Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Chapter 191: _I See You

Celeste’s POV

*****

"Absolutely not."

All heads turned in the direction of that thick baritone.

Azrael.

He shook his head, taking a couple of steps forward while my mother tilted her head at him.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no." He repeated flatly. "The risks of what she’s about to do are just too much."

My fingers were gripping the edges of my top while my mother lowered her arms. She gave Azrael a sweeping look from his head to his toes.

"You think I don’t know how dangerous it could be?" She finally muttered. "We’re running out of options. My presence could help in anchoring her through the process—"

"Could." He was so close to stepping over the candles just to pull me out of there. "This is blood magic we’re talking about. It’s binding... and when dealing with people working for Nyx, that can be like stamping a death wish."

When I cut mom a look she seemed stunned.

Everyone else stayed silent, the only other person who didn’t appear utterly confused being the Dean.

I was going to say something but my mother beat me to it.

"Such detailed knowledge on Nyx and how she would operate," Odessa arched her brow. "Is there something I’m not getting here? Mr... Vaelmont, was it?"

Shit.

Mom still had no clue one of my mates was a literal vampire. One of Nyx’s children. For one, I didn’t see the need to tell her.

Two—well, given her history with the Vein, I doubted if she’d trust him after finding out.

"It’s not knowledge on Nyx." Azrael straightened confidently. "It’s knowing how volatile blood magic and the Vein are. So... imagine all the risks that could come with mixing both."

"... Celeste won’t need to tap into the Vein."

"She doesn’t need to. But her magic just needs to connect with the pocket dimension Atlas is being kept in for things to spiral."

The more they bickered the more frustrated I got. I couldn’t stand it anymore.

"Just stop it already!" I snapped, spinning on my heels. I took the dagger off my mother’s hands, my grip faltering around the handle.

Azrael stretched out a hand. "Celeste, wait—!"

"It’s the only way, Azrael," I murmured, giving my mother a nod. "I’m ready. Tell me what to do."

It was at this point that both Luther and Silas stirred where they stood. "Uhm..." Luther began. "Now that Azrael keeps mentioning it, I don’t—"

"If you all want to be helpful mates," my mother cut sternly, "you’d stay and support her through this. She needs your strength and assurance. Not distraction."

That finally silenced them—although I could still feel Azrael’s disapproval through the bond. My magic pulsed through our connection in an attempt to calm him.

’... Little miss?’ My brows furrowed when I heard his voice in my head. ’Can you hear me?’

’Whoa... have we ever done this?’ My mouth parted with shock. ’Azzy—’

’Seeing your blood might... trigger me,’ he warned. ’I’m still here. But I’ll just look away. For everyone’s sake.’

The words were like a gut punch, especially when I saw the way he drifted past everyone else, keeping himself as far from me as possible.

’B–But you’ve bit me.’ My mental voice was strained. ’Why is it a problem now?’

’The more of your blood I taste, the more purified my connection to the original Vein energy responsible for my creation.’ he explained calmly. ’It’s taken me so long to understand. But tonight I do. I... I don’t want to take any chances until I’m certain I can control myself around you.’

His voice became fainter through the bond.

’Was that why you were trying to stop the ritual?’

’Not entirely,’ a pause. ’There indeed are risks with what you’re about to do. But like your mother kindly pointed out... I’m here for you. We all are.’

"Alright," my mother’s voice shattered the link, making me blink with a jerk. "Ready?"

As I nodded, she guided me on all the steps to take, making sure I understood every detail. First—calling on the moon goddess, asking to see and hold the strands of my bond with Atlas.

Sounds easy in theory but every chant I made to beseech the goddess made me more nervous. Until... I felt a tug. In my bond with Atlas.

The moment I got it, I set the blade of the dagger just a few centimetres away from my palm. "I draw from my magic and blood... and I seal this connection," my eyes opened wide, a silver glow piercing out of me.

Everyone backed up, including my mother. She didn’t say a word but I saw a glimpse of something in her eyes. A look that told me she was right there if I needed her.

Suddenly, Atlas’s bond vibrated with another tug. This time I gasped, nearly tripping out of the circle of candles. But I held on: "By the spirits of the witches of old... so mote it be!"

The blade pierced through my skin. I bit back a cry, watching my blood drip to the earth beneath my feet in crimson beads—only to disappear without a trace.

My wolf howled wildly, forcing me to turn my head.

And there it was.

Flicking around like a snake that needed taming was the invisible personification of my bond with Atlas. A glowing red string, gradually slipping away from me.

I reached out, grabbing it hard without stepping out of the circle of candles. A powerful rush of wind blew through the hall, carrying my hair until it snaked around my face.

My mouth parted as images ran through my head. Too fast and sudden for me to understand at first. Until they began creating clear scenes.

’This... this is it...’ I rasped, pulling back at the string with everything in me. ’I’m getting his location—whoa!’

A heavy force slammed into my chest. Resistance. Warm blood trickled down the corner of my mouth. My ribs caved in. I heaved, ignoring the concerned yells of my mates and mother.

I was too close to give up now.

’... I see you...’ a slow curve played on my lips. ’I hear you. Come. To. Me.’

My legs buckled, making me collapse to my knees. But the string remained clasped between my blood-stained hands. Just when it felt like I was fighting a futile battle... I got one final image.

Sigils. Familiar stone pillars I knew all too well. A vast expanse of reddish sand.

Wait—

Before I could delve deeper, the bond snapped out of my grip. My palms slammed to the ground, the candles turning off under the same breath. For a fleeting moment, I saw the strands connecting me to my other mates as well.

As silence slowly crept into the hall, my mother’s approaching footsteps echoed behind me.

"Sweetheart?" Her voice was almost a plea. "Are you okay?" freeweɓnovel.cøm

I kept my head low, my hair cascading in waves over my face. I took a few seconds to catch my breath. Then—I found my voice.

"The Crimson Expanse." I lifted my head. "She used the Crimson Expanse as... one of the dimension’s power sources. A gate to where Atlas is."

Of course, a crazed professor would use school property to help her cause.

My voice trembled as I added. "Whoever helped her... knows I found them."