109

**LUCIANA'S POV**

“It's the mystic sword” the words rang in my ears once again. 

How was it possible for the guy to possess the sword? I was sure from what I had heard and from the little I knew about our race that the sword was well hidden so random people didn't get their hands on it. 

But it has been shown to the world and now has been used on Arielle. 

I gulped, not knowing what to say to Duncan as tears threatened to fall off my eyes.  

“She….she isn't going to die, right?” I stuttered, hoping for a positive response which I knew might not come. It was the mystic sword we were talking about. 

I watched Duncan as he stared at me for a while before averting his gaze. He wasn't, with his terrifying look which was always cold and harsh, but instead, as I tried to take in his expression, I could see fear and worry as I shook my head, not wanting to believe why Duncan hadn't given me a response. 

I was tempted to ask again and I did. This time, making sure my voice came out as loud as it could.  

“Lady Arielle isn't going to die, right?” I asked, not stuttering as I tried to be confident in the question I asked, so my answer would also be precise and confidently given. 

A response truly came, but it wasn't from Duncan. 

“No one had ever survived a stab from the mystic sword and Arielle wouldn't be different. She would die, as the blade of the sword would continue to hurt her and slowly drain her. Trust me, she won't be able to endure the pain and ask for death herself”, the person said, and I could feel anger surging through Duncan's veins as he recognized the voice who had spoken. 

I also turned my gaze to her, fear evident in them as I couldn't stop the tears that trickled down my face. 

It was Sheba. 

She had a smile on as she said those words. Just like she had turned to the cunning Clara and was happy that Arielle would be dying. 

“Greetings, Alpha Duncan” she greeted him and I could tell that was a mocking greeting. 

Duncan didn't reply as he stared at her as his anger blared through his eyes, which was directed at Sheba, who didn't flinch, but I found myself shivering instead. 

“Sheba, watch what you say about Arielle”, Duncan warned, his voice laced with sorrow, but the authority in his voice couldn't be shoved away. 

“All that you said earlier wasn't true, right? She is going to be okay after a few drugs, right?” I asked, my eyes impatiently searching for answers in Sheba's eyes. 

Sheba scoffed, walking towards me, “Does it look like she has been stabbed with a kitchen knife, Luciana?” She asked, and I swallowed hard, remembering once again that it was the mystic sword the guy had stabbed Arielle with. 

“There's nothing to be done?” I asked Sheba, hoping she would say, some fairies could come and cast a spell on her, and then she could get healed, or she could see through her visions that there was a way to make her better. 

“One thing could be done” she said, and I watched her with enthusiasm, hoping whatever she wanted to say would solve the whole issue and then, the following day, Arielle could be up on her feet, the day that follows, she could start work, or maybe she could go on a leave and relax till the next week. 

I saw Duncan also turn to Sheba's direction as his gaze was also on her, trying to listen to whatever solution she had to offer to save his girlfriend. 

“The only thing that could be done to help Arielle is to kill her before she dies, kill her yourself, Duncan, or have someone do it!” Sheba said, finally turning to Duncan as she said the last words. 

Like a flash, Duncan rushed to her, grabbing her by the neck as he lifted her up with it. He was totally angry, I sensed and felt it, but what was happening felt like something I believe I could only see in movies. 

He was holding her, digging his fingers, which were as long as claws, into her throat as she groaned. 

Her legs were a few feet above the ground because of the way he was holding her. 

“Stop Duncan” Sheba said, her voice barely a whisper. I could see her face twitching in pain. As she tapped Duncan's hand to let her go.  

Duncan didn't listen but was only tightening his grip on her neck and I saw Sheba's neck showing veins and getting more red. 

I couldn't take the sight anymore as I hoped I would be able to get Duncan to let her down as I walked to them. I placed my hand on his arm, so that made him look at me, his face gentle and soft. 

I did it! I got him to calm down. I thought, but my joy was cut short when he pushed me, sending me flying feet away from him. 

He didn't push me with my entire force, but he had only pushed me with the tip of his elbows and I went flying away. 

I fell with my butt hitting the ground and there was no one to lift me up. Damon wasn't there and so was 
He was furious and he couldn't control it. 

I remember, if Arielle had been there, then she would have been able to calm him down, or he wouldn't have gotten angry in the first place. 

“I'm sorry, Duncan, I'm sorry” Sheba said, giving in to defeat. 

Duncan heard her pleas and let her down as she fell, holding her neck as she caressed it gasping for air as it looked like she had been holding her breath all this while. 

“You won't talk about her death to me, not ever again!” Duncan yelled and reality sank in, Arielle was really dying!!