramsey was going mad. He rushed to Nanny and grabbed her arm. "Stop this now. Stop this and bring her out. Lenny would never forgive me... what will happen to your people?"
"Lenny knows; it was difficult to get him to agree and to play his role perfectly. Everything we did was to make sure you didn’t suspect what we were up to, and my people know. I’ve taken care of everything before I came here, Ramsey. I told you I was going to die on this trip, and this is how I chose to die. The sacrifice was never meant to be yours. This is my fate. I choose this death."
Then she turned back to Xander, who was backing away in growing panic. I’ve never seen him show signs of fear, ever. So it was surprising and refreshing.
"What the other Moonsinger never had, this Moonsinger has it," Circe started. "Love, support, and people who believe so much in her and her cause. It must have been frustrating for you not to win in any way, no matter how cunning you thought you were."
"Stay away from me," Xander growled.
"You want power, don’t you?" Circe continued advancing with a smile on her face. "Then take it from me. Take the life force of the most powerful hybrid ever."
Without warning, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around the Dark One in a crushing embrace. The moment their bodies touched, a brilliant white light exploded from the contact point."
"No! No! This can’t be possible!" Xander screamed, his voice filled with disbelief and terror.
"The binding of souls," Circe said through bloodied lips as the magic tore through both of them. "Ancient magic that your corruption cannot overcome."
I felt Nymeris sigh in exasperation within me—enough of the drama, Lyla. We have a war to win. The Ferals are coming. I lead, and you follow.
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