CHAPTER 109: THE WITCH’S GAMBIT

Chapter 109: The Witch’s Gambit

The Harvester’s massive form blocked out the sun as it dropped toward the barrier dome.

Captured supernatural beings huddled below, their frightened faces turned skyward. Among them, Jace struggled against his chains, blood dripping from fresh cuts.

Liana felt her heart breaking as she watched him. The mate bonds were broken, but her love for the triplets burned brighter than ever.

"Sixty seconds until feeding commences," the Council voice announced again. "We need a miracle," Darius muttered, checking his guns. That’s when Celeste stepped forward.

"Actually," she said, her voice cutting through the chaos, "we need magic." Everyone turned to stare at her.

The former Beta’s daughter who had once tried to steal Liana’s fate now stood with something glowing in her hands – an ancient crystal that pulsed with dark energy.

"You have got to be kidding me," Death growled. "Now you want to help?" "I’ve been helping all along," Celeste answered calmly.

"Who do you think has been feeding material to the resistance? Who warned the Portland Wolves about the first raid?" Liana’s eyes widened. "That was you?"

"Surprise." Celeste’s smile was bitter. "Turns out losing everything you thought you wanted gives you a new perspective on what actually matters."

The floating babies turned their bright eyes toward her. THE WITCH SPEAKS TRUTH. SHE HAS BEEN PREPARING. "Preparing for what?" Liana demanded. Celeste held up the crystal.

"For this moment. I’ve been in touch with the Ancient Covens – witches so old they remember when magic ruled the world. They’ve been watching the Council’s rise, waiting for the right time to strike back."

"And that moment is now?" Darius asked. "The moment is now," a new voice agreed. The air shimmered, and three figures appeared inside the barrier dome.

They were clearly witches, but unlike any Liana had ever seen. Their eyes held the depth of ages, and power radiated from them like heat from a fire.

The main witch, her silver hair flowing like liquid moonlight, stepped forward. "I am Morgana of the First Circle. We offer you a chance to stop the Harvester."

"What’s the catch?" Liana asked quickly. She’d learned to be suspicious of deals that seemed too good to be true. Morgana smiled, but it wasn’t a kind look.

"Smart girl. The catch is simple – our magic is powerful enough to destroy the Harvester, but it needs a vessel. Someone strong enough to control forces that would kill an ordinary being." "Me," Liana said quietly. "You."

"What would happen to her?" Death ordered, stepping protectively closer to Liana. The second witch, her face marked with intricate tattoos that seemed to move, replied.

"She would become temporarily cruel. The magic would change her on the most basic level, giving her power beyond imagination. But..." "But?" Liana pressed. "But you might not come back from it," the third witch finished.

"The magic we offer is older than your werewolf family, older than the Council, older than most things that walk this earth. It could save everyone, or it could consume you totally." Above them, the Harvester was almost close enough to touch the barrier.

Its hunger was a living thing, pressing against Liana’s thoughts like claws. "How long do I have to decide?" she asked. "Thirty seconds," the Council voice stated.

That’s when the triplets’ voices exploded through the mental link that linked all supernatural beings in the area.

"Absolutely not!" Kael’s voice was sharp with command, even though his feelings were locked away. "The tactical risk is unacceptable." "Are you insane?" Jace’s voice came through weaker – he was hurt badly, but his spirit was still fighting.

"Liana, don’t you dare sacrifice yourself for us!" "Please," Rowan’s voice was barely a whisper, but it held all his pain.

"I’ve already lost myself to everyone else’s pain. Don’t make me lose you too." The three witches exchanged looks. Morgana spoke again. "Interesting. The mate bonds are broken, but the heart bonds stay strong. That might actually help." "Help how?" Liana asked.

"Love is the strongest anchor," the tattooed witch stated. "If you transform, their love could be what pulls you back to yourself." "Or it could be what destroys them when I don’t come back," Liana said softly.

The caught supernatural beings below were being pushed closer to the feeding area. Children cried. Adults tried to cover them with their bodies.

The Harvester’s tentacles began to unfurl, reaching toward its meal. "Twenty seconds," the Council stated. "Liana," Celeste said quickly, "there’s something else.

The Ancient Covens told me about your family. You’re not just royal monster blood. Your ancestors were bridge-builders between species. You have witch blood too – remote, but it’s there.

That’s why you can handle this magic." "You’re part witch?" Death asked in amazement. "Apparently I’m part everything," Liana mumbled. "Omega, royal wolf, old Luna spirit, and now witch.

What’s next, vampire?" "Ten seconds," the Council voice was getting excited. "Harvester in position." Liana looked at her friends.

Death, loyal and terrible. Darius, who had become the father she never had. The floating babies, old and wise. Celeste, who had found salvation in the darkest hour.

Then she looked at the caught supernatural beings. Families torn apart. Children who would never see another morning. Jace, barely aware but still fighting his chains.

The choice wasn’t really a choice at all. "Do it," she said. "Liana, no!" The triplets’ voices screamed through the mental link. But it was too late.

The three witches began to sing, their voices weaving together in a language older than human speech. The crystal in Celeste’s hands burst with light.

Power slammed into Liana like a storm. Her body convulsed as magic older than society poured into her bones, her blood, her very soul.

She felt herself changing, becoming something that had never existed before. Her eyes blazed with silver fire. Her hair whipped around her face as if caught in an invisible wind.

Energy crackled along her skin like live lightning. But the most shocking change was her voice when she spoke.

It carried the authority of every supernatural being who had ever lived. "HARVESTER," she called, and her voice shook the ground. "FACE ME." The mountain-sized creature stopped in its descent.

For the first time in eons, the Harvester looked unsure. That’s when Liana found the first terrible cost of the magic.

She could feel herself forgetting. Human feelings, werewolf instincts, even her memories of the people she loved – they were being burned away by the ancient power coursing through her.

"Remember us," Jace whispered through the vanishing mental link. "Whatever happens, remember us."

But as Liana rose into the air to face the Harvester, wreathed in silver fire and wielding magic that could change reality itself, she wasn’t sure she remembered her own name.

The change was complete. The question was: would there be anything left of Liana when the fight was over?