~Lilith’s POV~
Leon dropped Aurora’s wrapped body at my feet like a warning...like a threat. As if daring to prove myself.
"No damn way we’re trusting you right now," he growled. "If you’re really who you say you are, wake her up."
I knelt slowly beside Aurora’s body, the chill of death clinging to her like frost on a winter grave. Her skin was pale too pale. Her lips had long lost their color. But there was sothing still whispering under her ribcage... a flicker... a sliver... life.
Good.
"She’s not gone yet," I murmured. "But she’s close. Very close."
I placed my palm over her heart, and with the other hand, I snapped my fingers in the air—sending an invisible pulse through the room. The wind shifted, circling us like a whispering serpent. My voice dropped low, ancient words slipping from my lips like silk-drenched poison:
"Mortem, redde quod non tulisti.
Vitae flamma, revertere.
Cordis pulsus, audi .
In nomine matris magicae... Aurora, redi ad nos."
The air thickened. A low hum vibrated through the floor. The candles flickered though there was no wind. Shadows danced against the walls, and I felt the threads of the Otherworld tightening, answering my call.
I leaned closer, my fingers glowing a deep violet as I pressed two fingertips over her sternum.
"Your ti was not now," I whispered into her soul. "Co back. Co back, child of magic."
A long mont passed.
Then her chest twitched. Her lips parted. But no breath ca.
Then—a coughA weak, dry, hollow cough. The room held its breath.Aurora’s eyes fluttered.
Her throat convulsed again and she coughed, her chest rising as if forced by so unseen hand. But her eyes remained shut.
"Aurora," I said again, firr now. "Co on, little witch. You’ve fought harder battles. Co back."
Her fingers twitched.
Caspian stepped forward, wide-eyed. "Is she..."
"She’s fighting her way back," I snapped. "But her spirit was already halfway through the veil. I need complete silence now."
I lifted my hands again, this ti placing one at her forehead and one over her belly. I chanted louder:
"Anima fracta, noli fugere.
Per matris amorem, renasceris.
In lumine lunae, redeas.
Redi ad flammae, redi ad vitam... Aurora, nunc!"
A gust of wind blasted outward from her body. Every single candle in the room burst into fla simultaneously.
And then...Aurora gasped.
Her chest heaved, sucking in a desperate, ragged breath like soone drowning finally breaking the surface. Her eyes flew open white and glowing before they slowly faded back to their soft green.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
"...Caspian?" she croaked weakly.
Gasps filled the room. Leon dropped to his knees beside her, eyes misting. "Aurora—oh...Aurora.
When I brought Aurora back to life, her body stirred with a weak cough. She didn’t fully wake, but it was enough.
I turned to the group gathered before and said firmly, "You see? I’ve proven myself. Now let’s work together."
But Cayden wasn’t easily swayed. His jaw was clenched, his tone cold.
"Yes, you revived Aurora," he said slowly, "but what are we going to do about Hazel? She’s still..."
He trailed off, uncertain how to explain it. So I did.
"She’s still shut down emotionally. And no one can switch those emotions back on... except her. If Hazel doesn’t want to feel again, nothing and no one will make her."
Cayden frowned. "So what now? Just wait and hope she decides to care again?"
"You need to give her a reason," I said. "A powerful one. One that matters to her enough to break through the void. Convince her there’s sothing worth feeling for again."
"I don’t like that idea," Cayden snapped. "Too risky. She could kill soone before she even thinks about turning her emotions back on."
"I don’t like it either," I said plainly. "But that doesn’t an it’s not the truth."
Before he could protest further, I cut to the point. "We don’t have ti to wait for Hazel to decide what she wants. We either lock her up now and buy ti to find that child, or we risk everything."
Caspian’s voice rose. "Hazel in a prison? No. Absolutely not."
I turned to him. "We have no other option."
Klaus finally spoke up, stepping from the shadows. "We can’t put Hazel in a cell. She’s our Luna."
"And your Luna nearly destroyed half your pack today," I replied, voice sharp. "So if she’s your Luna, watch your Luna destroy the rest of it."
The room fell into uneasy silence. Then I repeated, "Bring her. Now."
Cayden hesitated only a mont before moving. He stepped over to Hazel’s still body, gently lifting her into his arms. The way he carried her—like she was fragile porcelain made sothing tighten in my chest. I gestured for them to follow.
Caspian stood imdiately when we passed, shoulders tense. When we reached the cells, Cayden laid Hazel down on the narrow cot. Chains were brought forward.
Caspian stepped in front of her protectively. "You better not tighten those chains. Don’t leave a mark on her body."
Cayden raised a calming hand. "Nothing will happen to her. I’ll make sure of it."
He looked at Hazel, then added, "But I think... her mother is right. If we don’t do this, she might destroy everything. She’s too strong. Unnaturally strong."
"She’s a Crescent," Klaus said from behind, his voice low and heavy.
I stiffened.
My heart paused. Rage itched under my skin. But not yet. I needed their trust first.
I turned to him slowly. "Funny... you say that like you didn’t co begging us—the sa ’prisons’ you once betrayed—for help."
Klaus didn’t flinch. "And I’d do it again," he said coolly. "If you or Hazel beco a threat to my pack or all of New Orleans..I’ll end you again. Without hesitation."
The air crackled with tension. Energy flared dangerously.
Before anyone could respond, Caspian stepped between us.
"That’s enough," he said firmly, looking between Klaus and .
Then his eyes turned to mine. "She won’t betray us... right?" I t his gaze, held it, and gave him a slow, subtle nod.
Just then, Hazel coughed. A soft sound barely audible..but everyone heard it. Every head turned toward her.
Caspian rushed back to her side, falling to his knees.
"Hazel?" he whispered, brushing her hair from her cheek.
She didn’t open her eyes. But her body shifted, just slightly.
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