Chapter 71. Sacrifices

**71. Sacrifices **

***Rafael's POV:***

I was trying not to say anything to my little dove, but we were in big trouble. Cindy had prophesied that my father would be waiting for us with an army, so I was doing all I could to assemble all of our followers. Nonetheless, Brandon and Nick could sense the danger approaching me.
I didn't want to say anything to Astrid. I didn't want to bother her or get involved in the mess. She can't even shift right now, so I avoid anything that might harm our baby.
Cindy was the first to object and wanted to tell Astrid everything, but I had to stop her and remind her that she read in the prophecy that whoever is chasing us, our baby is most likely their main target.
Though Astrid can't shift, I know her strength of glaring at someone and making their blood boil is phenomenal and would help us a lot, but my heart doesn't permit me to take her along. I'm not sure how many are coming. I'm not sure whether we can battle them, but all I know is that I'll never forgive myself if something happens to my Astrid and our child. I can't promise I won't become sidetracked while attempting to defend Astrid. It's preferable if she stays here.
All this while, I had gathered all of my allies, including Charles' coven and other vampire covens. The shifter king, on the other hand, may not come because his mate is on the verge of giving birth. I was grateful for his offer to send his army with the best warriors willing to fight on his side.
Alice's witch coven may be on its way, and we have Cindy, but Bryan has also requested assistance with her. Astrid's pack was the largest, and I knew they were not going to help us. Edward has also teamed up with my father. Except for small packs, we have no big werewolf assistance.
Cindy trembled. "They'll be there by sunrise." I'd asked her to see my future, and that's what she saw. She also indicated a large troop following, which is larger than what we have.
I'm sure someone is orchestrating the entire play. My father can't collect this many people on his own, and anybody would think twice before standing in front of me, implying that this wasn't a last-minute plot. They'd been planning this for a long time, recruiting people or perhaps even training, scrutinizing, and waiting for the proper moment to strike while hiding in the shadows.
"All right, gather everyone; I'll be right back." I stroked my brow.
"How about Astrid, sir?" Bryan inquired.
"Don't worry; I've got a plan," I reassured him.
I entered our room and saw her on the phone, dialing my number. I couldn't hear the ring since my phone was set to quiet. Astrid stood by the window, wearing my shirt and looking ravishingly gorgeous.
I went to her and immediately hugged her from behind. I realized these may be my final moments with both of them, so I was determined to treasure and maximize them.
We sat on the bed, and one thing led to another, and we ended up talking about parenting our child. I couldn't help but feel awful that maybe I won't be a part of their life after this, but I will make sure that our child is raised the way he deserves.
Yes, I had a jerk father, but not for my child. It will have the life it deserves. At the very least, he or she will know that their father loved them and cared about them until the very end.
They will be at ease knowing that their father risked (or gave up) his life to protect them, and that will be enough for them to feel proud of me and understand my love for them.
I couldn't stop crying. Astrid drew away from my chest and inquired as to what had occurred. I thought the time had come. I felt compelled to tell her everything. I felt pitiful keeping things from Astrid, but I persuaded myself it was the right thing to do.
I kissed her passionately, pouring all of my feelings into it, believing it may be the last time I kissed her. I wanted to think that I was just exaggerating and that I couldn't possibly kill myself in this battle. I knew the sole weapon capable of killing me had been destroyed, but I had a sinking sensation in my gut that something horrible was going to happen. I didn't want the same thing to happen to me again because of my overconfidence.
I closed my eyes before she could ask any questions I said, "Sorry, little dove, but I have to do this." I broke her neck.
Astrid wouldn't wake up until we were out of the place. If someone else had snapped her neck, she would have been awake in one hour or less. It will take her at least six hours to wake up since I am her mate.
I walked to my room and opened the door to retrieve the weapon. I'm not sure what the morning has in store for me, but I'm not going to allow anything to happen to me until I've killed Elliot. I clutched the pendant in my palm, which contained my mother's blood. It was wrapped around my neck. I checked the time. They will arrive in five hours.
I approached Astrid and stroked her hair. "I shall always love you, little dove, till the day I die." I kissed her on the cheek. I kissed her forehead. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me," I said as I kissed her temple.
