“What brought her to her lifeless state?” the creature questioned.
“Marcus Northcott orchestrated her demise to punish me for refusing to join his coven.”
“And you attempted to reverse his punishment?”
“Yes.”
“Are there any other details relevant?”
“She is my sister; I did not want to lose her. I had only just regained her.”
“After your requested absence.”
“Yes,” Celine answered.
“You did not remain human, Celine Devereaux Buckley.”
“I did not. I could not.”
“You chose your fate, Celine Devereaux Buckley. There is always a choice.”
“Can you help me?” Celine pressed.
“No,” the creature stated.
“Please, Celeste does not deserve to pay the price for my folly,” she persisted.
“Celeste made her choices centuries ago. I will not undo what is done.” Celine set her jaw in frustration, contemplating her next move. “Our business is ended, Celine Devereaux Buckley. Goodbye.”
“If I could just interject…” Damien began. Celine spun to face him, wide-eyed, covering his mouth with her hands.
Fire shown in the creature’s eyes, turning them from black to red. Its wings opened wide, flapping in agitation. “SILENCE, HUMAN,” it bellowed. Panic flashed through Damien’s eyes, wide with fear. “You dare to defy me?” it roared.
“No, he does not,” Celine answered.
“I shall speak only to the contemptuous human who dares to challenge me.”
Celine whipped around to face the adjudicator. “You have made your ruling. No one is questioning you. Return to the realm from whence you came. Leave this human alone.”
“Step aside, Celine Devereaux Buckley, this is not your affair.”
“It is my affair,” Celine argued, fire entering her voice, “he is my family, blood or not. If you cross him, you cross me. Make no mistake, I will use every power at my disposal to defend and protect him.”
The creature glanced between Celine and Damien. “You realize the consequences of this choice?”
“I do,” Celine assured the adjudicator.
“And you would still defend him knowing this?”
“To the death,” Celine said, setting her jaw and flashing a fiery stare at the creature.
Want to read more? Find out what happens to Celine, Damien and the rest of the Shadow Slayers in Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul! Click here to read!
Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) Page 30
