Tick Tock

Alice POV

“My blood?? What do you mean??” Without a word, the Dark Lord pulled out a similar, albeit slightly larger dagger. It was adorned with red, black, and purple gems almost everywhere. “You hand little wolf”, he said authoritatively. As in a trance, I found myself unable to ask any questions or to refuse. I simply extended my hand, which he sliced down the middle of my palm, red liquid pooling in it. “Five drops, directly onto the tip of the dagger”, he instructed. I did as I was told, and when completed, the dagger glowed in bright light temporarily. “You can touch it now, but not use its full power yet. It still demands your blood!”, the Dark Lord continued. His dagger was next to him, and I was curious as to the multicolored gemstones on it, and if they had any significance. “Your dagger is different. It has all these colors in the stones”, I observed. “Good observation little wolf. Each stone corresponds to a life taken by this dagger!”, he said, obviously excited and proud. I looked at mine, and while the dagger was adorned with multiple stones, only one was red. “Yours was used only once in the past, hence the red gem”. I nodded as if understanding but was not grasping it. “Why are the stones on your dagger in different colors??”



“Color responds to the blood of the creatures taken by it. Purple for Lycans, black for demon shifters, red for everybody else. I am adding a blue one for Fae soon!”, he said. As much as I wanted all this, looking at the dagger and imagining how many lives it took, shook me to my core. “I told you we should not have made a deal with him. I told you he was dangerous!!!”, Rina was snapping at me. “So, this dagger only took a life of a regular shifter???”, I asked, pointing at the one he allotted to me. “Not just any regular shifter. In fact, she was not a shifter at all. A powerful witch, in fact, who could not be defeated even by my magic. But I found a loophole”, he snickered. I did not know that there was anyone powerful enough to defeat his magic, but apparently this did not save that unfortunate soul. However, I still did not understand the requirements. I have given my blood to the dagger as instructed and demanded. Surely now, I can use it for whatever task is planned for me next and move on with my plans of becoming Queen Luna?????



“My lord, I am still unclear about the meaning of my blood. I have given the dagger my blood..” I tried to reason. “You think a few drops of a mediocre she-wolf unlock the powers of Al Kadar??? You think you are that important???”, he sneared at me, his voice mocking me. "You think very highly of yourself she-wolf!"I was stunned. The derision in his voice was venomous and I felt even worse than before. “My Lord??? I was just..” I tried to explain. “Do not pretend to even begin to understand the power of Al Kadar you sellout!!!! YOU WILL DO AS YOU ARE TOLD AND YOU WILL OBEY!!!!”, he now screamed, his aura slipping up, bringing me to my knees. “My lord, I simply do not understand. I have not dealt with objects of power before, especially nothing as important and ancient as this”, I said meekly, now trying to flatter him, hoping his anger would subside.



“My instructions are very clear, Alice. A few drops of blood were a payment needed for you to be able to hold the dagger. But the real cost of wielding Al Kadar, especially one as pure as the blade in your possession, is life!” I staggered back, trying to understand the meaning. “You want me to kill myself????!!!” The expression on his face was unreadable, yet I felt as if he was disgusted with me at that moment. “NO, you stupid woman!!!! I do not want you to kill yourself. You are useful and will be useful as Queen Luna, a Luna under my control!!! Once we are rid of your husband, the werewolf kingdom will be mine. And with Lycans in disarray, and with the task you will complete for me, more will fall!! Slowly but surely, the realm will be MINE!!!” he now gritted through his teeth, like a man possessed.



“However, I do demand you do what I ask! And for that, I need you to be able to use the dagger’s power. The dagger demands a life – a life of your own blood. And last I checked, the only immediate relative you have is your father" he said non-chalantly. A horrible realization dawned on me. This should not happen!! No No No!! I started panicking!! No... No No .. There had to be another way! “NOOOOOOOOOOO!", I heard myself scream, tears prickling my eyes. “I will NOT kill my father, you absolute fucking monster! I will NOT do it!!!! He is the only one I have left! He is my Father!! There must be another way, find me another way! Please, please! I cannot”, I said, now full-on sobbing. I fell to my knees and started pleading with him, begging him for my father’s life. However, nothing moved him.



“Now you are crying???? Little wolf, this is very simple. Al Kadar will have its tribute. If you are unwilling to give it, I will find somebody else to be the Queen Luna. And in the process, it will cost you your life. You should be grateful I am giving you a choice!!!! Many would jump at this opportunity, yet here you are sniveling like a coward!!!Perhaps I should not have helped you?? Perhaps the Alpha King needs to know how his beloved mate tried to fake the bond and kill him??? What do you think of that Alice???” he looked at me, knowing he had won.



I was desperate. I needed to figure out the way out of this. A thought occurred to me. “My wolf will never agree to kill our father!”, I said, in my last attempt to sway him, still sobbing, not knowing how I ended up in this mess and, more importantly, how to get out. “Your wolf will have no choice! You will wear this!”, he said, extending his hand. In it, were two bracelets. “These are designed to subdue your wolf and make her do your bidding no matter what. Of course, I can only let you have them if you agree to Al Kadar’s demands. And Alice, your father is already frail. If your father dies of natural causes, our deal is off!" Tick Tock, little wolf”.