A L M I R A

Chapter 36
Almira Davenport

I awoke to an ear-piercing scream. I sat up in bed and looked around, throwing on a robe. It was still early in the morning. The sun hadn't even begun to rise yet. Calix was beside me, wide awake as well. I'm assuming after I fell asleep with Estelle, he carried me to bed.

"What's going on?" Calix asked, turning to me.

"I'm not sure. Sounded like Ambrielle," I muttered. We threw the covers off of us and got up, running to where the scream came from. We walked into the library and I gasped at the scenery before me.

Ashli lies on the floor, dead. Blood was dried on her face from seeping from her nose, eyes, and mouth. Ambrielle sat helpless on the floor, cradling her daughter in her lap.

"Oh my Goddess," I murmured, covering my mouth. I looked at the table and seen the spell. She was doing a species boost, seems to be on our warriors. She was increasing their abilities but it requires a solar eclipse to do it and live.

My eyes shot to her wrist, remembering she was one of the sacrifices. The sun mark on her wrist was gone, like it never existed. Ambrielle was sobbing on the floor, mumbling sentences along the line of ''my baby' 'my little girl' and grieving lines.

I sat down beside her and pulled her into me, Calix watching from afar silently. Ambrielle leaned her head on my shoulder, sobbing and hiccuping due to the amount of crying. "She's- Almira my babygirl is- She's dead."

Tears slid down my face as I sniffled. "I know," My voice cracked.

"Why? She knew this spell would kill her," Ambrielle asked.

Because she's a key to saving the world. I couldn't tell her that, though. There was no way. Not now.

I held Ambrielle in my arms, rubbing her back. "Who else knows?"

"Alexander. He seen her and stormed off. Cole went after him to help him. I stayed here," She answered.

I looked up at Calix. "Ryker," I trailed off.

Calix nodded and walked out of the room, heading to where I assume was their room.

"She was pregnant, Almira. She didn't get the chance to be a mother. The most amazing gift in the world," Ambrielle sobbed, clutching Ashli in her arms.

"I know. I'm sorry. She didn't die in vain. She sacrificed herself for the greater good. She knew she was pregnant," I soothed, humming a familiar melody. "We'll have a beautiful funeral and burial for her. She'll watch us from up above and smile at how much we appreciated her."

Ambrielle sniffed and carefully moved Ashli onto the ground, standing up. "Thank you. I'm going to go take some time with Alexander. He needs me and I need him."

I nodded and sat there as she left. Ashli was dead. I wiped the tears from my face away and stood up. We needed the undertaker. I walked of the room, glancing at her body one last time.

Walking through the hallways, I stopped when I heard Ryker yell and punch the wall. He stormed out of their room and ran to the library. "Ashli!" He screamed, my heart clenching and breaking for him even more.

~-~

We all got dressed for Ashli's funeral today. Ryker wasn't taking it so well, he barely ate or drank anything. Ambrielle barely spoke to anybody, but if she did, it was quiet. Alexander focused his grief and sorrow on work and got more work done in the last few days than he ever would in a week.

I looked at myself in the mirror, staring at the necklace that hung around my neck. Calix walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You okay?"

I slightly nodded, taking in a deep breath. "I think I'll manage. She was a good friend. I feel horrible for Ambrielle, Alexander, and Ryker."

Calix hummed in response. "So do I. I know what it's like to lose your mate. It's the most painful thing in the world. He's doing better than I did, though."

I looked at him questioningly in the mirror. "What did you do?"

"What I'm most known for. I killed," He muttered bitterly. Calix wasn't too proud to admit it. I didn't say anything. I shouldn't be surprised. I heard about him long before I found out he was my mate. I didn't know much, but why would I need to? The men I wanted were in the books I was reading.

"We should probably get going," I stated, opening the door. Calix and I walked out and walked together to the funeral. Ambrielle was standing beside the casket along with Alexander, Adam, and Ryker.

Alexander wore a tired expression, the bags under his sunken in eyes being evidence to that. Ambrielle was tired as well, but she didn't have eye bags like Alexander. Adam matched the face of his father.

Ryker looked the worst of them all. His hair was disheveled and a mess, he hadn't even bothered fixing it. His eyes were bloodshot and obviously tired. His dark jacket was carelessly slung on, not bothering to fix the button's.

My heart clenched at the sight of them. Calix didn't show too much expression but pity danced around in his eyes. He sympathized with Ryker the most. He knows his pain.

I felt horrible for Ambrielle and Alexander, though. Ryker may have lost his mate, but these two outlived their daughter. I wouldn't want to see my own child die, but they not only surpassed her, but they found her.

We all took our seats after Calix and I have our condolences. The music was playing and speeches were made, all highlighting the accomplishments and the best memories with Ashli.

