Read Online Sacrifice by Mayandree Michel - Free Book Online Page A

said reassuringly, and kissed him on the forehead. “Now sleep tight.”
    It wasn’t that easy getting Phoebe to go back to sleep. She required a full explanation on tonight’s excitement and a story, not realizing that the tale of Niko and Victor playing Hide-n-seek was indeed a story itself. I was yawning by the time I left her room.
    I was halfway down the staircase when Bethany suddenly appeared – beautiful and poised as always – in the main hallway. We stared at each other for a moment. I wondered why she wasn’t with her team. No one had permission to abandon the mission unless a warrior’s strengths were compromised.
    First Victor is missing, and now I had to brace myself for whatever Bethany had to report.
    “I know that you’re surprised to see me here and now.”
    “I'm surprised to see you here at all,” I said. I eyed Bethany suspiciously, but not because she held a grudge against me for not pardoning her parents. I wanted to know why she wasn’t on the mission.
    “Look, I wouldn’t have come unless it was important,” she said, and I could feel her emotions ripple through me like the turbulent waves of the ocean. “I know that we are forbidden to leave the mission, but I saw something tonight. It was something that you’d want to act on, immediately.”
    “Let's talk in the parlor.”
    “Is Victor here?” Bethany asked after I closed the door behind her.
    “Why does that matter? He’s a part of our family and I wish you’d get over your aversion to him,” I snapped. Bethany’s face flushed and I knew that I was wrong to snap at her. She had every right to her unfavorable feelings toward Victor after what he had done to her, but just the mention of his name along with the fact that I haven’t heard a word from Evan or Nikolas was making me jumpy.
    “I–I’m sorry. No, Beth. He’s not here. He’s missing,” I said as I peered through the curtains as if I expected to see Victor coming through the towering gates and up my porch steps.
    “I saw a vision. It was of him,” Bethany said. Besides having the strength of several strong men combined, she had the gift of sight and could see the near future. 
    “Just tell me what you saw,” I demanded, lightly.
    “I saw flashes of Victor at the Bucket O’ Blood. Then I saw him in the woods. He's going to get hurt. Quite badly. The gashes on his body will spout his blood like a fountain.” I should have known that this was why Bethany had come here. Her gift was always precise.
    “When did you see the vision?” I asked, anxiously.
    “I teleported as soon as the vision ended.”
    Oh no. It must be happening now.
    “Did you see anyone else?” The anticipation is killing me.
    “The Lykanos were in the woods and shifted.”
    “The entire pack?” I ask, shocked. If they all showed up, it must be that they don’t want to underestimate Victor, in case he has power. Those mangy, beastly, stupid cowards.
    “Yes.”
    “Bethany?” I gulped, almost unable to ask my next question. “Does he die?”
    “I don't know. That’s all I saw.”
    “Thank you Beth. Thank you for coming here and telling me. I know that you… well, I know how you feel about him. I know how hard it must be to forgive him.”             
    “I haven’t forgiven him. I could never forgive him. I’m completely devoted to you, our empire, and its safety. His powers are essential. However, what he did to me… will never be forgiven. That’s all.”             
    “I understand and I’ll never ask you to. You should get back,” I said. She nodded and disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
    My gut wrenched as I thought of what may happen to Victor if Evan and Nikolas don’t reach him in time. I was about to send them a message explaining what Bethany envisioned when I felt tremors run up and down my back.
    Finally, I could feel Victor's aura.
    It must be happening now, I thought. Dear Gods, please let him survive, I prayed. My