Chapter 338: _I Have A Spell
At the end of the funeral ceremony, I still had most of my attention locked on Regina, ignoring the lingering scent of incense in the hall.
She definitely noticed my scrutiny from where she sat but pretended not to, seeming distant throughout the ceremony.
But now that it was over, I sure as hell was ready to face her.
"Regina," I whispered to Kaelos when he and I stepped away from Caroline and Layla’s coffins, watching the pack members trooping out.
He turned his gaze to me, his brows furrowing.
Oh, right...
"It’s all a long story but she’s one of Ryker’s main goons. I fought her before my escape that night." I explained, my jaw clenching as I tried holding back Sirena.
’Let me out, let’s finish her here and now.’ Sirena growled in my mind, prowling and clawing. ’My claws are itching to sink into her throat.’
’In front of all these people? No, Sirena.’ I resisted her still, taking a single step forward.
Meanwhile, Kaelos seemed like he was going to snap as well after hearing my lore drop on dear old Regina.
"How the fuck did she get into the pack?" He growled, but I placed my right hand in front of his chest before he could make any moves.
"The same way she probably did during the Charity Ball months ago," I whispered, dimming my eyes when I spotted Regina smiling slightly at me.
She even dared raise her right hand and gave us a wave!
Oh, she was asking for it.
"She told me something about interacting with Caroline." I continued, straightening my spine and drawing in a deep breath. "The fact she hasn’t made any moves yet tells me she’s here to chat."
Kaelos grabbed my wrist, forcing me to look into his silver gaze. "And you want to hear anything that demon has to say? Any minion of Ryker is bad news."
Yes, I know that.
But—
"Trust me, Kaelos. Let’s hear her out." I said finally, my voice getting cold before I added. "I’ll be the first to incinerate her if she tries anything funny."
With that, I took the lead, waltzing toward her when the event hall was almost empty. Only a few wolves still lingered around, either making comments about the ceremony or passing rumours that I didn’t care enough to listen to.
Regina’s black eyes ironically lit up when Kaelos and I got closer. She got on her feet, placing her umbrella in front of her.
"Alpha King and Luna Queen." She bowed like a respectful subject, her expression plain but solemn. "I’m glad we’re finally able to meet under... Less tense situations."
I flashed a sarcastic smile, stepping closer until I was only a few feet away from her. She raised her head, her eyes like steel as I looked into them, unflinching.
"How did you get into this pack?" Kaelos queried behind me, his tone colder than ice.
Regina shrugged. "Well, usually I’d just teleport in but it seems high priestess Althea made some enhancements to the protection energy of the moon stone at the gates. So, I simply used my charms to get in... After flirting with a guard or two."
My eyes twitched with agitation and I could feel Kaelos’ emotions as well.
But Regina raised her hands in silent defeat. "Listen, you can fish out the bad eggs in your security team later. Right now I’m only here to pay my respects to Caroline and—"
"Why in the name of everything wrong will you have an interest in Caroline?" I snapped, ignoring the glances of an elite couple who walked by. "And why didn’t she tell me anything about it? Did you manipulate her mind?"
Regina scoffed, smiling wryly. "I wouldn’t be able to do that even if I tried. She’s a Silverborn, remember? A part of her I was trying so desperately to fish out and understand that I ended up..."
She paused, her eyes flashing with something I couldn’t quite read.
’We’ll be able to read it better once we gouge her eyes out.’ Sirena snarled in my mind but I sucked in a breath to calm my urges.
Fortunately, or not, Regina continued. "... I ended up getting fascinated by her. I fear I might go as far as saying I... Fell for her."
My lips parted, a weird feeling coiling in my stomach.
Oh... Oh wow.
I glanced back at Kaelos, who seemed just as stumped as I, shrugging subtly when our eyes locked.
’Caroline’s secret was a... Relationship with the enemy?’ I asked Kaelos through the mind link.
’I don’t know, and the enemy in question is still right there. So let’s ask her.’ Kaelos responded with a mental nod, causing me to sigh.
I brought my gaze back to Regina, rubbing the bridge of my nose with frustration.
How did I go from barely holding back tears during the ceremony to... THIS?
"Listen, Regina. If I’m being honest I don’t even want to fight." I sighed heavily, shaking my head.
’Girl, speak for yourself!’ Sirena howled but I ignored her.
"Yes, I want to bash your head into the nearest wall right now but I’m so fucking drained and if you really had something going on with Caroline—"
"Oh, Caroline and I were never in any relationship." Regina waved her hands, although the small crack behind her voice told me...
She was hurt?
I squinted as she continued. "I mean, we shared a kiss once but now I wouldn’t get the chance to know if it meant anything because..."
Her eyes flicked to the end of the hall where Caroline’s body lay peacefully, lingering there for way too long.
I stared at her suspiciously, my fingers still twitching beside me just in case.
"What are you going to do with the body?" She suddenly asked, creeping me all the way out.
I eyed her, my nostrils flaring. "She once told me after elder Davina’s cremation that she wouldn’t like that. So we’ll be burying her. Not like it’s any of your business."
Regina parted her lips but I’d had about enough and inched closer until her breath ghosted across my face.
"Don’t mistake my unwillingness to fight as you being on my good side. I promise I’ll rain hell on you and Ryker as soon as I get my shit together." I said firmly, maintaining eye contact.
When I saw the uneasy flash pass her features, I decided I was done there and brushed past her shoulder, about to walk out of the event hall.
But then—
"I have a spell. A ritual which, if you help me cast it..." She began, causing me to pause as my heart skipped a beat.
My eyes widened at the suspense, cold sweat dripping down my back as I whipped my head back to her.
Could it be?
"... It can summon her spirit to us."