"Look after your mama champion, and daddy loves you as well." As tears streamed down my cheeks, I kissed her stomach.
I closed my eyes and turned around, leaving the room with one final glimpse at my Astrid.
As soon as I stepped onto the ground, everyone I'd previously stated had gathered. Everyone's attention snapped at me. I'm sure I'm looking bad right now. I had to suppress my emotions and display myself as strong in front of everyone so that they would look up to me.
Charles walked up and sat at my side. I had begged him not to tell Eva anything if she was going to get tense and join me, but I made Charles realize that our lives were in danger and that having our mate around would just distract, and Bryan stated up front that he didn't want to include Cindy. I wanted to tell him we'd need Cindy, but I recognized he was concerned for his mate's life, and refusing him would come out as selfish. I didn't want any misconceptions to arise where Bryan thought I was defending my mate and sister, but I did risk his mate's life, so I had to agree. We must now deceive Cindy.
I delivered a brief statement, thanking everyone for coming and risking their lives for us, and promising to do all in my power to minimize the damage. I quickly discussed vampires' weak spots with them so that individuals from other realms may understand, and Cindy had already worked on explaining everything to witches and how they could use their abilities while simultaneously teaching them new spells. She was also teaching Astrid how to use her powers, but this was before we knew about the impending issue.
Charles is the hybrid who has been informed about werewolf weaknesses.
Everyone thought that Brandon and Nick, who were standing in the corner in human form, were vampires or other supernatural entities, but they were here to fight with me and save me, but I had informed them ahead of time that saving me should be their last priority. I asserted my power, and they were forced to acquiesce.
I was still having nightmares in which other demons were in pain. They would benefit greatly from having me by their side. They even wanted to, but I couldn't open the door to hell only to gain control.
I had told myself that even if I had to die today, I would not open the gateway.
"All right, are we ready to go?" I asked.
Cindy was the first to speak out. Cindy screamed, "Yes, your highness."
"Umm..." To grab Cindy's attention, I coughed loudly. "No, not you, Cindy."
Her brow furrowed, and she said, "And why is that?"
I pulled Cindy into the corner, away from everyone's eyes.
"Cindy, perhaps? As you previously stated, Astrid is a major aim here, and I want to give you additional responsibilities." I tried to sound as helpful as possible.
"And what exactly would that be?" Cindy arched her brow.
"Cindy, you know how stubborn Astrid can be, don't you? I am afraid that when she wakes up, she will try to reach out to me, no matter what lengths she has to go to. I'm concerned that if she tries to shift into her lycan form and asserts her power, even the guards will have to let her go, aside from me. Cindy, if anyone can stop her, it has to be you." I was attempting to persuade her.
"But Rafael, you need someone at your side." She exhaled a sigh.
"I know, so if we need you, I'll mind link and then you may snap her neck again, but I'm sure she'll mend soon. That is why I will wait till the appropriate time comes and only mind-link you when absolutely necessary."
"OK, but you have to mind linking me right away if you're having difficulty," Cindy demanded.
"Please look after her." I pleaded, holding Cindy's hand.
"Don't worry, Rafael; I'll do all in my power to protect her." She gave a nod.
After receiving confirmation, we all turned around and began walking towards the field, where we set up everything we had collected along the way.
We couldn't attack them since it would generate a commotion, so we stayed a safe distance away from the human world and all the worlds.
We waited till sunrise. Bryan and Charles continued talking about how we were going to take control. We were prepared and had positioned our troops on the flanks to cover them all the way. If Father agreed to collaborate with the witches, I too have powerful witches on my side, and they would build a mystical shield to protect our troops. They would counterbalance their attacks.
Our waiting would surprise them since they expected us to be uninformed about everything and that we would be wiped out because we would be sitting without any preparation.
As Cindy stated, they will take their first step into the fight as soon as the first ray of sunlight touches the ground. There's a reason she's a seer. She had predicted everything.
A massive army of supernatural creatures marched towards us, but it was the individuals directing the troops who shocked me the most.
Yes, I expected it to be my father, but it was someone else.
"Vincent!" I was stunned, and behind him were Astrid's parents, brothers, and Edward, the boy.
When Vincent and Elliot's gazes fell on me, they immediately exchanged smirking glances.

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