Celeste’s POV

*****

I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. But then if I couldn’t believe those, I may as well believe the familiar, bone-chilling pressure that came with being stared down by fucking Vein Beasts.

How was this even happening right now?

Since the emergence of these beasts twenty years ago, they’ve been stuck in areas close to towns and cities. Never directly within these settlements themselves.

Given a few still stalked into cities at night, hoping to capture an unlucky person or two off guard... they rarely ever appeared in so many overwhelming numbers.

Because that’s what the hoard of glowing red eyes in the alley’s darkness felt like.

Overwhelming.

Gritting my teeth, my head swung down to the little girl holding my wrist. Only to realise that there was no little girl—I was standing at the entrance of the alley alone.

Panic and confusion gripped me. "Was... was that an illusion? Can these beasts cast those now?"

That didn’t make any sense.

Suddenly, I remembered that old witch the guys said they came across earlier today. The one whose shop and any sign of her existence disappeared without a trace.

This was somehow linked to her. Wasn’t it?

’Ehm, sorry to interrupt your spiralling,’ my wolf chimed softly. ’But people don’t usually think so much when they’re surrounded by dozens of Vein beasts.’

’Don’t fucking judge my coping mechanism!’

’Hey—swearing like that wasn’t necessary.’

The problem was... the beasts weren’t attacking. Or moving. Or even making any sounds. They all just stayed still, either perched on the walls or looming on the ground.

Waiting.

But waiting for what?

’Remember how the Dean theorised that you could be a beacon to Vein beasts?’ my wolf questioned all of a sudden.

’What the—how much of my life were you around to see before awakening?’

’Like I’ve said, all of it,’ she dismissed the question swiftly. ’I think that’s what’s happening right now. And I also believe it goes further. What if those sigils this morning heightened your presence? What if they called on the beasts?’

Chills ran down my spine when one of the beasts let out a low, reverberating growl. As if in response to our very private psychic conversation.

Gods, no.

"What can I do when the shadows come for me?" The words of that little girl echoed in my head. "To claim me?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She wasn’t talking about herself when she said that.

She was talking about—

—Me!

"Celeste?" Atlas’s intonation behind me made my muscles stiffen.

Crap!

"A–Atlas. Don’t—"

"Celeste, what is it?" He still seemed unaware, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "Do you want us to head back home? If you don’t like the wine tasting, I’ll tell the others. We can do something... else..."

His voice trailed off as the once calm, nearly invisible Vein beasts made their presence known. Guttural growls, spine-tingling howls, and ear-scratching screeches bounced off the cramped alleyway.

Like a distorted choir song.

"V–Vein Beasts..." Atlas arm slowly lowered, pressing against my stomach. "Celeste. Move backwards carefully."

Something wasn’t right here.

If these beasts wanted to attack, they would’ve done that several moments ago. My wolf had been the one to notice them first. Without her, it would’ve taken me a couple more seconds or so.

A couple more seconds could be the difference between life and death.

The arrival of Atlas was what got them riled up.

Which means—

"They don’t want to attack me," I muttered under my breath while Atlas successfully got me to stand behind him. As I stared into their eyes again, I no longer felt fear. Not quite. "Atlas, wait—"

"Go alert the others." Atlas’ fingers sparked with golden light, his trench coat whipping around him. "Luther should be able to alert the Alpha who owns the gun range. Who’ll in turn alert the officials before things get too heated."

My jaw tightened. "You want me to leave you with—"

"Just go, Celeste." The second those words left his lips was when chaos broke out.

One of the beasts stepped into the illumination from Atlas’ light, highlighting its grotesque figure. It stood on all fours, head triangular with horns protruding at the top. Its mouth had several rows of blade-like fangs, its scales glinting like steel.

Atlas didn’t waste a second—a clasp of his hands created several golden runes that flared across the walls to our left and right. These runes breathed with raw magic, unleashing multiple golden chains on the beasts.

That was my cue.

I turned on my heels as the beasts lunged angrily at Atlas. Almost stumbling, I got in front of the wine shop’s glass doors, my eyes immediately spotting the others in front of the counter.

A few customers were inside, browsing leisurely through shelves containing a variety of brands and flavours. Blissfully unaware that death was only a few meters away from here.

"Guys?!" I called out, my heart in my throat and breathing heavy. They all snapped their necks to me simultaneously as I ran in. "It’s A–Atlas. There are Vein beasts outside and—"

"Vein Beasts?" The male cashier attending to them exclaimed, eyes widened like bulbs. "Heavens have mercy!" Turning away from us, he lowered his hand to a cabinet below him.

Probably clicking a button.

An alarm went off in the shop, red lights blinking in a rhythm that spiked my anxiety. Already I could pick up the sounds of magic explosions, screams and beastly roars outside.

The few customers present gasped, either standing stunned with confusion or bolting for the doors where the danger was.

"He’s facing them alone." Azrael’s expression darkened.

"More importantly, why are they here?" Luther asked as we ran out of the shop together.

Once we rushed into the cold night, the difference in the once peaceful beach town was distinct. People ran in a frenzy, many not even knowing what they were running away from.

A few brave—or stupid—others stood too close to the alley, phones and gadgets out to film the fight live.

Just when I was about to lead the guys to the alley’s entrance, darkness burst out of it like ink, spilling through the ground and blotting buildings.

Simultaneously, a black tentacle reached out, wrapped around a familiar figure whose legs dangled in a fierce struggle.

Atlas!

His face was nearly purple despite his darker skin tone. The tentacle had most of his body from his neck to his knees covered completely, leaving no room for escape.

"No!" I screamed once, magic awakening in my core.

My voice carried into the wind—bringing an unsettling silence with it. Then... the ground trembled. Buildings shook. Glass doors shattered as a pressuring force descended.

No—not descended.

Spread out.

From me.

In an instant, the tentacle unwrapped from Atlas’ body, letting him plop to the ground. He coughed, heaving for breath as the tentacle’s owner emerged from the alley.

A ten-foot-tall bipedal Vein beast with elongated arms ending in claws and a skin made of pure darkness and howling shadows. Crooked mouths were across its body, so unsettling that even those recording either ran for their lives or stood frozen with horror.

The tentacles came out of its back, flicking in the air around it like tails.

My eyes stayed sliding from Atlas and the beast. Until they settled on the beast.

Its head angled to our group unhurriedly. Obsidian orbs were what looked upon me. With an eerily intelligent light that made goosebumps run through every part of my body.

"Child," a crooked sound similar to speech left its mouth, "of chaos..."