A Chance

Lady Jasmine POV



The smoke and fires were around me, as were the dead bodies. I smelled blood and death. Laying on the ground, my whole body was aching and all I heard was buzzing. My vision was cloudy but I was trying to see, trying to get up. Yet something held me down. “It is an immobilis spell, you will not be able to move until I say so", I heard the voice of my brother. “WHERE IS SHE?????” he roared. The portal had succeeded, I thought to myself. The lullaby worked. Little did Dragana know that was an ancient spell, but it required a power of a well-trained witch to open it. She was not trained. I took a chance, praying it would work to save her. It did. So, at least she was safe, I thought to myself. “WHERE IS SHE?? I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN JASMINE!!!!!!”, my brother was pacing around me, the ancient magic embedded in him, his tattoos becoming active, moving up and down his arm, his aura becoming more dangerous every moment he moved. I tried to speak, but blood was pooling in my mouth so I barely coughed, glaring at him.



“HOW CAN SHE USE THE SILVER GATE!!!????? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!”. There was no appeasing him. He was livid, ready to kill and I knew it.



There was nothing that mattered at that point. I slowly turned my head to asses the carnage. Most of my warriors were dead. Beta Artemis only barely clung to life; he did not have much time left. Few of my Lycans were still alive, but bleeding out, just as I have at this point.



“Mighty Lord Khor”, I managed to sputter sarcastically.. “Or should I call you Dark Lord Khor?? We both know you earned that – in blood and death”, I said in between breaths, the metallic taste of blood still in my mouth. “The man who swore to protect and defend his family, killing his only sister. How poetic and how so very ironic!”, I spat, glaring at him.



He froze on the spot, looking at me with an indescribable expression. I was fading. All I cared for at that moment was the fact that Dragana was safe. I was unsure as to where she went, but I knew that the spell would lead her to a family, and likely somebody powerful who could truly protect her and keep her safe. It was ancient magic, one I did not fully understand either. It predated me. It was called the “Song of Solomon”, and it had many versions. Dzana would know the best one, I thought to myself, she would have taught her, even if Dragana did not understand it. Thoughts and memories of my life flashed before me, and while I had many regrets, and even though this did not turn out the way I wanted, my job here was done, Dragana was safe, and I was ready to go to the halls of the ancestors. My heart was bleeding for my father, King Malakai, but I knew he would be proud that, at least, this is how I died. With honor.



“You have another thing coming, if you think I will allow you to die!!”, my brother said, snarling at me, as if he was reading my thoughts. “Do you really think I wanted to kill you??!!! He was pacing, his chiseled face unreadable, his energy all over the place, his anger palpable. I was unsure at this point of what exactly he was angry about, and truth be told, I could not care less. As if he heard me, he roared again.



YOU BETRAYED ME! YOU TOOK MY GRANDAUGHTER FROM ME!!! That was not your decision to make Jasmine!!!!!”, he was circling me like a lazy shark with venom spilling out of his whole being, screaming at me, hitting me with his powerful aura, holding me in place with his magic. I was fading, unwilling to engage him, simply trying to recollect what was left of me, and see if I could do anything to save Beta Artemis’ life.



“You really think she will come to YOU?” I snickered. “Look what you are, look what you have become brother”, I managed to spit out, between the gasps, blood still seeping out.



“WHAT HAVE I BECOME??? I HAVE DONE WHAT I HAD TO DO! I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY!!!! I HAVE..”..



I cut him off.



“You have become everything our mother detested, everything she feared, and everything she worked to destroy!!!! She would be disgusted by you! And so very disappointed!!!!!”, I spat back. His eyes darkened further and his aura at this point was completely black. I knew my end was near, but I kept telling myself Dragana was safe.



Fading away, I heard the sound of wolves snarling and approaching - A LOT of them. And they were not happy, not even in the slightest – their snarls told me they were coming in for a kill. I heard the clash, the sound of flesh tearing, yelps and fresh smell of blood was now everywhere.



With this, my brother’s attention was diverted. He ran over to see what was happening. This gave me an opportunity to turn around and see that Beta Artemis’ body lay there mangled - his life was leaving him. With my final breath, I cast the enchantment over him. I wanted to at least try to delay his bleeding, to give him the chance, the opportunity to delay pain and his death. I watched him struggle for air at first, and as I continued chanting the old magic- his breathing stabilized. A chance, at least a chance, I sighed. Thank you, Goddess! With that, the last of my energy was spent, and then everything went black.