After they closed the casket, we all stood up and parted ways. Ambrielle said nobody should be there when they bury her, as she didn't want to say goodbye for a third time. The finding of Ashli's body was the first and the funeral was the second.

We all complied with her wishes and the guards were the pallbearers for Ashli.

~-~

Weeks passed after Ashli's death. Ambrielle slowly became her normal self again, the mention of Ashli silencing her whenever spoken. Alexander still works like his life depends on it. Adam helps his dad out sometimes, often giving him a well needed break.

Ryker was hardly ever seen. He stayed in his room and hardly ever left. He barely ate, barely spoke, and by judging his smell, hardly bathes. His face has sunken in and he looks unforgettably ill.

I set the spell book down, taking a step back. The final spell was done. Abelia has been eerily quiet since Ashli's death. I go to bed almost every night wondering if she'll interfere with my dreams again.

Calix walked in and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The spell books, again?"

I turned to him and smiled, nodding. "I have it memorized now. I'm pretty sure I'm powerful enough now to not need the ingredients to channel. I can do it on my own."

Calix raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Is that so?"

I walked over to him and looked at the row of bookshelves. "Name a book. Any book."

"Annabelle's Last Cry," Calix said, looking at the shelves.

"Ew," I remarked. I focused on the book's name and soon a book fell off a shelf, landing onto the ground with a thud. I nudged for Calix to go pick up the book. He walked over to where the book had fallen and picked it up.

"It's definitely the book," He replied.

"Name a scene from the book," I challenged.

"Her first shift," Calix answered, eying me suspiciously.

I took a deep breath and repeated his statement in my mind. The pages of the book began to flip and fall on to the previous page before until it stopped, the last page turning. "Well?"

"Ah, well, 'Annabelle felt an adrenaline rush as her bones began to crack and morph into new shapes. Brown, silky fur began to cover her body from head to toe. The group before her stared at a freshly shifted wolf. Annabelle stared at the from below. She went to speak but a bark replaced her normal voice.' That's it," Calix read off, reading the scene from the book.

I leaned against the table, my lips curling upwards proudly. "See? There's more I can do, but it's meant for battle, not playing around in a library."

Calix set the book back on to the shelf where it came from. He slowly stepped towards me until he was standing directly in front of me. He placed his hands on both sides of the table, caging me in. I looked up at him and he looked back at me, his eyes concentrated on my lips.

I snickered. "See something of interest?"

"Quite a few," He huskily responded. I stood up on my tip toes and placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. An unpleased growl erupted from Calix's chest. I giggled before wrapped my arms around his neck. Calix quickly swept me off my feet, placing me on the table.

I looked into his wintery grey orbs which stared back into mine. Calix leaned in, my body naturally leaning into his. His soft lips landed on to my own, an electrifying feeling erupting throughout my body. My hands found Calix's hair as his hands found my hips. He pulled me closer as our kisses grew deeper, each kiss more passionate than the last.

Without warning, the windows shattered and Calix and I quickly broke apart, our eyes landing onto the scene before us. Five hybrids stood before us, their eyes a bright reddish gold. Their fangs protruded their mouths, canines in place of teeth.

The quickly ran towards Calix and I, snarling and hissing. I put my hands up and began mumbling a spell, the hybrids quickly stopping in their tracks. The walls echoed with their cries and howls of pain as I continued chanting. "Go warn the others, I'm sure more are to come."

Calix hesitated before I glared at him. He huffed and ran out of the room, his figure disappearing behind the walls. I turned my gaze back to the hybrids and looked at their tense bodies on the floor. All of them were doubled over in pain, their hands clawing at their heads or covering their ears. It was a spell to create some of the most intense headaches. One by one, they all passed out from pain and I let out a breath of relief. "I need guards in here! Get these hybrids to the cells for interrogation. If anybody lays a hand on them before Calix and I get down there, you'll join them in the cellars!"

Guards rushed in and carried five unconscious bodies out of the library. I took a deep breath and collected myself before grabbing the enchanted sword that leaned against the wall. I swirled it around in my hand before grabbing the cloak I always reach for. I made my way outside and low and behold, Alastor had another attack here.

I spotted a little boy and a hybrid near the fountain. My heart began to race. I quickly ran towards the boy, taking the bite from the hybrid. He clamped his teeth onto my arm and bit down. I growled in pain before taking the sword in my other hand and stabbing him. I mumbled the healing spell and wiped the blood away on my arm. The wound was still there and I stared at my arm, confused.

"Thank you for saving me, miss," The kid thanked, wrapping his small arms around me. I placed my hand on his back and smiled.

"Of course, kiddo. Go back to your parents, they must be worried sick!" I encouraged. The kid nodded his head eagerly and ran off. I stood up, slightly dizzy. The bite mark on my arm was still puzzling but I ignored it none the less. I collected myself and ran into battle, suppressing the pain for a while.

~-~•~-~